Static Setup and Self Launch... Check
Static Self Land and Teardown... Check
Static reverse launch... Check (minus arcs...grrrr)
Static safe flying around and above the window... Check
Static flying safely through the power zone (PZ)... Check
Static 8s - uploops ... Check
Static 8s - downloops... Check
Static vertical 8s ... Check
Static uploops... Check
Static downloops... Check
Static safety release under tension... Check
Static jumping (if that's your thing)... Check
Static scudding... check
Static hot launch... Check
Static stupid inevitable #@%$#!... Check
Skiing (/boarding) zenith to power stroke to moving... Check
Skiing hot launch to moving... Check
Skiing transition to other direction... Check
Skiing staying upwind... Check
Skiing bleeding speed to a stop by turning upwind... Check
Skiing sining to stay powered up... Check
Skiing bleeding power by going upwind... Check
Skiing generating power through downloop... Meh... Check
Skiing generating power through uploop... Check
Skiing transition downloop... Check
Skiing transition uploop... Check
Skiing send it for air ... ________
Skiing send it for air at transition... ___________
Sticking the landing... _____________
Skiing Heli loops ...____________
Tricks ... ___________
Skiing stupid inevitable #@%$#!...____________



That's a general picture of my experience snow kiting, landboarding and buggying. It occurred to me the other day that I should know better than to downloop low in the window, but I hadn't actually thought it out because I hadn't identified it as an actual technique to be used for a particular goal. I was just messing around, trying new things and when the kite generated a TON of power it surprised me and I got yanked off the board, slammed into the field and hurt myself a little.

Similarly, I once asked erratic which way to loop during transition and he plainly told me that it depends on whether you want more power going in or more power coming out... Sage advice, but I hadn't figured it out for myself (of course, now it seems like it should have been obvious to past-me.)

For those of us who should probably be a bit more deliberate in choosing the right kite technique for a particular goal (right now my goal is to catch a bit of air and not hurt myself)... What tools do you think are missing from this list?

I'm too chiken to downloop transition on my landboard....

For Boards:

You could maybe differentiate between sliding and carving turns? + sliding/hopping to toeside and riding toeside are important skills on a landboard or snowboard.

Once you can jump then add

Grabs
back rotations
forwards rotations
jump transitions
back loop transitions
multiple rotations
rotations with graps
jumps with kiteloops
unhooking
Raleys (would only really try that on a snowboard on land)
S bends
F16 (backloop, kiteloop unhooked)
surface passes
riding blind
air passes
landing blind

The Sky is the limit

Only thing missing from the list is armor, ibuprofen, and a stiff drink/smoke for when you're done! ;D

You're right on track, we just need some snow!

Those are good suggestions, l2f... I just mentally put them under "tricks" but you're right, I should break them out (and you already did most of the work).

An you're totally right, erratic w, I should add a safety set that was previously covered under "stupid #@%$#! you do..." Before you get pads or a helmet..

Pick harness wedgies... Check

Um... I think you're doing it wrong

Yo Dave, other dave. I find it interesting what you said about up vs down looping. I find that with my Montana I have no choice but to downloop. Puling an uploop at the edge of the window ( i.e. situation where I am transitioning) will cause the kite will stall more often than not. That being said this kite turns very slowly. I think that I have just gotten used to the fact that every transition I make I'm going to be heavily yanked.

If you are stalling it while trying to uploop, try turning the kite a little sooner while it is still at speed or carve away from the kite while you are starting the loop to load the lines up a bit more. This should power the kite up enough to really yank you around. It is how I make most of my turns on my buggy. I will hardly slow down at all, charge the lines by turning away from the kite and then uploop the kite hard and turn into the pull and let it yank me around the bend.

If you are also talking tools / gear required then it's important to mention Ice Screws. One of the few things that you really need to buy if you already ski and kite.

I have 2 . One a set at base camp and one I carry with me in case I get in trouble away from camp. Mark your screw at base cap well or it could end up drifted in when you return. + it should be market for others to avoid.

If you are out without a screw you can jam your skis or board into the snow to anchor your kite.

I am in the market for some ice screws or one of those gaiant blade anchors. also, downlop transition for teh win. The more I do it, the more uploop transition feels weird. Thanks for ruining uploops for me FOREVER, PHREE!

strange

spambone stuck in my teeth.