Hey I have a little problem, all the time I try to get on my board, I always try to drive upwind, instead of downwind, I had about 12 hours by now and managed it really quick and easy to handle the kite. I know I have to point the board downwind, but every time I get on the board, I just do it wrong again. My instructor is really frustrated by now and me too, he even gets angry at me a bit and says if I don't get it solved soon, he will see no future for me in kitesurfing. That doesn't help me much, cause I just get sad and start making more mistakes, so has somone a idea what to do? I'm not allowed to go on my own for training so I just can go when my instructor has time for me, like once a week, that doesn't help much either. Maybe someone has a idea what I can do at home, to train it please
Id say you definetely need a better instructor maddy!
If he is making you feel bad thats not good at all.
Learn to wakeboard. It will teach you basics of board control pretty quick. Try a cable park and a beginner lesson.
Hang in there because you will get it eventually ! It's a really common behaviour for many students
Maybe you could try breaking the movement into smaller steps.
Don't try and get up and ride but try just the first 2 components like "dive the kite, straighten front leg as you come up on the board then stop and repeat".
Breaking it down might help you to remember and practise each movement.
I agree with all previous comments.
No point you keep paying for lessons if you're not making any progress and just keep repeating the same mistakes over again.
I don't understand the ''I'm not allowed to go on my own for training'' Why is that ??
If you've received good quality training you should be able and confident to go out of your own (kite setup, assisted launch and land, board recovery, self-rescue, deep water-relaunch, etc).
The mistake you describe is very common amongst beginners. I found the biggest help here is to get on a much larger board (much longer and wider than what you would normally use). These ''light wind'' boards are much harder to edge for beginners so you will naturally ride them more flat as soon as you get up. They are also much easier to balance on, require far less power from the kite and are very forgiving. In other words, they are IDEAL to learn to do your first runs!
Also, don't put too much pressure on the back foot when you get up, this is what makes you carve upwind too much. Try to get up over the board and avoid leaning back excessively, this is done by rolling your body forward as the kite pulls you out of the water. A bit of front foot pressure is necessary to guide your board downwind when you first get out the water.
Change the equipment, change instructors, change your technique, eventually it will click
Christian
Yo you definitely only need a bit of tuning in if you're at where you say your at,
It's very common to see newbies turn their boards parallel ( upwind) to the kite, it's a natural instinct to slow yourself up,
Generally this is witnessed with a choking of the kite , along with a board parallel to the kite you'll be going nowhere the turn I use is plowing water
Definitely break your water starts down into 3/4 stages
1 have board on your feet in safe depth of water (knee high) min
Kite at 12
Kite should be comfortably trimmed
On your downward swipe just stand up
Bring kite back to twelve slowing down and sit back in the water, repeat this 3/4 times out 2/3 inward, you'll find yourself possibly more comfortable coming the opposite direction
When your very comfortable take a mental note of your stance
I tell people to have the front foot pointing towards the kite and the rear foot heel aligned under your bum, this adopts a flat stance on board that you'll need to advance in your water starts,
Sometimes going back in progression helps
A good instructor will have this nailed for you
It's a lot easier to see exactly where your going wrong
If wa based I can recommend some
Keep at it
Totally agree with all of the above posts.
Last week when I was packing up, a young guy came on the beach and asked me if there was anything to worry about at my local.
Nothing too much at Pengo's, as it was a 15knt SWer. He said he had just completed his lessons in Qld and was doing a big lap around Oz.
After I launched him, I sat and watched, as he was the only one on the water - all the regular crew had packed up and gone home.
He was doing the same thing as mentioned above - "bulldozing" on diving the kite.
When he got back from his first WOS from about 400m, I asked if he wanted a hand.
I spent an hour with this guy standing behind him on his waterstarts, repeatedly telling him to point the front of the board/front foot at a big pine tree in the distance. (around the bay downwind - 1000m away?).
After 6 or so goes, he got up and did his first run - we were both stoked!
Great way to end a session.
Point of all this - if you have a downwind landmark to point at (long way away) - it helps heaps with doing your waterstarts too!
Maddy as I read your post I get the impression that you have not been in Australia very long and that your instructor is maybe your possessive, chauvinistic partner who will let you kite in a male dominated sport only while he is around. After paying for 12 hours of supervised lessons I do not see why any instructor would get angry. Either way give him the flick and get an upgrade.
Wow what a terrible instructor. Ditch him/her instantly.
Can you take a video and upload it?
Best advice I ever had:
Point the nose of your board to the lines of your Kite....
It did the trick for me
I think getting out without an instructor would be good do some body dragging maybe with less pressure u would be up in a few sessions i only had 3 paid lessons im not particularly gifted and i got up eventually
Just pusrsist and u will get it
Where in Australia are you Maddy an experienced kitesurfer will be happy to help you. I know how frustrating it is l struggled for a long time. You sound determined don't give up.
Select to expand quoteDolphins said...
Where in Australia are you Maddy an experienced kitesurfer will be happy to help you. I know how frustrating it is l struggled for a long time. You sound determined don't give up.
Sounds like a stalker maddy
Hey everyone yea sorry I'm in NZ, but thank you so much for all the response, that's really great and I will definitely try a few of your advice, first at all try to figure out the patience problem with my instuctor and then try to point the board on points at the shore, thank you all
Select to expand quoteMaddy1212 said..
Hey everyone yea sorry I'm in NZ, but thank you so much for all the response, that's really great and I will definitely try a few of your advice, first at all try to figure out the patience problem with my instuctor and then try to point the board on points at the shore, thank you all
Never appologize for being in NZ!
If you have the gear already i recon get out there fly your kite in the shallows, practice some body dragging. Get used to it. Try some more water starts. keep trying different stuff till something clicks.
By the way. Most learners expect to pick it up quickly. Thats not that case. Allow yourself a full year to get proficient!.. Dont beat yourself up if your struggling. its completely normal learning.
Know your problem well.
Best advice, I received, was to push your front leg forward, as you come out of the water. Helped me to head downwind.
look where you want to go then follow the kite....
practice sitting then walking on beach if necessary, both directions
