Ive got a question. When body dragging upwind, should I depower and/or sheet out to get the kite further to the edge of the window for better results? Or should Sheet in and be powered up?
I remember my instructor telling me to depower when body dragging upwind for better results when I took lessons last year. If this is in fact the case, when kiting upwind should I also be depowered and/or sheeting out for better results?
Also, I find that when travelling left foot forward kiting upwind I make a huge amount of ground when compared to travelling right foot forward. I seem to only be able to hold ground (or slowly move downwind) when travelling right foot forward. Any techniques to help fix this? I certainly find left foot forward always more comfortable and easier.
i think the most important thing when body dragging upwind is to do it as soon as you hit the water, any time spent - depowering, or doing anything else means time you will be moving away from your board, im normally back at my board within 2 tacks - I dont change the depower or anything else about the kite.
For bodydragging upwind, as with kiting upwind on a board, you need to have a balance between having your kite as far into the window as possible and some body speed through the water. So power up a bit to start and then sheet out as you get some speed through the water. One hand on the bar, the other hand in the water acting as a rudder.
With riding switch, in the beginning, your natural way is going to be easier going upwind. When you are riding left foot forward, make a mental imprint of where each body part is and how much pressure you feel in each muscle and how your hips are pointing. Then try to re-create this feeling when riding the other way.
Checkout
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Plenty of tips and opinions for body dragging upwind (not going as fast as your board downwind)
When i learnt kite upwind I find looking over my shoulder and to look where i want to go helped signifcantly. Not looking where you are heading, and thinking about going somewhere else.
I was told to sheet out a fair bit to body drag upwind. Same with kiteing upwind. The more depowered the kite is the further to the edge of the window it sits. And the easier it will pull you upwind.
With bodydragging up wind, as long as you hold you ground. The board will eventually drift down past you for an easy pick up.
A tip I was given about body dragging upwind was to make sure you're starting with the kite at 12 oclock and bring it down the side of the window. I was placing the kite too far into the window and ended up getting dragged downwind, but when I concentrated on stopping the kite at 12 and bringing it down the side, it made heaps of difference....
1. Start bodydragging quickly
2. Move the kite slowly
3. Make sure you are travelling thru the water at a reasonable speed (light winds need to fly the kite up/down a bit)
4. Keep your legs and arm straight to have the longest edge. Point upwind but not too far (depends on speed, eg like if you were on your board)
5. Go for about 20sec each way (counting makes it less boring). Keep the kite higher if your head is going under waves, etc.
6. When changing tack, bring the kite back up slowly to 12. Maintain your rigid body edge until you lose speed and swap sides. Look out for your board at this time but make sure you don't move the kite too quick
7. If your board is footstraps up, it will be quicker to get to it (it drifts down wind faster)
8. If near the beach, body drag to beach and wait / walk upwind for a bit then go back in for the board when it has drifted slightly down wind to you.
9. If the kite stalls and moves downwind in the window, sheet out slightly till it rises / comes back to the edge of the window. (sheeting in makes it worse)
Hope this helps!
i`ll just add, that if you fall or crash and your kite is already to one side drag to that side straight away rather than bringing it up to 12 you`ll save your self alot of ground.
