Newbie - Lessons learned so far...

As a newbie, I love really really light winds that nobody else would waste their time going out in. This is partly because there's no one else out there to psych me out, and partly because with great wind, comes great amounts of my being pulled over the board due to lack of skill (this is being worked on).

Anyway, there have been a couple of times when walking back up wind (as I can't go up wind yet) the kite has started to fall out the sky due to lack of wind.

This is scary especially as there are all sorts of things that can ruin your kite when you're walking on the beach (bushes, palm trees, people, etc.). There is a cure.

Now, I know this is probably obvious to anyone that has flown a kite as a kid, or has seen the now infamous scene in Mary Poppins where they do at last, fly a kite. But anyway, if you find yourself in light winds and the kite dropping from the sky, the answer is, 'Run away from it'. Ideally in the opposite direction.

This helps to keep the lines and kite taught and generates lift in the kite. please check it's safe to do so.

Next update: Powered Running with a kite.

Howdy arloj, thanks for the question!

So, they're good to my left hand side. I think this is because a.) 9/10, I've had the shore on my right so I've been launching away from it and b.) I'm right foot dominant so I'm stronger/more coordinated with this leg.

The main thing that has helped the progress has been a.) a number of good people on this site suggestion one problem I'm having is going too directly down wind (which causes me to loose power in the kite and for it to depower + launching too quickly) and b.) repetition.

I've made slight progress on launching to my right, but not much. Very similar to the problems I experienced launching to my left...

My main focus is learning to edge on my left and smooth water starts to my right (it still feels like I'm trying to write my hand with my left hand!).

Yeah good point Scroty.

One thing I was doing when water starting is to use my arms to pull me out of the water when water starting, rather then rely on the pull from your harness.

Takes some getting used to... and I still forget sometimes... but I'm not very bright.

Good luck with the lessons... and feel free to keep the posts coming.

Okay, so, if like me you spend 2 mins going down wind and 30mins walking back up wind because you can't edge, now is a good time to perfect your walking/running with a kite.

I noticed when walking back up wind fighting my fully depowered kite, I was really wrestling with it, whist a guy up wind of me was sprinting away. So I practiced and realised that one can run up wind with the kite, by:

1.) putting the kite around 10.30 O'clock (so to speak)
2.) leaning against the kite so the lines are approximately 90degrees to one's leaning body
3.) pulling on the bar to maintain enough power to keep you from falling over.

I'm not sure why this is easier than just pulling a kite up wind. I dare say it's because you're accelerating the kite across the wind window hence less resistence.

Anyway, you should be able to run with the kite back to the starting point, giving you more time on the water practicing your edging, so you don't need to run back up wind in the first place!

Those are 2 really good tips!
As a newby I wasted too much time worrying about (and not achieving ) staying up wind. Now a few months down the track and happily going where I want, I realize its all about working the kite to suit the conditions and getting a feeling for it all.

The 2nd tip is even better.... It's basic ski/snowboard tactic to learn by example. A bit harder to orchestrate in kiting, but with a sympathetic lead kiter, it would be a brilliant way to help leaners get a feel for it.

I personally found it a pretty huge leap from lessons with someone in the water with me, to being completely on my own. I got there, but it tested my confidence for sure.

Well I might be a little bit late on the topic but I came to express my happines coz finally, after a couple of hard sessions, I can waterstart 4 out of 5 times, which I consider a good achievement for me. I can definitely go downwind on my left, really out of balance, I mean really! Lol and for some reasons it seems that with my right side it tends to be less painful. I must say thank you guys for all this comments about your own experiences, step by step, improvements in each session. It motivated me to go down there and overcome the massive gap that is to finish your lessons and go on your own, some will find it easier but unfortunately it wasnt for me. Well so thats it. Now working to keep a decent balance and reach that feeling that just the kite can give you!

Hey guys, keep the positivity coming! I think I've had a minor breakthrough at the weekend as I was concentrating on my stance more... that said, I only had 12knots at best to play with so was struggling to keep the momentum...

Thanks to the experienced guys who have commented and provided their input and suggestions...

Thanks Phoney, and I'm keen as mustard to do that. Does anyone know how/where one could do that in Victoria?

Maybe Mornington to Rosebud (dodging the Spirit...)? Is there a bus?

Great reading everyone.
After two years of waiting and practicing on a 3.5mtr trainer im in for my first lesson the week after xmas in geelong.
Cant wait but i know its going to be hard. So reading about where the kite pulls from is the harness rather than the arms that im used to will be good to keep in my head.

Roger... sounds like this could make for some fun, impromptu beachings of the board....

I'm in.

I was just having a browse on this topic, noticed the discussion on going upwind and I thought i'd just add to salty's suggestion of going to a cable park.

When I started kiting it was painful but I had the very useful advantage of having spent a lot of time wakeboarding or at a cable park. Sorting out the kite is hard enough, without having to learn how to ride a board while doing it.

Having the board skills made going upwind possible within 2-3 sessions once id worked out how to use the kite basically.

My take on it was, and still is, if you want to go upwind, edge as hard as the kite will allow. ie edge too hard with insufficient power, and you'll just slow down to a point where the board will stop planing. if you feel this happening, point the board downwind a bit, get your speed up and then try again, but edge a bit less. if the wind is insufficient, you'll have to work the kite or go slightly downwind to keep your speed up. if the wind is too strong it will pull you downwind! There may be some other things in there like where the kite sits in the window when edging too hard etc but my understanding isnt that great.

if the wind is strong enough, just park the kite at 45deg and edge. if its too strong, holding it up closer to 12 o'clock lessens the pull downwind, but has the side effect of lifting you off the water, potentially hindering your board's effectiveness.

Spending time at a cable park gives you the chance to practice basic board skills but also edging, and edging hard both ways! Nail that basic skill and you'll be upwind in no time, its just understanding the relationship between the kite's power and the board's drag when edging/going downwind.

Just my take on it. Im still pretty new so some of that might not be great advice, but its how it seemed to work in my mind when I got the hang of it.. Obviously useless advice for anyone who doesnt have a cable park nearby! In that case, time under the kite is all you have!

Good thread guys. On the topic of downwinders - This is a great way to get time on the water without having to work up wind (wind or foot power) - consider teaming up and leave a car at the downwind finishing spot. Then get everyone to pile into the car for a return to the starting point. Saves a long walk or a bus trip.