Kiteboarding Magazine

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2004-02-13 15:00:00 | 522 views | 0 Comments

Getting Started-

When you're just learning how to kiteboard, getting on plane can be one of the biggest challenges. Getting on plane on a kiteboard is very similar to planing on a wakeboard, so if possible, learn how to get up on a wakeboard first. The following are tips and ideas to help you to get up and planing quicker.

First off, it is key to fully understand the current wind conditions and the kite you are using. You need to make sure you have a large enough kite for the amount of wind to get you up and going. Trying to get on plane in too light of wind is nearly impossible, and will keep you frustrated. In the same respect, going out for your first few attempts in high winds can be very dangerous and isn't recommended. So the key is to find a balance for the kite and board you are riding. For example, taking a twelve-meter four-line kite out in 10-13 knots of wind with a five to six foot kiteboard would be optimal conditions for a beginner who weighs between 150 and 180 pounds. It is also very important during your learning phases to always start at a long and wide beach with minimal people. Driving the extra distance to get to the largest beach possible is always a good idea throughout the learning stages. Large beaches are key because when you are learning how to plane you will most likely end up far downwind.

Getting into the water-

Now with your basic optimal conditions and beach setup, it is time for you to get into the water and pull it all together. To make things a bit easier on yourself, always learn with foot straps until you are very comfortable and gain experience. Foot straps not only make learning safer, but will help to simplify the process. It is always very helpful in the beginning to have an experienced kiteboarder walk into the water with you and hold the back of your harness to help keep you stable while working with your kite and board simultaneously for the first time. Once you walk a safe distance into the water, put your kite in the neutral position, lay back into the water and let the kite cradle you as you put your board on.

Downstroke-

Once your board is on and you feel stable, you are prepared to make your first dive with the kite through your power zone. With the kite resting in the neutral position, pull the kite lightly in the opposite direction you plan on going just past the one/eleven o'clock position, then immediately dive the kite hard in the direction you plan on going. This will help to make a longer and more powerful stroke through the core of the power zone and give you a burst of energy to pull your body up and out of the water. When your kite starts making its dive through the power zone toward the water, the force will begin its pull. As you feel the pull of the kite you will also feel pressure on your board against the water, just as in wakeboarding. As soon as you feel this pressure you want to bend your knees and point your leading foot straight downwind. Do not worry about edging upwind until you are up on plane.

Upstroke-

Now your main focus is to keep your kite from choking out and crashing into the water on your initial down stroke. This is where beginners have the most trouble in not being aggressive enough when bringing the kite back up through the power zone toward twelve o'clock. Your main focus is to pull the kite hard back toward twelve. Don't be shy, you need to pull hard and bring the kite back up fast in order to keep your kite from fluffing and to maintain adequate power. During the upstroke, you will feel much more power and will be able to continue to plane.

Staying on Plane-

Once you have gathered yourself and are up and planing, continue the process of stroking up and down through the power zone as you apply pressure to your heel edge. The harder you edge the more power you need, so it is all about balancing the two. Once you are up on plane and edging hard, you can place the kite in a stable position anywhere from 30 to 60 degrees off of the water. The most difficult part about learning how to plane is understanding your kite and how it reacts to your first few power strokes.

Remember that learning how to get planing takes time and patience. It is probably something that you will not master your first time, but don't let that get you down, instead use it as motivation. Most importantly, make sure you learn to kite on an open sandy beach where your drop zone is clear and where the winds are not blowing off shore incase you drop your kite. It is suggested to take a lesson with a certified instructor in order to make the learning process quicker, and more important, safer.

Tips-

Here are the basic elements that will help you to start planning more efficiently:

1. When laying on your back in the water with your board on, pull the kite lightly in the opposite direction you plan on going, just past the one/eleven o'clock position.
2. Dive the kite hard through the core of the power zone and let the power pull you up and out of the water.
3. Bend your knees and point your board downwind.
4. Pull your kite hard through the upstroke to keep it in the power zone. Don't be shy, you need to pull hard in order to maintain power.
5. Finally, begin to apply pressure to your heel edge and continue to stroke your kite up and down. Find a balance between board edging and kite power to maintain a plane.