How To Kitesurf Upwind
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sexynwet
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1. If the wind is strong, just lock the kite in at 30 – 40 degrees vertically, edge the windward rail and press slightly more on the back foot. The board will go upwind. If you are going too much upwind and the board starts loosing speed, you may need to temporarily steer the board downwind to gather speed before steering the board back upwind.
2. If the wind is not strong, you need to make the sine wave pattern with your kite.
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When the kite goes up, you should steer the board slightly downwind to gather speed and when the kite goes down, you can steer the board upwind. The board will make a figure S, which goes downwind then upwind, where the upwind leg is more pronounced such that you will end up going upwind. Click here to view a photo sequence of the sine wave pattern.
3. Turn your upper body to face the direction where you're going. This position helps your legs to turn the board upwind and also allows you to see where you are going. You may have to turn your head occasionally (do not turn your whole upper body) to look at your kite.
4. When you turn your board upwind, always edge the windward rail 30 to 45 degrees to the water and lean your body 45 degrees backward.
5. When the wind is strong, the pull of the kite will make you go downwind. Do not let that happens. If you are hook-in to the chicken loop, just move the bar away to ease the power. If you are not using the chicken loop, you have to fight that pull with all you have: your weight, your muscles and your board. Let the kite carry your entire weight; use your legs to edge the board very hard and turn it way upwind. If you fight hard enough, your board will slow down and the kite will "reach" the edge of the forward wind window. Once it's there, the pull will lessen and you can control both the board and the kite better if you keep on going in the same upwind direction.
Kite, Surfing, Against, Wind, Upwind
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Kite Surfing - Piloting
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sexynwet
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Practice with your trainer kite on land at least a couple times before attempting to kitesurf on the water. The best wind to practice with your trainer kite is 7-20 knots and for a small kitesurf kite is around 7-10 knots. 7 - 10 knots is the wind speed where a small kitesurf kite can fly and generate pull but not too much. Also, use shorter lines around 10 to 20m while practicing on land. You need to master the following (before practicing your kitesurf kite, make sure that you have read and fully understood the safety guidelines and self-rescue techniques):
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1. Turn the kite to the left.
2. Turn the kite to the right.
3. Do a number of figure 8's in the left side of the wind window (the figure 8 is slanting 45 degrees; the top is at zenith, the bottom is at the left edge).
4. Do a number of figure 8's in the right side of the wind window (the figure 8 is slanting 45 degrees; the top is at zenith, the bottom is at the right edge).
5. Do a number of sine wave patterns (up down up down, etc.) while running to the left
6. Do a number of sine wave patterns while running to the right.
7. Make the kite hover at the left edge of the wind window at 45 degree vertically while running to the left.
8. Make the kite hover at the right edge of the wind window at 45 degree vertically while running to the right.
9. Lie on the ground with the kite hovering at zenith; dive the kite down to the left and use the kite lift to get yourself to a sitting up position. Do this a number of times.
10. Lie on the ground with the kite hovering at zenith, dive the kite down to the right and use the kite's lift to get yourself to a sitting up position. Do this a number of times.
Also read the KTM manual as it has additional kite flying skills that you may want to practice.
If you do not know how to control your kite, read the Control Devices section of the Equipment page. Repeat these steps until you can do them without permanently looking at your kite (e.g., keep your eyes closed temporarily and try to "feel" the kite).
Practicing with the kite in light wind on land:"Make the kite hover at the right edge of the wind window at 45 degree vertically while running to the right".
This may be a good time practicing with your harness system. Just make sure that you try it with a trainer kite or in less than 8 knots of wind with your small kitesurf kite (or better yet, do this in shallow water):
1. Hook in and try to control the kite with only your left hand holding the bar.
2. Hook in and try to control the kite with only your right hand holding the control bar.
This may be a good time to try the safety release system associated with your control device to make sure that it works. If the kite and the control device do not come with a safety release system, send a message to the Kitesurfing School and/or Kitesurfing mailing lists. Someone may be able to help you there. As a beginner, never attempt to learn how to kitesurf alone without a safety release system.
Piloting, Kite, Surfing, Guide, How To
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Kite Surfing - Launching and Landing
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sexynwet
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Launching Traditional Inflatable (on land or snow):
1. Put the kite down on sand, leading edge toward the wind, one tip of the kite is on the sand the other tip is in the air. The kite looks like a vertical "C" with the leading edge facing the wind.
2. Fold the kite tip and put enough sand (or snow) on it to keep it from moving around.
3. Hold the control bar and position yourself such that
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kite is at the wind window edge respective to your position (the kite is around 70, 80 degrees to the left or the right of you with its leading edge facing the wind).
4. If you use a 4 line inflatable, adjust your trim strap to put the kite in a depowered mode.
5. Attach the safety leash to your wrist or harness. Don't hook in or shackle in to your kite until after you have launched your kite and get into deep water.
6. Pull on the control bar and the line nearest to the ground to unfold the tip and release the kite from the sand.
7. Pull the top line (the line farthest from the ground) to move the kite up.
Similarly, you can also launch an inflatable with an assistance holding the kite at the edge of the wind window. Watch the video available above to see how this is done. Double-click the player window for full-screen.
Drift Launching Inflatable (Traditional or Flat Inflatables)
1. Use this technique if you don't have enough space on the beach to launch your inflatable (also this is the safest way to launch an inflatable)
2. Inflate the kite and put it next to the water (make sure there is nothing on the sand that can damage your kite when you later on drag it on to the water)
3. Lay out your line and control bar and make sure they are properly attached with no tangles.
4. Attach the safety leash to your wrist or harness, hold the control bar and walk into the water.
5. Keep walking, swimming until you can pull the kite on to the water.
6. Let the kite drift down wind from you and water launch the kite
Optionally, you can use the Turbo Launcher from KiteLauncher.com to drift launch your inflatable.
Water Relaunching Traditional Inflatable:
1. Flip the kite: An inflatable kite is likely to crash in a leading edge down position. To get an inflatable to get into the vertical crescent moon position, the kiter first needs to get the kite on its back by swimming toward it. However, in strong wind, the pull of the kite is so strong that makes swimming toward the kite useless as the distance you swim toward the kite is easily absorbed by the pull of the kite. In such case, it is necessary to pull on the middle leader line (which is connected to the front lines) of the kite while swimming toward it. After you have pulled in around 2m of the middle leader line, suddenly release it and hold on to the control bar. The kite will immediately get on to its back. The other method is to pull the bar back over your head and suddenly push the bar rapidly in front of your body.
2. Fly one tip: Select 1 tip of the kite as a top tip and try to fly it by pulling on the back line on the same tip.
3. Pull the bottom tip: Once the top tip has caught the wind, keep pulling the bottom tip (or the line which is attached to the tip of the kite nearest to the water) until the kite slides toward the edge of the wind window
4. Launch: Pull on the top line (the line attached to the tip of the kite farthest from the water) to launch the kite.
Self-Landing Traditional Inflatable in Shallow Water:
1. If you are hooked in (or shackled in) to the chicken loop, adjust the trim strap to put your kite in a depowered mode and then unhook before getting in shallow water near land
2. It's best to land the kite in shallow water as it is both safer and easier (this method still work on land even thought it is slightly more dangerous on land)
3. Move the kite to the left/right edge of the wind window near or ground (if the safety leash is attached to the left side of the kite then move it to the right edge; other wise, move it to the left edge)
4. Drop the bar, pull on the safety leash (which should be attached to the upper side of the kite - either front line or back line)
5. Hold the line which the safety leash is attached to and keep walking toward the kite until you catch the leading edge of the kite (optionally you can release the safety leash before walking toward the kite)
6. Put the kite on the beach, secure it and then grab the control bar and wind the line in.
Self-Landing Traditional Inflatable on Land:
1. If you are hooked in (or shackled in) to the chicken loop, adjust the trim strap to put your kite in a depowered mode and then unhook before getting in shallow water near land
2. Move the kite to the left/right edge of the wind window near or ground (if the safety leash is attached to the left side of the kite then move it to the right edge; other wise, move it to the left edge)
3. Drop the bar, pull very fast around 2 or 3 m of the safety leash.
4. The kite should drop nicely on the ground in the same position where you normally place it (leading edge on the ground, back facing the wind, the wind secures the kite on land)
5. Hold on to the line where the safety leash is attached to, walk toward the kite and put sand on it (optionally you can release the safety leash before walking toward the kite)
Launching Flat Inflatable (on land or snow):
• Use the same launching method as traditional inflatable
• Or:
1. anchor the chicken loop to a heavy object (your snowboard, kiteboard or a heavy bag of sand).
2. Go to the kite and launch it at the edge of the wind window. The kite will just hover there with little or no pull.
3. Go back to the control bar and attach the safety leash
4. Attach the chicken loop to you harness
5. Pull the top line (the line farthest from the ground) to move the kite up slowly.
Water Relaunching Flat Inflatable:
• Use the same water relaunch method as traditional inflatable
• Or:
1. Keep pulling on 1 back line until that side of the kite raise to form a vertical "C"
2. Release the back line and the kite start to slide toward the wind window edge
3. Pull on the upper back line to launch the kite off the water
4. Sheet out to depower, the kite will fly up with very little pull
Self-Landing Flat Inflatable in Shallow Water:
1. Move the kite to the window edge
2. Release the bar, the kite will just hover there with almost no pull
3. Detach the chicken loop and quickly pull in 1m or 2m on the upper front line, the kite will drop leading edge toward the wind
4. Walk toward the kite while holding the same line (upper front line) until you catch the leading edge of the kite (optionally you can release the safety leash before walking toward the kite)
5. Put the kite on the beach, secure it and then grab the control bar and wind the line in.
Self-Landing Flat Inflatable on Land:
1. Move the kite to the window edge
2. Release the bar, the kite will just hover there with almost no pull
3. Detach the chicken loop and quickly pull in 1m or 2m on the upper front line, the kite will drop leading edge toward the wind
4. Walk toward the kite while holding the same line (upper front line) until you catch the leading edge of the kite (optionally you can release the safety leash before walking toward the kite)
5. Put the kite on the beach, secure it and then grab the control bar and wind the line in.
Launching Foil:
1. Lay your kite on the ground and put enough sand/snow on its trailing edge to keep it in place.
2. If you use a closed-cell foil that has pre-inflation valves, open them now to pre-inflate the kite.
3. Once the kite is properly pre-inflated, close the pre-inflation valve. Release the lines from you control bar or handles and attach your safety leash to your harness or wrist.
4. Launch the kite. If you are using a closed cell foil, you may want to maintain the tension on the front lines to let the wind fill the kite for approximately 60 seconds before launching.
5. If the kite is not completely inflated, move it across the wind window a few times before moving it straight overhead.
Water Relaunch Foil:
1. Water relaunch a foil is easy. The foil will either crash leading edge down or trailing edge down.
2. If the leading edge is down, just pull on the brake lines (back lines) to reverse relaunch the kite.
3. If the trailing edge is down, just pull on the control bar or the front lines to launch the kite.
4. If the kite is badly mixed up, just wait for the wind to blow the kite in to proper shape before using step 2 or 3 depending on the position of the leading edge and trailing edge (don't pull the kite in this case)
Landing Foil:
1. If the foil has proper safety release system, to land a foil simply drop the control bar or handles, the kite will land softy down straight ahead.
Kitesurfing, Kite, Launching, Landing, Guide, How...
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Surfers Shoulders
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sexynwet
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What is worse than poor conditions for a Surfer? Well not much really, apart from an ailment or injury that can prevent a surfer from being in the water at all. Then there really is nothing worse.
One of the most common injuries endured whilst surfing often affects the shoulders. Consider this. How much time do you spend paddling compared to actually catching a wave? The overhead shoulder flexion motion used for paddling is repeated thousands of times in just one session and this constant repetitive action can create or lead to some
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rather nasty overuse injuries. The very fact that you are lying prone (face down) on a Surfboard with your torso in extension means to paddle effectively your upper back and shoulders work more intensely.
Your body is NOT a machine, (no matter what some guys out there would like to think!) and like with any athlete, good conditioning is essential. Not only will it improve performance but help prevent any potential injuries that will not make a surfer a happy surfer!!!
This is why a good warm up before a surf, cool down stretch after and strength and conditioning exercises are paramount to helping you keep the shoulder's and supporting muscles flexible, strong and stable to endure constant repetition.
Now it is a well known fact that many surfers run down to the sea and launch themselves into a paddling frenzy to get outback (especially on those bigger days!). Of course no time spared when the waves are good, but repetitive duck diving and paddling on muscles that aren’t conditioned or warmed (especially in the colder months) can be a recipe for injury. Therefore a sufficient warm up is well worth considering (a few minutes worth will be better than nothing at all guys!!) and just think of it as a time to check out the best peak and easiest paddle out option whilst limbering up. Dynamic stretching actions that mimic your surfing/paddling moves are best. E.g. clockwise/anticlockwise arm circles will mobilise the shoulders for what is in store. Or if you have a towel at hand try this shoulder mobiliser exercise. For a whole body warm up try a series of sun salutations to get the body going!!
Once you have had a few waves, use the time whilst sitting outback to stretch between sets. Stretch out the shoulders, before your next mammoth paddle, especially if they are beginning to feel a little tight.
Equally important is the cool down stretch. On the colder days, get home, have a bath and stretch out those overworked muscles as soon as. Easier on those warmer days when you want to hang out at the beach, where you can stretch immediately afterwards. Even whilst boasting to your friends about your perfect wave or barrel of the day!! You don’t need to have equipment and many stretches can be performed easily on the spot. It doesn’t have to be a marathon stretch. At least 10 mins, holding each stretch for about 30 secs would hope to alleviate possible muscle soreness and aches the next day, especially concentrating on the muscles you have worked the most, like the shoulders. Remember this; overworked muscles becomes tight and imbalanced and will have profound effects on connecting areas too. E.g. If your shoulders are tight from excessive paddling, then it can have detrimental effects upon your neck and so on.
Therefore strength and conditioning your shoulders is also paramount to improve your performance. Not the largest of muscles in the body, but they need to withstand the huge demands that is placed upon them. Surfing can create great wear and tear on the shoulder joint, including the surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments, causing muscle imbalances. The opposing muscles become too weak and the overworked too tight. This can then throw out your whole posture, power, and strength and will be a hindrance to performance or lead to injury. So incorporate a shoulder workout into your routine, not forgetting the all important rotator cuff muscles and external rotation exercises. By strengthening your muscles predominantly used for surfing as well as the stabilisers and opposing muscles that will help keep your injury free and surf better for longer.
Surfers, Shoulder, Injury, Ailments
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Intermediate Surfing Equipment
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sexynwet
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The first surfboards were made of wood and could weigh up to 150 lbs. That would be a little difficult to get down to the water. In 1926 surfboards began to get lighter, finding alternative methods and materials. In 1935 saw the first fin or skeg attached to a surfboard. Surfboards didn't see another major change until the 1960s, when using resin and fiberglass was developed. Two board types became available: the longboard and a shorter board.
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As your skills improve you'll want to buy a surfboard. You'll need to decide whether to buy a longboard or a shorter board. Longboards were considered the old cruiser, for the old fogies. But that isn't really the case today. Longboards have benefited from new design techniques, so they too can shred. Your decision may be based on the general surf conditions in your area. Longboards are great for small surf, which is prevailing for most places. Shorter boards aren't able to catch or ride small waves. So if you're not living on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii or on a hot California break, the longboard might be better.
An unfortunate aspect of this sport is the politics. Most breaks get crowded, which means waiting your turn and fighting for position. Usually it just happens naturally, but sometimes it's a lesson in diplomacy. The rule of thumb is to just be courteous. If you get in someone's way just apologize. There is still the odd sexist comment, something like "you should be in the kitchen". But if you're a surf girl, it's not stopping you cause you've heard it before. Besides, the best way to change that mentality is to get out there and shred with 'em.
Surf, Boards, Equipment, Intermediate, Surfing
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Entering The Surf...
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sexynwet
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It is important to be comfortable in the waves. You should be proficient at bodysurfing and bodyboarding, and an excellent swimmer before you head out into the surf with a board. If you have limited experience in the waves, start off bodysurfing on small beach break. Bodysurfing doesn't require any specific gear, though swim fins help. This will teach you to read the waves and the water, and how to streamline yourself in the water. After you've gotten a feel for maneuvering in the waves, try some slightly bigger waves, around 3 feet. As the waves get larger the strength of the water increases dramatically.
Next you're ready to try out a bodyboard or "boogie-board". A
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bodyboard is a short 3-foot foam board that you lie on. Most bodyboards have a shock cord called a leash that attaches the board to your wrist. This prevents you from loosing the board and having to swim into shore to retrieve it. The boogie-board will teach you how to duck the board through the waves, and how to time to waves to catch them. For bodyboarding you'll want to be farther out than bodysurfing. Once you've master these you're ready to try surfing.
It's best to spend some time watching surfers. Look for when they start paddling, where they position themselves on the wave, how they get up, which way they go on the wave, and how the waves are breaking. When you first paddle out, you'll need to adjust your weight and position on the board. Start by catching a few waves and riding them in on your stomach. This will help you get your weight right and allow you to get used to the feel.
Many surf instructors will tell their students to first come to their knees and then their feet in order to stand on a surfboard. This is not the best method, because it is difficult to balance in that position and you're adding an extra step. You should go directly from lying down on the board to a squat position with both feet on the board and your center of gravity low. This is often called the "pop-up" method. Try this at home before you get to the beach. It is fairly difficult to do on the floor, but will be easier on a surfboard.
There will be a "channel" of deeper water on the side of where the waves are breaking. This is where you paddle out, so you don't have to go through the waves. When you get out, try to stay to the side of the pack of surfers. This way you won't get in their way and they won't get in your way. There are specific rules of the road when out on the waves. The most important rule is the surfer that catches the wave closest to the wave's break has the rights. If you don't have wave rights you must stay clear or kick out of the wave.
As a beginner it's important to find the right surf break to learn. The best break has a sandy bottom, small waves (1 to 2 feet), and a fairly long ride. The long ride can be the most difficult to find. Beach break is usually the best location.
You'll need to find a board to learn on. To begin with you should rent a board. Most local surf shops will rent and may offer lessons, but call around first. The board should be long enough to float you and wide enough to be stable. A good way to measure is to reach one arm up over your head. The board should be as tall as your outstretched hand.
The only other equipment you need is surfboard wax, a leash, and maybe a wetsuit if the water is cold. The wax is rubbed onto the top surface of the board to make it less slippery. Wetsuits are handy because they'll protect your stomach from rubbing on the board and keep you warm. They'll also protect your skin from the sun and give you a little extra buoyancy. Don't forget to wear lots of waterproof sunscreen all over, including your back if you're not wearing a wetsuit.
Entering, Surf, Waves, Surfing, Advice, Informati...
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The Basics Of Surfing And Its History
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sexynwet
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Surfing is a sport that many people are afraid to try to because they fear the water. Even if you take part in other water activities, you may still feel uncomfortable with the ocean and waves. This is typically due to not understanding the movement and forces of the water. Getting hit by the face of a wave, even a small wave, can knock the wind out of you. Yet it could have been easily avoided by moving slightly to one side or ducking the wave. It's all a matter of
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reading the water. This will be an important aspect of learning to surf.
Surfing started with the Polynesians and was first documented in Hawaii by Captain Cook's crew in the 1700s. This sport became a large part of the Hawaiian culture with references in their songs, chants and prayers. It wasn't just for royalty: everyone surfed. One of the most famous Hawaiian surfers was Duke Kahanamoku, introducing it to the rest of the world. The Duke first became renowned for his swimming. He held several world records and won gold medals in swimming during the 1912 and 1920 Olympics. Duke passed away in 1968, but is still remembered and revered by the surfing community and Hawaiians.
Tags: Basics, Surfing, Origin, History, Information
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What Do Surfers Eat?
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sexynwet
Ever wondered what is best for a pre surf snack? You'll need something packed full of energy, healthy and recommended by your local sports science institute - or so you'd think.
The two most popular snacks for pre and post surf are real opposites and not really that much of a suprise, although one of them does seem to have a UK / cold water slant. The top snack is banana - a good source of carbohydrates and protein, a great energy snack (and from what we have been hearing it'll ward off cramps while you are out there). The other is tea.
These are some of the foods that surfers favour pre and post surf and apart from the first two are in no particular order.
- Bananas
- Tea (regular, green and Yorkshire tea)
- Chocolate / high energy snacks
- Burritos
- More Tea
- Pasties (various)
- Dried Fruit
- Crisps
- Isotonic Drinks
- All Day Breakfast (preferable after a surf!)
- Hot Dogs
- Coffee (various)
- Sandwiches (home made, fish finger, tomato sauce)
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Tags: Surfing, Foods, Snacks, Pre, Post, Surf
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Champion Stephanie Gilmore Wins ASP
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Reigning three-time ASP Women's World Tour champion Stephanie Gilmore continued her dominance on the tour, beating Hawaiian Melanie Bartels on 2- to 3-foot waves at Australia's Snapper Rocks to win the Roxy Pro Gold Coast.
"It's definitely a dream start," Gilmore said. "I didn’t really expect to win here. The waves weren’t so great. I definitely didn’t put in as incredible performance as I would have wanted to, and I’m sure Mel [Bartels] has the same feeling, but at the end of the day, I’m happy to win -- that's awesome!"
The defending event champion, Gilmore now holds the record for the most event wins at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast, with three (2010, 2009 and 2005).
"I was definitely really relaxed but kind of nervous at the same time - just a little mixture of feelings," added Gilmore. "As defending event champ and defending world champ, I guess it put some pressure on me to win this event so it feels good to win."
While Gilmore retains her ASP Women's World No. 1 ranking heading into the second event of the year, the Australian natural-footer looks to have some tough competition ahead in her effort to win a fourth ASP Women's World Tour title.
"It's really tough," Gilmore said. "They're hungry and I think when you start off the year with not the result you were looking for, you just go into the next event even more focused and more hungry and it's just getting harder and harder from here and then. She [Bartels] was one of the few girls really pushing us towards progressive maneuvers and really using that judging criteria to her advantage, so I’m definitely going to have to surf it up for the next events.”
Next up on the tour is the Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells Beach, scheduled for March 30 through April 5 in Australia.
Roxy Pro Gold Coast final results:
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 12.40 2 – Melanie Bartels (HAW) 10.35
ASP Women's World Tour Top 5 (after Roxy Pro Gold Coast):
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2 – Melanie Bartels (HAW)
3 – Coco Ho (HAW)
3 – Chelsea Hedges (AUS)
5 – Silvana Lima (BRA) 5 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
5 – Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
5 – Rebecca Woods (AUS)
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Tags: Stephanie, Gilmore, ASP, Surfing, World, Cup
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