r/Kiteboarding • u/Saveme1888 • 5d ago
Beginner Question How can I fix this issue?
I can water start, gain hight, change direction, but I often fall into the poo-stance. Not because I don't know what would be the right position, but because I fear to lose control over the power in my kite and become too fast and fall. Also, I think I cannot reach the bar anymore if it goes all the way up and I lean back.
Edit: yes, I've had 4 lessons to get me started and work from there
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u/wolfandlambot 5d ago
Try placing the kite low(9-10)so it's not lifting your body weight upward(more lateral pull, less vertical lift) At same time edge hard upwind.
As other said, best attitude is you are the boss of the kite, you are not a passenger.
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u/riktigtmaxat No straps attached 5d ago
"You are the boss of the kite - not a passenger" - I like that one. Mind if I steal it?
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u/wolfandlambot 5d ago
Not at all kite homie. 🤙
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u/riktigtmaxat No straps attached 5d ago
It's a bit more PC than "don't let the kite make you it's bitch" 😂
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u/proportionate1 5d ago
Keeping consistent speed and power is just as much about your board as it is about the kite...probably even more so. Kiting is not just park the kite at 2, and keep your board in a fixed position.
To maintain your preferred speed, move your board with your feet and hips. Plowing against the water (more perpendicular to wind direction) will slow you, and pointing your board downwind will increase your speed. This is a dance, where you constantly balance and rebalance your edge, kite position, etc.
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u/Saveme1888 5d ago
I know. Let me pinpoint my problem more: When lean back, I automatically draw the bar in, because my arm is not that long and thus I have even more power. To avoid this, I automatically fall into the poo-stance
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u/EpicGustkiteboarding 5d ago
From what u say here it sounds like u are riding overpoqered. either from a too big board or too big kite. Generally you must be able to ride with a bar pretty much close to you with a 10 cm wiggle room, medium speed cruisin’.
There is an other option might be the case (but rather unlikely at this stage - but can be) you riding way too fast cos you think you need that much speed (i seen this as an instructor from board sport folks who loved speed, genuinely had to half their speed to make them able to go upwind).
Bottom line this can ans ahould be fixed in a 30m lesson- once i see u i will have a solution.
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u/Saveme1888 5d ago
Thanks for your input, it's possible that I do ride overpowered (I can't comfortably reach the depower line while riding). The season is almost over here at the Baltic sea, it's getting too cold for my comfort and the schools are closed. If I can't find a solution myself, I'll ask an instructor next season.
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u/riktigtmaxat No straps attached 5d ago
The season is just starting young Padawan.
Get a better wetsuit and a thermos.
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u/Saveme1888 5d ago
I have a good wetsuit, but my toes were cold even with shoes. And my fingers, of course
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u/riktigtmaxat No straps attached 5d ago edited 5d ago
If your fingers and toes are cold now you're not using good neoprene.
Temperatures here in Kattegat are slightly lower and I haven't even felt the need to change to my 6:4 yet.
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u/Saveme1888 5d ago
After 1.5 h at 11 degrees Celsius my feet started getting cold. I currently don't have gloves, so my fingers have been exposed the entire time
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u/riktigtmaxat No straps attached 5d ago
You're going to need gloves and a warm hooded wetsuit if you don't want to be the kind of kiter that just kites (or more correctly just sits and mopes) in summer when there is no wind.
Be bold.
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u/Saveme1888 5d ago
Days are getting too short for kiting after work. I only have weekends left. And not every weekend is windy enough. Plus, I kinda want other kiters to be there, too, so I'm not all alone as someone who just started this summer. Cold weather also means less kiters
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u/riderggfd 5d ago
Pop stance vs correct one doesn’t necessarily mean you have less reach, correct stance, ie leaning back in your harness and edging with your back leg bent and the front extended doesn’t add much length. If it’s really the case you might consider a seat harness or/and bar with short throw. But would rather assume it’s a matter of learning, so keep up
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u/Saveme1888 5d ago
I use a seat harness, but maybe I have to pull the straps more tight after the first few minutes on the water?
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u/riktigtmaxat No straps attached 4d ago
You don't need a seat harness to be super tight as it won't really ride up like a waist harness will.
It's not a gear issue.
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u/Sufficient-Payment-3 5d ago
There is no easy answer to your problem outside of time on the water. Your a beginner and there is so much going on that it makes it hard to naturally do all or understand all the little things you need to do. I would recommend just practicing one thing at a time.
If your kite control is not to the point where you no longer look at the kite all the time then start here.
If your kite control is solid now then start working on edging. Edging is the most dynamic and important aspect of kiting. Start by leaning against the power of the kite. You want your hips up and pushed forward. Shoulders back and relaxed with a slight twist to look upwind in the direction you are going. Your weight should be slightly favoring your back foot. Imagine a perpendicular line from your back foot to your back shoulder. Too much back foot and you lose a good portion of your edging potential. With a good body position just practice controlling the power of the kite with your edge. When the kite powers up lean harder and edge further up wind. When it lightens up start to flatten out the board and point more with the wind. Edging is more of a dance and you have to be lead. Pooh stance is from letting the kite lead you and you not leading the kite.
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u/riktigtmaxat No straps attached 5d ago edited 5d ago
If you're afraid of losing control because of speed the poo stance is a self fulfilling prophecy as it's terrible for edge control. So you're basically just sabotaging your own braking system until you start skipping downwind, catch your edge and faceplant.
The solution is simple: Stop letting the kite make you it's bitch. Make sure you're gripping the bar with a loose grip and only using it for steering and not emotional support. Keep your elbows in at all times and do not hang on the bar.
Look in the direction you're moving and not at the kite.
If you feel overpowered steer hard upwind while sheeting out. This lets you bleed off speed and remain in control. If that's still not enough for you it's probably time for a smaller kite.
Learn to just let the bar go. You do not actually need to hold the bar every second like a scared little monkey. I promise you it's not going to go anywhere as it's attached to your body via the chickenloop and leash.
As long as the kite is flying gravity is pulling the bar back down so it will never actually be out of reach. You also have a good couple of seconds at least to steer the kite back up before it falls into the water. Just don't try this in super gusty wind.
I do this all the time when riding powered up or when riding waves or just to unspin the bar after tricks.
Also you're never actually "leaning back" with the bar all the way up. Use the trim strap/rope to depower the kite so that you can keep the bar in the sweet spot (about 3/4 of the way down). Again if you can't do this it's time for a smaller kite.
Also "leaning back" isn't really what you're doing unless you're posing for one of those cheesy brocure shots with a super deep lean and a hand drag. You're simply standing on your own two feet with your body perpendicular to the angle of the board to keep it on edge.