How to kiteboarding jump or boost is all about timing. Timing between loading the board, sending the kite and popping off the water. We’ll go through each step involved with a jump or boost. Before learning how to kiteboarding jump or boost bigger, we recommend learning the fundamentals. The fundamentals to a jump or boost are load and pops. Once you know how to load and pop, it will be easier to bring the kite into the equation.
Step One: Hold Your Edge
Make sure your kite is parked and that you’re kiteboarding upwind. If you’re not going upwind then you won’t be able to jump.
Analogy: Think of yourself as an elastic band between you and the kite. There needs to be tension between the rider and the kite to jump or boost off the water. Too much tension and the elastic band can snap. This would be a rider skipping downwind or jumping more horizontal than vertical. Not enough tension and the rider does not jump. This would be the rider traveling too far downwind and the kite falls out of the sky.
Make sure you’re riding upwind and have the kite parked at 10 o’clock or 2 o’clock. Maintain a controlled and moderate amount of speed.
Step Two: Send the Kite and Load the Board
These two are paired together because the timing should be simultaneous. This is where timing comes into play. The exact timing should be to send the kite and then load the board even more. We’ll break these two steps down further.
Send the Kite
Send the kite means move the kite from 10 o’clock to 1 o’clock. Or if you’re riding to the right, from 2 o’clock to 11 o’clock. The important part here is to balance tension in the bar. Too much tension and you’ll get pulled off your edge and will skip downwind. Not enough tension and you’ll sink or stop. Balance your tension by keeping your hands relaxed and feeling your sweet spot.
Load the Board
This is where the load and pop come into play. Load the board by a heelside carve away from the kite. The pop should come from your back foot. The timing of when you should pop off the water is when the kite gets past 12 o’clock.
Step Three: Pull the Bar In – Kiteboarding Jump
As you load the board and send the kite, pull the bar in once the kite passes 12 o’clock. The kite will be overhead and will pull you vertical. Keep the bar in to keep traveling upwards.
Step Four: Redirect the Kite
Once you hit the apex of your jump, redirect the kite forward. If you’re riding to the left, bring the kite to the left. If you’re riding to the right, bring the kite to the right. When moving the kite, move the kite at a controlled speed. It shouldn’t move too fast or too slow. Time the kite so that it is somewhat high when you land to soften your landings. As you land, keep bringing the kite down to prevent you from sinking or falling on your butt. The kite should continue to pull you in the direction you want to go.
Timing is critical when learning how to kiteboarding jump or boost.
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