How To Do A Kiteboarding Transition
First, here are some common mistakes when learning how to do a kiteboarding transition.
This article will break down how to do a kiteboarding transition. We will go over three key points that will make it easier to perform a transition. Here are a list of prerequisites before attempting a kiteboarding transition:
- comfortable waterstarts
- Proficiently ride upwind
- Controlled stops
Once you can kiteboard upwind consistently and come to a controlled stop, a kiteboarding transition is much easier.
Step One: Edge Upwind and Push Out
Before even attempting a transition, control your speed. Keep the kite parked about 45 degrees off the water throughout this step. Push out and keep the bar out to bring the kite to the edge of the wind window. Hold your heelside edge and try to point the front of the board further upwind. Edging upwind and pushing out on the bar will bring you to a more manageable speed.
Step Two: Transition Weight and Redirect Kite
Right before you come to a stop is when you initiate step two. Transition your weight to your opposite foot and redirect the kite up and across the wind window. Make sure to trust your harness and balance tension in the bar. One key point for this stage is to move the kite slow but continuously across the wind window. If the bar is pulled in too much, you will skip across the water. If the bar is out too much, you will sink. It is important to keep the kite moving and to balance tension in the bar.
Step Three: Follow The Kite
As the kite crosses the wind window, pull back in on the bar and follow the kite. It is okay to travel downwind slightly on a transition. Once the kite is across the wind window and you are riding in the opposite direction, begin riding upwind.
Key Topics: Kiteboarding Transition
Kite Control
Your fundamentals are super important. You want to have a clear understanding of how to effectively steer a kite by angling the bar appropriately and balancing tension on the bar. To complete a kiteboarding transition you want good fundamentals and to be able to ride upwind!
Common Mistake
People bringing the kite up first. This is WRONG. The reason this technique is wrong is because as you continue traveling in the same direction, the kite is now traveling to the opposite side of the wind window. By the time you stop the kite is already on the far edge of the wind window, the neutral zone, and you sink. You then have to bring the kite back up to 12 o’clock and start again.
Avoid this by almost coming to a stop with the kite low and in front of you, then move the kite up and across the wind window.
Board Control
It is common for people to overthink what you need to do with the board. If you’re already edging the front of the board into the wind, then when it’s time to change direction, the back of the board is already pointing downwind. Just focus on trying to go upwind by edging the board into the wind before doing anything with the kite.
Body Control
As the kite moves across the wind window, shift your weight away from the kite. ***Keep your legs bent*** —> having your legs bent in an athletic stance will increase your stability.
If you’re struggling with a kiteboarding transition take a lesson from us! We utilize a jetski to coach you through the key points while it’s happening in real time.
