Backroll tack - Strapless
The Backroll Tack is a cool and very smooth transition if done well.
The kite steering is similar to most transitions, moving between 11 and 1 o’clock, or 1 and 11 o’clock. Correct timing is key for this move, so let’s have a look in more detail.
Slowly start by flying the kite up and back. Once the kite is above you, lift your back foot and bring your back hip forward.
Whilst rotating your upper body, push the nose of your board into its new direction.
Once the rotation of the board is complete, place your new front foot in its new position. Step back with your back foot, flatten off the board and push the nose downwind with your front foot.
The kite steering should be smooth and slow from 1 to 11 or 11 to 1 o´clock. Once your feet are set in their new position steer the kite down to regain power and speed.
Let´s remember the key elements:
slowly fly the kite up and back
start the rotation when the kite is above you
place your front foot in its new position and push the nose of the board downwind
fly the kite down to regain power and speed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y77uZe0Dp9c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y77uZe0Dp9c
Toeside Air Reverse - Strapless
The Toeside Air Reverse is a good exercise for aerials in the waves, but it´s also a cool flat water trick on its own.
To start, let go your back hand and fly the kite up for some decent lift. Popping off is similar to a small Toeside Air or Ollie: quickly bend your front knee and pull your toes up to get the windward rail higher.
Your back hand and and leg initiate the momentum for the rotation.
The most important key element is that your back foot leads the tail up and forward. Once you’ve completed the initial 90 degree rotation, your front foot starts to push the nose down and back under your body. Doing this you will land nose first with more weight on your front foot.
In your first attempts the board will most likely slide back on its own directly after landing.
If you want to keep on riding fins first, try to rotate the full 180 degrees or even a bit more. After landing, push your new front foot downwind whilst simultaneously pulling your new back foot back under your body.
To slide back to Toeside, initiate a small carve upwind and then shift your weight forward. Doing this the fins will touch the water and speed up the slide.
Let´s remember the key elements:
Initiate the rotation with your free back hand and back leg
Your back foot pushes the tail up and forwards
After 90 degrees, your front foot should start to push the nose of the board back and down under your body
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thlTCp7Ll7U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thlTCp7Ll7U
Toeside Tack - Strapless
The toeside tack is a really fun way to change direction with your strapless kiteboard.
The motion with your kite is similar to most tacks or transitions: slowly briniging the kite from 1 to 11 or from 11 to 1 o´clock.
Let´s have a closer look:
Start on a slight downwind course.
While steering the kite up switch to toeside and with your new back foot step far back on the tail.
The first key point is to wait until your kite has reached 12 o´clock or just a bit further and then initiate a tight carving turn upwind.
The second key point is to push the bar all the way up and support the rotation with your back hand.
When you finished the tack pull the bar and steer the kite down to regain speed.
Let´s remember the key elements:
switch to toeside and slowly steer the kite up
with the kite a 12 o´clock or just a bit further initiate a tight caring turn upwind
push the bar all the way up and support the rotation with your back hand
flatten the board and steer the kite down to regain speed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CqlUDpZzXg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CqlUDpZzXg