Downlooping the kite during toeside to heel side carve

[fun2kite]

For the longest time, I could not figure out how to downloop the kite when doing toeside to heel side carve.

I find hell side to toeside downloop to be very comfortable as you initiate it with a front hand and that hand very conviently becomes the back hand you continue holding the kite once you are riding toeside.

But the other way around, just does not work... I kept trying to turn while flying the kite over the 12h, but that require insane timing and typically does not work in Low winds. Always wound-up losing tension in lines..

Finally last weekend, I decided, I'll move my hand from the back side of the bar to the front of the bar and attempt to downloop that way with back-hand. I also tried to flip the bar and pull upwards. I managed to downloop the kite this way, but oh boy that was NOT comfortable! I wound up passing the bar in the middle of the turn from one hand to another to finish the turn.
The position of hands is just very uncomfortable and overall the turn is unstable. I can do it now, but it does not feel anywhere near as polished and comfortable as the hill-to-toe side.

Question: Is there some technique for downlooping the kite on toe--to-heel side ? Please share how you do it.

-D.

[Peter_Frank]

True, I remember having the same challenges regarding this, initially, but easy now.

When going toeside, say from left to right (starboard tack), riding with your back hand left) on the upper bar end - you simply turn your upper body leeward/left and grab the lower side of the bar with your right hand, and now you can do a smooth downloop with your right hand and end up heelside flying the kite with your right hand on the upper bar end.

You need to twist your body and left arm into the turn anyways, so it is a win win win using your "upwind" arm to take over while your body turns correctly

It works for me, smooth and clean.

PF

[plummet]

hmmmm. I probably prefer the toe to heal down loop. Maybe practice undergunned with a smaller kite so you can loop anywhere and any time In the window. Then throw the loop earlier and later to get the timing right. If loosing line tension you can always through a double loop or front loop/back loop combo. Looks cool, untwists lines and stops loosing line tension.

[Kamikuza]

I've found the kite matters, especially with respect to timing and pull through the turn.

Re. the hand -- I do the same. Pull with the front hand (upwind hand if toeside) and keep it on the bar. Once you've transitioned, it's become the new back hand...

[Regis-de-giens]

I have short arms. When possible I first rotate 360 degree my bar in advance to get a smoother control at the end of the turn. Then I just sheet in a bit with the rear hand to get the front hand closer to the bar. Then catch it and try to keep my body still upwind to keep a straight upwind direction. Then I pull on front hand the maximum I can but still keep upwind the maximum I can (Hopefully up to 180 degree of the kite).
I do not know if you have a sliding bar but it should make it more easy with a fix hook for short arms.

[fun2kite]

Thank you guys... They seem to be turning the upper body and grabbing with a new front hand... Will try.

[borist]

I also feel very comfy with down loop during heel side carve, but as I think about I see OP's point. Reason I have no issues with it is probably because I started to make toe to heel carves as a part of learning to make a jibe, so I started down loop immediately after switching my feet. At that moment I had both hands on the bar and my shoulders turned slightly towards the turn rather upwind as is the case when riding toe side. Loop then feels natural because kite is flying in front of me and I can adjust radius of sweep as needed.
Therefore I assume OP is not changing his stance, just turning.
I payed close attention to how I carve from toe side to heel when not switching feet riding today. I do what Peter recommended: as I approach the turn point, I fly the kite up (about 11 o'clock), turn my shoulders bit towards turn direction while twisting my hips upwind more - this is a natural move to maintain original balance as turning shoulders alone would likely result in leaning backwards a little, grab lower end of the bar with empty hand and start the loop and carve. Timing depends on kite size and how much power is available. When powered, looping a touch early works fine, when under powered I tend to delay the loop a fraction after turn initiation to get more line tension. If lines are slacking, I push the bar sideways, opposite of turn direction to take up the slack. I do all of this by feel, never really payed attention to it until now. Works well for me.
One thing that can make this harder is use of moveable hook on the harness (my case). Bar is then quite far to reach without twisting shoulders a lot, which probably is why I fly the kite up first before reaching for the bar.

[fun2kite]

found this video.. In two sections including last few seconds one can clearly see the technique she is using: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq_oxS5NFFg
I will be trying today if there is wind

Thank you all for your tips guys.

[bigtone667]

I find on healside to toeside I downloop kite first from quite a high point and then turn and follow the kite.

I find on toeside that i move the kite to a high point, I turn board first and then downloop the kite allowing the kite to catch me.

[salvino]

Also, as you initiate downloop with leeward hand you can push against the line tension (lateral force) to allow you to swivel your hips and really pivot/turn the board quickly. This helps keep foil up if wind is light.