Darkslide Waterstart

[Indulang]

I came across this cool trick from Toby while searching for ways to learn darkslide. It seems like this trick might be easier to learn than the regular darkslide.

I played the video in slow-motion and this is what I gathered in terms of the steps involved. It was confusing at first because the starting position is as if you're waterstarting toeside.
1) Lie in the water facing the wind as if you’re riding toeside
2) Keep your board behind your body
3) pull the backhand
4) Sheet in the bar and pull the front hand
5) Pull the backhand sheeting the bar in and out to control the depth of the board in the water
6) Once the slide is over, pull the fronthand to land and continue riding

I would really appreciate it if someone can point out where the kite position should be at various steps. From the video, I could only figure out the bar movements but not kite positions

[Indulang]

Happy you like it

Most important: you need power!

And, the kite is looping.

So you start with the kite around 2 and steer it slowly over 12 til 10, the you start to pull hard on back hand to loop the kite, once you feel you are loosing power for the slide.

The longer you can keep the kite flying forward at 1 the longer the slide will be, but you need to be really powered.

At the end it is all trail and error…so keep trying and see what happens.

Normally I would suggest to learn the Darkslide first without a kiteloop while riding. Once you have that figured, you add the kiteloop.

Good luck.

[Indulang]

Thanks Toby.

I got step 4 wrong. So you just keep pulling the backhand until the kite loops.

[Toby]

Thanks Toby.

I got step 4 wrong. So you just keep pulling the backhand until the kite loops.

Correct.

But, if you are really powered, you could even do it without a kiteloop. But we are talking 25 knots with an 18, at my weight of 95 kg.

[Saltyman]

I still think that the Volare I think that's the name video of Toby is super slick.
Ballerina toes always and that angel spin looks wicked.
I'm going more towards airstyle now when wind allows.
Got the Rodeo sorted and a backspin Deadman rotation.
Just have to watch more of your videos and slow them down to get a good look at what your doing.

So I'm currently 85kg kites are 10,12,14&16.
Wind is usually around the 18+ when I start going for airstyle. Under that it's hooked and unhooked double front and toeside front 540s etc.
So in your expert opinion Toby when it's above 18 knots. Should I be on the 16 or 14m? And should I set up the kite for faster or slower turning. Also thank you for giving me the inspiration to start doing airstyle after 20+ yrs of doing every other disciplines. It's always a crowd pleaser.
I could do a KGB and my wife says it looks like I'm having an epileptic fit. But if I do a Deadman or any board off she always says that thing you did with the board in your hand looks so cool. And she knows nothing about kiting except how much I spend on equipment lol.

[Saltyman]

That's why I am doing it...to inspire people!

Most people will loose motivation when they only see most radical tricks, which they never will do...but once they see tricks which are doable for them, motivation is high

Yes, Volare video.

Go to www.strictlyhooked.com and the video player for all tricks can be slowed down.

The bigger the kite you van hold, the more time you will have for your tricks.
Many times when wind is lighter I keep fighting to land tricks...once wind gets more, I land them easily. So, power is key!

Find the high ends of each of your kite...you need to control the power...edge hard, kite low, ride slow, use a long depower.

A slow kite will give you more control, specially when rotating.

Enjoy!

[Regis-de-giens]

Great video and trick. I am also in the learning phase of darkslide with TT board. I am quite "impressed" to let my body fall downwind for the standard darkslide, so last month i strarted by to just doing "bodydrag" downwind with the board and body in the darkslide position (to force my muscle memory to learn this position including keep rear leg fully tensioned. It reassure myself before "jumping downwind".

I also wonder if this trick in the video could be a good intermediate step or it has too much specificities to be tried BEFORE a standard darksloide. Toby, what is your opinion on this question, trying to force yourself to be in the eyes of an impressed rider with small coronnas than you

[Toby]

Of course one can try and see if you have enough power.
But I rather would start trying it riding and no kiteloop.

But the idea of first trying it with a body drag is good, to get the idea.

[andylc]

I found it best to start well powered and without a loop. Then once you can get the slide going add in the loop. Important to be used to looping the kite already so you know what to expect.

[Toby]

Important to know about the loop is, that you pull hard to loop once the kite passed the zenith.

And the more powered you are, the later you loop.

Imagine what would happen to loop an 18 sqm kite in 25 knots before it passed the zenith…then you loop the kite really late to not fly away and crash hard