Power Stroke technique in light wind

[alekbelia]

Tô develop the skills required learn to fly loops in different parts of the window and different shaped loops across the window.

About kite type and designs, for example with my Roam Aluula , "sinusoids + dive down" (with Leading Edge not only downward but even a bit backward during dive down because Roam is very agile) is clearly better ; with my Pulsion, slower but good power during loop, a loop is a bit better, with my Elf Joker5, loop is a bit better if well timed.

Yes but highly depend of the kites (as Regis said). With high AR parafoils it's not possible. With singleskins it's really easy. But I never had a kite which have more power in sinusoids than in loops.

[Herman]

Should have added to my above post, if you are just riding and sining that is the time to be smooth and avoid over sheeting. Similarly avoid over edging, maintaining speed is your goal. If you can time your power stroke with a down slope even if only chop you get extra benefit.

[Smeagle]

Yes but highly depend of the kites (as Regis said). With high AR parafoils it's not possible. With singleskins it's really easy. But I never had a kite which have more power in sinusoids than in loops.

The bigger single skins and hybrids don't give a lot of power at all when looping, you have to stall them to turn fast enough to loop - and won't produce a lot of power when stalled. Gentle S-curves work a lot better on those. You can do very large loops which give good power, but that does not work in marginal wind.

So yes, it depends not only on the kite but also on the wind and conditions...

- Oliver

[knotwindy]

I’m sorry but the best technique to get going or riding in very low wind is to move where there is more wind. Or get an e-foil.

[alekbelia]

The bigger single skins and hybrids don't give a lot of power at all when looping...
So yes, it depends not only on the kite but also on the wind and conditions...
- Oliver

And also from the skills of the kiter.
The disadvantage of the sine wave is that, as a figure, it has 2 inflection points. This does not depend on the type of the kite (singleskin, pf, inflatable).
As an example I apply 2 clips with Pick 6 and 11. The wind is low even for singleskin kites. It can be seen that the kiter movement starts only in the kiteloop.

[Smeagle]

The disadvantage of the sine wave is that, as a figure, it has 2 inflection points. This does not depend on the type of the kite (singleskin, pf, inflatable).

But you can do the two turns small enough not to loose power.

As an example I apply 2 clips with Pick 6 and 11. The wind is low even for singleskin kites. It can be seen that the kiter movement starts only in the kiteloop.

That is because only in loops the backlines are pulled enough in that video. In between the kite is still flapping, not powered enough. For maximum Power I fly straight down fully powered (but careful not to stall), turn 180° slightly depowered (else it will loose speed) and straight up again powered up as much as possible so kite is still moving up fast enough. Less powered than down, though. And it's a fine line between good power an stalling the kite. The advantage - if done right - is, BOTH sides of the kite are building force and ALL of the force is pulling in correct direction. If you fly loops, only the outer half of kite is pulling, inner half is depowered and part of the loop pulls to much backwards, and the other part to much forward.

Again, this is for BIGGER kites. Smaller Kites can be looped with full kite powered. And if the wind is high, you can get away with just looping and still have enough power.

[Smeagle]

...but there is not "absolute truth"...

Everybody should try to find his own way, whichever works best for him!

[JakeFarley]

When I was learning light wind riding, to stay upwind I was told to edge the board and sheet in on the down stroke of the kite (power stroke); and during the up stroke (less power) to bear off a bit, flattening the board and sheet out to keep the kite moving fast.

If you have to continuously sine the kite and cannot "park" the kite to keep riding, it's a workout, not fun at all, and for me time to call it a day. But sometimes you are out and the wind drops and you have to use the techniques mentioned in this thread to get back to your launch site. So good advice.