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5 Tip for Learning to Waterstart Strapless on a Kite Foil

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5 Tip for Learning to Waterstart Strapless on a Kite Foil

Postby Toby » Thu Jan 24, 2019 5:55 pm

5 Tip for Learning to Waterstart Strapless on a Kite Foil



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Re: 5 Tip for Learning to Waterstart Strapless on a Kite Foil

Postby trod27 » Fri Jan 25, 2019 3:53 am

I like that video and tips.
What worked for me was my Hook coming off in middle of lake... First one I tried I got. Beet swimming.
Been strapless ever since with rare light wind occasions

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Re: 5 Tip for Learning to Waterstart Strapless on a Kite Foil

Postby kitelife » Fri Jan 25, 2019 4:07 am

trod27 wrote:
Fri Jan 25, 2019 3:53 am
I like that video and tips.
What worked for me was my Hook coming off in middle of lake... First one I tried I got. Beet swimming.
Been strapless ever since with rare light wind occasions
Same thing happened to me when starting out. Had two foothooks. Rear hook broke first foil session and I left it off. Front hook came off second session so wound up just riding strapless. Both sessions were in sub 12kts though and I was pumping the kite quite a bit. Very similar to getting up on a strapless surfboard. Had a lot of time riding on a strapless directional before foiling which probably helps and makes for an easy transition to foiling (strapless).

One slight difference I noticed (to a strapless surfboard water start) is that I ride slowly downwind a little bit longer to get lift before going perpendicular (or upwind). On the surfboard I immediately edge once its planed.

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Re: 5 Tip for Learning to Waterstart Strapless on a Kite Foil

Postby NYKiter » Sat Jan 26, 2019 1:17 am

Almost tore my knee apart when I fell in the water one way and the board went the other with my foot in the foot hook....

Never again....strapless is the way.....but its hell at first....

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Re: 5 Tip for Learning to Waterstart Strapless on a Kite Foil

Postby Jyoder » Sat Jan 26, 2019 3:14 am

Very similar to getting up on a strapless surfboard
I disagree. I haven't ridden a surfboard more than a few times, but I don't hold it on its side in the water with my elbow and knee like I do my low volume strapless foilboard. Actually foiling water start is more like a big lightwind twin tip waterstart than surfboard in terms of board orientation. Just hold it in position with back hand and knee with front foot planted in place and plant your back foot as the kite starts to dive.

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Re: 5 Tip for Learning to Waterstart Strapless on a Kite Foil

Postby kitelife » Sat Jan 26, 2019 7:04 am

Jyoder wrote:
Sat Jan 26, 2019 3:14 am
Very similar to getting up on a strapless surfboard
I disagree. I haven't ridden a surfboard more than a few times, but I don't hold it on its side in the water with my elbow and knee like I do my low volume strapless foilboard. Actually foiling water start is more like a big lightwind twin tip waterstart than surfboard in terms of board orientation. Just hold it in position with back hand and knee with front foot planted in place and plant your back foot as the kite starts to dive.
You dive the kite while holding the board with elbow and knee on the board?

They show this in the video but the clip suddenly goes to him diving the kite with both hands on bar and feet planted on board. I prefer diving the kite with both hands on bar and feet planted on the board.

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Re: 5 Tip for Learning to Waterstart Strapless on a Kite Foil

Postby NYKiter » Sat Jan 26, 2019 3:54 pm

I set the board up... let it go ....and throw the kite down with TWO hands on the bar....much better control...

while the kite goes down I jump on before the board falls back down.....

Holding onto the board with one hand and trying to dive the kite is too stressful... :shake:

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Re: 5 Tip for Learning to Waterstart Strapless on a Kite Foil

Postby kitexpert » Sat Jan 26, 2019 9:22 pm

In general good advice, but 4 and 5 may be a bit controversial. If board has very low volume it won't stay upright (perpendicular) on the water but it sinks too deep. Especially a problem with heavy aluminum foils.

I learned strapless with quite high volume board keeping it in control with left hand and diving kite with right hand. To start right hand as a front hand is easy but to start left may be a bit harder. I use four methods: 1) downloop with right hand to get it going to left 2) pushing bar with right hand to dive it left 3) changing hands: left to dive the kite, right holds the board 4) letting left hand free from the board earlier than usual and diving kite with both hands.

In light winds down loop start is so useful starting left can be easier than to start right.

Many who are learning strapless with this method rush it. If done correctly full control in water start position should be achieved: kite straight up at 12, wind straight behind the back and holding board on its side with one hand, other hand is controlling kite. Feet position on the board should be found quite precisely, a mark on the board center line between the feet is useful. Take your time here and start when you are relaxed and fully prepared to it.


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