Trent hink wrote: ↑Wed Jan 22, 2020 4:36 pm
Is there a reason not to downloop?
kit3surfer asked about a normal turn in light winds, I answered my take on that.
Personally I use the upturn by far most often, in particular in light wind.
Just what one likes, downloop or upturn, but here are some reasons I prefer the turn up and around.
You can carve tighter.
You can carve back without having to complete a full turn.
You can decide either to make a jibe, OR not and just turn/carve back any time or even after some toeside riding (when shifting feet on the way out)
You dont risk getting too much speed on the way out IF there is wind.
You dont have your arc almost decided beforehand, no way to change it.
You dont risk getting the kite down in the water, and go for a swim.
You dont get crossed lines.
You have more options in the turn both regarding arc and the kite path in general or redirecting, you are not locked to complete and follow.
You wont lose as much ground if going upwind and jibing instead of tacking.
You get way more freedom if on a wave, not restricted in your moves or kite handling.
Actually I can not think of any advantage of the downloop - except being fun in more wind where you get a wooooosh mega power speed spike on the way out of the turn while getting dragged downwind - great fun, but not really an advantage (unless you are racing)
That is just me, I know, but above is why I prefer the upturn.
Of course it is fun to make downloops too, if going fast downwind in more wind, or just for fun, and especially when carving back from a turn it is easy and pleasant if you are not pointing as high toeside, and wind is okay.
I believe this belongs to another thread though (there has been many), and most likely no consensus
Peter