grtlakes wrote: ↑Thu May 09, 2019 12:57 am
Any tips on losing the front hook and going strapless?
I tried tonight but it was a nonstarter. Disorganized onshore wind driven chop and incompetence. I had issues with keeping the board pressed against my feet as it drifted away at alternating angles. I was at a spot with limited room downwind (power lines) and deep water.
I figure flatter water and better spot would help of course but any other tips appreciated.
Cheers
Consider yourself as a total newbee when you lose the hook/strap(s).
Go out in easy conditions where you dont have issues with powerlines and onshore chop - dont work when learning the waterstart. (ps: you write deep water downwind? This is a plus so dont understand you write this as an issue?)
If you only got onshore chop, then put your hook all the way forward, and ride out and practice starting here without using the hook.
It is all about timing, thus it will take a while, or a long time, till you get it right.
But when you can, you can do it fast in between even small fast breaking waves.
As you know and others say, hold the board edged with your rear hand so mast is horisontal.
The key is, that you should NOT position the board, put feet up, and wait for the moment to dive the kite - will very often not work, and be a lot more difficult, and will also depend a lot more on your specific board now, and wing and waves etc.
This method is a reminiscense from using straps or hooks, and you have to get past that.
Maybe it is only mentally now you know that you should get up on the board in one move, always, when strapless
Dont let go with your rear hand, until the kite is positioned ready to dive (usually a bit past 12 towards your rear hand side).
This way works just as easy with supersmall boards, as well as giant volume boards, or medium boards - no difference here and you will be able to swop boards later without thinking about they being very different.
If you got a light carbon foil and a really big wing, you got loads of time, maybe the board will even sit on its side itself.
If you got an alu foil, it will drop really fast (the horisontal mast).
But the way you start is still exactly the same, and I just change the timing when going from alu to carbon or reverse.
With small kites (10 m2 and down) you let go with your rear hand, position your feet quickly (can also be done while holding the board if easier for you, but no need to) and dive the kite and up you go in one move.
Maybe not foiling, doesnt matter, as long as you get up on the board.
Using big kites maybe longer lines too, you have to start the dive bar pull a lot earlier, before you let go with your rear hand, as the delay is huge using these.
The same goes with big foil kites, so much delay that you have to wait a lot longer.
Also when using alu foils, hold the board longer.
Exactly the same difference in WHEN you let go with your rear hand, no matter if a big slow kite or a fast dropping alu foil, hold the board longer and start the dive impulse before you let go.
Practice practice practice, and it will get easier and easier during time
Peter