Darkslide

[andylc]

Do people do this with or without a kiteloop or is either ok? For me they seem to work better without and just a hard redirect once I lift off the water - when I do it with a kiteloop I don’t seem to get the lift as well. I think it’s probably just a matter of a slower or slightly later kiteloop but happy for tips!
I’m thinking I should persist with including a kiteloop as I’d love to get a Jesus walk sorted and that will definitely need one.

[windsuks]

I've only ever done it with a kite loop, the bigger (and slower) the kite seems to help... obviously depending on the wind strength.

[Toby]

You can do it with or without Kiteloop...also depending on the tricks you want to do...

See here what Darkslides are possible...if the front hand is on the bar it is without a Kiteloop, with backhand then a Kiteloop:

https://strictlyhooked.com/viewforum.php?f=15

[leeuwen]

Disclaimer: I am still perfecting mine so not an expert.
For me looping out of it seems the most logical and fluid way. Also it looks nicer imho.
I think you really need enough initial speed and you need to be powered enough so the kite can easily carry your weight when you slide.

[FLandOBX]

Loop it. Timing is the key.

[edt]

Show a viddy so we can see the problem. A loop is more steezy but have to see what's going on first. You might simply be under powered.

[andylc]

I don’t video myself! Anyway I can do them when powered up nicely and without a loop, I think I need a slower / later loop.

[Toby]

Here my simple Darkslides, first one with Kiteloop second without...and some more

https://strictlyhooked.com/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=1480

[edt]

I don’t video myself! Anyway I can do them when powered up nicely and without a loop, I think I need a slower / later loop.

Could be you are going in without enough speed maybe you are sending the kite to get off the water instead of popping maybe you aren't pulling hard enough on the bar maybe you let up on the loop half through but don't realize it. I mean if you don't like videos because of personal reasons then get someone else to watch you do the trick. It's extremely hard to find flaws in technique without a viddy or someone else watching. It's pretty rare problem to need a slower or later loop. Much more common not to pull the bar hard enough so the loop is too slow. Of course you can just try different things until you figure it out just takes a lot longer.

Toby's instructions on how to learn the dark slide are spot on btw so maybe read that link he posted too.

[FLandOBX]

.....I can do them when powered up nicely and without a loop, I think I need a slower / later loop.

I doubt you'd want a "slower/later loop". Later, yes, but probably not slower. If you loop more slowly through the power zone, you'll get more power than you need. The purpose of the loop is to pop you from slide position back to regular riding position. If you loop sooner in your slide, before your kite has lost its power, the loop will often pop you several feet off the water surface. Some riders like that. I prefer to slide as long as possible, and loop only when the kite is almost out of power. If you do that, the loop should be quick and small, providing just enough pop for you to resume normal riding position.

If you want to do a slide without a loop, you need to be very powered. You can get the necessary lift back to normal riding position by simply pulling in your bar position and diving your kite. IMHO, a slide without a loop is much less stylish than a classic darkslide (with loop). A fun trick either way.