Peter_Frank wrote: ↑Fri Jul 09, 2021 5:04 pmAre you new to being in water?
I can not help you, but on video you sometimes see someone holding their nose when they jump in the water for the first time - maybe it is the same if you are new?
It will pass I am sure, as I don't know anyone having this issue...
I am in the water a lot, hydrofoiling, dragging often to get back to my board.
So if noone has the "secret" to avoid it now when new, don't worry it will pass and be non existing later
Peter
I still say above is the issue here, combined with how you do it.
When out yesterday, I tried in various ways to get water in my nose when body dragging - it was impossible.
When you are bodydragging and on your side in the water even with very little power and no or only a thin summersuit so you are deep in the water, then your nostrals are not pointed open in the path you drag, even if you look up at the kite.
You have to lean your head all the way back, in order to get to a position where your nostrals get flooded from the front - a position you would never use anyways.
And WHEN I did this on purpose to see what happened, it wasnt a problem, because I noticed I exhaled through the nose at every instant in this position, so no water in the nose - at least not anything that could hurt.
If you havent learned this intuitive response yet (we all do it without thinking, thats why I had to try yesterday to find out), it is most likely one of the problems - but doing this per reflex will come in time when you get used to water, is my prediction.
Also, you might be looking up towards your board?
Dont do that, as you will not go upwind well now.
For best "performance" bodydragging upwind, a few things:
Drag sidewinds, dont try to go upwind so never try pointing up towards the board with one arm - an error even experienced make.
Keep the straight sideways superman position, head on the side, and looking at the kite is just fine, but dont arch your head back, simply turn it a bit on the side looking upwards, just like when you breathe when breathing every second stroke during front crawl.
Dont take too long "tacks", as you might lose orientation about where your board is.
When you change tack, depower the kite and fly it over slowly so it wont lift you downwind.
Use every "tack change" where your head is higher over the water, to locate your board.
Again - remember the short tacks, unless in totally flat water you could go longer as board is easier to see, but dont, as you will have problems when out in chop later, where you might get disorientated and lose your board.
It will take time to get it perfect, but the good thing is, you usually dont need it "perfect", so if you just learn to use some of above hints you will be fine.
With experience, you will know exactly when your nose is in and out of the water, and you can look after the board on occasion while dragging, but for starters, dont.
Hope this helps
Peter
