Changing direction

Simple direction change

The easiest way to change direction is to:

• • slow down at the end of a tack

  • bring your kite to 12 o'clock and stop

  • sink back into the water

  • do a Board Start and head back in the other direction.

Sliding turn (also referred to as "Sliding transition")

Once you are comfortable with a simple direction change, the next step is to master a sliding turn.

The steps are:

• • When riding edge upwind, take your kite towards 12 o'clock and push the bar out, all of which will slow you down.

  • Come to complete stop.

  • Fly the kite to 12 o'clock, shift your weight from your rear foot to the centre of the board, then pull down on the bar to stop yourself from sinking

  • Turn the kite in the opposite direction - the new direction you would like to ride in.

  • Lean back slightly and point your leading foot (which was your rear foot) in the new direction the kite is pointing and slightly downwind

  • Bend your back knee (which was your forward knee) slightly and transfer some weight to it.

  • Dive the kite in the new direction to get moving.

Notes:

• • If the wind is strong you will not need to pull down on the bar much.

  • If the wind is light you will need to dive the kite more to generate power and fly it in a sine wave to keep moving in the new direction.

  • If you bring the kite to 12 o'clock too quickly you will get lifted out of the water - which could be your first jump!

  • If you bring the kite to 12 o'clock too slowly you will sink back into the water.

  • Don't move the kite before shifting your weight, and don't shift your weight before slowing down or stopping.

  • Make sure when you dive the kite that you bring it back up again - crashing it into the water is a common mistake while learning.

  • Judge your turn depending on the wind strength - try it slowly first. It is better to sink and Board start again than be over powered and be pulled over your toes off the board.