I´ve been eager to start doing kiteloops for a long time now. I can jump really well, but something is stopping me from start throwing kiteloops... I did try a few times before, but my landings were hard.

I´m thinking that if I do a big jump and fail with the kiteloop then I might injure myself.
Or if I do a not so big jump, then I might land hard and fuck my knees, since the kite will not be able to lift me up enough after the loop to soften the landing.
Small jumps with kiteloops feels like cheating, besides I'm more likely to crash the kite in the water.

I usually ride with a Cabrinha IDS 9m, which isn't very fast turning, a fact that also is holding me back.

Compared to other tricks it feels like the kiteloop is a "trick" that you must nail on your first try, or you´ll hurt yourself...

Perhaps do I worry to much? Anyway, it would be great with some tips on how to start learning kiteloops, how do I start? =)

forget your jumping for now. start a little underpowered, thorwn them from top...then as you get used to them gradually with more power...then try to jump and as you come down loop the kite...yeah it is a sissy loop, but a good way to get the feel for it.

Yes if you just throw it there is a good chance you'll injure yourself.

btw I don;t know the kite you are riding....

You could try doing it with a strapless board. Board stays in the drink, you get the time in the air to feel out the loop without consequences to your knees.

Work your way up in altitude like everyone else. Like Tautalogies said master downloops before going to kiteloops. My opinion...... it is unlikely to learn solid kiteloops without at some point getting pounded, that is just how it is, so if your unwilling to get beat on then you might want to reconsider doing kiteloops.

J

yeeeep.

to learn kiteloops you start from teh ground up. ride around on flat water looping your kite (no jump), learning the power spots etc of your kite, learn about the effects of going downwind before and after looping. then like said once you have looped 100 times without jumping get into them in very light winds and do 100 more... then more wind..

so many damaged kiters from skipping this and going for it straight away and seeing what happens

fly the kite longer behind the zenith...then you start the loop...this way you will get less lift, since you don't send it over the zenith...

and use an impact vest...your rip will be thankful for it!

Yeah - for your first attempts don't leave the water. It's good to try downloops whilst carving to toeside for instance. You want to be on a fairly big kite e.g. 10 or 11m (smaller kites can generate a lot of power due to the speed at which they go round the loop) and you don't want to be too powered up - a day when you're struggling to stay upwind is perfect.

The Progression Advanced DVD section on kiteloops is pretty good so you might want to consider taking a look at that. The Common Mistakes section is just as useful as the instructional sections... likely to save you a few heavy crashes!

i have some good ideas... (kinda joking)

1 - vest is good, or gain weight. that's what i did to protect my ribs
2 - the safest way to practise kiteloops is by doing them in your mind. visualize them and land them in your head.
3 - pussy loops don't hurt. jump low and start with your downloops.
4 - one day, when you got em wet, jump low and loop it.

it feels so good, i don't think its a trick, i think its real!

but the real question is, are you a woman/man, or are you a minnie/mouse? Think about it, a whole bunch of 40/50 year olds do them all the time. Kids, ladies, everyone! You can do it.

if you do know how to jump well then I assume you have no problem landing with your board pointed downwind carring alot of speed. If that is the case then you should be throwing your loops when powered up on your 9 or smaller. Like you said if you get enough height the kite will "catch" you and slow your fall to the water. You will still come in like a bat out of hell and have go ride it out, redirecting your kite the whole time. I personally do not do them if the water is very choppy because landing on the backside of a piece of chop can be as bad as falling from the sky.

A loop done too low will drop you on your knees


a loop done a litter higher and after the zeneth, less horizontal yank but kite caught me


loop done powered up at the zeneth or just before, allot of horizontal yank and continued climb as the kite completes the loop. Heading towards the water very fast but not falling, with proper redirection of the kite you will ride away.


to answer your initial question, if you want to learn these kind of kiteloops then at some point you just have to suck it up and throw the loop. The higher you go the better chance of success I guess that is my idea of safe.

if you want to learn what not to do watch this video that I just saw on the forum
http://www.kiteforum.tv/index.php?optio ... ow&id=7686

why somebody would try to land with their board perpendicular to the direction of travel is beyond me.

Sorry can´t help my self... like this hehe:


No the best thing is to start out underpowered in low wind Then go the steps... more and more powerful as you get comfortable with it.