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Learning to Jump on a Rebel

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 2:11 pm
by hmattar
Hello Guys.
After I started kiting, after one year i had a torn ligament in my knee, so after surgery i spent like 2 years afraid, just kiting with no jumps. Just going to one side to the other and riding on waves.
So in the last two months I felt safe again and started to learn how to jump.

The problem is, as a beginner in this area, in two jumps, while in the air with the kite at 12, I forgot to send it back to 9, so i fell and the kite stalled.

In both times when stalled the rebel twisted all around its lines,relaunched with some power with lines all twisted out of control, i had to release the chicken loop and ask a buddy for a ride back to the sand.

Is this an issue with all kites or just 5 line kites? I know this is probably my fault, but even loving my rebel if I see that this doesn't happen with a 4 line kite, I may replace my rebel.

Re: Learning to Jump on a Rebel

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 2:43 pm
by edt
Every kite in the world will fall out of the sky if you pendulum under it. You are downwind of the kite. 5 line kites do have 1 more line to untangle so there's that.

Re: Learning to Jump on a Rebel

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 2:49 pm
by dyyylan
If you pendulum under your kite, any kite is going to fall behind you

The only downside is that it is 5 lines, so if it fall out of the sky and flips over then the 5th line can be wrapped around it and you have to release.

I've been riding a 5 line kite (mutiny p-series) and haven't had this happen in the few months ive been riding them, but I know how to jump. I think what you need to focus on is proper technique, most people start jumping way under their kite (I did too) until you learn how to hold your edge and time everything right.

Just keep at it, your problem is not unique and the fact that it tumbles behind you is a non-issue since it won't really ever do that once you know what you're doing.

That said, if you're trying to convince yourself that you need a new kite then go for it, rebels suck :p But I found them pretty easy to jump on, like any other bridled kite. Just send to 12 and sheet in and you go up.

Re: Learning to Jump on a Rebel

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 4:21 pm
by Billy B.
hmattar wrote:
The problem is, as a beginner in this area, in two jumps, while in the air with the kite at 12, I forgot to send it back to 9, so i fell and the kite stalled.



I may replace my rebel.
I would fix the Problem of your kite control, then you will be so excited how well the rebel jumps.

Crashing any kite can end up with tangles, 4 lines or 5 lines, when it tumbles and falls in that manner. You can usally fly a four line kite back to the beach or fix it at the bar end with practice and courage and some times letting your 5 line kite go to the saftey fixes the peoblem and you just relauch after getting the bar.

Good luck with your jumping!

Re: Learning to Jump on a Rebel

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 4:49 pm
by flybykite
If you wrap your 5th line around the rebel again theres no need to release. Just pull about 4-6 feet of the 5th line from the leash out from the bottom of the loop, wait, and the line will roll off the kite and around the outside lines. You can still fly it after this but steering gets a bit sloppier at this point so a stop at the beach is in order to straighten it out.
I've had it happen to me about 8 times when learning to jump but rarely ever have this happen now. It can also happen if the lines go slack in a crash and the wind rolls the kite over.
I wouldnt change kites based on this. I absolutely love the rebel and I can count on it to deliver exactly the power I want when I want it. The only thing its not fantastic at is pivitol looping in the window and it pulls a bit hard when unhooked. Super reliable everywhere else.
For jumping, this is a perfect kite to learn on. You will appreciate the incredable depower when you decide you're in over your head on a jump and want to come down quicker.
I also had an ACL replacement in my knee 2 years ago and learned to jump after the surgery. Jumps never seem to tweek my knee unless I'm landing with way too much speed downwind. I also wear a custom knee brace most of the time and I'm sure it has saved me from further problems several times this year. Keeping your knee strong now is key. Keep doing all the exercises the physio gave you after surgery. Muscle breaks down fast if you're not using it all the time.

Keep jumping! you'll have it dialed perfectly before you know it.

Re: Learning to Jump on a Rebel

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:48 pm
by UKSurf
You need to be travelling upwind when you take off to avoid the problem of swinging under the kite. You can achieve this by edging upwind before you take off. The timing takes a bit of practice. In general I: sheet out and sent the kite back, edge upwind, sheet in the bar for take off.
The more upwind you are going the safer the jump as you are less likely to swing under it. If you feel you have not taken off correctly redirect the kite to cancel the jump. Start off with smaller kite movements and lower board speeds to get the feeling.

Re: Learning to Jump on a Rebel

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 11:55 pm
by hmattar
Thanks for all the tips!Today I managed to jump without a single tangle but the 20 knots helped!
Still trying to not go very high because of the knee but as I get more confident I`ll try higher!

Re: Learning to Jump on a Rebel

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 12:26 am
by Westozzy
Glad to head this. The rebel is a true plug and play kite, if you cannot jump the rebel you will not jump any kite. It is not a technical kite and perfect for you to learn to jump on also due to its hang time. Keep at it. Small jumps and get your redirection right. Remember to pull in on the bar just as you leave the water and as you land can help stop you flying under the kite. Small baby steps man until you get more confidence in your knees.

Re: Learning to Jump on a Rebel

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 5:48 am
by Kamikuza
If you're coming down too hard'n'fast... lift your feet and board up high, pucker up, and splash down butt-first :D