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Advise, tips on body dragging upwind when overpowered

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madmax7
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Advise, tips on body dragging upwind when overpowered

Postby madmax7 » Mon Jun 02, 2014 1:13 am

I go out on a 12m, an hour into the session winds pick up to upper 20's w higher gusts!

I'm feeling the power building and take a jump, as I reach the peak a gust floats me faster and further down wind. I wipe out, loose board upwind and it sits there with bindings down!

As I work my way towards board I got close but with each gust my 12m would get lifted and me with with it, taking me further down wind.

It was very hard to keep kite low as i am moving fast in the water making my passes and feeling like I'm not making progress, also getting tired!

After 4 passes I came in landed kite and swam for board!

Any suggestions? Again it's about body dragging when overpowered.

Thanks, Max

PS I went thru 10 pages when I searched "body dragging" but did not find any tips on overpowered!

Turbaani
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Re: Advise, tips on body dragging upwind when overpowered

Postby Turbaani » Mon Jun 02, 2014 1:38 am

Good question.

I have been only few times really overpowered where I needed to bodydrag a bad situation. Yeah it's going to be exhausting so dont ride too tired when overpowered. I try to keep my kite low and just hold my front hand hard to upwind so I don't slide on the water downwind. Not so low that you have to eat water all the time but a bit lower than normal just to keep edging easier.

EDIT: moving fast is the upwind killer. You gotta try to get the speed down by edging hard with hand and feet.

plummet
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Re: Advise, tips on body dragging upwind when overpowered

Postby plummet » Mon Jun 02, 2014 2:00 am

Depower all the way at the trim strap. Bar out all the way. Kite a low as possible at the edge of the Window. Arch your body in an upwind position. One hand out following the upwind arch.

Churn upwind slowly. Try not to go too fast.

matth
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Re: Advise, tips on body dragging upwind when overpowered

Postby matth » Mon Jun 02, 2014 2:48 am

Go joe :D

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edt
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Re: Advise, tips on body dragging upwind when overpowered

Postby edt » Mon Jun 02, 2014 2:49 am

it's always easier to body drag upwind when you have more power.

keep your body level with the water, head down, feet up, body straight. If you don't set yourself firmly down in the water you can get pulled up and teabag. but that might not be the problem.

there's something wrong with your technique, could be anything.

My best advice is next time you are overpowered, grab someone who has a gopro, get off your board and have them film you body dragging.

Then post here. Then we'll figure it out for sure. But right now . . . could be anything.

Westozzy
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Re: Advise, tips on body dragging upwind when overpowered

Postby Westozzy » Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:22 am

Trim your kite to find the right 'spot' where it will hunt the edge of the window, but not too much..otherwise it will surge back and forward if too underpowered. Keep it low, with little upswings, then back down, ride on the front lines (depower rope), keeping enough power for slow consistent speed. Turn your head the upwind and the body will follow and position itself correctly. Push bar out all the way when bringing kite up and over 12 (to go the other way) and lean right back...do this too fast and you can lose the ground you already made up.

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Re: Advise, tips on body dragging upwind when overpowered

Postby waynepjh » Mon Jun 02, 2014 3:18 pm

When I am overpowered and body dragging I will bend my lower leg and put bottom of foot against the opposite knee. It's kinda like a keel in a boat. Works real well when lit.

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Re: Advise, tips on body dragging upwind when overpowered

Postby IWB2 » Mon Jun 02, 2014 3:43 pm

When super overpowered and want to body drag upwind, you can almost have kite resting on the water,and bar sheeted out. Arm that is in the water must also be at the correct angle. If the arm is too far upwind ie pointing into the wind, you will slip downwind. A kite that is too high when super over powered will pull you down wind very easily when body dragging.

madmax7
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Re: Advise, tips on body dragging upwind when overpowered

Postby madmax7 » Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:54 pm

Thanks guys, will try your suggestions!

Except for GoJoe.

Max


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