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Peter_Frank wrote: The other is tacking where you rotate your body the opposite way around, so if your board heads upwind "left", you turn around "right" (clockwise), with a fast middle step on the front of the board

This type is quite easy, compared to the other tack at least, and I can usually manage it almost every time on good days (but will lose it sometimes when waves and chop, which is very common here) because of practice.

You have one advantage - that you dont have to step out of your straps before you tack, you just head upwind with speed into both straps (and you can do the same on a strapped waveboard).

I really like that - as standing out of the rear strap is useless on a raceboard (unless a lot of wind/power) IMO

Here is an older clip from a cold winther/spring day where Bjørn Rune Jensen shows this tack in light wind



I am not racing (but ride A LOT), but I think others can tell us what tack they prefer ? (and maybe different ones in different conditions ?)

Kindly, Peter Frank

Peter_Frank wrote:

mike_e wrote:Here's a good photo sequence of a strapless tack as demonstrated by Ian Alldredge:


A good description, but IMO totally useless regarding tacking a raceboard - as a strapless waveboard tack this way is soooo easy that most can do it maybe the first time, or at least learn very very fast.

The first video I can't quite figure out what's going on with the kite, he's turning his body same direction as the board I see, but what happens to the kite lines, do they not twist and then you rotate the bar when on new tack?? I haven't had a chance to try this on land yet and my brain can't seem to work it out

There are (at least) two ways of tacking - the "showoff" like Ronnies videos shows, and the "safe" mode, like I do it myself (probably because of too little skill, yup).
Why is this the showoff mode? Just curious.
The big difference is, that you can tack where you rotate your body in the same direction as your board, and go from strap to strap directly.
Very difficult (IMO) and risky - but of course, can you manage every single time, it is awesome I think

The other is tacking where you rotate your body the opposite way around, so if your board heads upwind "left", you turn around "right" (clockwise), with a fast middle step on the front of the board

This type is quite easy, compared to the other tack at least, and I can usually manage it almost every time on good days (but will lose it sometimes when waves and chop, which is very common here) because of practice.

You have one advantage - that you dont have to step out of your straps before you tack, you just head upwind with speed into both straps (and you can do the same on a strapped waveboard).

I really like that - as standing out of the rear strap is useless on a raceboard (unless a lot of wind/power) IMO

Here is an older clip from a cold winther/spring day where Bjørn Rune Jensen shows this tack in light wind

This video I can visualize exactly what's happening with the kite, although it took about 50 views to get it Very quick feet movement, like a two step where he replaces one foot with the other, the kites hits zenith at the same time the feet shift I suspect to counter act the lack of buoyancy I guess.
I am not racing (but ride A LOT), but I think others can tell us what tack they prefer ? (and maybe different ones in different conditions ?)

Kindly, Peter Frank

Hybridkiter wrote:I only started getting some tacks when I realized the the kite has to be going in the new direction before starting the foot switch/shove. Hard move for sure. Next step for me is improved footwork. Once that gets better I bet I can tune the kite position again.