joyrider1 wrote:
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To 2: In an upright body position and a rather flat board position on the water it was easier for me just having to master the up and down movements of the foilboard. If you try to edge up towards heels (for example in gusts) you additionaly have to master another dimension: Pressure on the front/back heel will not only result in up and down but also in fast direction change as well: Heavier wipeouts… greets from my ankle...
My exercise on day 2: I went on a rather bigger kite on a directional (with no foil) in the lowest speed possible (no full gliding) halfwind. Tried to keep the board as flat as possible, no edging on heels. Tried to stand as upright as possible, didn’t lean too much against the kite. Took the rear foot as much to the front as possible. Tried to handle the gusts only by sheeting the bar and by stiffening bodytension. Avoided the “normal” reaction to a gust by putting more weight on heels/the rear. Or: Tried to keep the angle of the foil/board in the water as much the same as possible. Tried not to gain speed but to keep the vehicle balanced “upright”.
Doing the same later with the foil it was kind of the breakthrough for me!!!
Also: Make yourself conscious of the difference between having or having not a foil under the board
No foil: Only two dimensions of the board`s movement: slower/faster and left/right. No matter how hard you change the angle of the kiteboard while riding, the board will (usually) stay on the surface of the water. No change in the dimension “height”.
Foil: An additional dimension: up/down. If you change the angle of the board/foil it will follow towards the new direction/angle very directly.
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Hmmm, curious about this, as I dont see this happening with the foils I've used ? (Zeeko and Takoon and a Spotz shortly)
These dont turn at all if I put pressure on my toes or heels when up foiling (and a foil should not, as it stabilizes itself in the upright position).
They turn when you make a twisting motion only.
But maybe you indirectly gain some ability to ride more "powerless" and not putting pressure on the front versus back foot, and balance yourself using the kite, if practising on a non foil raceboard and trying not to use heel-toepressure at all ?
It might work - but I think the most important thing is to learn to ride the kite very powerless and sheeted more out than usual, which you might practice by using a raceboard and trying to balance without foot pressure.
I can easily put my front or rear foot further towards the lee or windward side of the board - and it wont really turn doing this.
(but I will lose my balance and leverage when I turn for real and have to turn back, so not good of course, and the trim somehow just feels "bad" in every way)
As said before - the fact that a hydrofoil is balanced by itself regarding the "tilt" of the mast, makes the ability to sheet the kite in/out AND the ability to turn the board downwind/upwind by twisting - the reason why it takes so long to get it under your skin and be natural.
It is not something that is known from other sports as far as I know - although you CAN turn boards this way to some degree in f.ex surfing (or skateboarding), where you can pump the board by doing the twisting motion, where the board nose actually turns left and right of course.
But with these boards, you can also turn by using pressure on the edges meaning toes/heels (which is done when carving/turning fuller circles).
Posting this, as it seems that we are some who disagree a lot about this very topic ?
My statement is, that you dont turn a hydrofoil by putting pressure on your toes or heels (or leaning forwards/backwards which is the same).
You turn a hydrofoil by twisting, giving the yaw motion that turns it (making it curve/carve)
I am quite sure of this actually, but might be proven wrong and open for this to happen.
Agree with the added dimension, being one serious reason also, why we dont just do it right away
Great to see you are succeding and getting "on" joyrider1, and can almost ride now, and guess you are ecstatic.
An amazing sport in every way
PF