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Re: Controlling Height

Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2017 5:27 pm
by RichR2
Yeah, been doing the looking forward thing, good advice that can be applied to a lot of sports.

Re: Controlling Height

Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2017 6:38 pm
by jeromeL
gmb13 wrote:
Fri Sep 08, 2017 4:36 pm
RichR2 wrote:
Fri Sep 08, 2017 4:24 pm
Got it, so again its all about front foot pressure and I need to apply more. Will focus on that next time I'm out and a gust hits.
Also you need to remember that to "apply front foot pressure" or better said shift your weight forward, you need to bend you front knee. A lot of people try to apply front foot pressure by straightening their front leg as they think this pushes on the front foot, but what it actually does is move your centre of weight towards the back.

--
Gunnar
That's spot on.
Just learned on el stubbo + zeeko as well.
First time you get up and keep board on water you keep mostly back leg straight and flex front knee which helps shifting weight forward. You can try on land and see what happens to your leg when shifting body to one side or other.
I found that as a beginner having the body mostly straight up with almost no flex in legs helps. Kind of lock back leg and use only front leg to shift weight around.
After a few flight and under more powered condition you kind of forget the feeling of shifting weight and it becomes more a feeling of pushing feet to apply pressure but perhaps that's just the muscle memory...
You can try to keep kite higher as well so your feet don't get too powered, don't try to edge too far upwind either.

I got a few lucky air gybe the other day, nice feeling ;)

Re: Controlling Height

Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2017 10:21 pm
by UKSurf
I think the secret is to very slowly transfer weight from the front to back foot. The best way I have found is to lean forward and then slowly move your hips back to apply more back foot pressure. I think positioning your feet so it is "Hard to foil up" helps. A shorter mast also helps since - I am using a 60cm LF Mast and it has helped me alot. I can breach without crashing, and since you breach more often with the shorter mast you become aware of controlling your height.

Re: Controlling Height

Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2017 12:43 am
by Jzh_perth
It's hard hey ! And frustrating to start again from scratch, which is exactly what happens when you get on the foil first time. Persevere because it's totally worth it. I've got. Itching new to add that hasn't already been covered but can relate to your pain. This summer is 3rd year in the foil now for me. It takes time.

Re: Controlling Height

Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2017 1:02 am
by BWD
Learning to foil strapless I found balance with stance and weight forward enough to stay on the surface, but feel the foil pushing from below. Consciously shifting weight back (or going fast) makes it rise, then naturally return to neutral/upright. When waves or gusts drive me faster and higher, I drive my back knee forward and let back foot roll onto inner/forward edge, lifting small toes off deck. Very much like weighting a surfboard forward on a wave to trim as you shoot for the shoulder. Imagine there's a lip chasing you...

Re: Controlling Height

Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2017 1:35 pm
by sedluk
I found that shifting the body weight worked better for me than focusing on leg pressure. I ride strapless and it was tough, then it clicked and now I don't even need to thinking about it, my body just does what it needs to do. It is a crazy feeling, I can just look around and see the scenery and the body figures it out. I am getting to the point where it does not matter as much where my feet are on the board.

Re: Controlling Height

Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2017 3:24 pm
by RichR2
I've no doubt it will click. When I think back to the first few sessions and the energy I used just to get the board into position to waterstart, then the struggle of riding with the board on the water. However, now these things are not a problem anymore. So I'm sure it will be the same with this. This thread has really cleared up the whole height control issue in my head in terms of what I need to do, I just need to put it into practice. Hopefully the wind will deliver tomorrow morning. Thanks for everyone's input and encouragement.

Re: Controlling Height

Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2017 5:31 pm
by neilhapgood
I found this really helpful, now keeping kite lower with good results!

https://www.thekitemag.com/features/pas ... ch-novice/

Re: Controlling Height

Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 7:47 pm
by RichR2
With all that great advice to put into practice the wind went on holiday...typical. It finally returned today and I got out and put the bent front knee into practice and suddenly found I was controlling the height. Such a simple tip but it made such a big difference. Thanks.