In marginal wind with smaller race kite (up to 12m) I usually either loop or backstall near water in middle of the window. With bigger kite sizes it is often better to backstall the kite to the opposite edge of the window. This is true especially with my 21m race kite. Also as pointed right trim setting is important. In low wind conditions you want to have front lines short so that the kite flies faster. This will generate more power also.
Yes if really marginal on the bigger size (19m r1v2 in my case) i stall it into the window and then just waterstart when it grabs, i try to move it the less possible when not on the foil.
If my launch site has enough deep water downwind, then I'll do a downloop to get up on the board and Ill pump the board a couple of times whilst immediately throwing a back loop.
This will get me on the foil and as an added bonus untwists my lines. But it does require about 20-30 metres of downwind deep water.
I experimented a way to increase a bit my chances to waterstart in marginal winds, that i wanted to share. To be tested when nothing else works anymore...
1/ already said elsewhere but as an introduction : when you group yourself to ease going above the board, try to sink the board fully, water above your feets, and balance yourself (eep stand up even if your board is fully under water....) during your second loop. This provides an excellent "anti-downwind drag plane". This requires a good body balance since you launch a loop in this instable position.
2/ my point now: try to point your board more downwind and sink it by the rear foot first..= 2 avantages:
-a- it is easier to sink by thé rear, hence need less wind to stand up above the board
-b- this induces a little reward displacement of the board (therefore upwind, kind of "counter drag downwind"), which creates a bit of additionnal tension in the kite= more pull to finish waterstart.
Just for clarification: it is based on my personal configurations:
- light weight rider
- wind where no lei can fly, even looped, and only light weight foil kites
- Big 15 or 18 M2 double skin kite, middle ratio
- low volume large board
- large wing 1200 cm2.
Works fine for me at least
Last edited by Regis-de-giens on Tue Jul 20, 2021 8:16 pm, edited 4 times in total.
I expérimented a way to increase a bit m'y chances to waterstart in marginal winds.
1/ already said else where but as an introduction : when you group yourself to ease going above the board, try to sink it fully, water above feets, and balance yourself (even if your board is fully under water....) during your second loop. This provides an excellent "anti-downwind drag plane". This requires a good body balance since you launch a loop in this instable position
2/ my point: try to point your board more downwind and sink it by the rear foot only... 2 avantages:
-a- it is easier to sink, Hence need less wind to stand up above thé board
-b- this induces a little reward displacement of the board (upwind, kind of "counter drag downwind"), which creates a bit of additionnel tension in thé kite= more pull to finish waterstart.
Just for clarification: it is based on following configurations:
- light weight rider
- wind where no lei Can fly, even looped, and only light weight foil kites
- Big 15 or 18 M2 double skin kite, middle ratio
- low volume large board
- large wing 1200 cm2.
Works fine for me at least
What wind speeds are you talking about here? 4 to 6 knots?
I find the stall technique most effective for me with 12m lines on an 18 foilkite in light winds I do the same as Tom W more or less.
Put the kite on the opposite side of the windwindow to your direction of travel.
Back stall the kite a little
Release one leader to allow a 90 degree spin so that the kite now points in my diection of travel.
Release the other leader and allow it to fly efficiently across the wind window.
Dimitri's video shows this nicely.
Longer lines I can do the the same or use a loop to put the kite on a similar straight course through the power zone.
For me loop starting big kite on short lines is just way too sketchy and i loose too much of the wind window before my kite flies efficiently.
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With my strapless pocket board and race hydrofoil, I don’t have volume, planing surface, or lift enough to work the kite a few times to get up. It’s either one shot straight to foiling or I can’t ride. I think that limits my low end by a knot or two with my 15m Sonic Race, especially since I use 17m lines or shorter.
That said, I think I can get up in 7knots or a slight gust higher by body dragging fast one way to create apparent wind and line tension, then stall turning the kite at the edge of window and flipping the board around to shoot back across in the other direction to get up. Pointing board more downwind to start helps, like Regis said, very different that a tt or surfboard start.