Trainer kite | desert-rabbits-kb

Trainer Kite Exercises.

80% of kite boarding is kite control. The more you practice flying the kite, the more you master kite control. This can be gained by flying a trainer kite.

The more time you spend flying a trainer kite, the less ‘lesson time’ you need, and best of all its (almost) free!

The following assumes that you have had an intro session, and that you are able to set up a trainer kite, fly ‘steer’ a trainer kite, and have an understanding of safety and the wind window.

Safety: (some reminders!)

Make sure you are away from people, cars, obstacles and other kite in the area, also make sure you have a buffer area of at least 3 line lengths (60 meters) downwind
In case of emergency, just release the bar!
When you need to land the kite (alone), just crash the kite, put the bar down, then walk towards the kite while only handling ONE line

The Exercises

Here are some exercises to help you master kite control:

Parking (holding the kite at one position on the edge of the wind window):

Park the kite at 12, using small hand movements, then s l o w l y move the kite to 1 hold it there, then 2, back to 1 and back to 12, 11 and 10.
Park the kite at 12 with one hand in the middle of the bar (either hand)
Park the kite at 12, 11 and 10 using your RIGHT hand
Park the kite at 12, 1 and 2 using your LEFT hand
Park at 12 with one hand, and use the other hand to touch your toes, take off and put back on your shoes/sandals/slippers (with your hands!! No kicking!)
Park the kite at 12 with your eyes closed

The Wind Window

For the following exercises, fly the kite only on either half of the wind window, example, if your flying the kite in figure 8’s (1 to 2) on the right hand side of the wind window, do not let the kite cross 12 or pass to the left side of the wind window!

Figure 8's:

Fly figure 8’s on the left side of the wind window (Max 11:30 to 9:30)

Fly figure 8’s on the right side of the wind window (Max 12:30 to 2:30)

Simulated Riding:

Fly figure 8’s on the left side of the wind window, while walking Across the wind to the left (not upwind and not downwind)
Fly figure 8’s on the right side of the wind window, and walk to the right

Fly the kite to 12 before changing direction

Board start:

Sit on the ground with your legs in front of you, then DIVE! the kite from 12:30 to 10 for the left side and 11:30 to 2 for the right side

Board start II:

This is another way to waterstart!

- Sit on the ground with your legs in front of you, then DIVE! the kite from 2 to 11 for the left side and 10 to 1 for the right side

The above exercises are riding and board start specific, however the video below contains some exercises that are not specific to riding or board starts but are challenging, fun and will improve over all kite control:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=CxOp9mVcxwM

Please feel free to contact me for any questions!

Enjoy!