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Jumping - weak foot first

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Created by 2stubborn2quit > 9 months ago, 29 Oct 2017
2stubborn2quit
WA, 169 posts
29 Oct 2017 8:34PM
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So I have been kiting for a solid 3 to 4 years and progressing at a rate I am happy with. I kite 95% of the time on flat water. Learnt to jump quite early and for a while was gaining good height and hang -time especially on my natural foot/direction. However over this winter I seem to have lost my mojo on my natural foot, real success (read height) is becoming less frequent and it is starting to really annoy me. On the flip side jumping goofy has gone ballistic and is easily matching the height of my natural side. Before I used to double my height on my natural side. Saying all that I still land better on my natural side.
Whats going on? Is this part of the learning curve? Has anyone else experienced this and what was the outcome? Curious to hear the experiences of others.

Sandfoot
VIC, 566 posts
31 Oct 2017 8:33PM
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Could just be wind conditions, or maybe you are hesitating on your strong side through fear...impossible to say with out seeing.

To to get more boost try shorting the steering lines a touch, carve upwind harder - have a go at carving as hard as you possibly can for as far as you can. As soon as you feel your are starting to slow down, pull down on the bar - and boost like a banshee at a bonfire . Easy. Silly old fart

VRBones
130 posts
7 Nov 2017 10:15PM
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It sounds like you're relying on muscle memory jumping natural, but your muscle memory is being changed while learning other jumps & tricks. This certainly happens to me and I'd suspect most kiters at some point. Try breaking down the jump into components (carve, pop, send, leg extension, timing) to get your brain back into learning mode on the original trick.

weebitbreezy
617 posts
8 Nov 2017 6:31PM
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Is it possible you are over thinking it?

With my less natural side I had to consciously build in the elements one at a time to bring it up to par. I tried to do the same thing on my natural side and I was just overthinking it and the timing went to pop. I stopped thinking about it and just worked on getting a strong edge and sending the kite and let the take off take care of itself.

Richoa
NSW, 478 posts
9 Nov 2017 1:23PM
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Basically still in the same situation, Ive had to really look at what im doing on unnatural tack. Found I was sought of flying the kite back over my head sort of up wind rather across the wind window. Really have to think about where 12 is in relation to direction of travel and make a deliberate attempt as to how I fly kite back. Whereas natural tack don't even need to think about it.

Im sure theres other bad **** going on, but got to get that right first

2stubborn2quit
WA, 169 posts
9 Nov 2017 8:52PM
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Thanks for the input guys. Firstly it is nice to hear that I am not alone with this hiccup in my progression. Some really good points to consider as I don't have to think about it (jumping) on my natural side and it tends to be the side I learn new tricks on, yet I am very conscious of my movements and timing on my goofy side. Time to go back to basics, break it all down again and put that big cheesy grin on my face when you boost big.

weebitbreezy
617 posts
10 Nov 2017 8:24PM
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2 other things I also noticed during my progression (which is still ongoing - I'm a long way from cracking any leader boards) which might be affecting you.

1. My sphincter height level increased. Or in other words, the height at which I looked down and starting puckering up a bit got much higher. The more often you hit a certain height the less it seems high. Jump height progression isn't that fast as its difficult to get enough time on the water so it becomes much more difficult to reach heights that 'Seem really high' even though you are jumping on par with your skill levels.

This is where a Jump height device can help. Say you are jumping 2-4*m regularly with the occasional 5m* jump, you can see the progress even if your highest ever hasn't improved, when your average jump moves up to say 4-5m*. Ultimately for progression you want to be focusing on the average set and ignoring the outliers

2. My memory of actually how high I used to jump was distorted when I start focusing on my weak side. I'd look back at my height outliers and think - I've pulled my height on my bad side up from 2m to 5m*, why are my jumps on my strong side all 5m* when I have a best height of 7m* - All my jumps on my good side should be 7m*. I mean its my good side right?

* Heights made up for figurative purposes and take no account of real jump heights or conditions. Honestly I jump much higher than this. You guys wouldn't believe how high I jump. My jumps are so high that you wouldn't believe it. Seriously .... so high ....

kitepac81
NSW, 61 posts
13 Nov 2017 1:13PM
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Well thats the other thing i find it hard to gauge how high im jumping as i dont have any way of accurately mesuring it and perception will change session to session, i spose i could buy some kind of tracker but like most electronic sports devices i think they are a bit of a gimmick.....

weebitbreezy
617 posts
13 Nov 2017 7:14PM
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Xensr have produced an app for the iWatch that uses the sensors in the watch rather than anything strapped to a board. Still a gimmick but at least you can use it to tell the time when not on the water.

I like the gimmicky jump devices personally. Was getting a bit bored of the same old - same old before I got it and its kind of injected an extra competitive edge into my sessions. I'd stick to one that has an extra waterproof housing though.



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"Jumping - weak foot first" started by 2stubborn2quit