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Help! Sorry for the total newbie post, but I figured I can’t be the only one with this problem, so…

I started kiting in October and I’ve now been out about 15 days. Thankfully, I’m not crashing the kite anymore, water starts are no problem, I’m starting to get the rhythm of slide-turning down, BUT…for some reason I am having a hard time staying upwind. And it’s driving me crazy. :o

I think I’m doing the right things:
1. I think I’m on the right size kite (12m Cult for 15-21mph, 9m Cult for 22+)
2. Keeping the kite low, so I have more “pull” than “lift”
3. Trying not to sit in the “take a crap” position. Leaning back against the harness
4. More weight on the back foot than the front foot
5. Pointing my hips forward in the direction I am riding
6. Edging upwind quickly after I water-start so I don’t lose too much ground
7. Trying not to point too far upwind so I kill the kite power

Obviously, something is not working. I’m having the hardest time with #7. It seems I’m killing the kite power either by leaning back and edging really hard or by pointing too far upwind. Of course if I don’t point somewhat upwind…well then I’m not going upwind. I’m not sure how to find the middle ground.

I feel like I do the worst staying upwind when I’m at 3rd Ave, so maybe it’s a pointing issue? And I’m worse on the starboard tack, so maybe it’s a form issue since I’m not goofy and riding to the right isn’t as natural?

Any tips or advice? Anything I’m missing or doing wrong? I’m getting sick of doing “the walk” ](*,) when I’d rather be kiting.

Thanks in advance.

While this is not helping directly, I though I may add my 3 cents (2cents + inflation).

First of all you are way more advanced than me, congrats! How many of those 15 times were lessons (or how many lessons did you take before the 15 times)?

How big of a problem is the tide at 3rd? I know that at Sherman the tide makes a huge difference. After years windsurfing there I need to be pretty well powered up to be able to stay upwind when the tide pushes me back. So maybe you are actually doing good progress upwind but the conditions are more challenging than you think.

It will probably help a lot if somebody with experience can give you a couple of pointers on the water, after looking at the way you ride.

G-man wrote: 6. Edging upwind quickly after I water-start so I don’t lose too much ground
7. Trying not to point too far upwind so I kill the kite power

I'm guessing here, but are you carving upwind too soon after the waterstart? You often have to give up some windage to get up on a plane, then just nudge the board into an an upwind direction so you stay on the plane.

Also, are you trying to go upwind too agressively? If you're not lit, sometimes you have to let your weight ride more over your board (board almost flat side-to-side). Try some different stances and see what works. It will click for you sooner or later.

no need for frustration,totally normal w/ your experience
-what are you riding?big/wide boards help,especially if you're over 170
-don't keep the kite to low,10 and 2 are your "power hours"
-try pressuring the bar down,pushing slightly toward your toes
-you're either putting to much weight on your back leg,or not enough
this is key when riding switch,try more.
-you're probably cutting to much upwind,maybe too soon,get moving
efficiently,then start pointing upwind.but not too much,this takes time.
-focus on a point on the horizon,this is so key,but also takes time,to pick
a spot that works,do longer reaches
-think "ride a light edge"it's not a hard-edging thing
-when really powered-up,trim in a little,less likely to get blown off ur edge.
some advice someone gave me,that actually works..
-curl your front toes up,this really works.maybe bends the board torsionally?
but it works.
-3rd tide is getting you,and the "cross-chop",do longer reaches...
-fight for it
-oh,very important,when powered,and cruising...push the bar out
let em' breathe...

I agree with all of the above - its funny how everyone has a different challenge when learning how to go upwind.

Two other suggestions:
- This was mentioned before but try to build a little bit of speed before you start edging upwind. Once you have figured out the power ratio, they you can start immediately edging, but taking it step-by-step at the beginning is key - powerstoke, get up, build speed, then edge.

- I got this sage-like advice from Rebecca at the Shack in Alameda. Once you are up and riding, let your leading hand release the bar and find a reasonably upwind spot to target with your eyes. This will rotate your body a little bit (but not as much as putting brakes on with your back foot).

I learned going upwind towards the end of last season, and what surprised me the most was that there is no one magic "thing" that makes it happen, but rather its a combination of small tweaks that just click together one day (which will also be the happiest day of your kiting life)...

Cheers

kie sizes sound right. But we need to know your weight and board & board size to get a better impression.

All looks right, I think the speed thing is one option you need to work on. I recall that I had troubles to get rid of the speed and convert it over upwind ability. But this was long ago when Kites didnt have the real ability to depower. Should be better now.

You need to find the "magic point" between cutting upwind and powering the kite. Basically I would guess edge rather hard and work the kite that it gives you more power. How much power you need basically depends now only on your weight and board size.

Power more when you cut upwond ... just worth a try. G

... I would say a beginner is typically more afraid of power ...

at 3rd, are you able to go upwind on port tack (i.e. riding towards the channel)? I think that "cross-chop" is a big factor until you learn to ride efficiently, and we had pretty big chop at 3rd recently. If you can stay upwind on one tack, just try to replicate that feel when riding the opposite, and keep in mind that current and waves are going to create asymmetry between the two tacks (just watch the riding pattern at 3rd, the upper lunch, especially on the big days)

(if I'm full of s#*t about this, somebody set me straight)

Keep your front leg straight, or damn near it. Most of your weight on your back leg, which is static. Forward hand off the bar, spot a point upwind of you and keep your head looking at it. Keep the kite powered, don't edge too hard too quickly.

You definitely don't want the kite super low. The kite should be at the normal power spot (40-45 degrees).

I think it is alot like body draggin upwind and has a lot to do with the position of the kite in relation to the board or body. I could not body drag upwind for my life for a long time. Now, I can body drag upwind almost regardless of how my body is positioned, the kite is the key.

I notice that when I ride in straps, my feet shift their stance slightly depending on which tack I am on and depending on how aggressively I am cutting upwind.

I am not surprised you are almost there but not quite after 15 sessions. That is just about the time that it clicked for me and I was able to go upwind. Just keep with it because typically, once you have it, you will always have it.

Good luck,

G-man wrote:Help! Sorry for the total newbie post, but I figured I can’t be the only one with this problem, so…

I started kiting in October and I’ve now been out about 15 days. Thankfully, I’m not crashing the kite anymore, water starts are no problem, I’m starting to get the rhythm of slide-turning down, BUT…for some reason I am having a hard time staying upwind. And it’s driving me crazy. :o

I think I’m doing the right things:
1. I think I’m on the right size kite (12m Cult for 15-21mph, 9m Cult for 22+)
2. Keeping the kite low, so I have more “pull” than “lift”
3. Trying not to sit in the “take a crap” position. Leaning back against the harness
4. More weight on the back foot than the front foot
5. Pointing my hips forward in the direction I am riding
6. Edging upwind quickly after I water-start so I don’t lose too much ground
7. Trying not to point too far upwind so I kill the kite power

Obviously, something is not working. I’m having the hardest time with #7. It seems I’m killing the kite power either by leaning back and edging really hard or by pointing too far upwind. Of course if I don’t point somewhat upwind…well then I’m not going upwind. I’m not sure how to find the middle ground.

I feel like I do the worst staying upwind when I’m at 3rd Ave, so maybe it’s a pointing issue? And I’m worse on the starboard tack, so maybe it’s a form issue since I’m not goofy and riding to the right isn’t as natural?

Any tips or advice? Anything I’m missing or doing wrong? I’m getting sick of doing “the walk” ](*,) when I’d rather be kiting.

Thanks in advance.

Come see me next time you are at 3rd so that I will know who you are and what kite you fly. I will watch you so that I can spot what you can improve.

Best way to kite upwind is to pick a fixed point on land that is a tree or light post or something that is on a upwind reach to your spot and work back and fourth till you get there or close to that spot as you can...always look at that fixed point as you ride and it will happin'...remember you will be working your way up there.. so you will be kiting very slow if you start to sink?? push your front foot down wind and pick up some speed at the same time send your kite down a little as this will put your speed back up to keep your upwind reach.. now you need to look where your at? as to your fixed point and work your board back up again by sending the kite up and down to find that upwind edge again...if you find yourself close to your land mark? then you will get better each pass so stick with it and now your reward!!!! run down wind and do it again. remember if your having to much fun your not working your way upwind ?? the fun comes after you get there..............Max