Two tips for Big Air Kitesurfing Jumps

This video is for riders who can jump bit would like to go higher. It was fun speaking with Shaun because in a way we both kiteboard but we’re practicing completely different sports. Big air riders do things very differently and they have one goal. Go high and loop the kite! You need to be proficient with the basics and a solid free rider before going for maximum height. That said, Shaun had some great tips to help you take your jumps to new heights.

Load those lines up with the bar all the way out!

Loading the kite

We all know how to load our lines. You lean back, edge against the kite, flick it up and pull the trigger. Now if you sheet out a little, while loading you can load power into the lines. Now sheet out a little more and load even more power into the lines. Repeat this until you feel lit with your bar sheeted out all the way. When you flick the kite, it will stay future forward in the wind window and it will really rip you off the water. Loading the lines sheeted out will also prevent you from getting more distance than height. I started to experiment with this tip myself and its incredibly effective!

You need to maintain all your power in the kite

Learning to hold your edge

The next tip from Shaun was to learn how to not dump any power. Shaun will spit the bar with his fingers and try to hold the kite in one place. While riding, we get into the habit of sheeting in and out all the time to adapt to the wind. When going for maximum height you have to train yourself to not let any power out. While powered up and edging for a jump, practice squeezing your fingers on the centerlines and don’t let your hand move. Learn to hold down all the power and focus on building the muscle memory. This will be intense but it will train you to not dump power right before pulling the trigger. It will also build up your leg and core strength to hold down an edge with power and speed.

Squeeze the lines so you don't dump power

These tips are not for the faint at heart and they certainly don’t apply if if you just want to jump and get a little air. I find I prefer my tricks to feel more like powered kite low tricks when once a rotation is completed I am already coming into a powered landing. When doing tricks like this, there is a lot more dangle time. You can get creative and add other grabs or late rolls and really mix up your riding when going big. It really is like a complexity different sport.

If you have any questions feel free to ping Shaun on Instagram and he would be happy to help out! @Shaun_Bennett_

Ryan (Rygo) Goloversic

Many people dream of quitting their job, traveling the world and pursuing their passions. Rygo is one of those people who pulled the trigger. A few years into his career, he decided to change everything and travel as a kiteboarder, freelance videographer & writer. His mission is to share the stoke & help people put the boarding into their kiteboarding. Get outside and kite!

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Producer of: Ride with Blake I Sessions I Versus I Destinations I Foil Fridays