Hi all
Just wondering if there is any effect on changing your straps postition or angle to help with edging. I find when I get overpowered I start sliding heaps. I have heard someone say that if you put your straps straighter that will help. Haven't been able to try it yet.
Thanks. Zigs
Don't change the straps . Point the kite upwind more and point board more upwind , edge and push harder on back heel...and go slow speed until you get past this stage . When you get better its piss easy going faster . ...its been a long time , sounds right i think.
It sounds like you have already worked out the problem... too much power working against your edging efforts will reduce or cancel out your upwind edging efforts. Edging should be dynamic and varied in application. The simplest solution is don't apply to much power. Speed is still good just don't let the kite drag you down wind. Pick your moment during the signing cycle to apply more edge.. for me the kite up stroke allows more edging and I straighten out a bit with the more powered down stroke.
If relevant - you will also find on directionals that the old school surf rail shape in the front half hinders you a little.
I've made many surfboards for kiting where the tuck is the same but with a harder edge where tuck meets bottom. They still turn the same on a wave - this old "rounded in hard out" ethos is not necessarily true. Windsurfing wave boards been doing it for 20yrs.... so I gave it a bash on kiteboards and the feedback was same turning, better edging so why not.
Reducing the 'duck' in your strap setup helps you get your weight more centred on the board -> which helps get a firm edge as you have more board edge in the water -> which helps ... pretty much everything.
But its got to be natural to your stance. Too little duck and you won't be able to bend at the knees for the landings. Too much and you'll need to start moving the straps out to compensate. Do the jump test and start from there.