SAM LIGHT + PALS
it your brain is already mentally prepared, which will help you believe in yourself and commit to landing it: hesitation always leads to failure.
SAM LIGHT Building blocks - Breaking tricks down into different sections and improving the muscle memory of each section is the key to progression and learning your new trick. For example, if you want to learn an S-bend to Blind then practice Raileys, then S-Bends then Raileys to Blind, then, once you have perfected all of these, the S-bend to Blind will fall into place. Visualize yourself doing the trick over and over in your head so when you do come to throw
ERIC RIENSTRA Travel - Traveling not only adds a sense of adventure and exploration, riding in different spots and conditions also helps to round out your technique. Being away and comparing the strengths and weaknesses of other spots can also give you a new appreciation for your home spot as well. Straps - You may have noticed most of the “cool” guys riding their twin tips with boots. Although you want to fit in and do the same, it isn’t always the best choice. The guys at the top level ride that
Flow - Try different techniques to help you get in the mood to perform at your best is important, you don’t want to show up to the beach unmotivated. Everybody is different, and it can be small things that make a difference, for example I like to drink a tea and listen to music before a session, I take my time getting ready as I like to have everything organized. This transcends into your session, but some days some things click and other days they don’t work at all… Gold Status - Travel so much you become a gold member of your airline alliance. I am a member of Star Alliance and I can take three bags up to 32KG on most flights within the family of airlines. It makes a huge difference to traveling, having access to lounges to chill out in long layovers,
way because they have already mastered riding with straps to a point where it is getting boring and they are looking for a way to add additional challenge to their sessions. Boots are only good for heavy landings with a high rocker board or when riding finless. If you are trying to do Airstyle or riding a flatter board, then straps will be more efficient and you can still do unhooked wakestyle just with a little less amplitude. So don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, just go with whatever lets you get the most out of your sessions. Friends - Riding with friends is the best way to stay motivated and get confidence to go for new tricks. The “if you land a trick and no one is around to see it, does it count?” mentality can mean you spend your whole session without trying a new trick. Wakeboards - For big guys who like to go huge and land heavy, a wakeboard will be stronger and the little extra rocker will help soften landings. But keep in mind that what you gain on one end of the scale
have a shower, or even lie in a bed! Free food, internet and getting away from the masses. Traveling suddenly becomes fun again. There are a few tips to qualifying and you will be surprised how little you need to fly. Style - Wakeboard at the cable park has improved my core board skills massively and helped me develop my individual style when there’s no wind. You shouldn’t try to be stylish, it should come naturally. I have always followed the ethos: ‘do it because it feels good’. Often if a trick or grab feels good then it looks good! Adapt - Kiteboarding is one of the most diverse sports in the world so don’t stick to one discipline, if it’s mega windy don’t try and throw your most powered wakestyle tricks, go and do some big jumps! If you’re on a 15m in light wind then practice grabs, it’s all about making the most of your sessions.
will tip the other side. The added drag from the increased rocker and weight will require more power and make you heavier to the bar. So it will be harder to go upwind and you have to go faster to get the same amount of pop. Know Where You Are - Most surfers will watch the waves and crowd at a spot for a bit to get a feel for the flow. Kiters, although told to do so as beginners and even ask locals how things work at a spot, often just jump out of the car and hit the water without a second thought. This is okay for the most part, as there is usually tons of room and standard right of way rules apply at most spots, but there are some specialized spots that adopt their own right of way rules to organize everyone so that a higher level of riding can be practiced safely. Examples include spots with big waves or small freestyle lagoons. So before you hit the water watch the other riders for a bit and identify any areas where people are constantly performing risky tricks and while you are on the water be aware of the people around you – especially what is happening upwind of you. TheKiteMag | 43