3 Tips for Better Kite Control

Learn how to put the "Boarding" into your kiteboarding!
Today, we’re going to do one of the most important videos we’ve ever done. 3 tips to master kite control. This is part one of two, I’m going to do a second video on advanced kiteboard skills to expand on this next. We're lucky to live in a time where all kites are really user friendly but it came at a cost. It seems like most new kiteboarders don’t know how to control their kite with the edge of their kiteboard.
In the early days of kiteboarding, riders had to use their edge control their kite. Now, depending on the kite you have, this might not have as much of an impact. Some kites respond better than others. Either way, if you can learn these techniques, you're going to be a better kiteboarder.
The goal of this video is to help you put the boarding into your kiteboarding. You’re going to jump higher, you're going to learn new tricks easier and honestly you’ll just have more fun riding if you can get these skills down! It's one of those things that most advanced riders just assume everyone knows but as it would turn out most people don’t actual know how to or they might do it a little but they are not fully aware of it.
Edge control impacts everything from depowering the kite, riding upwind and especially jumping. It’s everything for unhooked riding but you can sort of get away without it while hooked in. I’m going to focus on hooked in technique for this fundamental video.
Edge Control Basics
Dig an edge and shoot the kite forward
- Can slow momentum kite responds faster
- Kite will site further forward so its more efficient riding upwind
- How people used to slow down. You are reducing the kites' power by pushing it further forward in the window
Coming off your edge
-Build speed for more power or height on jumps
- Sets the kite deeper in the wind window to a fault
- Helpful for controlling unhooked and for power on powered kite low tricks
- Balance the kites lift on harness vs edge of your board
- Ride downwind to set the kite deeper in the window (Priming the kite for power)
- Too deep and can slow you down too but the sweet spot will help you pick up speed.
- Use it to control the kites position in the window.
Jumping applications
When jumping, you can come off your edge a bit, and set the kite deeper. When you send it up, it will be deeper in the window and you’ll pick up speed for a bigger jump or more power for unhooked and kite low tricks

[@jesseowens4652]

Thanks Rygo. This is one of the most useful fundamental videos I've seen in a while! Makes me stoked to hit OBX tomorrow!

[@jamesbuckle6077]

I spent 2000-2008 learning to kite with the likes of the Peter Lynn Arc kites and the F-one mach1 18m C kites. With no QR chicken loop for the first few years. The only thing you could do was use the board edge and try not to get into a death run where your ankles couldn't hold the edge long enough to slow you down. I took a break from kiting and the diffidence in kit is staggering now (and I'm back to being only semi competent lol), but the fundamentals still apply and make kiting much easier with the added benefit of the improved kit. Good to see it being explored.

[@BerlinMauer]

Thrilled to have these more in depth and technical videos! Had a great session practicing the S-turns and really concentrated on using my board edge to rev up my kite. Just feels better and more surfy to work the board more. Sadly, I picked up the habit of leaning wayyy back because I was too conscientious that people knew I was a beginner and criticised if I stood too straight on my board. However, once I fell in love with riding switch and sliding continuously in and out of switch for that skate feel, I found myself intuitively adopting the athlete stance to maintain my balance over my board and still keep my edge when needed. This has helped immensely now that I have started rotations and grabs. I feel way more confident landing and not crashing on my back as before because I feel more dialed when I set up for the trick. Also I feel my core strength is developing better because I am actually riding my board rather than just being dragged around.

[@MACkiteboarding]

This comment makes my day! Stoke led your having fun and trying new things. Keep it up! 🙌🏻 - Rygo

[@tomasknutsson7560]

Thanks Rygo, great. Looking forward.

[@JayChodagam]

Great video @Rygo. So this is what you told me over the phone you're working on 😁 I'm going to try these drills tomorrow 👍👍

[@Felix-kd8tn]

Excited to see you guys!

[@Magnificozas]

Looking forward next one

[@aaronmiller2466]

yeah great video, My only switchblade is my 14, and that low down grunt, is great for light wind, I went out yesterday, 8 knots but a freezing cold wind and Im still cruzing around. but your sbend board control, your right in saying we do it without thinking , to maintain the kite and our board speed in light wind. I have always done it because im 90kg and need to manage the kite. but lighter people probably dont do it , becuause they depower the kite or moving the kite further up in the window to decrease speed instead of edging. I just sent your video to a mate whos getting into the sport, Thanks for the awsome tips for him and me, it good to realise why I have taught my self over the years since 2009

[@raosolage2568]

Thanks, dude. This is good.

[@barbigoldberg9487]

Thank you so much 🤙

[@ajrama1869]

Excellent video.

[@smackymcproductions4443]

what are the minimum air/water temps you'll go in and what gear do you use. Also what are your favorite spots on lake michigan?

[@bla5353]

+1 for Great Lakes local kiting - hit me up if you guys head towards Duluth MN

[@707rudo]

Could you brake down speed control? Like edging or flattening the board pls?

[@MACkiteboarding]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqG4pXV4frKsqs0 🤙🏻

[@stuartfgreen007]

I wonder if this would be easier in boots as all i have used is straps since day 1??

[@paulkrato3236]

I started with straps, switched to boots after a short period. They pushed my ability to try allot of new stuff without the annoyance of loosing the board, worked amazing, now I translate those skills to straps and ride both. boots are hella fun, but also put you in park real fast on a bad landing

[@contrevaloir]

Do you ever get sick or infections kiting the freshwater there?

[@MACkiteboarding]

Haha, nope never had an issue with that. It keeps our gear fresh and there are no sharkies. 😛 - Rygo

[@adrianonea4891]

Hi Rygo, Are there two edge releases you are talking about? Is the one you mention at 12:20 in the video the final POP release? From watching your video and a few other about jumping I understand that in terms of board control 1) you ride with reasonable speed and good edge, 2) release/loosen that edge to go down wind and increase speed a little bit 3) edge hard and steer in the wind roughly 45 degs before you release the edge / pop. Is this correct? If I add the kite then 1) ride with reasonable speed and kite low about 10, and send the kite fast. 2) release loosen the edge to go down wind and let the kite raise actually comes towards 12, 3) lean back edge hard with bum low and let the bar out 4) carve in the wind and release the edge/pop. Is this correct? Are there two kite sends? one before the first edge release and one after? that is what Mike says in kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIWoo6aHiLZ3brM If I am wrong can you please list a full sequence that include kite/bar, kiteboard and edging,

[@MACkiteboarding]

Sorry for the late reply, my friend. 🤙🏽 Still have questions? Good winds! -Aaron