How to Back Roll Hand Drag Kiteboarding Transition - Ride with Blake: Ep 6

The last week in Key West has been epic. Exploring the islands with my kite, paddle boarding the mangroves and snorkeling the reef. The abundance of wildlife in the ocean never ceases to amaze me! For this week's blog, I thought I would share five steps to nailing your first back roll hand drag transition. This is one of the most stylish ways you can transition with your kite. Like most kiteboarding tricks, there is plenty of room for creativity. From landing toe side to giving your friend a high five mid-roll it never gets old.
Step one
Before you dive right into this trick spend some time getting used to doing a downloop transition.
While riding, keep the kite high and dive it hard in the direction you are traveling. As it passes through the wind window ride at the kite and let it pull you downwind. As the kite reaches the other side, you should be riding toe side in the opposite direction. Get used to doing this in both directions. You can also mix it up by starting on your toe side and letting it pull you onto your heel side of your kiteboard. The point is you want to be incredibly comfortable doing this with one hand on the bar.
Step two
Start jumping before you downloop the kite. Just like before, you want to get used to doing small airs while downlooping the kite. Both of these steps are intended to build not only your skills but your confidence. Spend time boosting little airs with one hand on the bar. At first you can down loop the kite after you land. Eventually, you will want to downloop the kite at the apex of your jump. Just make sure you don't jump to high. Doing a downloop from a great height is awesome but you will need to catch yourself with the kite. I recommend only jumping a few feet up as this will simulate the height needed for the hand drag.
Step three
Start doing a flat 360 when you jump. As you build confidence downloop the kite near the end of your rotaion to pull you out. Just make sure you keep your knees bent and land downwind while doing this. As you get more comfortable start sitting back more in the harness. You don't want to fully invert just yet but progressively lean back more every attempt.
Step four
Now you're going to want to start inverting. To do this simply bring your front knee into your chest as you lean back. You will also want to dip your back shoulder and look in that direction. Remember, the body is going to follow the head. This is where the fun begins as you get used to this step start reaching down and letting your hand drag across the water.
Step five
Stay compact, this is the pinnacle step for any sport involving rotations. The more compact you keep your body, the more you can rotate. It will also give you ample time and more room for error when landing. If you're spread out, there is a good chance you will land wrong or catch an edge. Not to mention it is difficult to control your body if you're not compact. So remember to keep your knees tucked into your chest right up until landing. Then just spot your landing, stomp the water and ride away.
Peace
-Blake
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