Learning Kitesurf Downloops - when to use them in light wind foiling

Yeah, I'm not proud to admit it, but I've been avoiding downloops for 7 years. I mentally just always avoided crossing my lines, and never saw a need to do it twin tipping. Everything changed when I started to foil, especially in lighter winds. Your 5 strut kites will back stall and fall out of the sky, or you wont be able to water start with super light wind. Here are my learnings as I try to master the downloop. Thanks to Steven for one of the most useful videos that I watched on the topic: • First turns on a foil ...
#kitesurfing #foil
Gear:
Links: kit.co/evbart
Camera - Panasonic GH5, Panasonic 100-300mm, GoPro 9, GoPro Max, DJI Mavic Air
Kites - Core Xlite 12m , Core Nexus 2 9m, Core XR4 15m, 12m, 9m, 7m, Sensor 3 Bar
Kiteboard - Core Fusion 138, Nobile Infinity Foil Splitboard, Slingshot Celero Surfboard
Foil - Slingshot Hoverglide with Space Skate , Infinity 76, Apollo 60 wings
Foi Board - Slingshot Dwarfcraft 110cm
Gear - Ion Booster Vest, NP Helmet, Patagonia 3/2 wetsuit, Solite Boots

[@andyrogers2578]

Finally started doing downloops while transitioning! Another element to keep things interesting.

[@OneWheelGuy1]

I also avoided downloops for years, partially because I was confused about how to make them work (obvious hint: pull the bar in hard to make sure the kite completes the loop). Another thing that held me back is that one instructor taught me to hold my bar lined up with the kite, basically rotating the bar as the kite crosses the wind window. This can make steering more intuitive by maintaining the mental mapping between bar and kite, but it fails completely when doing a downloop, so I had to reprogram my brain a bit. Now that I am foiling more I am also using downloops much more. On light wind days I use them for every transition and every water start. If the wind is really light I even initiate them before starting to turn the board, but be careful and be ready to turn the board quickly if you get a strong pull. I usually don't bother untwisting my lines because I know that I'm just going to be doing another downloop in the other direction, so why bother? And yeah, Steven's videos are great.

[@erbartlett]

So you totally get it, haha, it’s tough to reprogram your brain. I’m definitely doing them more now, but it’s not second nature yet. I still untwist, so I’ll give leaving them twisted a shot!

[@scottstout]

You are my favorite kiteboarding KZbinr. It makes my day when I see a new video from you!

[@erbartlett]

Thanks, appreciate it! Got any ideas for videos you want to see?

[@scottstout]

@@erbartlett 1. Any good travel options that are relatively low cost in or near the US. Curious about Mexico (La Ventana, Progresso) including thoughts on travel safety. When to go where. 2. More thoughts on kites. 3strut vs 5. I think you have both. When are you using each? 3. Thoughts on making and staying in touch with kiting friends . . . particularly as someone just graduating from upwind service. Do you have a group of friends on a group chat? 4. What tricks or skills to learn in what order. 5. Has your wife tried it? How did that go? 6. Any more travel spots that have good things to do for non-kiters or when not kiting. 7. Organizing gear, drying when you get home, etc. organizing gear in car. 8. Interview others at kiting location about a topic. 9. What websites/apps/tools you use. Weather/Wind forecast.

[@erbartlett]

@@scottstout thanks!! great suggestions. some of these i've already got on my todo list, i'm currently shooting a video on how to make kiting work when you live in a small apartment :)

[@r5photography]

Thanks for the video

[@vikingh3008]

The fun starts when you start looping whilst jumping

[@erbartlett]

That’s on the list of things to work up to! But definitely more intimidating