Maybe you’re crazy, but you could have just sworn the gear you purchased last fall that’s sitting in your garage is screaming, “Use it or lose it buddy”! As the water and air temperatures are heating up, you’re feeling the “kite bug” again. This season you’re going to fulfill those rockstar kiteboarder day dreams by riding longer than 20 yards without crashing or losing momentum.
Body stance, the 8th wonder of the world, can take a session from mediocre to awesome! Here are a few notes to refresh your work laden memory:
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- Keep that front leg straight! Taking a surf / skate stance while kiteboarding keeps you from locking the board’s edge in. When water starting, point the board’s nose downwind and then power your kite. Once up with some speed, point your nose 90 degrees to the wind’s direction. Then, dig baby dig your heels into the board so you gain resistance against the kite and lock in your stance.
- Hold your shoulders back and the rest of your body will have an easier time falling into line. All those years mom nagged about standing up straight will now pay off; take her advice and hold that professional stance behind your kite.
- Squeeze your rear to bring your hips forward; the perfect excuse to work those mighty glut’s. A rear end that sticks out too much gives you a wobbly stance since your shoulders are forward, making it almost impossible to leverage your body against the kite’s pull. With your hips forward it’s easy to bring your shoulders back and vice versa. Simply let the kite tow you!
- Focus the eyes on the prize, the next 20yards. Avoid being distracted by beach candy, shiny boards, your colorful kite, or the water below you. Stay focused ahead just as when driving a car.
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