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Tip #8 Blind riding PDF Print E-mail

Riding Blind
Riding Blind
Tip #8 Blind riding is undoubtedly the most difficult position to maintain for any length of time when just riding in a straight line. Blind is essentially riding toeside, but backwards, or with your back towards the direction of travel. Firstly you must have more than enough speed to remain planing but still in control. Practice in smooth water and steady wind initially. Bringing your body more centered over the board, slide the board from heelside to toeside by removing pressure from your heels to flatten the board out. Allowing the board to slide around with your back foot taking an upwind arc to lead. Start with your shoulders by turning 90 degrees away from the kite and twist from the hips 180 degrees until the boards fins bite in on the new tack. Taking your back hand off the bar will allow your body to twist more naturally into a comfortable position for riding blind. You will need to keep pressure on the bar to stay powered. To do this move your front hand to the centre of the bar so you can maintain pressure and still steer. Once around to blind, you immediately need to put a fair amount of weight onto the new back foot by leaning your upper body forward. You also need to apply toeside pressure to engage the new upwind (toeside) rail of the board. Slide the spreader bar around as far as possible to face the kite to reduce the amount of torque trying to spin you back to original heelside.

Problems - With so much pressure on your back foot, you will need to keep the power on, as usually when learning, a problem is losing speed and having to revert to heelside. It is very difficult to ride with both hands on the bar as it will contort your body into an unnatural stance and put you off balance. Try keeping an eye on your kite by looking over your shoulder to keep it in the power and out of the water. Riding blind takes practice and persistence. Most riders use blind for landings of tricks and quickly handle pass to revert.

Last Updated ( Saturday, 25 July 2009 )
 
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