The Art of Letting Go
22-03-2024 | Ruben van Domburg
Learning kitesurfing is a journey that demands both passion and patience. It's a process where you try, fail, and try again. While setbacks are inevitable and can be frustrating, they don't have to be dangerous or discouraging. It's not the act of failing that poses the greatest challenge; rather, it's how we manage the consequences of failure. One of the most critical skills to master in kiteboarding is the ability to let go of the bar. Pulling the bar reflexively is the root cause of 99% of all kiteboarding accidents. Therefore, recognizing the moment to relinquish control is a crucial skill that can enhance both safety and enjoyment in this exhilarating sport.
Why do we pull?
If properly powered, meaning you've chosen the right kite size according to conditions and your body weight, you should be able to maintain a stable position without being excessively pulled up or forward by the kite. However, the kite always exerts some force on your body, particularly noticeable when it's not positioned directly overhead. In such cases, the instinctive response is often to give into the power and walk downwind after the kite. To stay in one place or maneuver upwind, however, you need to lean into the opposite direction to counteract the kite's pull. This involves using your body weight as a counterbalance, leaning against the force of the kite to maintain control and stability. It's a counterintuitive adjustment that requires practice and familiarity with the sensation of leaning back while supported by the kite. This practice, however, can lead to unintended consequences. The sensation of leaning back while supported by the kite may initially feel like falling backward, triggering a primal reflex to restore balance or break a fall. Your body instinctively seeks stability, often grasping for anything within reach. Seeing as you're already holding onto the bar, leading to the reflexive action of pulling it, even though it won't give you any support. Moreover, pulling the bar results in the kite producing more power and reacting more quickly to your input. This is of course the opposite of what you want when you're about to lose control.
kiteboarding is mental
Learning the basics of kitesurfing presents both a mental and physical challenge. Reprogramming your brain to suppress reflexes is just as crucial as mastering the physical techniques. Your Kite Coach plays a pivotal role in this process, guiding you through exercises designed to practice letting go deliberately. By experiencing firsthand the consequences of releasing the bar, you gain a deeper understanding of its impact on kite control. Throughout your journey, you'll encounter various scenarios where letting go of the bar is necessary, and your coach will be there to help you recognize these moments. Despite your progress, the reflex to pull the bar may persist as you tackle new skills and maneuvers. This underscores the importance of establishing a solid foundation upon which to build your kiteboarding skills. In kitesurfing, as in life, you can't always control every outcome. What matters most is your ability to recognize when control is slipping away and to let go, trusting in your training and instincts to guide you safely.
feedback & adaptation
Live feedback through intercom plays a crucial role in helping students recognize and navigate challenging situations in real-time. As a kite coach, observing from the shore, I have a holistic view of the kiteboarding session, enabling me to provide timely feedback and guidance. By focusing primarily on the kite's movements and behaviors, I can quickly identify any unexpected behavior and relay it to the rider. This enables you to make on-the-fly adjustments and take appropriate actions, learning by doing and enhancing your overall kiteboarding experience.
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