In this blog, we want to explain how to jump in kitesurf. Although before we want to advise you that, if you have not had any previous experience in this sport or you have a very basic level, you should go to some practical classes at the fabulous kite schools in the province. These are mostly concentrated in Tarifa and its surroundings.
The wind
To start jumping in kitesurf, we must first understand several aspects of this sport that will help us achieve a perfect jump. Knowing the wind window and where to place ourselves initially before starting the jump is essential. So, before giving you the tips to make the perfect jump, we will explain how to do it. The wind window is an imaginary clock-like half sphere with the sea as its base:
- Twelve o’clock will be just above our head, also known as the zenith. This point is a perfect starting point where the kite is stable because the wind is underpowered.
- If we move to the right and the left (at 3 and 9 o’clock), the kite will be strong enough to take off and land.
- From one to two o’clock and from ten to eleven o’clock the wind will be perfect to get the traction and start moving.
Power is a fundamental factor in the movement since intensity is not the only thing that counts, speed is also important. At more speed, more power. That is why the wind window is so important in order not to lose control over the kite. Movements should be short and fast and, if we feel that we lose control over the kite, it is best to release it immediately.
The jump
Now that we know a little more about the wind window concept, and after taking some practice with this concept, we can begin to experiment with the most basic jumps. For starters, legs should be positioned in a specific way. The front leg should be stretched and the back leg flexed, balancing the bodyweight according to the position of the legs. To be able to jump we must bring the kite to the zenith point of the wind window (twelve o’clock). You will start to move in the water with the kite from the end of the wind window until eleven or thirteen o’clock (depending on the wind). This way you will gain speed and, when it is constant, you will move the kite to the zenith (twelve o’clock). This is the perfect moment to fully straighten your legs and harness the power of the kite to perform the jump. Keep in mind that you must not jump and take advantage of the impulse that the kite itself gives you to rise. This movement is achieved by steering the kite from eleven to one o’clock and, when you are in the air, keeping it at the zenith.
To end your jump we will take the kite to the end of the wind window (at nine or three o’clock) and we will flex our legs to receive the jump and avoid any possible injury.
Remember that this is a very basic description of how to jump in kitesurfing. If you want to become an expert, we recommend you to take some classes with qualified and experienced trainers in one of the official kite schools from the province. What are you waiting for? Start jumping with your kite in Tarifa!