Jumping
Jumping is a lot of fun but can be dangerous. Start with small jumps and build up your height slowly. Level: Intermediate
WARNING: Jumping can be dangerous. Only jump when you have a clear safety zone 50m downwind and 30m upwind. Never jump in shallow water.
Once you learn your basic skills, you can try your first small jump. You may need to "unlearn" some of the reflexes you have developed while learning the basics. For example, you will be automatically sheeting the bar out to counter excess power in the kite. To jump, you need to sheet in to generate the power to get you airborne.
Your first jump - 1 to 3 meters
Keep the kite at about 70 degrees so you will get some lift.
With some speed, just keep the power on the bar when you crest a small wave to launch off the lip and get some air. You will land in the direction of travel.
Don’t change the direction or angle of the kite.
Spot your landing
Land heel first
Celebrate! You have just opened up another dimension in kitesurfing!
To jump you may have to focus on “unlearning” the reflex you have developed to depower the kite when cresting swells..
Bigger jumps - 3 meters or more
Bigger jumps require some additional skills.
Launching off chop or small waves:
Cruise with the kite at around 60 degrees
When launching off the wave or chop "send" the kite to around 90 degrees (12 o'clock) so that it generates pull
Pull the bar in and hold it there.
Keep the kite above you as you ascend and enjoy your "hang time", then start turning it back in your original direction of travel
Spot your landing, and land with your rear foot down first and your knees bent.
Fly the kite back down to 60 degrees then lower into a power stroke and keep going.
Launching on flat water:
Cruise with the kite at around 60 degrees
"Send" the kite to around 90 degrees (12 o'clock) so that it generates pull
Keep edging your board - line tension will increase as you pull against the kite
When you feel like you are overpowered release the board edge by flattening the board and pull the bar in
Hold the kite as you ascend and enjoy your "hang time", then start turning it back in your original direction of travel
Spot your landing, and land with your rear foot down first and your knees bent.
Fly the kite back down to 60 degrees then bring it down lower into a power stroke and keep going.
After some "hang time" keep the kite turning in your direction of travel otherwise you will swing right under it and it will stall and lose power, and may crash.
Start will smaller jumps and build up to bigger ones.
Once you have mastered jumping, you can combine a jump with a transition to an opposite tack.