eppo said..
Macroscien (and anyone else who has an engineering brain)... I am trying to design a simple handle pass simulator for my son at home.
he's got all his surface passes (both ways) and has been moving into air passes all season but can't seem to break into that next level.

While he is getting some instruction from some travelling pros they all conclude he's just not strong enough at the moment. that being said they can't fault his technique.


so, be good if he can at least work on this at home on the basic bio mechanics of it all.

so ... ideas ?


thanks in advance to the Seabreeze crew.

ps I've already got a simple setup on the pergola but it needs to carry a load away from him as per an unhooked kite.

Mini Tramp ???

Here is an easier solution;

I don't actually have an idea, but maybe have a look at how the reformer Pilates machines work. It might inspire a simple fix.

Learning handle pass at wake park involved pulling handle towards you first then spinning to grab it but sounds like he has this sorted. Have you thought about a bungy cord? Loaded up by leaning body against it and spinning for the grab?

Note that lifting weights not recommended for kids under 16, body weight exercises only. My 11yo is a state level gymnast, looks like a scrawny weed but can out push-up, out chin up anyone I know. His strength to weight ratio is phenomenal and never done weights but trains 14 hours per week at gymnastics. Reckon chin up bar, planks, dips, pushups etc will strengthen your 12yo in no time.

Great ideas thanks. I agree with some body weight strengthening ideas. He's a pretty stocky and strong lad but yeh some specific training is worth investigating for sure. Gotta be fun though, not sure I want to embark on a gymnast style of training. That's total commitment stuff that is ...he's already got that with his extra footy clinics he does. Kiting has to stay fun.


Ive considered the bungee, elastic type rubber to create resistance... but I"d prefer say a spring type system that could be ratcheted up to increase the pressure, to test his technique and level at which it all falls apart. Not sure what that means.

The way I see it I need a way to provide resistance loads that can be altered through the front lines / chicken loop. Plus some way to slightly alter the back line lengths. Can't have them with a totally fixed length as the kite canopy will move and change. I've fixed them before and as you pass the bar, the spin on the back lines tensions a fixed lengths up to the point it's hard to pass it.


anyhow keep them coming ...

not much on YouTube ...

Pilates machine you say ??

Yeah, my kids have only got a trapeze hanging from shadesail poles but they're much younger than your boy. I reckon if you combine with an idea from the reformer, mostly springs and height adjustment, you might get somewhere. You could also add weights to the back end of the string ala sash windows.

You really gotta step back and answer the question "Honestly" Is it you or your son that wants this to happen ????

Look at all the pro guys and gals in knee braces as well as those still in their teens - their funked up for life now..
If he is not physically strong enough - then his Tendons connecting bone to bone are not strong enough either !

Like Gatemans son - if he wants to be good, hes gotta do the hard yards training, your shortcuts will end up in surgery.
Let him be a kid - he'll grow up and fill out in no time anyway..

SaveTheWhales said..
You really gotta step back and answer the question "Honestly" Is it you or your son that wants this to happen ????

Look at all the pro guys and gals in knee braces as well as those still in their teens - their funked up for life now..
If he is not physically strong enough - then his Tendons connecting bone to bone are not strong enough either !

Like Gatemans son - if he wants to be good, hes gotta do the hard yards training, your shortcuts will end up in surgery.
Let him be a kid - he'll grow up and fill out in no time anyway..

Appreciate your concern but it's not me at all. I'm always calling him in off the water and I don't really enjoy all the damn drives to the pond either !! All athletes carry injuries from their pursuits ask any footy player or motor cross rider. engineering solutions please, not your own personal philosophies on bringing up my child.


shihouse you know he foils, working on strapless SB stuff, wave rides on the SB and also is working on his board offs and loops! Freestyle is not on the way out....just one of the disciplines and the hardest for sure. A simulator I think will reduce the crashes on the water.

Eppo

Your posting on a public forum about a kid who is not strong enough.. sounds like one of those dumb Facebook stories if they don't get a 'feel good' response lol.

From my years of teaching rehab and sports specific training for state National and World championship competitor's - it's a simple device to overcome this problem.

But like you say - I'll keep my training kids 'Opinion' to myself

SaveTheWhales said..
Eppo

Your posting on a public forum about a kid who is not strong enough.. sounds like one of those dumb Facebook stories if they don't get a 'feel good' response lol.

From my years of teaching rehab and sports specific training for state National and World championship competitor's - it's a simple device to overcome this problem.

But like you say - I'll keep my training kids 'Opinion' to myself

I don't want a feel good response... I want some bloody engineering solutions to a specific Problem, not some platform for you to blow wind up your own ass about all your experience with national and world champions whatever the Fck that means. So yeh keep it to yourself.
god this forum truly is full of narcissistic tosses, no wonder most kiters I know don't bother with it anymore.

anyhow over and out. I'm done.
Ps Sincere thanks to those that actually tried to offer solutions to actual problem. I will consult with some people I know who can focus and deliver options rather than their own ****en moralistic opinions.

eppo said..

SaveTheWhales said..
Eppo

Your posting on a public forum about a kid who is not strong enough.. sounds like one of those dumb Facebook stories if they don't get a 'feel good' response lol.

From my years of teaching rehab and sports specific training for state National and World championship competitor's - it's a simple device to overcome this problem.

But like you say - I'll keep my training kids 'Opinion' to myself

I don't want a feel good response... I want some bloody engineering solutions to a specific Problem, not some platform for you to blow wind up your own ass about all your experience with national and world champions whatever the Fck that means. So yeh keep it to yourself.
god this forum truly is full of narcissistic tosses, no wonder most kiters I know don't bother with it anymore.

anyhow over and out. I'm done.
Ps Sincere thanks to those that actually tried to offer solutions to actual problem. I will consult with some people I know who can focus and deliver options rather than their own ****en moralistic opinions.

Hmmmmm, is there something I can help you with ElCap?

You seem to be consistently loosing control and slipping back into bad habits. Profanity is unbecoming of the great one.

Think of the kiddies. You know the saying, monkey see monkey do.

Not related to your problem Eppo but I can just imagine you at the Pond. Must be painful

Young fella just took out the WA junior states
So going pretty well

these guys might have some tips, or their infrastructure might be set up for what you need? flyingtrapezeperth.com/

Eppo,

Was great to see the dude shredding in the pond, I'm sure he will get there soon!

A few things that helped me at that age (or a little older but still as far from puberty)

- Make him watch (this shouldn't be an issue) as many video's of people doing the tricks as possible. From there, film him doing it and compare what he is doing wrong. If you want to send me video's of him, I'd be more than happy to give you feedback - [email protected]

- A bar rigged to a door or a tree, might not have the tension etc, but just getting the muscle memory down and imagining the tricks over and over will definitely help. With proper technique, not much strength is needed.

- A weight or full water bottle rigged to a bar by a short rope. He can swing this around his body and pass the bar behind his back constantly. Again this would help build muscle memory of keeping the bar close to the hips, passing accurately in the middle of the bar (very important) and just making the pass happen naturally.

- He should be thinking about the moves all the time. I'm sure he already is, but that's what I did at that age haha

Anyway, stoked to see groms progressing around the country. Hopefully next season when I'm out there again we can catch some more sessions and I'm sure one day he will teach me a thing or two.