Obviously, practice is the key. That said, particularly on flat water, try playing around with not baring off. I often get my best pop in flat water when I edge hard, build up speed and release the edge. Releasing the edge is something that took me a while to really understand and "feel". I started to get it by allowing the kite and the tension that had been built up to lift me from the water as I "popped" up and stopped edging hard. Make sure you don't kill the power in the kite by edging hard and barring in too much.

hey wihan,
when learning to pop i found it easiest to -
to pop you need to be going your proffered direction (goofy or natural), get speed while edging against the kite, once you have enough speed spot your takeoff (chop is easiest while learning) slightly edge towards the kite and letting a bit of slack in your lines, then aggressively edge against the kite quickly, and roll onto your toes, then bring your feet back under neath you to land cleanly. The actual pop should be a quick and fast movement.
once you can comfidently do this hooked in, try the same technique but unhook when you are edging towards the kite. Just remember not to send the kite and try keep your hands in the middle of the bar.
heres a few video tutorials -

unhooked raley (same concept, just dont focus on getting your legs above your head yet)


hooked in pop


hope that helps.

Hey. I been trying load n pop hooked in and wasn't getting huge amounts of air. Just enough for a grab. From the second vid in this post it looks like you need to be unhooked to get the big pop. Is that true? I know practice, practice, practice, but wondering if heading on the right track.

Also!
Do you get more pop on different rear pigtail settings i.e. A or B (best kahoona 2011 V3)
The kite boosts ok when you send it, but don't seem real lofty.

Cheers
Kitch

Sure, you're gonna get more pop unhooked. But as a few of you are struggling to get good pop hooked in I would assume you're still at a relative beginner to intermediate stage? Have a go at unhooking if you like at this stage, good luck with that There are stages of progression for a reason. I get hooked in pop up to 6 feet in flat water. Speed and quick release of the edge is the key.

BurkeyBoy said...

Sure, you're gonna get more pop unhooked. But as a few of you are struggling to get good pop hooked in I would assume you're still at a relative beginner to intermediate stage? Have a go at unhooking if you like at this stage, good luck with that There are stages of progression for a reason. I get hooked in pop up to 6 feet in flat water. Speed and quick release of the edge is the key.

At the moment I can consistently pop 4-5 feet both sides, but I am struggling to pop and simultaneously get my board set up for anything other than a basic grab. Was hoping a bit more airtime would fix that, but maybe I'll just keep practicing hooked for now.

Wihan said...

Hi all
I am trying to learn to pop, but have had no success so far.
I can pop over a bit of chop quite easily, but on flat water I just barely make it of the water.
I was just wondering exactly why do you bare of for a second before loading again? Is this just for balance to really be able to load well?
I bare of, then edge hard and just seem to kick up a bunch of spray and kill speed.
Thanks

Well the guys that really know how to pop, that I've observed and have now begun to photograph, don't bare off. They just ride fast enough in the first place. They bare upwind HARD, look at the angle of Felix's and Ash's boards just prior to lift off. Look at the amount of water they have moved and are getting the "pop" from?
Remember for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, push on the water and it will push back

Massive load up from Felix, look at the hole in the water he is leaving

Ash Garwood

Ash Garwood loading for a rotation

Yep Felix is in boots and thats some intense loading, the photo clearly illustrates the loading thats required to get "massive" pop.

yeah?

You bear off also as its easier to unhook, it maybe only subtle and more of a flattening off edge rather than bearing downwind.