​Darkslide by Feel

This week we're going to cover a popular trick that everyone wants to learn: the Darkslide! We've done a few videos on this, but I wanted to do a concise and to-the-point tutorial focused on doing the trick via bar feedback.

You'll want to try this one with a little bit of power, but not overpowered. You can be a little underpowered, but you will have to go fast.

Come in with decent speed and start to send the kite up like you would for a small jump.

Pay attention to your bar. Right when you feel the line tension load up, do a small half pop and lean forward. As you are doing this, your kite will be approaching noon, or maybe somewhere after, depending on how powered you are. The key here is to know that when you have good line tension the kite is going to hold you up when you lean forward.

Lean forward, tuck your front knee and poke the back leg out. As you are leaning forward, you'll be pulling hard on your back hand. This will bring the kite across the sky, past noon and all the way to the other side of the wind window.

Once the kite reaches the other side, you'll feel yourself slowing down and the kite will lose power. It's at this point that you must pull harder on your back hand. The kite will do a small loop at the edge of the wind window and it will pop you out of the water. As long as you're not overpowered, this will be a very gentle pop that will lift you out of the water and pull you forward into a landing.

Many people are frightened to try kite loops, but this is different. You are not looping in the power zone; you're doing a small loop at the edge of the wind window so it will feel similar to a power stroke.

As you come out of the water, pull your knees into your chest and point the nose of your board downwind at the kite.

Ryan (Rygo) Goloversic

Many people dream of quitting their job, traveling the world and pursuing their passions. Rygo is one of those people who pulled the trigger. A few years into his career, he decided to change everything and travel as a kiteboarder, freelance videographer & writer. His mission is to share the stoke & help people put the boarding into their kiteboarding. Get outside and kite!

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Producer of: Ride with Blake I Sessions I Versus I Destinations I Foil Fridays