Kiteboarding: How to Trim Your Kite "Ride with Blake"

While not incredibly exciting, trimming your kite is important. It is imperative if you unhook, and it does help you jump better when your kite is set up correctly. Let's be honest, no one likes it when their kite isn't flying right! 

Most importantly, a properly trimmed kite will prevent back stalling. 

Step One: Find Some Space

• Find somewhere safe to park your kite, ideally over water or a large beach. You don't want any obstacles downwind of you or solid objects that you might crash your kite into.

Pro Tip: Be mindful of people on the beach as well!

Step Two: Kite at 45º

• Park your kite at 45º and keep it stable.

Step Three: Sheet in and Hold

• Now pull the bar all the way in and hold it there for 10 seconds. Watch the kite and look to see if it starts drifting back into the wind window. If the kite does start to back stall, push the bar all the way out and the kite will fly forward again.

Step Four: Trim and Hold

• Now, trim your kite just a little bit and pull the bar back in. If it still back stalls, sheet out and let the kite return to the edge of the wind window. 

Step Five: Repeat as Necessary

• Keep repeating step four until your kite stops back stalling.

-Written and produced by Blake Olsen & Ryan (Rygo) Goloversic.

Blake Olsen

A Michigan boy through and through (even though he was born in Saudi Arabia), Blake is a youth with a lifetime of experiences and adventures. Not only that, he's passionate about sharing his zest for life with others. He is proficient at many fields, including kiteboarding and acting as concierge to any who simply ask. Looking for an adventure? Well, Blake is your guy. From sailing the Gulf and the Caribbean to backpacking Hawaii and Southeast Asia, he knows his stuff and can make your vacation into an adventure.

Instagram: @BlakeTheOlsen

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