[Alpha trick index]
[Functional trick index]
Dual line tricks - Stabs
Backstab
Fly the kite right to left at approximately one wingspan above
the ground. Push with both lines to stop the kite, giving
emphasis to the right hand. Do not stop the kite so hard that
it rolls back on the lines. Axel with the right hand. The right
wingtip should hit the ground with the nose pointing away from
the flyer. Hold the kite in this position with
even, light tension. Snap the kite back into a regular wing tip stand
position with an even pull on both lines.
An alternative entry into the move is to side slide the kite but
allow the kite to rotate as it slides then pop the axel as it
points its nose towards the edge of the wind.
Black hole
The mother of all tip stabs
is the "Black Hole". The black hole is initiated by doing a snap spin
right on a downward path so the kites nose is pointing left. This
should be done at about 10 feet above the ground. Before pushing out
your right hand to complete the 90 degree turn, pull aggressively with
your left hand to pull the kite out and and start the downward drop.
Immediately following the pull, push out your right hand. It is
important that you do not permit the top line to become tensioned
during the drop. Walk forward during the move. Another way to do it is
to initiate the right turn by a push of the left hand and after the
rotation of 90 degrees pull the left hand and simultaneously push out
the right hand. This trick seems to cause wear and tear on your kite.
Be warned ! Not all kites like this trick, the Cal Wasp, Buena Vista
XTC, and Skyburner Pro Dancer are examples of kites that do these
stunts well.
Reverse spike/Reverse 3 point spike
Fly the kite, nose down near the side but with power. About 8-10 feet
above the ground pull hard with the inside hand while pushing slightly
the outside hand. This causes the kite to 1/4 spin almost a half axel
towards the center of the window, forcing the inside tip to spike into
the ground.
A variation is the reverse 3 point spike which is the same as above but
after your execution and right before the kite hits the ground, use a
"pop up" move with the outside hand pulling the left wing to the
outside causing the kite to land aggressively on both tips.
Tequila slammer
Dive the kite fast to the ground and then (dependent on wind speed)
about 2 kite heights above the ground, push one wing back and
immediately pop a hard axel type move with the same hand. Throwing
loads of slack into both lines after the pop. The kite rolls back
around the lines into a yo-yo like position which you leave for a split
second (not too long, because the ground is approaching fast) before
pulling on both lines to unwrap the kite and slam both tips hard into
the ground. Everything in that last bit happens in a split second
flash and with a resounding <> the kite suddenly appears on the
ground on its tips. Very dramatic when it works, but it does need some
fairly accurate timing.
Tip stab/Vertical stab
Flying a very close ground pass, the move is initiated somewhere before
or after the center of the window while the kite still has power and
pressure in the sail area. On most kites, the first action is to start
an up turn by pulling the "up wing", while at the same time, dumping
some air from the "up" wing. The second part actually pulls the "bottom
wing" toward you, by pulling the "bottom wing" thus spilling air from
that wing and forcing that wing towards you. To speed up this action,
the final move is a push with the "up wing" hand again. This is the
basic 3 step move for a stab, which is basically a variation of a
snap stall. This is done very quickly! This sequence of hand movements
does vary from kite to kite ie. high aspect, low aspect etc., but try this
much first, and you will be on your way. I suggest trying on this on
your own kite, first slow, and above the ground until you see the exact
combination that you and your kites needs to achieve this, then bring
it down close to the ground and STAB! It is easier to do the
black hole as mentioned below, but I suggest to learn it, start at the top 5
degrees to the right of the center of the window and end up 5 degrees
to the left center, executing it the exact way I described above, but
the first initial pull will be harder to pull the wing around further.
Another way to do it is by simply driving hard at the ground in a dive
and then (dependent on wind speed) about 2 kite heights above the
ground, push one wing back and immediately pop a hard axel type move
with the same hand.
Remarks, additional info ? mail
Peter Peters (
<pp@win.tue.nl>).