The Darkslide is my all-time favorite trick. I had way too much respect to try it. After I decided to finally try it, it only took me like 5 attempts to get it. The secret was to practice the steering 2 or 3 times with no loop (just like you say) and then just lean forward into it. I skipped the whole "pop"-Part, because it didn't feel comfortable. For me, it was more like a "falling forward" to get it without thinking too much about my board and pop. :D. Worked wonders. Of course, you have to work on cleaner and longer slides afterwards, but the feeling of nailing it fast boosted my confidence a lot. Hope that helps someone :D. Great Video - thank you!
Awesome that you took it to the next step! Some people need less explanation than others (too much can even throw you off) Happy it worked out for you 🤙
As you know in Kitesurfing there is lots of key points that, like you said, unlock the tricks and moves. Im a Helicopter Pilot and for me everything is about understanding the mechanics of how the wing flyes and how it afects you as a pendule. I have looked you and your videos for some time now as im using CORE kites and i find you the best on making these key informations available. For sure you are helping me unlock lots of moves. THANKS!!
great video! Clear, well-thought-out explanation and truly actionable breakdown steps (suspended flight!). Need similar tutorials for strapless, please.
Thanks Luigi! Happy that you enjoyed the video. I'm planning to add more strapless videos and tutorials to my channels as that's something I love doing and ride for 50% of the time 🙈
Steven, Recently unlocked the darkslide up at Sherman island after watching your informative videos. Looking forward to learning back roll hand drag now . Thanks for all the effort you put into making these videos 👍
@@stevenakkersdijk need to to make your way down to Baja or Sherman Island ( windiest spot in North America during the summer and host a skills clinic. Would love to attend one of your courses
@@AndrewDePratti I've been in Baja a couple years back, still need to pass by at sherman island. Would like to, but there is a higher chance I'll run something in Brazil or the DR
Awesome Colt! Sounds like it has been a very successful trip to the OBX. Shame I couldn't be there this time, but happy to hear I was still able to help.
What's the best core kite to do the darkslide? I tried it on the XR7 12/15m² 2 times each and I decided that it is impossible for me to do a darkslide. On the first one I just sinked and on the 2nd one it just kicked me out of the water straight to the moon.. Anyways, the slide felt not powerful enough and the loop was too powerful.. Then I tried it on a duotone juice dlab 17m² and the first try worked out as if I never did anything else.. Can you compare a core kite with the duotone juice? Awesome video as always 👌
The Xr is actually a really nice kite to try the darkslide and probably the easiest CORE kite to do it with. (it also compares best to the Juice) The speed of the loop is very important when you do the darkslide, too slow and you just sink in the water. too fast and you get shot to the moon. So try to find the balance there 😉 It should not be easier or harder on the juice vs the XR as they're very similar. But they do feel different at the bar and you might prefer one feeling over the other.
@@stevenakkersdijk I almost gave up.. But then my best darkslide I ever had, was yesterday on the XR7 15m². The timing is still a bit easier on the juice dlab for me. I know it's not a problem of the kite... it's always a problem of the pilot 😉 I just have to stear much faster on the XR and then pull the loop harder, ones I understood it was easy too. Thanks a lot for your expertise and great videos.
This is my target vid of getting off the progression plateau. I think I'm struggling with the short or quick loop. I'm flying an 11m Pivot and find it dips down a lot when I use only the center of the bar pulling me a fair way downwind on a carving transition. I get it to loop on a dime when I jank the actually steering line to avoid it smashing into the water in a crash. Would you say that's a bad habit (and I should just learn it holding the center of the bar) or acceptable skill to control the kite in normal situations like this trick too? Ps: love the suggestions to learn only a piece of it first. I wanna do backroll downloop transitions but with the shore break here I'm in terror of being one of those daily torn kite owners.
It's not easy to steer the kite very hard with one hand on the bar. Usually I do a bigger loop which does result in more pull. You can add a 2nd hand to the bar if you want to pull a short loop, or you can slide your hand to the side of the bar. I would avoid grabbing the steering lines as this could result in a line wrap around the bar and it just doesn't look very clean 😉 Enjoy the riding and have fun!
@@stevenakkersdijk as a new XR rider i'm finding these "hover over the water tricks" so much easier, i can already do the backroll off the darkslide, but for some reason i can't do it before 🤣😭
Great tutorial, can't wait to try it! I like the lead-in with long, low jumps to get the float and kite steering. I should probably practice that before just sending it and hoping for the best! Also - any tips on harness? I had a dakine boardshort seat harness that broke. I tried some waist harnesses but when jumping they dig into my ribs pretty bad. Does this just take getting used to? Part of me just wants to get another seat harness despite everyone saying to "graduate" to the "cooler" waist harnesses.
Thanks! I can really recommend to start off with the long floaty jumps. Should make them darkslides a lot easier. I find that a waist harness is a bit nicer once you start riding more, but it needs to be comfortable. I really enjoy the hard shell harness, but in the end it's more important that you feel good out there, and a harness poking the ribs doesn't help. Have you tried the Mystic Majestic harnesses?
I tried an older Majestic harness and I certainly liked it more than the Ride Engine one (I think the RE just doesn't fit me). It was the same day too so am thinking discomfort from the mystic may have been from already being bruised by the RE. I am hoping to try a stealth as well as I hear good things.
Hey Clive, with that I mean to steer the kite hard so it makes a very short loop. You do this by pulling the bar all the way down and giving a lot of steering input.
Hey Steven, thanks for the great tutorial! I was wondering where those spots are that you used for the filming (at timepoints 0:50 and at 4:42)? Is it somewhere in the Netherlands? Thanks!
@@stevenakkersdijk Thanks for the info, so not directly in the Netherlands:-D Are there any real flat water spots in the Netherlands that you can recommend? Somewhat less choppy than the Ijsselmeerspots with really flat water to practice? Thanks and appreciate the time you take to answer!
Voor een eerste truc is hij helaas erg lastig en het helpt als je spong ervaring hebt. Je kan kijken naar deze video ruclips.net/video/GmnHt5FhUFw/видео.html Daar zal je meerdere beginner tricks vinden.
I've been kiting for 20 years. Always in the surf. Every season I try to learn the Darkslide. Never really nailed a good one 🤨 Oh to have steady wind and flat water!
Flat water and steady winds help a lot 😅 if you practise the suspended flight a lot the timing for the darklside will be easier to do it in between the waves. Maybe this will be the year 😜
You need suitable wind and water conditions to easily learn these maneuvers. Very often these conditions are not there and it becomes very difficult to learn.
That's very true, but the suspender flight exercise is quite easy to do in many different conditions and chop doesn't matter that much. For the Darkslide chop makes a big difference though.
i thought dark slide and backroll hand drag were the coolest tricks to do for a granny kiter like me, but now that i have seen moonslide i need a tutorial of at least 20 minutes to watch at 0.25 speed
😂😂😂 I won't make a full long tutorial yet as it's not such an easy trick. But Thursday I'll release a short 1 minute how to video with some explanation. Hope that will help 🤙
![Hunxho - Ball Forever [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nki9ZTF9Uls/mqdefault.jpg)
The Darkslide is my all-time favorite trick. I had way too much respect to try it. After I decided to finally try it, it only took me like 5 attempts to get it. The secret was to practice the steering 2 or 3 times with no loop (just like you say) and then just lean forward into it. I skipped the whole "pop"-Part, because it didn't feel comfortable. For me, it was more like a "falling forward" to get it without thinking too much about my board and pop. :D. Worked wonders. Of course, you have to work on cleaner and longer slides afterwards, but the feeling of nailing it fast boosted my confidence a lot. Hope that helps someone :D. Great Video - thank you!
Awesome that you took it to the next step! Some people need less explanation than others (too much can even throw you off) Happy it worked out for you 🤙
The best darkslide tutorial on youtube, the multi-step explanation is just perfect 🤙🏼
Thanks Martin! I'm very glad to hear that, enjoy the session!
wow!,,,the darkslide with the back roll looked almost unreal!
It’s a fun one to try once you have the darkslide dialled
As you know in Kitesurfing there is lots of key points that, like you said, unlock the tricks and moves. Im a Helicopter Pilot and for me everything is about understanding the mechanics of how the wing flyes and how it afects you as a pendule. I have looked you and your videos for some time now as im using CORE kites and i find you the best on making these key informations available. For sure you are helping me unlock lots of moves. THANKS!!
I'm very happy to hear that! Thanks a lot and I hope you can continue improving your riding.
Best darkslide tutorial. I learned it and my first babykiteloops with your channel :) Thanks Steven.
That's awesome! Super stoked that the videos are helping you to progress. Keep on shredding 🤙
Simplest explanation I’ve seen yet, really breaks it down to be manageable for us mere mortals :)
😂 You got this Evan! Have fun out there
@@stevenakkersdijk Thanks, I'll film a session where I do these exercises and I'll post it!
Great breakdown - going to try this on my next session. Thanks Steven.
Glad it was helpful! Enjoy 🤙
Thanks for your time and insights Steven!
My pleasure Paul! thanks for the support 🙌
great video! Clear, well-thought-out explanation and truly actionable breakdown steps (suspended flight!). Need similar tutorials for strapless, please.
Thanks Luigi! Happy that you enjoyed the video.
I'm planning to add more strapless videos and tutorials to my channels as that's something I love doing and ride for 50% of the time 🙈
Excellent, as always. Can't wait to try this progression. Big thanks.
Thanks Mike, fingers crossed for some wind!
By far best tutorial content i ever seen.
Thank you so much!
Wow, by far the best video on this I have seen so far! Great work, thanks!!
That's awesome to hear! Thanks so much!
SA has the best explanation 🔥
Thank you Steven🤙
Glad you think so! It's my pleasure!
Your tip with 15 degree helped me a lot!
That's awesome! Happy to hear that.
Best darkslide tutorial
Thanks! That's a big compliment 🙌
Awesome tutorial us usual! Please keep 'em coming!
Thanks! Will do!
Really good explanation! Can't wait to try it out on the water!
Hope you enjoy it and best of luck 🤙
Hey, thanks. today I got my first one.
That's awesome! Congrats on landing this new trick.
Awsome video, Nice to see you and Josie in Souris PEI!
Thanks Carl. Was fun to check out the spot and I think it has huge potential, unfortunately not much wind over there this time.
Wohoo it's up, thank you!
Hope you like it!
Steven, Recently unlocked the darkslide up at Sherman island after watching your informative videos. Looking forward to learning back roll hand drag now . Thanks for all the effort you put into making these videos 👍
My pleasure! It's awesome to hear you've unlocked the darkslide, keep it going!
@@stevenakkersdijk need to to make your way down to Baja or Sherman Island ( windiest spot in North America during the summer and host a skills clinic. Would love to attend one of your courses
@@AndrewDePratti I've been in Baja a couple years back, still need to pass by at sherman island.
Would like to, but there is a higher chance I'll run something in Brazil or the DR
Thank you Steve! You‘re videos are helping a lot to improve my skills! 😊
Love the road to kiteloop.
Greetings from Fehmarn 🤙
Great to hear! Have fun on the water and I might see you in Fehmarn one day!
@@stevenakkersdijk That would be soooo GREAT! 😃
The Headquarter is around the corner😉
perhaps you pic up your new Nexus personaly 😊
Amazing content! Thanks Steven!
My pleasure!
it's just a perfect explanation !
Thanks Sebastien, I’m happy you like it 🤙
Took a lot of tries, but got it done in a long session at OBX. You breaking it down to easy steps was key for me. Thanks again!
Awesome Colt! Sounds like it has been a very successful trip to the OBX. Shame I couldn't be there this time, but happy to hear I was still able to help.
Great video. Gery informative and well illustrated.
Thanks you Phil! Happy you like it
Fantastic explaination, thanks!
You're very welcome!
Top d +
🤙
Well explained thanks
You're welcome!
Hele fijne uitleg!!!🤩
Dank je! Veel plezier met het oefenen 🤙
Great Tips
Glad you think so!
What's the best core kite to do the darkslide?
I tried it on the XR7 12/15m² 2 times each and I decided that it is impossible for me to do a darkslide.
On the first one I just sinked and on the 2nd one it just kicked me out of the water straight to the moon.. Anyways, the slide felt not powerful enough and the loop was too powerful..
Then I tried it on a duotone juice dlab 17m² and the first try worked out as if I never did anything else..
Can you compare a core kite with the duotone juice?
Awesome video as always 👌
The Xr is actually a really nice kite to try the darkslide and probably the easiest CORE kite to do it with. (it also compares best to the Juice)
The speed of the loop is very important when you do the darkslide, too slow and you just sink in the water. too fast and you get shot to the moon. So try to find the balance there 😉
It should not be easier or harder on the juice vs the XR as they're very similar. But they do feel different at the bar and you might prefer one feeling over the other.
@@stevenakkersdijk
I almost gave up..
But then my best darkslide I ever had, was yesterday on the XR7 15m².
The timing is still a bit easier on the juice dlab for me. I know it's not a problem of the kite... it's always a problem of the pilot 😉
I just have to stear much faster on the XR and then pull the loop harder, ones I understood it was easy too.
Thanks a lot for your expertise and great videos.
This is my target vid of getting off the progression plateau. I think I'm struggling with the short or quick loop. I'm flying an 11m Pivot and find it dips down a lot when I use only the center of the bar pulling me a fair way downwind on a carving transition. I get it to loop on a dime when I jank the actually steering line to avoid it smashing into the water in a crash. Would you say that's a bad habit (and I should just learn it holding the center of the bar) or acceptable skill to control the kite in normal situations like this trick too?
Ps: love the suggestions to learn only a piece of it first. I wanna do backroll downloop transitions but with the shore break here I'm in terror of being one of those daily torn kite owners.
It's not easy to steer the kite very hard with one hand on the bar. Usually I do a bigger loop which does result in more pull. You can add a 2nd hand to the bar if you want to pull a short loop, or you can slide your hand to the side of the bar. I would avoid grabbing the steering lines as this could result in a line wrap around the bar and it just doesn't look very clean 😉
Enjoy the riding and have fun!
great vid..👍👍
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
now please do one for the moonslide! i can't find a lesson for that trick anywhere hahaha
I'll add it to the list. Probably it will only be a 1 min short, but that should be enough. Keep an eye on my channel for upcoming Thursday.
@@stevenakkersdijk as a new XR rider i'm finding these "hover over the water tricks" so much easier, i can already do the backroll off the darkslide, but for some reason i can't do it before 🤣😭
Great tutorial, can't wait to try it! I like the lead-in with long, low jumps to get the float and kite steering. I should probably practice that before just sending it and hoping for the best!
Also - any tips on harness? I had a dakine boardshort seat harness that broke. I tried some waist harnesses but when jumping they dig into my ribs pretty bad. Does this just take getting used to? Part of me just wants to get another seat harness despite everyone saying to "graduate" to the "cooler" waist harnesses.
Thanks! I can really recommend to start off with the long floaty jumps. Should make them darkslides a lot easier.
I find that a waist harness is a bit nicer once you start riding more, but it needs to be comfortable. I really enjoy the hard shell harness, but in the end it's more important that you feel good out there, and a harness poking the ribs doesn't help. Have you tried the Mystic Majestic harnesses?
I tried an older Majestic harness and I certainly liked it more than the Ride Engine one (I think the RE just doesn't fit me). It was the same day too so am thinking discomfort from the mystic may have been from already being bruised by the RE. I am hoping to try a stealth as well as I hear good things.
Hi Steven when you say down the kite you say do it hard and short what do you mean by short ? Clive.
Hey Clive, with that I mean to steer the kite hard so it makes a very short loop. You do this by pulling the bar all the way down and giving a lot of steering input.
Hey Steven, thanks for the great tutorial! I was wondering where those spots are that you used for the filming (at timepoints 0:50 and at 4:42)? Is it somewhere in the Netherlands? Thanks!
First spot is Kite point at Prince Edward Island and the 2nd spot is the Kiteranch, Keho lake in alberta.
@@stevenakkersdijk Thanks for the info, so not directly in the Netherlands:-D Are there any real flat water spots in the Netherlands that you can recommend? Somewhat less choppy than the Ijsselmeerspots with really flat water to practice? Thanks and appreciate the time you take to answer!
Kan je dit zien als eerste trucje? Of wat is leuk om verder mee te gaan ben namelijk redelijk bang om te springen!
Voor een eerste truc is hij helaas erg lastig en het helpt als je spong ervaring hebt. Je kan kijken naar deze video ruclips.net/video/GmnHt5FhUFw/видео.html
Daar zal je meerdere beginner tricks vinden.
@@stevenakkersdijk super dankjewel! 😊
That moonslide…. It’s on!
Oh yes! Such a fun but weird trick
@@stevenakkersdijk how hard is it compared to darkslide ?
I've been kiting for 20 years. Always in the surf. Every season I try to learn the Darkslide. Never really nailed a good one 🤨
Oh to have steady wind and flat water!
Flat water and steady winds help a lot 😅 if you practise the suspended flight a lot the timing for the darklside will be easier to do it in between the waves.
Maybe this will be the year 😜
thanks
You're welcome!
You need suitable wind and water conditions to easily learn these maneuvers. Very often these conditions are not there and it becomes very difficult to learn.
That's very true, but the suspender flight exercise is quite easy to do in many different conditions and chop doesn't matter that much. For the Darkslide chop makes a big difference though.
i thought dark slide and backroll hand drag were the coolest tricks to do for a granny kiter like me, but now that i have seen moonslide i need a tutorial of at least 20 minutes to watch at 0.25 speed
😂😂😂 I won't make a full long tutorial yet as it's not such an easy trick. But Thursday I'll release a short 1 minute how to video with some explanation. Hope that will help 🤙
🤙🏽
Glad you like it 🤙
top
🤙
Water 😉
Een hoop water 😉