How to Crash like a Pro

You know what they say – what goes up, must come down. Like many extreme sports, crashing is inevitable, especially if you’re looking to progress with bigger jumps and cooler tricks. But there are safe ways to do so, to minimize the damage for both you and your gear. Have you ever wondered how pro riders sometimes walk away unharmed from crazy wipeouts? Turns out there’s a method to the madness, and while it’s not always possible to have a painless crash, there are ways to minimize the risk and damage. Rather than diving headfirst into your next big jump, let's dive into how to crash like a pro.

Main Causes of Crashes in Kitesurfing

- Misjudging Conditions
When going out for a session, take note of the wind conditions and your own limits. Sometimes you don’t realize how gusty it is out there. Or by the time you show up to the beach the forecast may have changed. A sudden lull in the wind can lead to your kite dropping, or a powerful gust can cause you to be overpowered and lose control.  Taking this into account, along with your skill level, can help avoid crashes and injuries.

- Equipment Failure or Improper Setup
No one ever expects to have gear malfunction. That’s why it’s a leading cause of crashes. Checking and double checking your kite, lines, harness, board (and the screws!) and ensuring everything’s been set up correctly lowers the crash risk.

- Overconfidence
Being overly confident and not being realistic about your skill level is a recipe for crashing. Remember to match your level of experience with the right conditions and be patient when it comes to progress.

Essential Safety Gear

Wearing the proper safety gear doesn’t only protect you from injury but also boosts your confidence by giving you that extra layer of protection. A reliable helmet protects your head from impact, whether it be from hitting the water, your board or even other kiters. You can browse our helmet range here. Getting a helmet that covers your ears also shields your eardrums from wind noise and water impact. Alternatively, you could buy earpads to attach to your helmet of choice. Another key item is a fitted impact vest which protects your torso during collision and can partly serve as a floatation device, although it should never be used as a life vest. View our impact vests here.

Managing Fear and Staying Calm

When it comes to kitesurfing, fear comes with the territory. Staying calm is key and will help keep your head straight and avoid making rushed decisions that could lead to mistakes or accidents.

What to Do When You Lose Control

 
Losing control during a jump can be scary, but responding correctly can help you get out unharmed.

- Recognize loss of control
The faster you realize that you’ve lost control, the faster you can prepare for impact. Get rid of your board quickly, stay calm and prioritize your safety over your gear, always!

- How to regain control
Make sure to have your hands at the center of the bar to avoid sudden pulls and try to steer your kite to the 12 o'clock position and slowly pull on the bar to slow down your landing. If you have totally lost your orientation and don’t know what to do, let go of the bar and brace for impact.

- Preparing for impact
When you’re about to crash, land as far away from your board as possible. This is also a skill you can practice by kicking off your board in controlled jumps and ensuring the landings to be away from the board. Before hitting the water, take a deep breath in case you’re underwater for some time. Always rotate your face to look downwind so you aren’t crashing backwards.

-  Deep water crashes: ‘Pencil dive’ into the water by straightening your legs, tightening your muscles, and pulling your arms close to your body. This will allow you to hit the water at the same angle of your downward trajectory and will minimize the danger when crashing.

-   Shallow water crashes:  Absorb the impact with as much of your body as you can. Try to hit the water completely flat to slow down impact as much as possible. It may hurt a little, but it helps you avoid hitting the ground hard and more serious injuries.

How to Use Your Quick Release

Your quick release, also known as the safety release, can make all the difference, but you have to know how and when to use it. 

Understand your Quick Release

 
Practice using your quick release in controlled environments like in knee deep water and good conditions. You can even try practicing your safety system with your eyes closed, simulating a real crash. Remember to keep your quick release clean from any sand and salt. Clean it properly after every session. 

When to use it 

Only use your safety release in dangerous situations, such as being overpowered and losing control, facing a collision with people or obstacles, or when your kite enters an uncontrollable loop (death looping). 

Exercise to Protect You From Injury

Your level of fitness translates to your performance on the water. Being strong and flexible can help you avoid injury or act quickly in risky situations. 

Strength and training 

Exercises to build more core, leg and upper body strength such as lunges, push ups, and squats will improve many aspects of your performance and help with control on the water. 

Flexibility and balance 

Developing and sticking to a good stretching routine for before and after your sessions can make all the difference.

Don’t skip these – they also put you in the right headspace to kite safely and confidently.  Additionally, balance exercises can improve your stability and control. 

Practice Makes Perfect

Embrace the learning process

Recognize that improvement comes through consistent practice. Celebrate the small winsand every sign of progress along the way! Recording your sessions, including crashes, allows you to analyze what went wrong and how to fix it, helping you grow with each step forward. 

Safe ways to push your limits

Gradually increase the difficulty of your tricks and jumps — don't go from 1 to 100 too quickly. Seek advice and guidance from more experienced riders who can offer valuable insights and tips, helping you progress with confidence and control.