Mistakes are a natural part of the process when starting something new, but the principle that takes a beginner to the point of becoming a professional is the ability to identify mistakes and correct them continuously.
In order to make things a little bit easier for us all as well as save some frustration and confusion over the long run, the guys at Airush put together a short guide on how to avoid or correct the mistakes you might find yourself making as a progressing big air rider.
MISTAKE 1 RELYING ON THE KITE FOR LIFT
We often see new big air riders jump just because the kite is lifting them, although it is important to have a good pop technique. If you want to go higher one day, you need to learn what kind of pressure is needed for good pop, and how to not rely on just the lift of your kite.
MISTAKE 2 STARTING THE JUMP TOO EARLY
If you start the jump without having edged hard enough, this makes you go forward instead of going up. A good way to practice correcting this is doing unhooked tricks with the kite low and popping over waves. This gives a similar feel to the pressure you need for good big air pop.
MISTAKE 3 LOOPING TOO SOON
If you loop straight after your takeoff, the kite will give you immense pull, which will be very tricky to control as a looping beginner. The trick is to wait a little bit after takeoff, and then to pull your loop just before the highest point of your jump.
Once you improve and become more advanced, you can start looping earlier to get more power!
Adriaan Louw (Union) captured by Mitchell Doyle Markgraaff
MISTAKE 4 GOING FOR THE LOOP EVEN THOUGH THE TAKEOFF WAS NOT GREAT
This will result in steering forward, in combination with a loop, and will cause your kite to stall and not catch you. Make sure you are confident in the takeoff before starting the loop.