This tutorial looks at the Jesus Walk in detail, then explains
steps you can take to build up to it.
Let’s start with the of kite movement that enables you to walk on water.
The Jesus Walk kite movement has 2 stages, the slow stage and the fast stage.
Steering back slowly across 12 gives a little lift,
which allows you seemingly run on the water.
Once the kite pass 12, however, you will start to loose momentum and sink.
This is when the fast movement begins. Steer hard with the back hand for a quick loop.
This regains your speed, and lets you ride away downwind.
The Jesus Walk can also be done without a loop.
But you still have the slow kite movement, followed by the fast kite movement.
Let’s look more closely at what’s going on during the jesus walk.
First, make sure your feet are loose in the straps, so the board pops off easily.
Ride in at a medium speed. Keep your back hand pressed against the centre lines to make
sure you steer the kite slowly. Take the front hand off the bar, ready to catch the board.
Before the kite reaches 12, you should start to feel some lift.
Pop gently, swing your legs forwards, and try to kick the board into your hand
in a single movement.
Hold the board on your upwind side, and run over the water.
You should be able to hover as the kite moves slowly across 12.
After the kite passes 12, you loose momentum quickly.
When feel yourself slowing down, throw the board back on. Focus on getting your front
foot in, and the back foot can take care of itself.
Then, when you’re ready, steer quickly to regain speed.
Ride flat on the board and head downwind while the kite loops.
All tricks have an element of risk. Here we give you steps for building up to the jesus
walk with less risk.
A good way to begin, is to just do the slow kite movement.
All you need to do is keep steering the kite backwards very slowly.
When you feel some lift, kick the board off.
Soon after the kite passes 12 you will slow and sink, but this is still good experience.
As you need a lot of practice at getting the board off.
You do not have time to lift your legs, then grab the board, then drag the board off your
feet.
You only have time to kick the board into your hand in a single movement.
Practising the slow movement will also improve your kite control.
For example, it’s easy to steer back too quickly, and jump by mistake.
Next you can work on your jesus walk without a loop. You can’t take as many steps, but
it’s much safer, especially if the wind is over 20knots.
Next, you can practice the full jesus walk, but pause in the middle to make sure the board
is on, before pulling the loop.
What’s nice about this, is that you are completing all the stages of a jesus walk
– just with a break in the middle. And the more you practice, the shorter this pause
will become.
So you’re ready to go for your first looped jesus walk.
Generally, it is a good idea to try your first loops in light wind, on your larger kite.
In 15knots, acceleration during a loop is manageable, over 20knots loops become more
aggressive.
So definitely start on a light wind day.
Also, only pull the loop once you have a foot on the board, and you’ve almost stopped
moving. The quicker you’re moving, the more violent the loop can be.
Good luck learning to run on water. Subscribe for more tutorials.