where the wind blows...: joulukuuta 2011

It is the end of 2011 and my New Year's resolution is to learn new and more radical tricks. It should be even easier as there are three instruction applications to iPhone/iPod Touch for you to try: Kiteboarding Vol. 1 and 2, Kitesurf Instructor (KI) and Progression Player for Kitesurfing and Kiteboarding.

Kiteboarding is a series of two releases from Evan Netsch. Kiteboarding Vol. 1 has 13 videos from sent jumps to raley and it has hooked-in backrolls, frontrolls and transitions in between. Vol. 2 is progression to the first video collection. 16 videos start from load and pop and goes through tricks from raley to un-hooked moves to wrapped and blind. All of the videos have the same formula: show a trick, show key points to focus on in the trick, explain the key points with slow video and then show the trick again. The only difference between the releases that the key points and explanation have changed order in Vol. 2.

It is clear that this set is not a complete guide to tricks but it gives the key points to focus on when training the tricks. These will work as a quick list or quide once you have some experience in basic tricks and have tried to learn them. However, you still need to figure out detailed steps to do the tricks by yourself.
Video quality is good in the Vol. 1. Unfortunately, lighting conditions in the Vol. 2 make the rider too dark and that makes it a little harder to really see what the rider does.

More information can be found from:
http://www.iphoneappsplus.com/sports/kiteboarding-vol--1/index.htm
http://www.iphoneappsplus.com/sports/kiteboarding-vol--2/index.htm
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kiteboarding-vol.-1/id338838351?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kiteboarding-vol.-2/id402265471?mt=8

Kitesurf Instructor (KI) has also two releases: beginner and intermediate. Beginner insctruction starts from body drag and water starts, and runs through basic riding and jibing to sent jumps and transitions. Intermediate instruction is a collection of hooked-in tricks covering back and front rolls, grabs, hooked-in tantrum, doubles, board-offs and downloop transition.

Both of these video collections really try to quide you through the trikcs. They have written overview of the trick, detailed steps and common mistakes with solutions. Most of the tricks also have videos and some have it from two angles to give another view of the trick.

Kiteboarding vol 1 and 2 list the key points only, but Kitesurf Instructor has all the details for you to filter three to five most critical points to remember when you are on water. Key points would be a good addition but thinking those by yourself makes you mentally ready and your mind focused on the trick.

More information about Kitesurf Instructor on:
http://www.iphoneappsplus.com/sports/kitesurf-instructor--beginner/index.htm
http://www.iphoneappsplus.com/sports/kitesurf-instructor--intermediate-level/index.htm

The third application is Progression Player for Kitesurfing and Kiteboarding. It is a mobile version of Progression Kiteboarding instruction DVD series ( http://www.progression.me/ ). The videos are converted versions of Progression DVDs and cover basically all you need about any trick. There are instruction videos from body dragging at beginner level to handle pass tricks at professional level and everything in between. Videos have been split into introductions of the chapter or level of the tricks. Introductions have been made as motivational videos. The trick videos have an overview and a very detailed description of the trick. Videos show the trick from two angles for a better view of the trick.

The quality of the videos is good and in many cases you can choose high quality to play it on TV or the mobile optimized lower quality video. The only thing that may get a little boring after watching videos several times is the flat voice of the commentator.

The player itself is free and there are some introduction videos to download free but then you pay separately for every chapter. Chapters are from 2.39€ to 5.49€. Regardless of the fact that they are quality videos with a good introduction, a complete set of tricks will be a bit expensive. For sure you can select only the ones you are interested in and then save some money compared to buying the DVD version and you have the videos with you on the move.

More information on the Progression player on:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/progression-player-for-kitesurfing/id454175448?mt=8

All of these applications give you hints to learn tricks more quickly but they are all different. Kiteboarding Vols and Kitesurf Instructor are made on a smaller budget than Progression series, which unfortunately shows. Kiteboarding is the lightest version. Kitesurf Instructor gives you very detailed steps with text but does not have videos on every trick. Progression has only detailed and very long videos but the cost of some chapters are more than one volume of Kiteboarding or Kitesurf Instructor. It is up to you if you only need some support or detailed information or how much money you want to spend.