September 30th, 2009
Learn to Learn
The Art of Learning New Tricks
by Jason Stone
I often get asked, “How do I do a KGB?” or other random tricks that I know. I don’t have a massive bag of tricks, but I have noticed that I have a knack for being able to describe in detail how to go about doing certain moves, even ones that I don't have locked down. I thought about it for awhile, and realized that it's not so much that I'm great at all my tricks, but it is the way I learn them that makes them easy to describe. So I figured I'd write about the process I use to learn ANY new move.
Research
When I first think about doing a new move I try to get as much information as possible about it. I watch videos, talk to people that can do it, and search online for any tips. I watch closely for the key elements: Conditions, speed, takeoff, trajectory, hand position, bar position, body position, and landing. This also works to amp me up to throw the move.
Visualization
This is the absolute key for learning a new move. If I can't visualize myself doing it, there is no way I'll come close to landing it. I’ll take the move apart, break it down into it’s basic pieces. I’ve always been good at visualizing things. If that is something you have a hard time with I’d recommend getting a model kiter. A rag doll with a bar or even a lego man will do. It sounds stupid, but sometimes it’s the only way to wrap your head around what you’re trying to accomplish.
As you’re visualizing the trick, think of what simple moves are blending together to create this new move. As an example, when I was learning KGBs, they really clicked for me when I realized they’re as simple as a backroll with a backside 360. I can do both of those moves, so putting them together was a matter of connecting the dots. Take those building block moves and think about what it will take to get you from one to the other. Should the moves be thrown simultaneously, or consecutively?
Practice
Once you can actually visualize yourself doing the move, it’s time to take it on the water. Get pumped. Get some friends involved. New tricks are easier to learn when you’re riding with friends that are pushing you to throw down. At the same time watching friends try the same moves might give you insight into what is or isn’t working for you. Try to choose a time when the conditions are optimal for learning. Steady winds for kiting are a big plus. Flat smooth water for air tricks, and solid waist high kickers for kicker tricks.
The practice stage can be painful and can last for ages. If the shit was easy everyone would be doing it. This is what separates the pros from the amateurs. If you are willing to beat yourself up repeatedly to learn a move then it’s only a matter of time until you stick it.
There should be incremental improvements almost every time you throw the move, with some leeway for changing conditions. If not, you have to re-evaluate what is going wrong, but also what is going right. Where is the move going well? At what stage does the move turn sour? Using my most recently learned move, a Varial Flip, I can tell you how frustrating this part can be. It is very important to stay as analytical about what is happening as possible, while still having fun. I must have “almost” landed a varial flip over 100 times. Every time I would land just too far forward on the board. For days I would fluctuate between barely not landing, and completely blowing it. I had to slow down what was happening in my mind, and realize that everything was good except where the board was when I would kick it. Turns out it needed to be slightly more in front of me so that when I would kick it I wouldn’t pass it by in the air. Once I had that mental breakthrough, I was landing them consistently within an hour. Even now when I’m having an off day and can’t land them, I go back to the exact thought processes I had learning them, and things come back together.
This concept is easier said then done. It is very easy to get into a frustration rut where you’ll just keep crashing while getting angrier and angrier. There is a point of diminishing returns. If you are tired and you’re stuck in a rut, take a break. You’re not learning anything if you keep wiping out the exact same way every time. If you’re lucky you have someone on the beach getting photos or footage so you can see what’s going on more clearly. Once you’ve worked out what parts need improvement, get back out on the water and keep practicing!
Consolidation
By this stage you should have landed a few of whatever trick you’ve been trying, and are feeling slightly confident that you can land 25%-50% or more. Now you have to start consolidating all those parts you’ve learned separately into a flowing, solid move. By this stage you should be able to land the move in non-optimal conditions. That is a key step because it means you’ve learned the move well enough to make up for other things going wrong, like a bad takeoff or landing. Work on clean landings, no butt checks or hand drags. This is the stage where muscle memory should be taking over, when your body knows the move better than your mind. This is similar to the concept of detachment, where you've practiced so much the move should be natural and done without conscious thought.
Variations
When you have the move on “lock,” meaning 75%+ landing rate, start mixing it up with some variations. Go bigger, throw in a grab, try to get more inverted. This is the fun part, because you’re confident about landing, and you’re stomping the stock move so now it’s time to show off.
Last Words
It is important to remember why you’re kiting in the first place. If you’re trying to learn a move and not having fun, take a break and walk it off. Write the move off for awhile, or sleep on it. You don’t want to have 100% tunnel vision focusing on a new move while blocking out the experience. Just ride around and do moves you already know to build your confidence back up.
PS - If you land a new move because of my super duper awesome article, I’ll be expecting some credit when the magazine coverage starts rolling your way!
