If you’ve ever sent a jump only to land like a sack of bricks—or carved into a transition that felt more like a stall than a switch—you’re not alone. It’s one of the most frustrating parts of kiteboarding: you’re riding confidently, but your landings and transitions still look (and feel) like a wipeout waiting to happen.

The good news? There’s a fix—and it doesn’t require new gear, more wind, or endless hours on the water.

The Secret? A Subtle Technique Most Riders Have Never Been Taught

Aaron McClearnon breaks it down in a way that’s easy to apply and instantly changes how your kite responds. It’s called the redirect, and once you learn it, you’ll wonder why nobody showed it to you sooner.

Aaron’s Take:
“This one technique took me over 10 years to figure out. Now, we teach it to every student and instructor—because it works. It changes your landings, transitions, even your loops.”

This guide will walk you through why landings go wrong, how to fix them with the redirect, and what to focus on in your stance, timing, and kite control. Whether you're a beginner frustrated with crashes or an intermediate rider chasing flow, this is how you clean it all up.

If your landings end in crashes, chances are you’re making one of these common mistakes:

• Kite too high at 12 o’clock. You drop vertically instead of flying forward.
• Locked legs on impact. You can’t absorb shock and get thrown off.
• Steering too late or not at all. No forward pull = sudden drop.

Aaron’s Take:
“If your kite dies at the top, you’re going to feel every inch of the fall.”

Avoid the “Rainbow Mistake”:
When your kite floats up and over in a wide arc, you lose control and sink. Aaron shows this in the video—a wide path may feel safe, but it kills momentum.

What to Do Instead:

• Redirect early—slight opposite pull, then commit.
• Keep knees bent and shoulders level.
• Think about your landing before takeoff—timing sets up the outcome.

How Do I Control the Kite Better When Landing Jumps?

The fastest way to fix sketchy landings is with the redirect—a slight movement in the opposite direction before your main pull.

Example:
Want the kite to go right? Give a quick twitch left, then pull right.

Why It Works:

• Sets the kite deeper in the wind window.
• Generates more line tension = quicker response.
• Creates forward pull for smoother landings.

Aaron’s Tip:
“It’s a micro-move, but it sets the kite up to actually react. Most people don’t even know they’re missing it.”

How to Practice the Redirect

Start small. You can even work on it during flat-water sessions or small hops:

• Pull slightly opposite just before your main steer
• Focus on quick, sharp bar movements
• Watch how your kite reacts—it should feel faster and more powerful

Once it clicks, you’ll notice an immediate improvement in your ability to control landings and transitions.

Book a lesson with Elite Watersports to get real-time feedback on your redirect timing.

If your transitions feel clunky, chances are your kite is too slow or too high. Most riders make the mistake of steering the kite straight to 12 o’clock, creating a wide, slow arc that kills momentum.

Fix it with the Redirect:

• Going right to left? Pull right, then left.
• The kite moves deeper and creates tighter power for a smoother switch.

Compare the Two:

• Without redirect: Wide arc, slow turn, no power.
• With redirect: Tight radius, fast pull, clean exit.

Aaron Says:
“When the kite moves before your carve, it carries you—not the other way around.”

Drill It:
Practice redirect transitions back and forth on flat water. Keep knees bent and redirect early.

Check out our Toeside and Jump Transitions Guide for more tips on flow and footwork.

What’s the Right Body Position for Kiteboarding Jumps and Transitions?

You’ve got the kite moving correctly. Now it’s time to match that with what your body is doing—because even the perfect redirect won’t save you if your form is off during takeoff, flight, or landing.

The Three Pillars of Kiteboarding Body Position

Good kite control only works if your body matches it. Here’s what matters:

1. Knees Bent: Absorb impact and stay agile.
2. Shoulders Level: Keeps balance and control.
3. Stay Compact: Low stance equals more stability.

Aaron’s Coaching Tip:
“Most crashes I see aren’t from kite mistakes—they’re from bad form. If you’re landing stiff, leaning back, or not ready to absorb the hit, it’s game over before the kite even finishes the move.”

Timing Your Body With the Redirect

Body position and redirect timing go hand-in-hand:

• As you initiate the redirect, keep a light bend in your knees and stay centered over the board.
• During the transition or jump, don’t stand up too early—wait until you’re steady before extending.

If you crouch too early, you lose speed. If you stand too early, you lose control. The sweet spot is staying compact during the kite’s movement, then straightening up only once the power evens out.

What to Avoid

• Stiff Legs: You’ll bounce or get slammed.
• Leaning Back: Pulls weight off the front foot—causes slides or crashes.
• Tensing Up Mid-Air: Stay relaxed and ride it out.

Pro Tip: Use Your Eyes

Look where you want to go. Your head leads your shoulders, and your shoulders lead your board. If you're looking at your kite or down at the water, your body will follow—and it usually doesn’t end well.

Getting the timing right is what separates clean, controlled moves from frustrating crashes. Most kiteboarders either steer too late—or skip critical cues altogether.

The answer? Steer early, redirect earlier.

The Rule of Timing: Pull Before You Move

Whether you’re jumping, transitioning, or downlooping, the kite should already be moving before your board changes direction or leaves the water.

For Jumps:

• Common mistake: Waiting until you’re airborne to steer.
• Fix: Initiate the redirect as you load up—just before takeoff.

Aaron’s Breakdown:
“You want the kite moving before you’re in the air. If you wait, there’s no tension in the lines—so you go up, then drop. It’s why so many jumps feel like you’re being lifted and dumped.”

For Transitions:

• Start the redirect just before you carve into your turn.
• The kite should already be diving as your body weight shifts across the board.

This gives you:

• Forward drive through the transition
• Consistent power during the switch
• No dead spots where you sink or stall out

Why Early Cueing Changes Everything

Think of it like shifting gears in a car:

• If you wait too long, the engine bogs down.
• If you shift early and cleanly, everything flows.

Redirecting early sets up the kite to move through the trick with you—not as a reaction after you’ve already committed. That’s where the smoothness comes from.

Drills to Dial It In

• If you wait too long, the engine bogs down.
• If you shift early and cleanly, everything flows.

If you’re still unsure about your timing, here’s a quick drill:

• Ride with moderate speed.
• Do a small hop or weight transfer.
• Try redirecting the kite just before you pop—watch how much more power and control you feel.

Start small. Once you feel the kite respond faster, you'll know you’re doing it right.

What Is the Redirect Technique in Kiteboarding?

The redirect isn’t just a trick—it’s a core technique that changes how your kite responds in the air and on the water. And yet, most riders don’t even know it exists.

What Is It, Exactly?

The redirect is a quick, subtle steering motion in the opposite direction before your main kite movement.

Example:

• Want to send the kite left? First pull slightly right, then go left.

This momentary twitch does two things:

• Moves the kite deeper into the wind window
• Creates more tension in your lines, making the kite respond faster

Aaron’s Take:
“It’s not a full carve or loop—just a small, sharp pull that preps the kite. It makes your transitions snappier and your landings controlled.”

Why It Works at Every Level

Whether you’re learning to hop or sending downloop air transitions, the physics are the same:

• The redirect loads the lines before the kite moves
• This keeps the kite from stalling at 12
• The kite drives forward through the window—not up and out

Beginner Benefits:

• No more power lags mid-transition
• Stops those “hang and drop” jump landings

Advanced Benefits:

• Tighter loops
• Faster transitions
• Cleaner aerial control at height

When to Use It

• Flat water transitions
• Jumps (even small ones)
• Downloop exits
• Air transitions with speed and style

Bonus: The redirect is especially helpful in lighter wind. It gives your kite a head start and keeps it moving with power when conditions are marginal.

If you’ve plateaued trying to clean up your landings or make transitions feel smooth, the fastest way forward is professional coaching.

You could spend months trying to figure it out solo—or get the redirect dialed in within a single lesson.

Why Lessons Work (Even If You’ve Been Riding for Years)

Every rider picks up habits—some help you progress, others hold you back. A lesson gives you instant, personalized feedback that cuts through the guesswork.

Aaron Shares:
“I’ve brought in instructors from all over the country—guys with 10+ years of experience—and none of them had ever been taught the redirect. Once they saw it, everything clicked.”

At Elite Watersports, we don’t just teach beginners—we help experienced riders clean up technique, refine timing, and build flow into every move.

What You’ll Learn in One Session:

• Redirect timing for jumps and transitions
• Body positioning that supports control
• Live feedback on kite movement and line tension
• How to adjust your setup for smoother steering

You’ll leave with better control, more confidence, and fewer wipeouts. Book your lesson with Elite Watersports today.

Mastering landings and transitions doesn’t take luck—it takes technique, timing, and a few key insights that most riders never get. If you’re tired of guessing and ready to progress faster, this is your moment.

Here’s what to do next:

Book a kiteboarding lesson with Elite Watersports
Get direct coaching from riders who teach this technique every day—on the beach, in the water, and in the air.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Learn new techniques like the redirect, heli loops, and toeside transitions with Aaron and the Elite crew.

Keep Progressing
Explore more tips in our Beginner Info Blog and Tips and Tricks Blog to keep your riding sharp and your sessions dialed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to land kiteboarding jumps smoothly?
With proper technique and redirect timing, most riders improve significantly within just 1–3 sessions.

Is the redirect technique safe for beginners?
Yes—it’s one of the best ways to build control early. It reduces crashes and helps you ride away cleanly from transitions and jumps.

What’s the easiest transition to learn first?
A basic water-based redirect transition is the ideal starting point. It teaches timing without requiring a jump or downloop.

Elite Watersports has served the Tampa and St Petersburg area for years. They offer kiteboarding and wingsurfing lessons. They also have a retail shop equipt with the latest kitesurfing gear. This is hands down the best location to learn kitesurfing. We have shallow flat water and easy beginner conditions. Call today and reserve your spot for jet-ski-supported lessons. If the wind is blowing, we're going!

If you need help give us a call. .
(727)-800-2202