Technique Time

Next up in our latest technique top tips is the regular kono, which has become one of the most popular moves on the tour, while also being the prerequisite for the kabikuchi. If you fancy yourself as an aspiring freestyler then why not add the regular kono to your next trick mission. To help you on your journey we caught up with Rick Jendrusch (Severne) and Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) for their top tips:

Rick Jendrusch:

“- It’s really important to duck the sail good, to make this a bit easier it is important you duck the sail fluidly. Try not to go too much down wind when you duck the sail for a kono just try to do it on half wind, maybe a really, really small bit downwind.

- If you have the sail have ducked try to push a bit on your back hand to get the sail power up and stay on your half wind course

Now you press full power on the sail, mostly you push away the backhand! Also bring the sail up!

Watch with your head for the spot where you want to land, so watch over your shoulder

- Hang on your sail and try to get your legs under your bum and pull a bit on your backhand to turn all the way around.

(The most important things: go half wind, let the sail fill up with power, push hard on your back hand when the sail has the most power)

I hope you land it and plane out of it ;)”

Sarah-Quita Offringa: “Top tips for Kono: The best kono’s are when you duck perfectly and can translate the speed and power in your sail into major lift.

- With kono’s if you carve too much upwind after ducking the sail you will lose speed and power in your sail.

So after you’ve ducked the sail rather than pointing the nose of the board too far into the wind, find the point where you’re just pointing a slight bit more upwind from when you started ducking. 

And then try to get your sail behind you so that it’s in the power zone once you start pushing out. That way you get maximum lift. 

- Once you start pushing out with your backhand, Don’t give in to the sail, keep your front arm straight and counter the sail’s power as hard as you can.

- You’re upside down and flying now captain!

- To ensure a safe landing on your feet and not on your back remember to pull in with your back hand so that you come upright again.

- BOOM!”