learning it

1. Raise the kite before you start your turn.
2. Apply left hand to your kite so that it dives down into an anti-clockwise loop. The loop should be tight enough so that the kite doesn't quite hit the ground.
3. As the kite starts to dive, turn your buggy to the right. As you go through the turn the buggy should match the kite, so as the kite is pointing straight down, the buggy should be pointing straight down wind.
4. As the kite levels out at the bottom of the loop the buggy should have completed the turn, and you're off on a new reach. Remember to level out the kite when it is still nice and low; try not to let it hook upwards.

when to use it

Very effective when turning onto a down wind course.

Do 'ripper' down turns when you are under-powered to gain speed off your jibe.

Do 'tame' down turns when you are over-powered for a controlled turn.

If your kite begins to stall on the edge of the wind. Down turning is often the only way of recovering it.

Just do them because they are fun!

perfecting it

Down turns can give ripper power or be quite tame.

If you want of power and acceleration, turn your buggy tight and try not to go downwind much - you will probably do a big skid.

For a tame turn, steer the buggy wide so that you roll towards the kite as it dives and crosses the centre of the wind. At the same time de-power your kite by applying breaks (or releaseing them, or whatever else depowers your kite).

A down turn adds one twist to the kite lines. To undo the twist, down turn or tack the other way.