Visualisation June: This is what visualisation does
So I closed my eyes…and faceplanted
I had high hopes for Visualisation June. I pictured mental reps so good they’d replace my warm-up. A few tricks later I’d probably go pro, win a Red Bull event, and start a line of signature harnesses called Mind Loop.
But reality? The first few visualisations looked like a glitchy YouTube video. Me crashing. From weird angles. No clue if I was watching myself or riding as myself. It was chaos. Still, something strange happened. I kept going. I refined it. I practiced. And slowly, it started to click.
Here’s where I’m at now, what I’ve learned, and how you can train your brain to land tricks, before your feet even touch the water.
Why your brain is secretly coaching you
Let’s get nerdy for a second. When you visualise a physical movement, your brain activates motor pathways, the same ones that fire during real action. It’s called motor imagery, and it’s been proven to boost athletic performance in everything from gymnastics to surfing.
One study from Frontiers in Psychology found that regular mental rehearsal improves reaction times, coordination, and movement accuracy. Basically: Visualisation builds muscle memory without muscle soreness.
Even elite kitesurfers use it to prep for competitions and sketchy new tricks. So if it works for them, it can work for us, too.
Before the trick: Visualise the vibe
Most people skip straight to the trick. But here’s a Berito-approved tip: Start with your body and environment.
Before you even think about looping the kite, do this:
Relax the body: Notice where there’s tension, shoulders, jaw, legs, and soften it. A relaxed body = a ready mind.
Create the scene: Picture the beach, the wind direction, the feeling of sand under your feet, the salty smell in the air. I always imagine a southwest wind, sunny skies, and the buzz of stoke in the air.
Then layer in the gear:
What kite are you riding?
What size?
Is your wetsuit snug or flapping like a flag?
How does the board feel when you hold it or ride it?
Setting the scene like this makes your brain believe you’re really there, which makes the actual session feel more familiar and confident.
Practicing the trick (without bruising your ribs)
Once you’ve nailed the beach vibes, it’s time for the main event: the trick. Here’s what’s working for me:
Watch and learn:
Watch a video of the trick you want to do, multiple times, from different angles.
Notice timing, hand positions, board movement, kite height, everything.
Feel the motion:
Try mimicking the movement slowly with your body. Yes, in your living room.
Get a sense of rotation, balance, and tension, how you would move.
Then visualise:
Play the full trick in your mind, from approach to landing.
Stay in first person if possible. Imagine looking through your own eyes, feeling the wind and board beneath you.
Don’t panic if your brain shows you crashing at first. Mine did too. That’s normal. Just keep replaying it with slight adjustments. Eventually, your mind will get the memo: We land this now.
It’s almost like a real-life experience where you crash, tweak it, and land it next time. Give yourself time, both on the water and in your head.
Tips to level up your mental game
Here are some golden nuggets I’ve picked up during Visualisation June so far:
Start with relaxation: A tense mind can’t ride clean.
Set the full scene: Include the beach, the gear, the mood.
Use video cues: Watch tricks first to imprint the visuals.
Use your body: Move through the trick if it helps you understand it better.
Don’t rush it: It’s fine if it’s messy at first. You’re training a new skill.
Repeat daily: Even five focused minutes a day can change your riding.
Believe in yourself: Seriously. Confidence isn’t optional, it’s part of the program.
Want to track your brain sessions?
If you want to stay consistent (or just feel more like a pro athlete), try logging your visualisation sessions. What you imagined, how it felt, and what you’ll tweak next time.
Maybe record yourself talking after a visualisation session, or just write it down on paper. It’s always cool to revisit those moments and see how far you’ve come.
Your brain is a beast. Feed it wind.
So here’s the deal: Visualisation isn’t a replacement for real sessions, but it’s one hell of a sidekick. It keeps you sharp on no-wind days. It preps your body for tricks before you hit the water. And maybe, just maybe, it makes you 20% less likely to faceplant during that first rotation.
Keep practicing. Stay playful. Trust your brain. And if you start shouting “POP AND PULL” while microwaving soup, don’t worry. You’re in deep. That’s commitment.
xox Berito