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A "falling leaf" is just an over extended and delayed Flik-Flak. Step forward as you powerfully snap your thumbs down/reverse (at the kite). Have the kite hovered (upright) and about 2/3rd of the window high to start. The kite will fall over the back (the Flik part) with the down spar bottom tips passing over 180 degrees, stalled. If you stepped forward and gave enough slack (like you can walk into it kind-of-slack) The kite will fall towards the ground. If you did it straight down wind and perfectly even in your hands,....then it will fall straight down wind. At the last possible second, you execute the "Flak" part and unwind it back to upright. Step backwards to take out some slack (remember youv'e made acres of it!) and powerfully snap your thumbs up back towards your nose (Forward) Either knock the hat off of an ant (just missing the ground) or stick that landing dramatically and call "out" Slapping the water with a falling leaf is showing off

Last nights flying conditions...

I only have one "barefoot in the sand" spot that works from all directions but it's a 2 hour drive for me. Great place to fly but requires planning. I agree it's hard to beat barefoot in the sand flying. "Barefoot in the sand unable to fly due to swirling winds" is not a close second. Flying always ranks higher to me than "not flying" Sometimes, you'll have a spot that's perfect flying but for one wind direction only. You'll start looking for that direction just to fly there.. The Beach is almost impossible to beat for onshore winds. But as you said resort areas and condos tend to block anything other than onshore on down the beach.. In NC though, the Outer Banks have a beach side for on shore winds and a sound side with some pretty cool flying spaces for when the wind is on shore from that direction. In this video, location is sound side with the wind coming off the water behind us. John and Scott from TKL playing over the water.

Granted it's a very old link but the tutorials are kinda timeless. Some of the videos have been there a while but they are probably still the best source for what you specifically asked. They cover: Traveling Bicycle 3D Flying Flic Flac Clockwork Axel Reverse Flying Water Flying as well as other basic and more advanced flying concepts. Here's a preview of the flic flac video from Kitelife's Youtube page KiteLife Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/kitelife/

If you are fortunate and have multiple locations close by, pick a few places you can fly based on wind direction.. You'll almost always one flying spot better for a certain direction than others. My water fountain spot for instance is only good for south to west. Anything much beyond that and I just go somewhere else.

onshore winds definitely make a huge difference..