Kitesurfing is a watersport in which participants ride boards that resemble surfboards while harnessed to a hand-controlled kite, with lighter and more maneuverable designs than their surf counterparts.
Boards come in all sorts of styles, ranging from surf-style boards to wakeboard-style boards and skim-type boards. A recent trend involves kiteboarding with hydrofoil boards which open up new opportunities to riders.
Kites
Kitesurfing involves flying a kite to propel a board across the water. There are numerous styles of kiteboarding; among the most popular are freeride, wave-riding, and wakestyle.
Kiteboarding differs from windsurfing in that there are no daggerboards or skegs required to steer upwind; rather, this task is accomplished through weight distribution on the body of its rider; this practice is known as edging and is one of the essential skills required of kitesurfers.
Kite comes from Latin for “wind.” A kite is a light frame covered with thin material designed to be flown in the wind on an end string at high speeds. The resultant sail can be quite small; therefore its design doesn’t need to be complex for its effectiveness.
There are various species of kite, yet all share similar traits: weak legs, frequent airborne activity and narrow wings and tails.
Some of them are opportunist hunters, eating anything they can catch – fish, birds, small mammals and even other raptors (such as harriers). Additionally, they scavenge carrion such as dead insects, bird droppings or garbage for sustenance.
These birds feed on plants that they can pierce and chew, such as seeds or twigs. You’re likely to come across them all over the globe – and most conditions don’t hold back these birds from succeeding!
Human impact on kite populations varies significantly by species. Some species can cover large geographic areas while others only exist within limited regions, making protection and preservation all the more challenging.
Habitat can have a great impact on bird populations. Some birds prefer trees for nesting while others rely on grasslands or open plains; some species can adjust well to changes while others are less adaptable.
Species with large populations tend to enjoy greater rates of conservation, while those restricted to local regions may be much more vulnerable due to human activities.
Boards
Kitesurfing, a wind-powered water sport that is rapidly growing in popularity as an international recreational activity, does not require expensive and cumbersome equipment and can be enjoyed year round.
Kitesurf boards are typically constructed from composite materials like plastic, foam or wooden boards and can be tailored to match a rider’s skillset, riding style and weather and water conditions.
Kitesurfing typically utilizes twin tip boards designed to move in both directions; however, some riders also employ boards specifically intended to go one direction such as surf-style boards or wakeboard-style ones. Furthermore, hybrid boards with the ability to go either direction but optimized for optimal performance in one can also be found widely used in kitesurfing.
Twin tip boards are the most widely-used type, and also the easiest for beginners to master.
Skim-type and hydrofoil boards, featuring long fins that enable maneuverability in low winds. Foilboards require more effort from riders but provide them with a unique perspective of waterways.
Kiteboarding can perform many of the same tricks as windsurfing or wakeboarding, as well as board-off tricks, jumps and aerials. Similar bindings to those used for wakeboarding may be used during jumps and aerials for support; however it is still possible to complete these tricks without their use.
Tricks are accomplished using the lift generated by a kite to get riders into the air and back down again. Common techniques include jumps such as “big air” and aerials; however, some riders also perform flips or spins while jumping.
Jibing or tacking, where the board is pulled upwind by the kite, requires pumping the kite or allowing its sails to depower themselves in strong winds; or by letting it land on water and stop abruptly so as to allow a rider back onto shore safely.
Wind
Kitesurfing is a wind sport in which riders use boards and kites to propel themselves across water surfaces using only wind power, similar to paragliding, surfboarding, windsurfing, skateboarding or snowboarding. However, kitesurfing focuses more heavily on harnessing wind force by employing large powered kites rather than sails for propulsion.
Wind is produced through a dynamic interplay of regions with high pressure (above 1013mb) and areas of low pressure (below 1013mb), creating an upwards flow of air that creates the ocean breeze which then changes according to weather conditions.
Beaufort scale provides kiters with an accurate measure of wind direction. Kiters use it to evaluate weather by identifying wind speed and direction, helping them assess weather accurately. Maintaining control while staying out of overpowering their boards requires having an accurate perception of how strong or soft the winds may be.
Another factor influencing wind is your board’s edging pressure, which can either increase or decrease kite power as you steer in the desired direction. This pressure is determined by both board shape and your body position in the water.
If edging pressure becomes too high or low, the board can lose its ability to plane and the kite’s power can decrease significantly, compromising your speed as you sail upwind. By maintaining an ideal level for your edging pressure, your speed won’t drop significantly while sailing upwind.
If the edging pressure or power of your kite aren’t stable enough, you could quickly lose your ability to go upwind, leading to its stallout in the wind and leaving you exposed. Without being able to relaunch it or get back upwind again, your only choice will be stopping and returning back onto land.
Steering slowly is the key to keeping power stable when sailing upwind, as well as dealing with wind window rotation, which decreases your speed. This technique should only be employed with light winds and boards offering good hydrodynamic lift like surfboards.
Safety
Kitesurfing is an exciting and thrilling sport, allowing participants to experience various wind conditions. However, it is crucial that precautions be taken in order to protect both you and your equipment against accidents or injuries.
To stay safe when kitesurfing, it is important to understand and practice safety techniques prior to beginning. These techniques include learning how to launch and fly a kite correctly, managing body position during strong winds, and identifying possible risks such as rocks or other riders.
When launching a kite in strong winds, it’s crucial that your body remains low and centered on its bar. Your arms should also remain slightly bent to maintain balance and control. Looking towards the horizon can help anticipate changing winds conditions as you navigate safely around obstacles.
Quick Release System or QRSSs are another important safety measure when flying kites. When pulled, this line connects one or more lines that will kill the kite immediately and prevent any subsequent launches, thus protecting both you and the kite from further injury or fatality.
As a backup plan should your primary or secondary safety systems stop working properly, always have an emergency rescue plan ready. For instance, having an extra safety line on your board that you can pull out to rescue yourself or someone else should the need arise.
To avoid potential danger, it is wise to avoid riding in storms, squalls, excessively gusty wind conditions or under other hazardous circumstances. If uncertain of the weather and wind conditions before setting out to sea, consult the forecast, color radar or real time wind reports on the Internet before heading out onto the water.
If the weather seems uncertain, it may be prudent to postpone or return home before riding. Furthermore, avoid riding in areas dense with swimmers or boats until conditions improve.
Lofting is a major hazard of kitesurfing and can prove fatal or cause severe injury if the rider is suddenly propelled into the sky by a sudden wind gust. Lofting can become particularly hazardous when upwind of others as this could launch them too into the air or even over their heads, potentially endangering life or health.