| What is Kitesurfing? | | | | Most kites are controlled by bars which include a |
| What is kitesurfing? Well a dictionary definition would | | | | "depower" system which reduces the kites angle of |
| probably list it as an is "a surface water sport that | | | | attach to the wind, thus catching less wind and |
| uses the wind to pull a rider through the water on a | | | | reducing power. Bars are also more suitable to one |
| small kiteboard" but that's really missing the point. | | | | handed riding which gives the kite surfer more scope |
| Kitesurfing is all about the rider using a kite and its | | | | when performing tricks and jumps. |
| force to direct them over the surface of the water | | | | Connecting the bar to the kite is achieved by a |
| using the same basic principle as sailing. The rider is | | | | system of lines manufactured from non-stretch |
| attached to the kite via a harness that gives balance | | | | materials. The amount of lines and complexity varies |
| and control over the kites direction and speed. You | | | | depending on the type of kite but normally there are |
| can kitesurf on most open areas of water which can | | | | 4 or 5 lines with a typical length of 23 meters. |
| be deep or shallow, calm or rough and if possible with | | | | Harness |
| constant winds of between 8 and 50 knots. | | | | Kitesurfing harnesses come in several forms, seats |
| Skills | | | | with leg loops, waist or vest. The harness attaches |
| To be able to kitesurf you will require certain skills. | | | | to the control bar and takes the majority of the |
| The first and probably most important is the ability to | | | | strain applied via the kites pull off the riders arms. |
| fly and control the kite, which is your main source of | | | | The board |
| propulsion. Once the ability to fly the kite has been | | | | There is a vast variety of kitesurfing boards on the |
| mastered the rider must then learn how to ride the | | | | market but the most popular are multi directional twin |
| board and use the kite to propel them across the | | | | tip board symmetrical boards. Boards come with |
| water surface by flying the kite in the correct zone | | | | sandal type foot straps that attach the rider to the |
| consistently to produce enough force to propel both | | | | board, the rider can detach and attach these very |
| rider and kiteboard. | | | | easily. Kitesurfing boards are of a similar construction |
| Once the rider has become efficient at the basic | | | | as snowboards with high compression cores and |
| they can attempt more complex manoeuvres such | | | | harder rails. |
| as jumps and tricks. Due to the nature of the sport | | | | Other equipment |
| and its associated freedom there is no limit to the | | | | A safety hook knife is pretty much required |
| scope of the manoeuvres and tricks that can be | | | | equipment in our opinion, they can be used to cut |
| achieve. | | | | entangled or snagged lines or release the kite if your |
| It is worth pointing out that kitesurfing can be | | | | safety harness fails. You need a helmet to protect |
| dangerous to both the kitesurfer and other users of | | | | your head from knock that can cause concussion, |
| the water and surrounding areas, with this in mind its | | | | cuts and reduce the severity of impact injuries. |
| essential that people interested in the sport first take | | | | Danger |
| professional lessons from a kitesurfing school. | | | | Most serious injuries that occur whilst kitesurfing are |
| Equipment | | | | due to being lofted into the air or dragged out of |
| Kites | | | | control resulting in collisions with hard objects including |
| Well first let look at the kite itself, its not one of | | | | sand, water, buildings and power lines. Yes it is |
| those plastic and bamboo efforts you played with on | | | | possible to seriously injure yourself colliding with |
| the beach as a kid that for sure. In kitesurfing the | | | | water from height at speed! Lofting and dragging |
| kite is the means of propulsion, its the engine and | | | | often happen in excessive weather conditions so a |
| needs to be able to grab wind. To achieve this the | | | | good understanding of the weather is a must. |
| kite uses a framework to add rigidity, the framework | | | | You should always have a buffer area downwind of |
| is often made from inflatable tubes, solid battens or a | | | | any hard or hazardous objects to give yourself |
| double layer of cloth. This gives the kite a cell | | | | enough reaction time. |
| arrangement which helps maintain a fixed shape. | | | | Never ever kitesurf alone, always take a friend and |
| Inflatable kites are more common as they are | | | | keep an eye on each other. |
| considered easy to re-launch after a crash into the | | | | Finally get some kitesurfing training, it's the only way |
| water. | | | | to start and enjoy kitesurfing and there are loads of |
| Control bar | | | | great schools offering kitesurfing lessons. |