| Kitesurfing also know as kiteboarding in the US is one | | | | attached to the kite using 4 or 5 very strong lines, |
| of the most vibrant water sports to hit the world, it | | | | made from dyneema and often with a breaking strain |
| incorporates aspects from windsurfing, wakeboarding, | | | | of over 500kg each. Two of the flying lines are |
| snowboarding, paragliding and power kite flying. | | | | attached to the ends of the bar and the others run |
| Large kites are used to power a rider along the | | | | through the centre of the bar to a harness worn by |
| surface of the water on a board. The wind is used | | | | the rider. By moving the bar along these lines running |
| to power the kites and although the name suggests | | | | through the bar the angle of attack of the kit is |
| it, kitesurfing does not need waves, many riders | | | | altered which then altered the kite's power. The |
| prefer flat water. Kitesurfing has many different | | | | larger the angle of attack, the more of the canopy |
| aspects whether it is chilling out and cruising up and | | | | of the kite is shown to the wind and the more |
| down during your weekend off, going out and | | | | powerful it is, the smaller the angle of attack the less |
| practicing your new freestyle trick for the next | | | | power the kite has. When the bar is pulled in close |
| competition, going out in strong winds and doing huge | | | | the kites power increases and when pushed away it |
| jumps or riding the waves, there is something to suit | | | | decreases, this is one of the big changes with kites |
| all who enjoy it. | | | | as the sport has evolved as originally there was not |
| The sport originally started out when power kite | | | | adjustment. |
| flyers thought they could have some fun on the | | | | Since 2006 the kite design has change drastically the |
| water with their kites amongst the wind surfers. At | | | | kites are far, far safer due to the ability to push the |
| this stage there were no kitesurf specific board so | | | | bar away and reduce their power, when the bar it |
| the early pioneers used either surfboards or | | | | totally let go the kite will fall out of the sky with no |
| wakeboards. Since then the sport has evolved and | | | | power at all waiting for you to re-launch it, which due |
| now specific kites and boards are manufactured. | | | | to the change in the design of the newer kite is |
| The kites that are used now have inflatable sections | | | | extremely easy. Having this ease of use has enabled |
| to hold their shape as well as allowing them to float. | | | | the sport to become a lot more accessible in recent |
| Due to there being no rigid structure in the kites they | | | | years and the popularity of the sport has rocketed. |
| can be packed up very small, even the largest kites | | | | The shape of the boards has evolved with the new |
| at 16m+ can fit into a rucksack. The kites are | | | | kites adding to the user friendliness and quick learning |
| different to power kites used on the land as they | | | | curve. |
| have just one skin on the canopy, the inflatable | | | | Kitesurfing organisation have grown all over the world |
| tubes provide the shape of the aerofoil similar to an | | | | with many countries now having their own governing |
| aeroplane wing. The kites are steered around the sky | | | | body assisting with the club, competition, training and |
| using a bar which can also alter the power; the bar is | | | | kitesurf schools network. |