Image courtesy of Andym5855 at Flickr.com
The sport known as Kitesurfing also commonly referred to as kite boarding, sky boarding, and kiteboarding, is an adventure water sport consisting in using a large steerable kite to move around on top of the water. The kites are controlled through the bar and lines that connect to your harness. The kite can be flown to generate pulling power, and can even be used to jump high in the air. The harness that you wear takes most of the brunt of the force, while your arms are free to steer the kite almost without effort. In kiteboarding, the power of the kite is directed straight to your harness which is near your center of gravity and allows you to use your body as leverage against the kite. Your arms are used for steering, powering up, and depowering the kite. When you pull the bar towards you it adds power, when you push the bar away you decrease power. In kitesurfing like a sailboat, you can go any direction you want except directly into the wind. It allows you to ride in most large bodies of water that have a steady breeze.
If you are planning to start practicing this wonderful surface water sport, Patrick Dwyer recommends this blog post about learning kiteboarding and if you are already a master, don´t miss any of the championships in Worldkiteleague.
Technique
Kitesurfing schools provide courses and lessons to teach skills including kite launching, flying, landing, usage of the bar and safety devices. This sport can pose hazards to surfers, beachgoers, bystanders and others on the water. Many problems and dangers that may be encountered while learning kiting can be avoided or minimized by taking professional instruction through lesson centers.
Turning
Turning can be a little complicated for those who are starting in the sport. A beginner can turn by stopping or sinking backwards into the water, and then turning the kite in the opposite direction and starting again. There is a more skillful turn that is executed by slowing down, flattening the board, then reversing the board flat on the water by bringing the rear foot around downwind to eventually become the new leading foot.
Flying and jumping
Before jumping, the surfer builds up tension in the lines by strongly edging the board. Then the kite is flown quickly to an overhead position, sometimes just as the surfer goes over a wave. Controlled flying is possible and is one of the biggest attractions of the sport. The kite is piloted from overhead to the direction of travel. A large variety of maneuvers and tricks can be performed while jumping.
If you are planning to start practicing this wonderful surface water sport, Patrick Dwyer recommends this blog post about learning kiteboarding and if you are already a master, don´t miss any of the championships in Worldkiteleague.
Technique
Kitesurfing schools provide courses and lessons to teach skills including kite launching, flying, landing, usage of the bar and safety devices. This sport can pose hazards to surfers, beachgoers, bystanders and others on the water. Many problems and dangers that may be encountered while learning kiting can be avoided or minimized by taking professional instruction through lesson centers.
Turning
Turning can be a little complicated for those who are starting in the sport. A beginner can turn by stopping or sinking backwards into the water, and then turning the kite in the opposite direction and starting again. There is a more skillful turn that is executed by slowing down, flattening the board, then reversing the board flat on the water by bringing the rear foot around downwind to eventually become the new leading foot.
Flying and jumping
Before jumping, the surfer builds up tension in the lines by strongly edging the board. Then the kite is flown quickly to an overhead position, sometimes just as the surfer goes over a wave. Controlled flying is possible and is one of the biggest attractions of the sport. The kite is piloted from overhead to the direction of travel. A large variety of maneuvers and tricks can be performed while jumping.
Image courtesy of YĆ«gen at Flickr.com
Disciplines
Course Racing
Olympic Style Kite Sailing are racing events along a course, which involve both speed and tactics. Special purpose directional race boards with long fins are used. The goal is to outperform other kiters and come first in the race. Some race boards resemble windsurfing boards or foil boards.
Freestyle
There are different kinds of freestyle like Wakestyle and Airstyle. The kite and board are used to get big air, so that various tricks can be done while airborne. This style also used for competitive events and is free-format and "go anywhere". To accomplish bigger jumps and better maneuvers, smaller twin tip boards and kites with good boost and hang time are used. Freestyle is the most attractive Discipline for photographs and videos, showing beautiful and adventurous maneuvers.
Wave riding
Wave riding is a style that combines kiteboarding with surfing. First you need to find a location with waves breaking. Most kitesurfers use a directional board that has enough flotation and sufficient turning characteristics to surf the wave. This style is popular with surfers since it resembles tow-in surfing. Some riders ride waves unhooked, and without foot straps, and are therefore free to move their feet and position their weight over a greater area of the board to match what is needed to flow with the wave.
Slalom
Slalom high speed downwind action is similar to the slalom in skiing. In downwind more than two artificial marks are laid and sailors sail a downwind course around each mark only once, describing a zigzag trajectory. Slalom boards are small and narrow, and require high winds. Fun board class racing rules require the wind of 9–35 knots for the slalom event to take place.
Speed
In speed kitesurfing, the racers can even surpass 50 miles per hour. Speed racing is a style practiced at either formal race events or informally, usually with GPS units. Special purpose directional speed boards, or race boards with long fins are used. The goal is travel at the maximum possible speed over 500 meters.
As you see, Kitesurfing is a wonderful water sport adventure, easy to start and great to master. Enjoy!
Course Racing
Olympic Style Kite Sailing are racing events along a course, which involve both speed and tactics. Special purpose directional race boards with long fins are used. The goal is to outperform other kiters and come first in the race. Some race boards resemble windsurfing boards or foil boards.
Freestyle
There are different kinds of freestyle like Wakestyle and Airstyle. The kite and board are used to get big air, so that various tricks can be done while airborne. This style also used for competitive events and is free-format and "go anywhere". To accomplish bigger jumps and better maneuvers, smaller twin tip boards and kites with good boost and hang time are used. Freestyle is the most attractive Discipline for photographs and videos, showing beautiful and adventurous maneuvers.
Wave riding
Wave riding is a style that combines kiteboarding with surfing. First you need to find a location with waves breaking. Most kitesurfers use a directional board that has enough flotation and sufficient turning characteristics to surf the wave. This style is popular with surfers since it resembles tow-in surfing. Some riders ride waves unhooked, and without foot straps, and are therefore free to move their feet and position their weight over a greater area of the board to match what is needed to flow with the wave.
Slalom
Slalom high speed downwind action is similar to the slalom in skiing. In downwind more than two artificial marks are laid and sailors sail a downwind course around each mark only once, describing a zigzag trajectory. Slalom boards are small and narrow, and require high winds. Fun board class racing rules require the wind of 9–35 knots for the slalom event to take place.
Speed
In speed kitesurfing, the racers can even surpass 50 miles per hour. Speed racing is a style practiced at either formal race events or informally, usually with GPS units. Special purpose directional speed boards, or race boards with long fins are used. The goal is travel at the maximum possible speed over 500 meters.
As you see, Kitesurfing is a wonderful water sport adventure, easy to start and great to master. Enjoy!