Kite surfing is a form of windsurfing where riders control their board using a kite instead of sails. The kite is attached to the rider’s harness and pulls them along the water surface. Kite surfers ride waves created by winds blowing over bodies of water.
Kite surfing is a relatively new sport, but it’s gaining popularity rapidly. Riders can choose between two types of boards: longboards or short boards.
Longboards are designed for beginners who want to practice riding waves before moving onto shorter boards. Short boards are ideal for experienced surfers who want to compete in competitions.
The first person to successfully perform a trick on a wave was a French surfer named Marc Fournier. He performed his first trick while riding a longboard, and he called it “the frog jump” because of its resemblance to jumping into a pool with your knees bent.
In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at what kite surfing is and lots more, so keep on reading!
The History Of Kite Surfing
Kite surfing is an ancient sport. It has been around since the 1980s. It was invented by two men named Paul McCready and Burt Rutan. This sport is becoming more popular every day.
Invented in the 1970s, kite surfing began as an alternative to traditional sailing. It combines elements of both windsurfing and paragliding.
The kite allows you to fly like a paraglider, which means that you have more freedom of movement than when you’re sailing. You also don’t need to worry about the weather because you can always use a kite to stay afloat.
Kiteboarding has been growing in popularity since the 1990s. In fact, there are now more people participating in this sport than there are in windsurfing. This is probably due to the fact that it doesn’t require as much skill or equipment as windsurfing.
What Equipment Do I Need To Kite Surf?
Kite surfers need equipment to help them stay afloat while riding the wind. Harnesses, boards, and some other things are used to make sure the rider stays upright when surfing. Here are the basics:
A Kite
This is what makes kiting possible. There are different kinds of kites available. Some are made out of plastic and others are made out of carbon fiber. They all work differently, so be sure to read instructions carefully before purchasing one.
Kites vary in size and shape depending on the strength of the winds, your weight, your skill level and the discipline you practice. The kites range between 5 and 18 m2.
A Leash
This keeps the rider connected to the kite. When the rider lets go of the handlebars, the kite will continue flying until someone catches it again.
Foot Straps
These hold the feet in place. If you fall off, these will keep you from falling too far.
Handlebar Grips
These keep the rider steady. Without them, you could easily lose balance when trying to do tricks.
What Are The Different Shapes of Kites?
Kite surfers use leis or foils to fly above the water. There are many types of kites. Leis are used by beginners while foil kites are used by more experienced riders.
A leading edge inflatable kite is a single-skin kite with an inflatable bladder providing structure. Kiting is done using a control bar having two, four or five lines. LEI kites fly well on water due to the inflatable bladders causing them to float on the water.
Unlike a foil kite, a LEI kite can sit on the water indefinitely and still be launched easily. Leading edge inflatable kites are easy to fly, relaunch quickly, and are very stable in gusty wind conditions.
Foil kites are similar to LEI kites, but they have rigid frames instead of inflatables. Foil kites are not suitable for beginners because they require more skill and experience. However, foil kites are great for advanced riders who want to perform stunts such as loops, flips, spins, etc.
Para foils are a hybrid design combining the best features of both LEI and foil designs. They offer stability and maneuverability at lower speeds and ease of launching and relaunching at higher speeds.
How Does A Kite Work?
The kite works because of its shape. Its wings create lift. As the wind pushes against the kite, the air flows over the top surface of the kite creating a force called pressure. The pressure causes the kite to move forward. It’s like pushing down on an elevator button. The harder you push, the faster the elevator goes up.
The kite moves through the air just like an airplane does. The difference is that the kite doesn’t have any engines. Instead, the kite uses the power of the wind to propel itself.
How To Ride A Wave
When you’re ready to start riding a wave, you’ll need to know how to get started. First, you should decide whether you want to stand up or sit down. Then, you should put your foot straps on either side of the board.
Next, you should pull the handles toward you and then release them. This will cause the kite to catch air and begin flying. Once the kite starts flying, you should let go of the handles and allow the kite to carry you across the water.
When you’re done riding the wave, you can land safely by pulling the handles back toward you. As soon as they touch the ground, you should stop letting go of the handles. The kite will come back to you automatically.
Tips For Learning How To Kite Surf
If you’re thinking about learning how to kite surf, here are some tips for beginners:
Don’t try to learn everything at once. Start small and build up gradually.
Read the directions carefully before starting to ride.
Always wear a helmet.
Make sure you have enough supplies with you.
Be patient! Riding a kite takes practice.
Where Can I Learn More About Kite Surfing?
There are many places where you can find information about kite surfing. One good resource is the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA). Their website contains lots of helpful information about kite surfing, including videos, articles, and links to other websites.
There are many books written specifically about kite surfing. Some of the best ones include:
Kite Surfing for Beginners by John Llewellyn
Kitesurf: The Ultimate Guide to Kiteboarding by Paul Farrall
Kitesurfing Techniques by Mikey Deane
Kitesurf: An Easy Way to Get Started by Mark O’Neill
Kite Surfing Tips & Tricks
Here are some tips that may help you become a better kite surfer:
Use your body weight to control your speed.
Keep your arms straight when riding.
Turn your head slightly to look ahead.
Lean forward slightly while turning.
Keep your knees bent.
Relax your shoulders.
Let go of the bar when you feel like you’re going to fall.
Hold onto the bar if you’re feeling nervous
Final Thoughts
Learning how to kite surf isn’t difficult. With a little patience, it’s easy to master this fun sport. If you’d like to learn more about kite surfing, we’ve listed everything you will need!
