Kite Surf Biography.

Kites with inflatable tubes are used to produce the pull from the wind. The inflatable parts of the kites help hold the shape and also allow the kite to float and therefore be re-launched from the water.

Various sizes of kites are used depending on the wind strength and size of the rider, anything from 2 to 14m2.

Since 2006 there has been a massive change in the design of kitesurfing kites, pre 2006 there was just one type of kite, the C-kite. C kites are named due to their very curved shape forming a letter C. In 2006 bow or SLE (supported leading edge) kites were introduced into the market, bow kites are named due to their flatter shape similar to an archers bow, SLE kites are named due to the bridle lines that attach to the inflatable leading edge and support its shape. Bow and SLE kites also have swept back wingtips which when combined with the flatter shape and bridle give the kite massive depower, very easy water re-launch and overall great improvement in safety and ease of use. Since the bow and SLE kites, many aspects of their design have been added to C kites and now hybrid kites are also on the market which incorporate aspects of both kite designs.

Most kite manufacturers now use each kite design in their product range, often a bow/SLE as the entry level/intermediate kite, a bow/SLE as the free-ride, all round kite and a C as the performance kite. C kites are still used by experienced riders due to their quick reactive turning, direct response and powerful turns however they have harder water re-launch and less depower than Bow /SLE kites.

The boards used are predominately symmetrical being the same whichever direction you are travelling in, similar to a wake board, these are called twin tips. Directional boards similar to surf boards are also used when riding waves. The larger the surface area of a board the less power is needed to get it up and planning on the water, larger boards are therefore used by beginners so they do not need so much power in the kite keeping it safer and also in light winds when less power is available in the kite. Smaller boards are used as you progress although due to the large depower on newer kites and the wakeboarding style of tricks, tiny boards are no longer used. Most kitesurfers useboards ranging from 125-150cm in length and 38-45cm in width.

kite surf