Kitesurfing 101 - The Basics of the Sport of Kitesurfing

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Member Management Software for Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Regattas

Kitesurfing 101

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Kitesurfing Basics• Kitesurfing & Kiteboarding are the same sport –

they’re often referred to differently based on location

• Kitesurfing uses wind to pull a rider through the water on a small surfboard or kiteboard

• A kite surfer uses a board with or without straps with a large, inflatable kite to move across the water

• In 2006, the number of kitesurfers was estimated to be around 150,000

• 114,165 inflatable kites were sold in 2006 to support the number of kitesurfers






History of Kitesurfing

• The Chinese are credited with being the first people to use kites to propel themselves in the 13th century

• The Legaignoux brothers, from France, patented a kite design in 1984

• By 1998, kitesurfing had become a mainstream sport

• The first competition was held in Maui in 1998 and was won by Flash Austin






Kitesurfing Techniques

• Turning: You can turn by putting the kite into neutral, stopping, sinking backwards and then turning the kit in the opposite direction

• Controlled Flying and Jumping: Controlled flying is when the momentum of the surfer pulls the kite

• Board Grabs: Occurs when the surfer is in the air and grabs the board with one hand






Kitesurfing and Wind Conditions

• Kite surfers change the kite size and/or line length from the harness to the kite depending on wind strength

• Stronger winds call for a smaller kite

• It is important to avoid using too large a kite

• Newer kites have a “depower” option to reduce the power in the kite

• Kite surfers shouldn’t go into water in direct offshore winds






Kitesurfing Locations

• Any location with consistent, steady side-onshore winds, large bodies of water, and good launch areas are good for kite surfing

• Most kitesurfing takes place along ocean shores

• It can also take place on lakes, inlets, and occasionally rivers

• The Outer Banks (OBX) in North Carolina has the most consistent wind and has become popular for kitesurfing

• The Dominican Republic has become popular for the World Championships






Kitesurfing Equipment

• Kite

• Flying Lines

• Control Bar

• Kite Harness

• Kiteboard

• Wetsuit

• Helmet

• Board leash






Safety Precautions

• Always check the weather before you go out

• Avoid kitesurfing in crowded areas

• Try to ride with side-shore winds

• Wear a helmet and impact vest

• Wear appropriate exposure clothing

• Avoid riding overpowered

• Carry a safety knife

• Notify the Coast Guard if you lose a board






Kitesurfing Terminology

• Air time: The amount of time spent in the air while jumping

• Boost: To suddenly become airborne

• Downwind: The direction the wind is blowing towards

• Offshore: Wind blowing at the water from the shore

• Re-launch: Getting your kite back up in the air after crashing






Kitesurfing Records

• Sebastien Cattelan became the first sailor to break the 50 knots barrier in 2008 in Namibia

• Alex Caizergues then broke this record the following day

• The current speed record held over a 500 meter course is held by Rob Douglas, which is the outright World Speed Sailing Record






Kitesurfing Online

• There are multiple kitesurfing communities since the sport has become more popular

• http://www.kitesurfingnow.com: Provides a wealth of information about kitesurfing

• http://www.kiteboardingmag.com: The website for the magazine

• http://www.compete-at.com/kitesurfing/index.html: Provides an online registration solution for kitesurfing, windsurfing and regattas





http://www.kitesurfingnow.com

http://www.kitesurfingnow.com

http://www.kiteboardingmag.com

http://www.kiteboardingmag.com

http://www.compete-at.com/kitesurfing/index.html





Content Credits

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitesurfing

Josiah Mackenzie http://www.flickr.com/photos/josiahmackenzie/1684311678/

Image Credits





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitesurfing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitesurfing

http://www.flickr.com/photos/josiahmackenzie/1684311678/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/josiahmackenzie/1684311678/

Kitesurfing 101 - The Basics of the Sport of Kitesurfing

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Transcript of Kitesurfing 101 - The Basics of the Sport of Kitesurfing