![]() ![]() Since a kite is heavier than air, it needs the motion of the wind to generate the aerodynamic forces of lift and drag. A kite flies, in accordance with Newton's laws of motion, as a result of the forces being applied to it. To understand the physics of kitesurfing, you first have to understand how a kite works and some basic principles of aerodynamics. LEI kites are the most popular type of kite for kitesurfing. Two-line kites are easier to use and provide more stability, while four-line kites increase your performance ability. Inflatable kites use either two or four lines so that you can increase and decrease the wind power while surfing. LEI kites can be relaunched from the water, and you can easily slow down the kite when needed. Smaller chambers running perpendicular to the main chamber give the kite its crescent moon shape and allow it to float in the water. ![]() LEI kites are made from ripstop nylon and have inflatable plastic chambers that run across the front of the kite. Leading edge inflatable kites, also known as LEIs or C-kites, are great for beginner kitesurfers because they're stable and easy to fly. Kitesurfing kites are divided into two types: leading edge inflatable kites and foil kites. Power control - A wide wind range allows you to control the power of the kite.Performance capability - How well will you be able to jump and sail upwind?.Relaunchability - How easily will the kite re-launch from the water?.On the next page, we'll take a look at how to choose a kite. Instead of concentrating all of the force of the kite on your arms, the harness helps spread out some of the pressure of the kite's force to the rest of your body. In addition to allowing you to do tricks, the harness also helps to redistribute the stress of the kite's force. While waist harnesses are most popular among advanced kite surfers, seat and vest harnesses give beginner kitesurfers more protection from impact and can serve as flotation devices. The harness allows the surfer to do tricks and jumps while staying attached to the kite. Harness: The harness attaches to the control bar. Because they must be very strong so that you can control the power of the wind, control bars are usually heavier than water and thus have floats attached to them so that they don't sink. You hold onto the bar, and by pulling on its ends, you can steer the kite. These sandal-like straps make it easy for you to attach and detach the binding, which will come in handy when you do off-board tricks.Ĭontrol Bar: The control bar is attached to the lines that lead to your kite. Kitesurfing boards feature bindings that will help you remain stable on the board. Although kitesurfing boards for advanced riders look similar to wakeboards, they have different rocker systems and are flatter and ride the edge more than traditional wakeboards. In general, boards for advanced kitesurfers feature concave bottoms and step tips, which will help you to ride with more power and perform tricks. If you're a more advanced kitesurfer, you can use a smaller board, which will enable you to harness more kite power to jump and perform tricks. On the next page, we'll take a look at what equipment you need to kitesurf. Now that you know about the background of kitesurfing, you're ready to get your surf on. ![]() And industry analysts projected growth of kitesurfing participation at 35 to 50 percent. In the United States and Canada, there were 39,600 kitesurfers and 23,608 kites sold. As of 2006, there were 210,000 kitesurfers worldwide and 114,465 kites sold. It's now one of the fastest growing extreme sports. Many companies began to market water-launch kites, and the sport was popularized by extreme sports enthusiasts off the coast of Maui. The mechanics of kitesurfing were used mostly for these utilitarian purposes until the 1970s and 80s when kitesurfing began to take off as a popular extreme sport. In 1903, Samuel Cody took Pocock's development to a whole new level his man-lifting kites were able to cross the English channel. This allowed boats and carts to turn and sail upwind. He introduced the four-line setup that's still used today. Pocock increased the size of the kite, using it as a sail to guide carts on land and ships on water. However, in the 1800s, British innovator George Pocock revolutionized the use of the kite to move vehicles on land and sea. The basic design of the kite didn't change much for about five centuries. ![]()
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