The wind range at which you can safely ride is from 3–5 to 15–20 m/s, and comfortable for most riders — from about 6 to 12 m/s. Most kite manufacturers produce kite models ranging from 5 m² to 17 m² , or up to 21 m² . The optimal number of kites is 2 or 3 for different wind conditions. If the wind force is less than the lower limit of the wind range, then the traction force of the kite won’t be enough for the board to confidently keep the athlete on the water. In some locations, high tides will cover your launching and landing zone and place you too close to hazards. On low tides, other hazards such as reef may become exposed which make the location unsuitable for riding. Our explanation of tides has so far neglected the effect of land masses on water movement.
Common Mistakes When Learning How to Jump Kiteboarding
With over 20 yrs of professional kite flying experience Chris Moore brings wealth of knowledge to help you get started with the right information and instruction. All our students who STARTED RIDING ON THE DAY 1 absolutely had several things in common. They all came prepared, also they all did their HOMEWORK, and they all learned everything about kitesurfing in advance. Most of them took our ONLINE COURSE and invested several hours into learning about gear, equipment, theory of the wind, and safety systems. Variable WIND CONDITIONS can slow your progression considerably.
Things Worth Knowing Before You Try To Learn How To Kitesurf
Carve your way through the water at speed, use a wave as a ramp and perhaps throw in a few tricks if you’ve been doing it for a while – really, why wouldn’t you want to kitesurf? “Being hurled through the air while trying to stand up on the board then Googling the difference between bruised and broken ribs” hard. Many beginning kitesurfers have accidents as a result of miscalculating distances or wind speeds. An instructor certified by the International Kiteboarding Organization can provide you with the tips necessary to avoid rookie mistakes. The velocity of the air blowing at the kite is the most important factor in determining the size of the lift. If you face the kite with the wind at your back, the wind provides relative velocity to lift the kite.
That was your last chance to check on it before your get airborne. Make sure you have enough space around you should you drop the kite or go flying off down wind, and make sure the water is deep enough to fall into. All sounds pretty obvious, but if you’ve been sitting in the car, psyching yourself up on Iron Maiden and Red Bull some fundamentals may slip your mind. Currently, kiteboarding is rapidly gaining popularity in the world, although it acquired its modern look only in the late 1990s.
Despite the conditions varying per destination, the stable factor no matter where you go is to learn with a qualified instructor. This is the best way to ensure your safety and success in the kitesurfing world. If you are reading this guide, it definitely means that you are taking a step in the right way. We will tell you how to safely get into kitesurfing by choosing the right kite school and making sure your instructor is qualified. Gusts are an inherent companion to wind, defined as a ‘brief, strong rush of wind’. Sometimes gusts are more consistent, being brief powerful surges during a sustained wind, while other times the wind will vary significantly, changing from medium to light, then to strong. While many modern kitesurfing kites are designed to absorb gusts effectively, there are still some important considerations to keep in mind to make your kiteboarding session safer.
So how long does it take to learn to kitesurf really? With riding upwind as a goal, it should take you between 15 and 20 hours to learn to kitesurf, including instructor training. Actual learning time will depend on your learning skills, fitness level, wind and water conditions, the frequency of your sessions, and the quality of your instruction. It’s also useful to know some basics about water sports before trying kitesurfing. For instance, basic water skiing and wakeboarding skills will help you get a feel for how to be towed by your kite. Also, windsurfing skills will teach you to estimate how much wind you’ll need to perform a trick or jump.
READ NEXT: Understanding Sea Breezes and how they affect your kitesurfing sessions
Cutting corners at this stage could lead to a much shorter kiting session than you’d hoped for. Depending on the kite brand, either the end of the kite lines or the “pig-tail” attachments kitesurf kursus on the kite will have a loop and the corresponding attachment point a knot or series of knots. If it’s orientated correctly, the centre strut will be pointing directly downwind.