The Fundamental of Kitesurfing
Kitesurfing is a sport full of excitement and adventure, therefore it is very important understand how it works, and more importantly, learn how to play safely with a proper training. If you never had experience with a sport kite before, it would be better to start with kite theory and the basic knowledge about wind as your first lesson.
Now let’s begin with some basic terms commonly used for sea navigation and kiting that is helpful in kitesurfing:
- OFFSHORE - when the wind that blows from the land to the sea, regardless of its cardinal heading, but its orientation to the coastline.
- ONSHORE - when the wind blows from the ocean to the shore.
- CROSS-SHORE - The wind blows parallel to the shore
- CROSS-ONSHORE - The wind blows towards the shore at about a 45 degree angle.
- CROSS-OFFSHORE - The wind blows parallel to the shore with more direction towards the ocean.
Image Source: Vermeersch, Wenzel & Alcoforado, Maria-João. (2013). Wind as a resource for summer nautical recreation. Guincho beach study case. Finisterra. 48. 10.18055/Finis3134.
The direction of the wind in relation to shore is important as it will determine if there are safe conditions for kitesurfing. It is critical that assessing the wind direction carefully, and cross-onshore or cross-shore are best wind directions for kitesurfing. Kitesurfing in other wind directions may also be possible but they pose different challenges, especially to beginners. Do not kite in offshore or cross-offshore winds unless you are experienced and have a boat backup.
What is the Wind Window?
Having a clear understanding of the wind window is one of the most fundamental parts of kitesurfing. A kite wind window is the area where the kite can fly. This is a three-dimensional semi-dome.
Power Zone, Intermediate Zone and Window Border are the three components of the wind window. It is a three-dimensional area that is downwind of a rider in which the kite can be flown, and the rider will control a kite within this window. Also, the length of the kite lines will determine the radius of the wind window, in other words, the longer kite lines, the longer the wind window.
Power Zone
You can locate the power zone easily when you feel the wind in your back. When water-starting or when the wind isn’t blowing as hard, you will have to send the kite faster and closer through the power zone. When the wind is blowing harder, then you should avoid it correctly.
Intermediate Zone
It is located at the top and sides of the wind window and where the kite generates medium power during good wind. This zone will be using in riding mode and where the kite starts to move with power. The closer the kite gets to the power zone, the stronger the power.
Window Border
This is the furthest a kite can fly into the wind. A kite has the least power at the window edge. It is in this area that a kite is launched or parked from either 9 o’clock all the way to the left or 3 o’clock to the right. This window border is also used to keep the kite in a neutral position while in the water.
