Introduction to kiting

Kiting has roots that date back to as far as five thousand years ago. Kiting has a place in our American tradition of pioneering experimentation. Benjamin Franklin once wrote about kiting, "the kite pulled me across the swimming hole in a most favorable manner." Kiting captures our imagination; it allows us to fly. Kitesurfing is progressing rapidly with multiple equipment development cycles each year and a constantly improved understanding of how to kite. Kiting is quickly becoming easier to learn, more safe and beginners are getting good fast. At it’s ultimate, kitesurfing allows you to sail fast in light wind, to ride waves and to complete unbelievable aerials.

Learn with an expert

Modern kitesurfing requires careful procedures and planning to setup the kite, launch and land. Kiting with large kites powered by wind to propel a person across the water and through the air is potentially dangerous. A cooperative approach guided by an instructor is preferred to launch and land. Because of the possibility of danger around large kites and kite lines, learning to kite with a more experienced kiter is highly recommended. Follow the instructor’s directions carefully.

Be safe

Kiters are often overcome with enthusiasm. Kiters must be responsible to reign in their enthusiasm and take careful precautions for safe kiting. To ensure safe successful kiting follow the Ooto system:

• Evaluate the beach and wind — is there a safe place to launch?
• Make a plan to land, have 2 backup plans - Are you capable of landing?
• Kite with an expert - unless you know you are capable of kiting alone?
• Offer prompt assistance to other kiters.
• If you need help, ask for help to launch and land safely.
• Are all safety requirements satisfied?
• Don’t do tricks within 200 feet directly upwind of someone. If you fall, you could hurt someone.

Be cool

• Do not endanger other people.
• Do not jump within 200 feet from a downwind shore, swimmer or water craft.
• Check your lines, carefully prior to launching.
• Do not yell at people on the beach, unless it’s necessary.

Basic Concepts

• Kitesurfing uses a kite sail to generate lift and uses the board’s edge as a keel to maintain direction and track upwind.
• Kitesurfing is a form of sailing that is best initiated with an instructor.
• Always kite with a buddy.
• Safe boating rules apply; starboard has right of way over port. Starboard must maintain their course. Starboard tack means your right hand is in front and the wind is coming your from your right side, port means your left hand is in front, wind is over your left side.
• When passing closely, downwind kiters should put their kites lower than upwind kiters.
• Always provide immediate assistance to sailors who request assistance.

Wind

First, observe the wind and direction. Look at the water ripples and color, look at trees, an especially flags, etc. for signs of the wind direction and force. Upon, confirmation first point in the direction the wind is coming from, then turn 180 degrees and face in the direction the wind is blowing away from you. Now raise your arms and point to the side, point at 90 degree angles to the wind. These positions to your left and right are your launching and landing positions. Second, imagine a rainbow overhead clock placed overhead at 90 degree angles in relation to the wind direction with 12:00 directly overhead and 9 oclock to the left and 3 o'clock to the right at the launch or landing positions.

Apparent Wind

Let's move forward to the concept of apparent wind produced from the kite flying through the sky faster or slower. Kites can fly versus traditional sailboat sails whcih are stable. A kite can produce apparent wind by flying the kite at faster speeds through the sky. When you do fly the kite to left and right across the wind clock to 11:00 and 1:00 directly overhead in a stable position. Move the kite across the power zone from 10:00 to 2:00. For a full power stroke as you would when riding move the kite gradually from 3:00 to 1:00 to generate power and lift while learning to control the kite.

Equipment

You will learn details about rigging, launching and landing with an expert. Kite equipment is evolving quickly. The highest technology materials developed in aerospace technology and sailing are in use by a variety of equipment manufacturers such as carbon fiber, kevlar, spectra line and aerodynamic foil design. Kiting is ultimately hightech, yet developers are creating soft, safe and easy to use equipment.

When you initiate kiting on a board in the water, turn slightly downwind then use the board edge to turn slowly upwind once underway. Like sailboats, kites can sail close to the wind and also downwind. The board edge acts as a keel and the kite bar allows the kiter to point by flying the kite close to the wind, or at the edge of the window, in effect sheeting in and out when neccesary to fly upwind. It is poosible ot increase the apparent wind by flying the kite more aggresively.

Lesson

In the first lesson students will focus on evaluating weather and beach conditions, becoming familiar with kiting equipment setup and handling, emergency release and issues affecting safety. Students will learn to handle the bar, launch and land kites. Students will fly a practice kite on the beach and eventually drag in the water powered by a kite. Students may use full size equipment and kite on the water when you're ready.

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