Kite Surfing Gear

Kite Surfing uses very specialised equipment. Learning to Kite Surf is all about learning how to use this equipment, so here we will give you a rundown of the accessories vital to this extreme sport.

Kite Boards

Made from composite materials, foam or wood with foot straps or bindings to allow a kite surfer to perform aerial jumps. Many different types of kite board are now available to cater for the many kite surfing specialisations. Twin-tip boards are recommended for beginners, wakeboard style allows a rider to perform air tricks by popping of waves, while mono, bi-directional boards and skim style boards are also popular.

Power Kite

The power kite is what allows you to harness the power of the wind in order to propel yourself along the surface of the water. Power kites come in a range of sizes, those with a higher surface area generate more power with less wind. As such, a kite surfer may need to have up to three different kites to accommodate different wind conditions. There are two main types in kite surfing:

Leading Edge Inflatables (LEIs)

Usually made from Nylon with inflatable plastic bladders to keep the kite afloat should it fall in the water. They are sometimes known as c-shaped kites due to their design.

Foil Kites

Also usually made from nylon but, instead of bladders, they have air pockets or cells. There are two versions here - open-cell and closed-cell foil kites. The former is impossible to re-launch from the water as the cells will quickly fill up and/ or deflate and is more suited to forms of kite-buggying on land or snow. The latter, closed-cell foil kite is popular with kite surfers, as smaller kites can be used and cells do not have to be manually inflated, unlike LEI's, a process which can take around 10 minutes.

Flying lines

Attach the rider's power bar to his power kite and allow him to manipulate it. They are usually made from ultra strong thermoplastic, which is non-absorbent and lightweight. Four or five lines is standard, with the last reserved for re-launching the kite once it has fallen in the water.

Power Bar

The name given to a kite surfer's control mechanism. A solid bar of either metal or composite materials, it must be lightweight and strong. It is usually heavier than water, so a foam bar float is fitted over the power bar to keep it from sinking if lost in the water. By pulling at either end, a kite surfer can turn his power kite clockwise or anti-clockwise and therefore change his trajectory. A safety release mechanism allows the kite to be released should a very strong gust of wind threaten personal safety.

Kite Harness

Worn to take the majority of the strain off a kite surfers arms and spread it across a portion of his body. Along with a spreader bar it attaches to the power bar and the power bar in turn attaches to the flying lines. Kite harnesses come in 3 types:

1. Seat Harnesses - Take the most strain of all off a kite surfer's body, this makes them suitable for beginners.
2. Vest Harnesses - Provide flotation and impact protection, making them a good choice for kite surfers experimenting with new tricks.
3. Waist Harnesses - The most popular choice for advanced kite surfers as they allow maximum mobility, especially in the air where grab and spin tricks may be performed.

Helmets

Often worn by kite surfers to prevent cranial trauma. Despite being performed over water, tricks can be dangerous and a strong wind can lift a kite surfer considerable height into the air.

Wetsuits

Come in various types, with and without arms and of varying thicknesses. They insulate a kite surfer's body against rapid heat loss in the water and protect against abrasions and harmful marine animals.

Safety hook knife

Vital should flying lines become dangerously tangled about the body.

PFD

Otherwise known as a personal flotation device, this is recommended for kite surfing in deep water or where a boat has been used for access.

You can find a lot of kite surfing equipment to buy here.