Almost all kite maker brands started offering newly designed kites that feature almost 100% power, super easy relaunch and various other features. The traditional kites that we have been using since the beginning, known as c kites, u kites, or classic kites, worked very well. In fact, many professional cyclists prefer to ride them. However, learning on a kite that probably reduces power by 25-35% means that if you make a mistake on the control bar, you will suffer the consequences. With newer style kites, push the bar and the kite won’t throw you. Does this facilitate learning? You better believe it! Nevertheless…..
…..anyone who learns to kiteboard/kitesurf with a flat kite or bow kite, will not learn to respect kites like the rest of us did. In the c-kite years, most people were thrown by kites until the subtleties of kite control were mastered. So let this be your warning, if you take your kitesurfing lesson with a new kite, you are not necessarily prepared to rent, buy or operate a kite c.
In the beginning we used two line c kites that had 0% depower unless you landed the kite and made adjustments to the bridles. Then various varieties of four line and later five line kites made learning easier and safer, allowing the pilot to adjust power while the kite was airborne, even while riding the board. The power change was achieved by pulling the bar in for more power, or pushing it in for less power. Additionally, the adjustment strap could be adjusted to tell how much power was available when pulling the bar for maximum power. Almost everyone immediately agreed that being able to depower a kite was a great feature and designers began looking for new ways to design kites that would allow for 100% depower.
C-kites generally spin in a wider arc, which means they use more of the wind window to complete a cycle, and generate a longer duration of power when cycled, since they have to travel farther. A no-frills 4-line c-kite can be tricky to relaunch, especially the bigger they get. Many brands offer variations of a trailing edge relaunch system in which the rider pulls on a steering line that causes the trailing edge to pinch and creates lift that causes the kite to capsize. This system worked quite well for moderate to high aspect ratio kites (aspect ratio is length/width), and not so well for low aspect kites, especially larger kites. The next innovation was the fifth line system which could be used for self-launching, water re-launching, and was usually the safety system as well. The system worked great as long as the kite did not somersault which caused the fifth line to wrap around the back of the kite which was a huge problem sometimes resulting in damage to the kite. Over the years we can see a definite progression in the safety and ease of use of traditional kites.
Newer kite designs are based on a bridle system, usually with 2 or more pulleys built in, this bridle allows the kite to flatten out and shed the wind to a much greater extent than ever before. The enormous depower allows riders an incredibly wide range of wind speeds for which one size kite can be used. For the beginner, being able to get the kite to lose power by 70-90% means that big mistakes can be made without the kite throwing you all the time. This year I have seen many students progress much faster than in previous years. For the most part, it is the average Joe who is learning the fastest and the reason is that the old kites were very intimidating which for most people slowed down the learning process. It’s understandably hard to learn if he’s intimidated or hesitant.
Flat kites also turn very tight which can be an advantage or a disadvantage depending on one’s riding style. Most intermediate riders like this feature. Another benefit for those who aspire to ride waves is that the depower allows you to unleash all the power and really ride the wave. Many experienced riders have had their best wave sessions with the new forward kites. The final difference in these two kites is the hang time, and boy is there a difference. Learning to hit the twists, turns, and planks is much easier when you have more time in the air.
In summary, I can attest that this is the safest and most efficient year to date to start kitesurfing due to the ease of use with the new flat kites. Having said that, remember that if you learn on a bow kite, stick to bow kites only, until you can get instruction on c-kites. Everyone should take lessons with a certified instructor before attempting it on their own. Would you buy a hang glider and figure it out on the way down? I hope not!
Captain Jeff Hoxtell
PASA, Kiteboarding Instructor, Level 3
Kitesurfing Air Father
www.airpadrekiteboarding.com