Let's learn KITESURF
- Safety
- Wind
- Spot
- Kites
- Flight zone
- Kite size
- Kites preparation
- Launch and land
- 5th line
- Directions
- Right of way
SAFETY
Kitesurf is a
wonderful sport, very easy to learn, but we have to teach it, explaining that
it would be better never to improvise. Beginners have to learn Kitesurf in a
certified school.
The first step is a
basic course, it is addressed to all people approaching this sea activity for
the first time: the aim of the course is gaining SELF-CONFIDENCE and so
teaching of all rules in technique and behaviour that will make you be able to
manage your kite out of the water independently and to do the first exciting
steps in the sea with your board.
The next steps are
courses aiming to improve technique.
WIND
- The tool needed to measure the intensity of wind is the anemometer. It is very
useful in Kitesurfing and later we will see how it is important for a
beginner to use the right Kite.
- For beginners wind should not exceed 20/25 knots, for people having a
medium/good level wind should not exceed 30/35 knots.
Never kitesurf with very gusty wind (for ex: from 30 to 40 Knots)
Never kitesurf with offshore wind, because in case of problems it will make leeway in open sea.
SPOT
It is important to
choose the right spot with open spaces without downwind obstacles over the
Kite.
Make yourself sure
that sailing with kitesurf is not forbidden by the local regulations.
Regulations are
important for the safety of everybody.
KITES
There are two kind of Kites:
- foil non inflateble
- inflatable kites with bladder
FLIGHT ZONE
power
zone
neutral
zone
The neutral zone (backside wind) starts
above your head (zenith) and touches all the side points to the left and to the
right (in the picture you can see the outline area).
The neutral zone can
be used on the beach or in water when you simply stand.
The power zone is the white area in the
picture. It is the zone that gives power to the kite and you must use it only
in water.
KITE SIZE
There are three essential variable for the right size to
take on to the water:
- skill
- wind intencity
- your weight
A beginner should use
a small kite and work up, as necessary.
The table below will help you in the kite size choose.(skill: medium/good -
weight:
|
Wind intencity |
Kite size |
|
8/16 Knots |
14/16 Meters
|
|
14/22 Knots |
12 Meters |
|
16/25 Knots |
10 Meters |
|
18/30 Knots |
8 Meters |
|
25/40 Knots |
6 Meters |
KITES PREPARATION
When you prepare your kite, is very important to check more times all the
things.
- Set out the flying lines clearly on the ground cheking that there are no
knots on it, because they will cause breakagese.
- Lay out the Red flying lines on the left side.
- Inflate the kite with the leading edge tube facing into the wind and
rotate it on the round. To secure the kite place sand on the sail behind
the leading edge.
- Attach the flying lines only when you are ready to go out – the front
flying lines, starting from the depower, are attached on the leading edge
– the back flying lines are attached on the rear part of the sail.
When you go back to
the beach release the flying lines.
LAUNCH AND LAND
The safest way to
launch your kite is with somebody helping you.
Make sure that your helper is fully briefed and understands what you want him
or her to do before attempting to launch your kite. Use hands signals to
communicate.
Get your helper to walk the kite to the edge of the window, on the sea
direction because in case of trouble you should go in the water.
Never launch or land the kite in a zone with obstacles.
Always use the safety system.
5th LINE
Starting from 2004 the
5th line invention has changed the kite world. Now everything is safer and
easier.
The 5th line is fixed
with a pre line in the central part of the leading edge, it goes between the
front lines, passes through the bar hole and finishes with a ring in which the
safety leash is fixed.
To relaunch the kite
just pull the 5th line till the kite is put on its back, in a less powerful
position. It is now easy to pull either
the left or the right line to launch the sail again in the neutral zone.
In case of trouble
pull the safety, the sail turns on its back and lands in front of you without
generating power. You have than the possibility to launch it again.
Another function of
the 5th line is the possibility to depower and stabilize the kite while flying
it, but only some manufacturers use this active 5th line system.
DIRECTIONS
Before going out on the water it is important that you
have a basic understanding of the wind as well as the terminology used in
describing the different conditions.
The hardest direction to learn for a beginner is upwind. The best advice is to
put the kite at the edge of the window and press with your feet on the edge of
the board.
RIGHT OF WAY
- Have the right of way who proceed with the wind to the right side.
(Right hand before).
- Have the right of way who proceed downwind.
- Who proceed with right side wind has the right of way also if is
upwind but has to lift the kite.
- Who wants to pass must go upwind and lift the kite.
Boats
- The oar boats have the right of way over the sailing boats.
- The sailing boats have the right of way over the motor boats.
- The ferry boats have the right of way over all, but not over the
safety boats.
- The safety boats have the right of way over all.