Almost every brand of kite manufacturer started offering newly designed kites that boast almost 100% power, super easy relaunch and various other features. The traditional kites 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 the newer style kites, you push the bar and the kite won’t throw you off. Does this make learning easier? You better believe it! Nevertheless…..
…..anyone who learns kiteboarding / kitesurfing with a flat kite or bow kite, will not learn to respect kites like the rest of us did. In the c-kiting years, most people were thrown around by kites until the subtleties of kite control were mastered. So let this be your warning, if you take your kitesurfing lesson with a brand new kite, you are not necessarily prepared to rent, buy or operate a c kite.
In the beginning we used two line c kites which had 0% depower unless you landed the kite and made adjustments to the bridle. Then several varieties of four-line and later five-line kites made learning easier and safer, allowing the pilot to adjust the power while the kite was in the air, even while riding the board. The change in power was achieved by moving the bar closer to get more power, or pushing it to reduce the power. In addition, the adjustment strap could be adjusted to know how much power was available when the bar was pulled for maximum power. Almost everyone immediately agreed that being able to reduce the power of a kite was a great feature and designers began looking for new ways to design kites that would allow 100% reduction.
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 they cycle as 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 tip over. 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-launch, water relaunch, and was usually the failsafe as well. The system worked very well as long as the kite did not somersault causing the 5th 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.
New kite designs are based on a bridle system, usually with 2 or more integrated pulleys, this bridle allows the kite to flatten and shed the wind to a much greater extent than ever before. The huge depower allows riders an incredibly wide range of wind speeds that one size kite can be used for. For the beginner, being able to make the kite lose 70-90% power means that you can make big mistakes without the kite pulling 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 is understandably difficult to learn if he is intimidated or hesitant.
Flat kites also turn very tight, which can be an advantage or disadvantage depending on one’s riding style. Most intermediate riders like this feature. Another benefit for those who aspire to ride waves is that depower allows you to unload all the power and really ride the wave. Many experienced riders have achieved their best wave sessions with the new bow kites. The final difference in these two kites is the hang time, and boy is there a difference. Learning to hit the flips, turns and boards is much easier when you have more time in the air.
In short, I can attest that this is the safest and most efficient year to date to get started in 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 just bow kites, until you can get instruction on c-kites. Everyone should take lessons from a certified instructor before trying 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