Kitesurfer Associated Equipment
Kitesurfing is a sport that requires more from a kitesurfer than any other related sports, like windsurfing for example. The tasks of a kitesurfer do not even compare to the ones of a windsurfer, who must only trim the sail and steer the board in the direction he wishes.
Let me tell you what a kitesurfer has to do:
- Firstly, he must generate power, by moving the kite and placing it in the right spot in a wind window, thus „trimming” his kite.
- A kitesurfer has to provide lateral resistance by edging the upwind rail of the board, all that in order to go upwind.
- The rider must also make the board move, by being the "universal join" to transfer the power of the kite to the board.
- He has to steer the board towards the direction he want to go.
See the reason why kitesurfing is more harder than windsurfing? This especially when speaking of going upwind. Should a kitesurfer make any mistake during any of the actions mentioned so far, the board will move downwind. Take the situation where the kite flies too high in the wind window. This will make it very difficult for the kitesurfer to properly edge the windward rail of the board , because the kite will have a tendency of lifting the kitesurfer upwards.
In order to attach the control devices to his body or to release the tension on the arms at some moments, a kitesurfer must use a harness system. Any type of harness system is just as good, may it be a chest, waist or seat harness, that are also used in windsurfing.
A lifejacket is always a must, because a kitesurf board does not float.
Should there be rocks under the water, a good advice would be to wear water shoes while kitesurfing.
Use a thicker wet suit in cse you are a novice and are just learning teh art of kitesurfing. You may get into water more times than an experienced kitesurfer does.
A helmet to protect the head is perfect for kitesurfing in over 15 knots wind conditions.
