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Learn more about windsurfing

What is kitesurfing and how it is invented?

In the world of sport, there are many different modalities that attract the attention of athletes and fans, especially those who love the sea and waves. One of these sports is known by the name of kitesurfing, which is one of the most modern trends in sports practiced in the waters of the ocean. A combination of surfing and kites makes athletes experience thrills and adrenaline.

What is kitesurfing?

Kiteboarding or kitesurfing, is also known. It is a type of water sports adventure that combines elements and characteristics of the wakeboard, the surf, the snowboard, paragliding, and skate.

What does it consist of?

Kitesurfing is a type of water sport that consists of using a type of kite known by the name of the kite, which is attached to the person who practices the sport through a harness, making it possible for the sport surfboard to slide easily in Water. It is a sport quite similar to surfing and it is also classified as a type of extreme sport since those who practice it suffer an increase in adrenaline while doing it.

Choosing the weather conditions carefully is one of the main fundamentals of kitesurfing. As a beginner, try to choose conditions below 20 knots. You should never go out in deep-sea conditions. As for the location, it is best to go to a place where there are other kite to help you take off and land. Preferably a wide beach with enough space to land, which is free of people.

Unfold the kite. It must be placed face up and inflated. Keep the kite tied down to make sure it doesn’t fly once it has some air. If one hand is used to secure the kite, care must be taken while pumping as it is easy to break the pumps when done with one hand. Place the lines in front of the leading edge, locate the ends of your lines. Then they should be placed at the ends in the sand.

The four lines must be collected in the hands. The configuration should be right hand – the front line of the right hand, rear line of the right hand (right leg in the middle). Left hand – the front line of the left hand, the backline of the left hand (left leg in the middle).

Kitesurfing features

Among its main features are the following:

Although this type of sport includes surfing, it does not need waves since the wind is the only force necessary to propel yourself.
It is a type of adventure sport.
The table is used as a series of supports on the feet.
The athletes are attached to the parachute by means of a harness and cables.
It is practiced in places where there are good wind currents.
It is a sport that has also been adapted for people with special needs.
His practice includes a series of jumps and maneuvers in the air.

Story

The origins of kitesurfing were in China during the 12th century, although Indonesia is also mentioned as a birthplace. In these places, it was customary to use different types of kites to be able to pull small boats. With the passage of time, the push system was improved in the early 19th century thanks to George Pocock, who patented a drag system using kites that made it possible to travel 90 degrees against the wind.

The systems were improving every day more. In 1977, Gijsbertus Adrianus Panhuise managed to invent what today is known as kitesurfing, a system by which the athlete could navigate the waters on a surfboard while he was also dragged by the parachute. From this moment on, the sport took more strength and popularity and today, it is practiced by thousands of professional and amateur athletes.

How do I choose a wetsuit for kitesurfing?

Kitesurfing wetsuits are an exceptional accessory that allows kitesurfers to stay in the water all year round. The selection of the appropriate thickness of the wetsuit according to the area where you are going to use it is the first point to see to correctly choose your wetsuit. We will help you with this point and with others in this guide, where we will see different models, sizes, types, brands, etc. Let us begin!

How a Kitesurfing wetsuit works?

A wetsuit is constructed from a type of rubber that insulates and maintains heat. Wetsuits work by capturing a thin layer of water between the body and the neoprene. This layer of water is basically heated by the body, which prevents excessive heat from being given off while in the water.

Water particles conduct (hot) energy 25-40 times faster than air molecules. For example, on a day of 18 degrees, you may feel comfortable outdoors with jeans and a t-shirt. On the other hand, if you are in contact with water at this temperature within a few minutes, you will begin to shiver.

Suits are not designed to keep you completely dry. Neoprene is constructed of small air cells that provide insulation against cold water by trapping heat. The thicker the neoprene in the suit, the warmer it will be as it has even more heat-trapping insulation. It would be nice if you can do some research on the water temperature level (taking into account the different seasons) in the area where the suit is normally used. If the temperature is too cold to stiffen your hands and feet, you should consider wearing booties, gloves, and hoods.

How to choose a Kitesurfing wetsuits?

Let’s see what these numbers are and what they are used for. The density of the wetsuit is determined in millimeters and is represented with two or sometimes up to three numbers. The first number represents the density of the neoprene in the upper part of the body, the second number represents the density of the neoprene in the extremities (or only the legs if there is a third number), and the third number (if any) represents the density of the neoprene on the arms.

The thickest part of the neoprene (the first number) is used for the torso in order to preserve its core temperature. It is very important to maintain your chest temperature to avoid hypothermia. The thinner neoprene (second/third number) is used for the extremities. The thicker the neoprene, the warmer, but much less flexible; therefore, thicker neoprene is used where less flexibility is required (torso) and thinner neoprene where the body is in motion (arms and legs).

Types or models of Kitesurfing wetsuits

There are many different types of wetsuits that are best suited to different conditions. By type or model, we will describe the cut or design of the sleeves and legs.

Full-length neoprene

A full-body neoprene suit covers the entire body up to the wrists, ankles and neck … This type of suit is found in various thicknesses covering a good temperature range, ideal for winter.

Neoprene shorts / shorty

These have a thinner material. Combinations of legs and short sleeves can be found. Short legs and long sleeves, or short sleeves and long legs are used primarily in warmer water temperatures.

Short sleeveless neoprene

Made with very thin neoprene (normally 1.5 to 2 mm), a design that, similar to a tank top, does not have sleeves for warm summer waters.

With the arrival of the cold, a wetsuit for kitesurfing becomes essential. Although they are not really only for cold days, there are also short or short suits for summer or mid-season. The fit is a very important point to consider when buying a wetsuit. If your suit doesn’t fit you, it probably won’t be able to keep you warm or comfortable to allow you the movement this sport needs.

Types of Windsurfing Competitions

Windsurfing is one of the sports in fashion this summer, and for many years now. This sport consists of a windsurf board with a built-in sail with which we will slide across the surface of the water. At first, it may seem difficult, like all sports, but when you already have a little experience, you will be able to do jumps taking advantage of the best waves of the sea and the wind.

With the increase in the practice of this sport, the number of professionals also increases and with it the number of competitions. If you are looking to be a professional windsurfer and compete, you must first choose the modality. In this post, we bring you the 6 types of windsurfing competitions so that you can focus on the one you like the most.

The different variants of windsurfing competition

We present all the types of windsurfing competitions that exist.

Wave Windsurf Competition

The wave windsurfing discipline is a windsurfing competition that consists of surfing the waves and doing jumps. To perform these jumps, we will have the impulse of the wind, which, when hitting the sail, will make us propel ourselves.

It is a modality similar to surfing in which participants must perform stunts to get the highest possible score. You need light equipment to reach a higher altitude, with plenty of wind and waves of at least one meter.

Freestyle Windsurf Competition

Freestyle windsurfing is a very popular modality with many fans all over the world, as it is a very attractive type of competition thanks to its many acrobatics.

There are two types of freestyle competitions:

“Old school” style: This style consists of performing maneuvers with little wind.

“New school” style: This style is more modern and is practiced with small, less heavy and more manageable boards.

This modality is characterized by performing quick maneuvers while jumping.

Slalom Windsurf Competition

Slalom windsurfing is a test that needs a lot of wind since it consists of zigzagging between buoys with the wind through until you reach the finish line. These are usually mass races or one-on-one.

Windsurf Regatta Competition

In windsurfing, this type of test is carried out by means of a triangular course that is delimited by buoys that are placed in such a way that you go up to the wind “girdling” and then you go down in the stern or doing laps.

Indoor Windsurf Competition

Indoor windsurfing is a frenetic and very colorful competition. Since the 90s, this modality has been acquiring great importance in this world, being one of the most marketable. Within Indoor Windsurfing, there are different disciplines: slalom, regatta and Jump. The latter is the most impressive, as they perform great stunts that matter from other modalities.

Super X Windsurf Competition

Super X is a sport that was developed by the PWA in 2003 but was withdrawn in the 208-2009 season. This circuit consists of a downwind slalom in which you have to overcome large floating obstacles by jumping over them and doing stunts. These types of competitions are the most frenetic thanks to their speed and frenzy.

Types of windsurfing boards

For a beginner, having the right equipment is more important than for an advanced surfer to not fall out of love from the beginning of this sport and not to spend more time than necessary to learn maneuvers and gaits.

The best thing is to find an occasion where everything else is sold to you along with the table because that way you get great deals. The cost of apparently secondary accessories such as the mast extension with its foot should not be underestimated.

Which windsurfing board?

Currently, models are available on the market that allows learning the basics and gliding conduction. This type of windsurfing board is characterized by the high width (up to 1 meter), the impact resistance, the possible presence of a removable or retractable stem, the EVA coating, a soft material that greatly reduces the problems of bruising and excoriations. In recent years, the price of these windsurfing boards has dropped a lot: 800 euros for a new one. The second hand is still the best card to play. A good way to get them is to contact windsurfing schools at the end of the season.

Dimensions: Not less than 160 ÷ 170 liters Length is not important: it has been understood (finally!) That volume and width count for stability.

It derives: It is not essential. You can find it retractable on all-around hulls a few years ago or fixed but removable on modern wide school windsurfing boards. It helps to rewind when, due to problems, you are overdue too leeward.

Accessories: The windsurfing board must be equipped with a fin and strap (they cost an eye!). Better if original. Beware of the mast foot on windsurfing boards until the 1990s: if the windsurfing board has a non-universal type attachment, you must require the original foot because they are no longer found.

Other characteristics: It isn’t easy to make a general discussion on the behavior of a windsurfing board in the water. The specialized magazines tend to treat this kind of equipment with a specific sufficiency but be well aware that a modern school windsurfing board can make you learn all the gliding gaits.

Wave

This family of tools was born and is designed for use in the waves and, more precisely, in the breakers. From an exquisitely philological point of view, they can be considered as the latest version of the original windsurf boards, born from the idea of applying a sail to a wave surf.

The volume drops abundantly below 100 liters and the sails in the waves: traditionally, the largest sail for this specialty is the 5.7.

In addition to the small size, other peculiarities stand out on these windsurfing boards: the front straps moved to the center until they touch each other, the rounded edges for control on tight curves and the rather high bow on the water both as a shape and as a glide angle.

Freeride / Cruising

They are windsurfing boards for going out with medium / weak winds and shallow seas when you want to have fun tackling without the ambitions of a racer. Rather fast and versatile in various gaits, their main requirement is the ease of use.

Speed

These windsurfing boards are exclusively dedicated to Speed competitions in which the travel time of a straight course of a predetermined length is timed. They are uncompromising products with no other application and should be understood as aimed at the competitive world.

Freestyle

Pretty young windsurfing board category, just like the specialty for which they are designed. Symmetrical outline, volume also available in the bow, channel in the hull are some of the features necessary to perform the stunts forward and reverse typical freestyle. Compared to the classic wave boards, they are wider and therefore faster to take the glide.

Race

Highly technical, very performing windsurfing boards able to develop high speeds even at weight-bearing speeds. Like the Formula, these are racing boards, but they are narrower and more versatile than the latter providing higher speeds in downwind and offer undoubtedly better-jibing performance. The next generation race board’s lines will be inspired by the prototypes used in the PWA circuit in the Slalom 42 competitions, the specialty that replaced the Formula windsurfing. They are built with very light materials. The risk of breakage in the “unscheduled” is very high.

Slalom

There is some confusion around this term: in beach jargon, the word is often overused to mean light wind gear. In reality, slalom boards have their own dignity. Compared to racing, they are narrower to offer greater speeds at the expense of gliding entry, guarantee maximum performance in jibing and, with an appropriate fin, can defend themselves even upwind. With the creation of the Slalom 42 races, we can imagine that the distinction between slalom and race will disappear.

Freemove or convertible

Boards that most embody the “free” spirit born in the late 90s. Convertibles are all-rounder windsurfing boards: by changing the type and size of fin, you can easily switch from slalom use with the medium wind to wave use with sails that are not too small.

Kitesurfing for beginners tricks: Start kitesurfing today

We are going to give you some technical advice on the best way to enjoy Kitesurfing. However, even though you have at your disposal this technical Kitesurfing guide, our main recommendation is that you hire some classes with a monitor so that they can explain how to do this sport. You can follow the following kitesurfing for beginner tips with complete peace of mind, but a good monitor is always a great help.

Basic tricks of kitesurfing for beginners

As we have already mentioned, it is best to start with a basic course on Kitesurfing so that a professional can teach you the main techniques with the necessary material. Second, you must always be attentive to the conditions, both weather and sea. At first, you will not be able to defend yourself perfectly and if you decide to go out to sea in bad conditions, it will be much more difficult for you to move forward. You should also pay attention to the conditions of the beach: access rules, bath area. Try not to practice the sport alone, because if you suffer any mishap, it is important to have someone who can help you.

The kite

The kite is a very different element from any other type of nautical sport. Although when we windsurf or sail, we also use the wind’s momentum to navigate and perform tricks, the kite has quite a few differences with the use of these other elements.

Therefore, it is best to start practicing on dry land and with a person to help us. We must find the correct angle to lift the kite and not start with too much power. To achieve this, we must find an intermediate point between windward and leeward so that it does not take too much force and make us fall, nor is it too low and we run the risk that with a change in the wind it will turn around and put us in danger. Once we have the kite with the necessary power and we are secured to the safety bar, we ask our assistant to release the kite and we start walking, trying to handle the kite and letting ourselves be propelled by the wind. Once we have this more or less controlled, we will go into the water to practice body drag, which consists of practicing Kitesurfing in the water and without the board.

Water start

Water start is nothing other than starting with the basic movements in the water. Once we have controlled the kite and its movements, we can get on the board and start with the most basic movements.

First of all, we will have to enter the water with our feet on the board. To do this, we hold the board with one hand so that it does not resist the wind, and with the other hand, we hold on to the central bar area, tilting the kite so that it does not oppose resistance.

Once we cleanly get into the water, we have to position ourselves so that the wind always drives us from our back, keeping the kite at noon. This way, the kite should not jerk. Once we are at this point, we must place the table.

To place the table, the position must be to be seated. With one hand, we hold the board, and with the other, we keep the kite in the zenith. Thus, we flex our legs so that the board is closer to our bodies. With this position, we are ready to try our first maneuver. The first thing is to move the kite to gain strength. Then, if we decide to go to the right, we must move the kite from 11 to 3 and, at the same time, advance the right leg.

When we notice the kite’s pull and we pick up speed, we must keep the course and continue to maintain a constant speed. Depending on the strength of the wind, we will have to go raising or lowering the kite to get a greater impulse. It is very important to keep the kite inflated and always stay attached to it. You will be easily spotted by possible rescue boats. Assuming you control the navigation and upwind, the next step will be to learn to jump.

Your first jumps

There are two types of jumps: those made hooked to the table and those made unhooked from the table. To execute any of them, it is important to check that we do not have anyone around to disturb. To perform the jumps, it is essential to master the movements previously explained and have total control over the kite and the wind. To jump, it is necessary to power the kite, pulling the bar with the kite raised, driving the board into the water to counterbalance, and luff at the same time.

Once in the air, you must learn to balance and counter your body to keep in the proper position and land on the water smoothly. It is important to flex your legs well at the moment of landing so that you are in shape not to hurt yourself and to control the board better.

Most typical errors

We also leave you some of the most common mistakes when starting kitesurfing so that you can try to avoid them. On many occasions, we do not stop to think about the wind, and it can be too strong for the size of the kite. Something very important is connecting the security line before launching into the sea. Always be attentive to the other riders in the area to not cross the kites and go to the water. Not controlling the kite, due to lack of knowledge, losing control.

What is a kitesurfing harness and what is it for?

The kitesurfing harness has been a clear example of how fashions are changing and how this sport adapts to be part of those fashions. As kitesurfing has evolved, the harness has accompanied this process and has adapted in design and safety.

The harness is one of the vital parts of the kiteboarding equipment. Selecting a harness suitable for your body and your riding style is essential. Its basic function is to connect you with the bar and it is with the kite. The harness also produces a balance area that allows you to turn, guide, and control your kite with just one hand.

What is kitesurfing harness for?

As a general rule in kitesurfing, you don’t want to experience the failure of any part of the equipment because if this happens, you can be stranded in the open sea.

That is why you should always check that your material is in good condition and use a good quality harness made of resistant materials. A cheap, low-quality harness is not recommended. Remember that it is your safety that is at stake.

What is the best kitesurf harness?

If you are starting a kite, the recommended harness is the seat harness. In the beginning, the kite spends a lot of time in the zenith or also known as. This type of harness prevents it from getting on, making us uncomfortable. It could even cause us not to control the kite correctly because it is not placed in its position. Another point to take into account is the size. In the following image, you can see a table with the measurements to know which the most suitable size is for you.

Size guide

Types of kitesurfing harness

There are 4 types of kitesurfing harnesses: the waist harness, the seat harness, the wave harness and the swimsuit harness. It is up to the rider to choose the best harness that suits their riding style. This is why you should compare the features before making a final decision.

Seat harness

Back pain sufferers tend to use a seat harness because it fits properly around the hips, it also offers a lower attachment point, and the crotch straps prevent it from lifting.

The seat harness or truss is the ideal harness for beginners and is still used by innovative kite athletes in sprinting.

Waist harness

The waist harness provides a much freer sailing experience, allowing the legs to move more comfortably. They are much lighter to carry. They look cooler. The attachment point is located between the ribs and the hips. It is the best option for riders who go on the freestyle path.

There are also higher back support waist harnesses, a good choice for riders who never let go or freeride enthusiasts.

Wave harness

Wave kitesurfers generally choose rope systems rather than a hook to ensure that the hitch point can slide off and allow for sharper turns. In short, it is a waist harness in which the hook is exchanged for a rope.

Swimsuit harness

We have the swimsuit harness, a simple concept, a swimsuit with a hook at the waist for maximum freedom of movement.

What kitesurf harness to buy?

These are the main points when choosing a kitesurfing harness:

Comfort: All harnesses should fit comfortably without being too loose or tight. Extreme stress on the ribs will cause discomfort and may force you to end your kite session.
Safety features: A good harness has at least 4 straps: two of these are to adjust it around the waist and prevent it from riding up. If the model is a seat, likely, it does not have these last two. It is also interesting that it carries a blade known as a line cutter, although most harnesses do not incorporate them in reality.
Quality of the materials: It would be good to place our trust in recognized manufacturers for this point. If there is something that can be highlighted, if they do not do a good job, they do not last in the market.
The size: A proper fit offers support and reduces muscle fatigue, allowing for a longer and safer kite session.

How does kitesurfing work? Advice and Tricks

Water sports are those in which athletes perform physical activity in the water. These develop in water, on water, or in water. An example of a sport on the water is the one that we will explain belowꓽ how does kitesurfing works.

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