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Kite Boarding Kite

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Kite Boarding Kite

The kiteboarding kite has progressed nicely since its inception only 25 years ago, but kites have been used for centuries to add extra power to boats and even land carts, though the practice has never been commonplace. The first true kitesurfing kite that has progressed with only slight modifications was built by two Frenchmen in 1984, and the major design change that allowed the kite to be flown safely on water was the inflatable leading edge or LEI.

Kites made before this development were foil kites which have baffles that catch the air and self-inflate, but they did not remained filled with air unless they were aloft which made them unsuitable for water re-launches. Today these foil kites are often still used, but only on land as a training kite, with wheeled boards, or on snow with a snowboard or skis. There now are foil kites that have one way valves that only allow air into the baffles and don’t let it escape. These offer a significant increase in ease of water re-launches, but are still less reliable than inflatable kites.

Among the different types of kiteboarding kite the inflatable leading edge kites are the most widely used and also come in a variety of configurations. The traditional and most common type of LEI is the C-kite. These kites get their name from the shape they display when airborne, a giant C curve with four lines extending from each corner. Altering these lines changes the direction of the kite and allows it to be steered across the water. Though these are typically only four line kites, a fifth line allows the rider to have more control over the kite and has become popular.

The fifth line in a five line kite is connected to the center of the leading edge of the kite. The kitesurfer can apply tension to this line to help launching and depowering the kite when necessary. As soon as the 5th line is used under tension while flying a typical C-kite turns into a hybrid C-kite. That 5th line is used to change the shape of the kite making it better suited for more conditions while giving the rider more control.

Until recently C and Hybrid C-kites were the only LEI options, but today there are a number of new designs that give the rider more control and better performance in a wide variety of conditions. Bow kites are hybrids by nature because the 5th line is what often gives them their much flatter shape than a C-kite. A bow kiteboarding kite allows for almost instant depowers and re-launches and can be used in a wider range of wind conditions. They offer sustained lifting power for huge airs, and can be easily controlled in rough water. They are often better for a beginner than a C-kite because of their wider wind range and easy depowers and launches. A C-kite has an almost constant pull on the rider and a fairly difficult re-launch procedure.