Kitesurfing 101
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Member Management Software for Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Regattas

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Member Management Software for Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Regattas

Kitesurfing Basics
• Kitesurfing & Kiteboarding are the same sport –
they’re often referred to differently based on location
• Kitesurfing uses wind to pull a rider through the
water on a small surfboard or kiteboard
• A kite surfer uses a board with or without straps with
a large, inflatable kite to move across the water
• In 2006, the number of kitesurfers was estimated to
be around 150,000
• 114,165 inflatable kites were sold in 2006 to support
the number of kitesurfers
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Member Management Software for Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Regattas

History of Kitesurfing
• The Chinese are credited with being the first people to
use kites to propel themselves in the 13th century
• The Legaignoux brothers, from France, patented a kite
design in 1984
• By 1998, kitesurfing had become a mainstream sport
• The first competition was held in Maui in 1998 and was
won by Flash Austin
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Member Management Software for Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Regattas

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Member Management Software for Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Regattas

Kitesurfing Techniques
• Turning: You can turn by putting the kite into
neutral, stopping, sinking backwards and then
turning the kit in the opposite direction
• Controlled Flying and Jumping: Controlled flying is
when the momentum of the surfer pulls the kite
• Board Grabs: Occurs when the surfer is in the air
and grabs the board with one hand
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Member Management Software for Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Regattas

Kitesurfing and Wind Conditions
• Kite surfers change the kite size and/or line length from
the harness to the kite depending on wind strength
• Stronger winds call for a smaller kite
• It is important to avoid using too large a kite
• Newer kites have a “depower” option to reduce the
power in the kite
• Kite surfers shouldn’t go into water in direct offshore
winds
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Member Management Software for Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Regattas

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Member Management Software for Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Regattas

Kitesurfing Locations
• Any location with consistent, steady side-onshore winds,
large bodies of water, and good launch areas are good for
kite surfing
• Most kitesurfing takes place along ocean shores
• It can also take place on lakes, inlets, and occasionally rivers
• The Outer Banks (OBX) in North Carolina has the most
consistent wind and has become popular for kitesurfing
• The Dominican Republic has become popular for the
World Championships
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Member Management Software for Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Regattas

Kitesurfing Equipment
• Kite • Kiteboard
• Flying Lines • Wetsuit
• Control Bar • Helmet
• Kite Harness • Board leash
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Member Management Software for Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Regattas

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Member Management Software for Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Regattas

Safety Precautions
• Always check the weather before you go out
• Avoid kitesurfing in crowded areas
• Try to ride with side-shore winds
• Wear a helmet and impact vest
• Wear appropriate exposure clothing
• Avoid riding overpowered
• Carry a safety knife
• Notify the Coast Guard if you lose a board
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Member Management Software for Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Regattas

Kitesurfing Terminology
• Air time: The amount of time spent in the air while
jumping
• Boost: To suddenly become airborne
• Downwind: The direction the wind is blowing towards
• Offshore: Wind blowing at the water from the shore
• Re-launch: Getting your kite back up in the air after
crashing
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Member Management Software for Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Regattas

By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Member Management Software for Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Regattas

Kitesurfing Records
• Sebastien Cattelan became the first sailor to
break the 50 knots barrier in 2008 in Namibia
• Alex Caizergues then broke this record the
following day
• The current speed record held over a 500 meter
course is held by Rob Douglas, which is the
outright World Speed Sailing Record
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Member Management Software for Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Regattas

Kitesurfing Online
• There are multiple kitesurfing communities since
the sport has become more popular
• http://www.kitesurfingnow.com: Provides a
wealth of information about kitesurfing
• http://www.kiteboardingmag.com: The website for
the magazine
• http://www.compete-at.com/kitesurfing/
index.html: Provides an online registration
solution for kitesurfing, windsurfing and regattas
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Member Management Software for Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Regattas

Content Credits
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitesurfing
Image Credits
Josiah Mackenzie http://www.flickr.com/photos/josiahmackenzie/1684311678/
By Compete-At: Online Registration Solutions & Member Management Software for Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Regattas