KITESURFING: ARE YOU READY TO GET ON-BOARD

Somehow, you discovered kiteboarding. You tried it and now… you’re hooked! It occupies your thoughts night and day, and when the wind is blowing, you can’t wait to get out and ride.

Right!? Unfortunately the wind doesn’t always cooperate, so we have to figure out what to do until it blows again. So rather than stand around complaining, make the most out of it! This article features some practical advice, but we will be throwing in some more exciting things to do as well.

INSPECT YOUR GEAR

Control Bar

■ The grip tends to take abuse. Athletic tape works well to wrap it up.

■ If your chicken loop has a quick-release, make sure it is seated firmly and releases properly.

■ Check the line that runs through your bar. It gets worn eventually because of the constant friction and your full weight on it, so replace it before it might break.

Lines

■ Inspect the knots and larks head loops on both ends for abrasion.

■ Inspect the entire length of the lines for abrasion. Common areas of wear are close to your bar where your board edge rubs (especially for snowkiting with sharp board edges), where your lines cross during spinning tricks, where your leash or stopper attaches and close to the kite where the lines rub on the ground. Replace them before they break under load.

Kite

■ Inspect the canopy. It helps to hold the kite up with a light source behind it, in order to easily spot tears or small pinholes.

■ Inspect the struts. The leading edge and tips can receive a lot of abrasion from sliding around before and after launching.

■ Inspect the stitching. Look for broken stitches or spots where the stitching has pulled and stretched large holes in the fabric.

Board

■ Check for loose screws on your bindings, fins and grab handle.
■ Check for damage to the board and seal any damaged areas with epoxy.

TIPS TO FINDING WIND

Is it blowing? Where? How was it blowing yesterday? Will a wind pager drive me crazy? How high does my blood pressure rise when in route to ride? Weather conditions vary everywhere in the world, but if you pay attention you will begin to notice what makes it blow in your area. It might be storm fronts, afternoon thermals, or trade winds. How long does it take for a marine layer to burn off?

Why does it blow from the northwest? What is the Pacific High? What is a Catalina Eddy or a Northeaster? How do the distance between the isobars influence wind strength?

Don’t get confused with all this gibberish. Weather is not a mystery, be observant and discover the patterns that make it blow in your area.

WEATHER CHECK LIST

1. Check all your local TV stations in the morning and night to see wind direction and velocity and make a mental note of the cloud conditions. Is it sunny, foggy with clearing, raining? How is the barometric pressure fluctuating?

2. Get a barometer and watch it daily. Note the patterns when it blows.

3. Get a weather radio (Radio Shack has cheap ones), they will give you current weather, wind speeds and a forecast for your area.

4. Get a good wind gauge so you know what the actual wind speed is.

5. Get a good powerful pair of binoculars for precautionary measures. Look for whitecaps, wind lines, low clouds.

So, the next time you are at a spot waiting for the wind to come up watch for the signs!