Equipment used in kiteboarding
For kitesurfing some basic gear are required which are explained below in detail.
A power kite has two main forms:
1). leading edge inflatables
2). foil kites.
Leading edge inflatable kites has many other names, like inflatables, LEI kites or C-shaped kites. Ripstop nylon and inflatable plastic bladders are needed to make such kites. The inflated bladder makes its shape and does not allow the kite to sink in water. Most kite boarders like to use LEI kites which is the reason why the demand of these kites in the market is very high as compared to the others. One should be careful while using LEI kite because its bladders can burst or torn if the rider hits it the water/ground too hard.
Foil kites
Foil kites These kites are also mostly made from ripstop nylon with air pockets to give it with lift. This kite is arc-shaped with a fixed bridle. There are generally two types of foil kites. Open cell foil kites and closed cell foil kites. In open foil kites, the airflow against inlet valves are responsible to ensure to make it inflated. But these kites are quickly soaked in case of deflation.
Closed cell foils are same as open cell foils the only difference is that they are loaded with inlet valves to keep the air within in the chambers. So kite is remained inflated even once in water.
Other equipment
• Flying lines are made of latest technological material, mostly dyneema, so that kites may hold burden of various kite boarders in uncertain wind. They are available in different sizes from seven to thirty-three.
• Control bar is a solid bar that is joined with kite through lines. It is used to control the kite. The kite boarder pulls its ends to move kite clockwise or anti-clockwise.
• Kite board, It is a small board. It is made up of wood or foam. It is now available in various type e.g. directional surf-style boards, wakeboard-style boards, hybrids which have the adding quality that they can move in either direction. Skim type is another type of it. Standard surfboards, long boards are widely popular in kite surfers.
• Wetsuit is also one of the requirement of the kite boarders. But it is not required in very warm season when light wind is blowing. But if you are riding in strong winds then body heat loss will be minimized by using a wetsuit.
• Safety hook knife is one of the essential requirements.
• Helmet Its basic purpose is to avoid severe injuries to head. Since head is a very sensitive part of our body, so helmet is used to protect head.
• Personal flotation device or PFD would be needed when the kite boarder has a boat or personal water craft for getting help.
• Impact vest gives you safety against impacts to the torso area. It also gives some flotation.
• Board leash is used to attach the board to the rider's leg.
• Signaling devices are very helpful when the kite boarder requires to be rescued. And it is quite simple like a whistle is attached to the knife.
• A buddy is used when you are going to launch and retrieve your kite, and also guides you in any emergency.
• A GPS measures how much distance you have traveled. It may also note the speed and tracks in one session.
