KITEBOARDING GEAR

WHAT DO I NEED?

To go kiteboarding you will need a short list of equipment. When you take lessons all of this equipment is provided except the wetsuit and booties.

• Kite
• Board
• Pump
• Bar and Lines
• Harness
• Helmet
• Life Jacket
• Wetsuit
• Booties

KITE

A kiteboarding kite is made of nylon fabric. The shape of the kite is maintained by an inflatable frame. This frame is divided into sections and is pumped up by the rider with a manual Pump. Some kites are called one pump kites because these sections are connected. A one pump kite is quicker to set but costs more money. The kites come in different sizes ranging from 5 sq meters to 17 sq meters. The size of the kite is determined by wind speed and rider weight.

PUMP

The pump is nothing fancy. It takes about fifty strokes to pump up a kite.
Pumps are included when you get a new kite.

BAR AND LINES

The kite is connected to the bar by 4 lines. 2 of the lines connect to the front of the kite and 2 of lines connect to each back corner. Having for lines gives the rider the ability to control the steering and power of the kite. The bar is usually made of Carbon fiber and the lines are heavy duty string. The line length is around 22 meters and the bars are about 45cm long. Below the bar is a loop that is where the rider hooks in with a harness. This is called the chicken loop.

HARNESS

The Harness is what makes this sport possible. The metal hook connects to the chicken loop. Now the rider can concentrate on steering the kite and controlling the kites pull. It would not be possible to ride for any length of time with out a harness because your arms would tire out. Your weight is transferred directly into the kite by wearing the harness around your waist.

KITEBOARD

There many different styles of kiteboards. The two styles that are most popular are Twin Tips and Surfboards.
The twin tip looks similar to a wakeboard. Each tip is the same shape so the board rides the same going both directions. Foot straps keep your feet attached to the board and fins on the bottom keep your board from sliding out. This is the type of board used for teaching as well as freestyle riding.

THE SURFBOARD

is used for riding waves when being pulled by the kite. It has a traditional surf shape and can be ridden with or with out straps.

HELMET

It is important to protect your head especially when learning. Once you put the helmet on you forget that its there.

LIFE JACKET

The life jacket keeps the rider floating so they can concentrate on the kite. Not all kiteboarders wear them but all kiteboarding students do wear them.

WETSUIT AND BOOTIES

When your kiteboarding in NY you will wear a wetsuit about 9 months out of the year. Booties protect your feet from shells and keeps them warm.