Kitesurfing explained

The trend sport on the water

Kitesurfing , also called kiteboarding , takes place on the water, typically in the sea or on inland waters. The kiter is pulled over the water with the help of the kite and performs various maneuvers, jumps and tricks while standing on a suitable board.

The terms kiteboarding and kitesurfing are often used synonymously, including here on kite-unite.com. Both refer to the water sport defined above. However, there is a difference between the two terms, which will now be briefly explained to avoid misunderstandings. Strictly speaking, the term kitesurfing refers to the discipline of kiting, which involves surfing waves with a kite. Kiteboarding ultimately refers to those disciplines that are carried out on the water but do not necessarily require waves, such as kiting on mostly flat water surfaces.

Adrenaline rush in the snow

Snowkiting involves using a snowboard or skis to pull kiters across snow or frozen bodies of water, such as frozen lakes, by the wind . Snowkiting allows for maneuvers similar to kitesurfing, but on snow-covered surfaces.

Surfing experience on land

In land kiting , the kiter stands on a suitable board, for example a mountain board , or sits in a buggy and is pulled over the land by the kite . This makes kiting possible without having to rely on water or snow. Land kiting therefore takes place on land, open areas such as meadows or on beaches .

Tricks and techniques

Freestyle is a discipline in kitesurfing that focuses on various tricks, jumps and turns in the air and on the water. In the competition environment, the creativity, difficulty and technical execution of the tricks are evaluated. The classic twin-tip board is used in this discipline. This is a kiteboard that is designed identically at both ends (tips). This allows the kite surfer to ride in both directions without having to turn the board over. The kite surfer is attached to the board by so-called bindings (foot straps).

In addition, kitesurfers in this discipline often ride unhooked. This means that the kiter is no longer attached to the harness with his bar. This allows him to move more freely and to be able to perform certain tricks in the first place. Advanced maneuvers require this freedom from the bar. This includes, for example, the handle pass , where the bar has to be passed around the body while turning on one's own axis. Unhooked riding generally requires an advanced level of kitesurfing, as controlling the kite and board becomes increasingly challenging during such tricks. However, it also allows for a variety of spectacular and creative tricks and makes the sport even more exciting.

Altitude and adrenaline

Big Air is all about spectacular heights and impressive tricks. It's really about jumping as high as possible and combining this in the air with various turns of your own body or board. The record in 2023 is a jump height of 36.2 meters in a wind speed of around 60 knots (111 km/h). This discipline therefore requires higher wind speeds than the other disciplines, but also entails great risks. These maneuvers at high altitudes should therefore only be attempted by experienced Big Air kitesurfers.

Surfing with kite

This discipline is about surfing waves while being attached to the kite at the same time. There are special kitesurfing boards for this purpose, which are better at this than the classic twintip boards . Thanks to a clear nose (front) and tail (back), waves can be surfed as desired. This is particularly about the interaction between the kite, the board and the waves. The power of the kite is used effectively to position yourself correctly on the waves and then be able to ride the waves . The classic paddling when surfing is therefore no longer necessary, but the fun factor is definitely retained.

Floating above the water

Foiling refers to the use of a hydrofoil to lift the board above the water surface. A hydrofoil is a wing structure attached underneath the board that rises when enough speed is reached. The board then glides above the water, allowing a smooth ride thanks to low water resistance. Foiling opens up new possibilities as well as gliding over flat water.

Compact and intense

Wing foiling is a relatively new water sport where a surfer stands on a hydrofoil , defined above under the "foiling" tab. Additionally, the wing foiler uses a handheld wing to glide over the water. The wing is inflated by the wind, creating lift as the surfer steers the board and gains speed. Wing foiling requires skill, balance, and good control of the wing to glide and maneuver effectively.

The classic among water sports

Windsurfing has been around much longer than kitesurfing and can be considered the classic water sport. It is a sport in which a surfboard is connected to a sail, known as a rig . The surfer stands on the board and uses the wind to move across the water. By steering the sail, the surfer can control direction and speed. Windsurfing, like kitesurfing, requires good balance and coordination as well as an understanding of the wind and water. Unlike kitesurfing, windsurfing involves a board connected to an upright mast to which a sail is attached. Steering is achieved by shifting body weight and turning the sail. Kitesurfing is controlled by pulling on the kite's control lines.

Popular and exciting alternative

In wakeboarding, the surfer is pulled by a boat or a cable winch and stands on a wakeboard , which looks similar to a snowboard or a short surfboard . In contrast to kitesurfing or windsurfing, it is therefore less dependent on the prevailing wind conditions . In addition, wakeboarding often takes place in specially created wakeboard parks or on lakes with calm water that are designed for boats and cable winches. Just like with the previously mentioned water sports, wakeboarders can perform various tricks, jumps and maneuvers by using the pulling power of the boat or cable winch and gaining control of their movements through skillful movements of the body and the board.

Typical surfing

Surfing is a water sport in which a surfer stands on a surfboard and rides waves created by the movement of the ocean or sea waters. The surfer paddles with their arms to propel themselves into the waves and then uses the power of the waves to stand on the board and maneuver. Surfing requires good balance, timing and a knowledge of wave formations. However, unlike kite, wind or wing surfing, the only tool the surfer has is their board. A kite or sail is not needed for this sport.