1. Kitesurfing for dummies
V2.0
oliver.dewolf@howest.be

2. 2800 years ago in China there once
was …

3. SILK & BAMBOO
549 AD
first recording with paper
different uses
music & mythical figures

4. Time and technology let men become
creative with kites…

6. And somewhere in 1977 a new sport
was born…

7. B
KITES + SURFING = KITESURF
1985
floatable parts
1994
Controlbars
surfboard
Maximum use winddirection

8. So what is it...?

10. how is that possible...?

11. 2 LAWS
NEWTONS BERNOULLI
For every action there is an As the speed of a fluid increases, the
equal and opposite reaction. pressure in the fluid decreases.
Kites excert a downward force upon the air. Air As air passes below the wing it also passes above the
passes over the top edge of the kite and goes wing. The air on top of the wing moves a longer distance
down the upper surface of the kite. As the kite over the curved surface of the wing and moves at a faster
pushes downward on the relatively heavy air it speed. This reduces the pressure above the wing. The air
gets an equal push upwards. This causes the below the wing moves slower than the air above the
kite to have an upward counterforce and to fly. wing. This causes the air pressure to be increased. This
difference in pressure above and below the wing causes a
kite to fly or lift.

12. 3 MAIN FORCES
LIFT
Like an airplane, a kite is heavier than air and relies on the motion of the wind past the kite to generate the
aerodynamic lift necessary to overcome the weight of the kite.
DRAG
The movement of the air is generating an aerodynamic drag
which is overcome by constraining the kite with a control line.
GRAVITY
The aerodynamic lift is overcoming the weight of the kite and the person hanging.
(both a downward force)

14. those jumps…?

15. UPDRAFTS AND TERMALS
A kite also gets higher by updrafts and thermals. Updrafts are formed when the wind rises over the kite's
surface. Thermals are rising bubbles of hot air.

16. But, you need the right conditions …

18. ONSHORE WINDS

19. And the right training for control…

20. WINDOW
launch
safety
Water start
Position of the kite

22. STEERING LEFT/RIGHT
Pull left, to move the kite to the left side of the
window. The opposite happens when pulling right

23. Change angle of attack
Results in less or more power
ANGLE OF ATTACK
Movement of bar (back and forth)
results in change angle of attack

24. KITE SAFETY SYSTEM
Total depowered Power needed to release chickenloop Full power kite
Safety loop last option for total release < 4 kg at 200kg

25. and high end materials…!

26. CANOPE (NORTH 2008)
Technoforce T9 polyester ripstop
UV-protected coating
Aramid reinforced
UV-obstructing polyester polyurethane bladders
Leading edge in Dacron

27. TRUSTBAR (NORTH 2008)
Metal center
Dyneema Technoforce T9 polyester rope
Protective rubber coating
Composite interior
Eva Grip

28. HARNAS
Water, salt and impact resistant

29. BOARD (NORTH X-RIDE)
ABS protected sidewalls
3D wood carbon sandwich
CNC milled 3D deck and bottom (flex)
Adjustable footstraps

30. SAFETY LEASH (NORTH)
Stainless steel buckle
Neoprene Covered Buckle
Dyneema Rope Inside
250kg holding karabine

31. PUMP (NORTH)
piston pump
capacity of 2 x 2.000 cm³

32. WETSUIT
neoprene

33. cost 1st Kite
Bar
1100,-
300,-
Harnas 100,-
Pump 30,-
Safety leash 20,-
Board 600,
Subtotal 2150,-
Surfsuit 200,-
2nd kite 1100,-
Total 3450,-