Kitesurfing/kitesurfing in light wind is tricky; Flying the kite requires extra concentration and finesse. This is due to the fact that the kite often teeters on the brink of stalling and the smallest error will usually cause the kite to fall out of the sky. Understanding how the kite behaves differently in light wind is a step in the right direction. The biggest factor is the apparent window, one must understand what apparent wind is and how to make it work.
The apparent wind is the vector sum of the actual wind speed and the speed at which the cyclist is traveling. Consider the example where we have 10 knots of N wind, and you drive E at 10 knots. The kite feels about 14 knots at this point. So by riding, the rider creates additional wind for the kite to use. However let’s take the same example but we are going to sail downwind. If the wind is 10, and you are sailing the same direction at 10, the kite feels 0. Remember When kids launch single-line kites, someone holds the kite and then lets go of it as we run to the window. As children we already had a concept of apparent wind.
Starting now with the kite launch, we will remember that the more upwind the kite bar is, the more power the launch will have. By choosing the correct launch angle, it is easier to get the kite up in the air. Many kites, especially some of the newer flat kites, don’t like to be launched with a lot of tension on the back line, this is also true for re-launching the water and getting the kite back to neutral from the low sides. It’s counterintuitive that pushing the bar a bit often helps in these cases. When bringing the kite from the bottom of the rim to the neutral point, focus on the center strut, as the kite goes up, try to keep the center strut almost parallel to the horizon, too much angle will cause the kite to stall. This idea can also be used to stabilize a kite that is about to stall, lowering the strut until it is parallel to the horizon.
Once the kite is in the air, avoid walking out the window if possible when moving out of the water. If this cannot be avoided, keep the kite moving between 11 and 1 o’clock and go slowly. Keeping the high kite in the window gives us more time to react to senuals and stagnations. Also avoid parking the kite in neutral, try 1 or 11 instead. When the kite stops, push the bar and turn the kite making the center strut parallel to the horizon. Mastering keeping the kite high enough to reach the water and the board down is 65% of light wind kitesurfing.
Once we get into the water, hit the board quickly and without hesitation dive the kite, we start kitesurfing/kitesurfing as fast as possible. Remember that once you have the board on your feet, you start drifting with the kite, which reduces the apparent wind. I usually turn the kite once or twice to start moving and then keep flying the kite up and down on the side of the wind window. I also loop the kite down when I do a slide transition, which in the light window is more of a pivot. Light wind is the best for learning how to turn the kite while riding. Sea Cafeful Looping when the wind is higher until you have practiced at Lighter Stuff. And remember that going down in loop is usually safer than climbing, since climbing will generate elevation.
The idea now is to work the edge of the table with the kite to generate as much speed as possible. The more speed we can get, the more apparent wind the kite gets, and the more power we get. At this point too much edge will slow us down killing the apparent wind, conversely too little edge and we will find ourselves following the kite which also kills the power. The more common of the two errors is excess borders. The secret is that the edge pressure must vary as the kite moves up and down the wind window. As the kite powers up during the power stroke the edge pressure gradually increases, as the kite begins to lose power or spin the pressure decreases. This will require some practice and patience.
Being good at the Kitesurf in a light window is an excellent way to spend more days in the water. Some of us don’t live where it blows 20 every day, so it would be great to be able to turn a light windy day into a fun day on the water. Keeping the kite in the air while moving towards the water and the table is placed is difficult. Try to practice the kite with light wind without the table if you have problems with this step. Once on the water, get up and ride as fast as possible, making the apparent wind work for you. Keep your speed up and don’t get too close. By getting the techniques right, you can stay upwind and jump while your friends watch from the shore waiting for more wind.
For those interested in learning to kitesurf, be sure to take kitesurfing lessons from a certified instructor.
