Kitesurf and termilnology
PARTS AND CONCEPTS
Here we explain some of the most common terms in kitesurfing that are good to know, also to make it easier for you to take your education and keep up with what others are talking about on the beach.
THE TERMINOLOGY OF THE KITE
Attack Angle:
The kite angle to the wind. Controlled with pigtails and depower.
Bladder:
A thin rubber bladder found inside the LE (leading edge) and the strut.
Bridles:
Smaller lines that help keep the shape of a foil or SLE kite.
Foil:
Kite filled with air in cells as a parachute
LEI / tube kite:
Leading Edge Inflatable or tub kite as we call it in Sweden. Kite that is pumped up with air and thus has a fixed profile.
One pump / single pump:
Modern lei / tub kites that have all bladders / LE / strut connected in one system. The pumping takes place in a main valve and the whole kite, LE and strut, is filled with air at the same time.
Pigtail:
Small extension line with attachment points for front and guide lines.
Leading Edge:
Also "LE". The front of the kite.
Trailing Edge:
Also "TE". The back of the kite.
Struts:
Stabilizes and maintains the shape between LE and TE on a LEI kite.
Wing profile:
The shape of the kite in cross section, seen from the side.
Aspect ratio:
The total dimensions of the kite between LE and TE are low, medium and high aspect kites.
Beginner kites or wakestyle kites tend to be low aspect and advanced, performance, race kites tend to be high aspect.
THE TERMINOLOGY OF THE BOOM
Boom / bar:
The one you hold in to control the kite.
Bar-end:
The ends of the boom. To protect your hands & wrap the lines.
Bar pressure:
The force the kite transmits to the boom. The higher boom pressure, the heavier the kite is to control.
Center hole:
The hole in the middle of the power system boom.
Chicken Loop:
Loop attached to the harness. Most of the power from the kite goes to the harness via the chicken loop.
Leash:
Safety strap that is attached to the harness and the flag line, so that you do not drop the kite completely if you send the QR (quick release).
Trim / depower:
Function to increase / decrease the power of the kite. Controlled from the boom by regulating the angle of the kite against the wind.
Steering lines / backlines:
The lines that guide the kite. Is attached in the both ends of the boom and closest to the trailing edge of the kite.
Center lines / Frontlines:
The center lines that take most of the power and are attached to the bridles on the leading edge of the kite.
Quick release:
Emergency release where you disconnect the kite from your harness. An important part of the security system.
THE TERMINOLOGY OF THE BOARD
Twintip:
Fully symmetrical board, the most common kite surfboard.
Directional:
Similar wave surfboard, can only be run in one direction.
Pads:
Soft base plate where you place your feet on the board.
Straps:
Adjustable strap that holds the feet in place over the pads.
Outline:
The shape of the board / outer line, seen from the top or bottom.
Rocker:
The banana shape of the board seen in profile.
Tip / tail:
Tail and nose on the board.
Waist:
The widest part of the board, between pads and foot straps.
Hydrofoil:
Board with a wing attached to a center table that allows you to surf hovered over the water surface and able to surf in extremely little wind.
KITESURF LINGO
Launch / landing:
Start and land a rigged kite.
Launch assistant:
The person who helps the kitesurfer keep the kite in the right position for starting.
Cheat in:
Pull the boom against it to get a little more power and better control response.
Upwind / take height:
The goal of becoming an independent kitesurfer. To be able to maintain their position on the water in relation to the wind, and start to go up against the wind.
Walk of shame:
When one does not have the technology to be able to surf upwind. Result in the kite pulling more downwind and you have to go back up to the point you started.