Like many board sports, kiteboarding is very individualized. Each rider has their particular style and tends to prefer a design of kite and board based on the way they ride.
This article will get in to the specific features of a wave riding kite.
I’ll start by saying that most people get into kiteboarding and start by flying “all-around” kite.
If you want to transition in to * KITE SURFING * you may want to get a wave specific kite.
The all around kites tend to pull the rider too much when steering which can pull them out of the wave. The idea with wave riding is to drop into a wave and ride it with out the use of the kite. The kite is used as a means of propulsion to get into the wave. Then the kite is no longer needed.
If you wanted to ride in the surf using your all around kite you will have to ride with a smaller kite size and deal with being underpowered for your session. This means that you will have to “work” the kite by steering it aggressively to generate power but once you get into a wave the power setting will be good.
Another thing you may notice if you use your all-around kite in the waves is that it will backstall and fall out of the sky a lot when you are riding the waves and the lines slack. You can correct this with a well timed down loop, or power loop depending on the situation.
Clearly, the easiest solution would be to purchase a wave specific kite.
When you are wave riding you are using your kite similar to how surfers tow in using jet ski. Once on the wave, you no longer need the jet ski. Same with the kite. Also, kitesurfing kites or wave kites are designed for riding in the surf. These kites typically are fast, direct and drift well down the line. Wave kites are specially designed to drift downwind and stay aloft even when the lines are slackened, perfect when surfing a wave.
Kite surfing is a great avenue for the kite boarder that is also a surfer because you can go out on the days when the waves are too messy for regular prone surfers, and another bonus is you don’t have to paddle into a wave.
While riding the objective is to connect sections of the wave and flow with the motion of the ocean. As a rider you have to be able to respond quickly making sharp and fast turns to redirect your direction. All of your turns are initiated by the kite. Therefore, you need to have a fast turning and responsive kite. As I mentioned before once you have dropped into the steep section of the wave and are in the pocket you want to be able to deactivate the power of the kite and surf the wave… but still have it flying with you until you need it next. This is called “drift” . Which explains the name for my favorite brand of kite the Cabrinha Drifter. Essentially the park the kite, surf the wave, and when you are ready to have the power of the kite back you pull on the bar and bring the power back to you. Finally, you want a kite that can quickly and easily relaunch. If you are out on a big day and your kite falls between set waves, you want to be able to relaunch it before it gets destroyed in the monstrous surf.
There are many different brands on the market. I would suggest to check with your local kite shop and demo a few different brands before closing which one you like best.
Also, you can take it from me. The Drifter is a solid wave kite!