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Radio Helmet  
A simple and modern education.   
The new security systems and the fast evolution of the gear allowed you to enjoy quickly.

Kitesurf pour tous Vos vacances autrement Un sport enfin accessible à toute la famille Des sites exceptionnels Du vent toute l’année Les Activités du Kite Club VACANCES A LA CARTE CENTRE DE FORMATION SPORTIF  CONTACTS | A SAVOIR | CENTRES | KITESURF | HOME KITESURF EXPLICATIONS Glisser sur un mini surf Tracter par un cerf volant Un sport nautique de traction appelé Fly surf ou kite Apprendre le kite surf simplement en 4 étapes Casque radio Un enseignement simple et moderne Le système de sécurité ainsi que l'évolution du matériel permet désormais de s'amuser rapidement. La sécurité Le pilotage Planche au pied Les premiers mètres Les cour théoriques sont gratuit 5 mouvement à retenir Gauche Droite Haut Bas Rouge Autre couleur Freiner Accélére Apprendre en toute sécurité Les instructeurs du Kite Club viennent des quatre coins du monde. Passionnés et professionnels, ils ont été formés dans les différentes fédérations internationales ou nationales. Professionnels du sport et du tourisme, ils savent partager leur passion. Les instructeurs du Kite Club viennent des quatre coins du monde. Passionnés et professionnels, ils ont été formés dans les différentes fédérations internationales ou nationales. Professionnels du sports et du tourisme, ils savent partager leur passion. Les leçons théoriques sont gratuites, seul les cours pratiques sont facturés. Le Kitesurf est un sport nautique, il est plus simple et sécurisant d'apprendre à piloter un kite dans l'eau. Que ce soit par curiosité ou par réelle envie d'apprendre, chaque motivation est unique ainsi que chaque enseignement. Tout les cours, de groupe ou privé sont encadrés par un instructeur certifié et d'un assistant. Sport et Détente Kitesurf, Surf, Body board, windsurf, Plongée, Parasailing, Yoga, Beach volley. TARIFS  Au Kite Club suite au test gratuit, et  votre "premier" contact avec un cerf-volant, un programme de cours privés ou en groupe vous est proposé. Le but de nos instructeurs est de vous former au mieux, rapidement, en toute sécurité sans jamais oublier que nous sommes là pour nous amuser avant tout. Les tarifs  du Kite Club Muine de Mai à Juillet sont à -50%. Une semaine hébergement demi-pension + cours de Kitesurf illimités à partir de 500 €* VACANCES A LA CARTE Une semaine de croisière dans les Caraïbes sur un voilier 4 à 6 personnes pension complète + cours de Kitesurf illimités à partir de 1600 €* CENTRE DE FORMATION SPORTIF  Le métier d'instructeur vous intéresse ? Contactez-nous.  Quelques conseils utiles Lien pour demande de visa en ligne: http://france.visa-for-vietnam.com/france/index.html TRANSFERT  AEROPORT SAIGON Contactez-nous si vous souhaitez un transfert en voiture privée dès l'aéroport. Depuis le district 1 à Saigon plusieurs compagnies de bus vous transportent partout dans le Vietnam. Les prévisions météo sur Muiné Beach Vietnam Nous contacter  Direction VIETNAM Muine CONG TY TNHH LUOT SONG 397 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Phan Thiet - Ham Tien Binh Thuan Vietnam kiteclubsurf@gmail.com  Téléphone: +84 01212244899 Calendrier Vietnam Muine Beach : Du 1er octobre au 31 juillet  Caraïbes: Du 15 juin au 31 aout Plan de Muine Beach Vietnam kiteboarding, vietnam, caribbean's, learn how to kite surf, kitesurfing lessons, kitesurfing, kiteboarding,Le kitesurf est un sport nautique de traction, parfois appelé fly-surf ou seulement kite. Il consiste à glisser sur une planche de surf de taille réduite ou une planche twintip (avant et arrière identique) en étant tracté par un cerf-volant (kite en anglais) appelé aile.Want to learn how to kiteboard, snowkite or powerkite? Looking for a place to go riding? Kitesurfing or kiteboarding is a surface water sport that uses the wind to pull a rider through the water on a small surfboard or a kiteboard (similar to a wakeboard). Generally kiteboarding refers to a style of riding known as freestyle or wake-style, whereas kitesurfing is more "wave-riding" oriented. These two styles usually require different boards and specific performance kites. La pratique du kitesurf exige des sites très adaptés, notamment en termes de place, permettant au pratiquant de dérouler ses lignes au sol sans risque pour lui et pour les autres. Mais de nombreux accidents, parfois mortels, et la difficulté de cohabitation avec les autres sports historiquement dominants (comme le surf, la planche à voile, etc.) ont conduit à son interdiction pure et simple sur certaines plages. Speed records. Équipement L'aile Matériels de kite surf (aile à boudin) La voile est dirigée par une barre, elle-même rattachée grâce à un harnais au kitesurfeur. Ce dernier oriente la barre à laquelle sont en général fixées quatre ou cinq lignes d'environ 24 mètres de long, de façon à assurer la traction et la direction de l'ensemble.Grâce à la voile, les pratiquants de ce sport peuvent faire des sauts allant parfois jusqu'à 20 mètres au-dessus de l'eau. La surface de voile se situe généralement entre 5 m² et 18 m², même si des voiles de 50 m² ont aussi été expérimentées. Deux grands types d'ailes sont utilisées :aile à caissons : ces profils souples sont inspirés du parapente. Les caissons de l'aile se gonflent naturellement, sous l'action du vent. Les ailes à caissons sont davantage utilisées pour la traction terrestre. Les dernières évolutions, équipées de clapets, autorisent le redécollage sur l'eau. Elles sont alors appelées ailes à caissons marines. À traction équivalente, elles peuvent être plus petites. Ce type d'aile est généralement plus rapide à gréer parce qu'il ne nécessite pas de gonflage. Il existe aussi les ailes twin skin, qui se gonflent grâce à une fermeture qui laisse entrer l'air. Ces ailes autorisent le redécollage sur l'eau de manière très simple.aile à boudin : brevet international déposé par les frères Legaignoux en 1984. Le principe consiste en une structure gonflable à l'aide d'une pompe, qui modèle le profil de l'aile et lui permet de redécoller de l'eau. Il en existe aujourd'hui trois types :en forme d'arche (ou C-shape), généralement en 5 lignes. (ex : North Vegas, Slingshot Fuel). C'est le type encore le plus courant aujourd'hui (avec néanmoins de récentes innovations chez Naish avec la Sigma-shape, et chez F-one avec le Delta-shape).les ailes plates ou hybrides : nommées ainsi en raison de leur allure. Elles permettent notamment une plus grande sécurité, grâce à une possibilité très importante de réduction de la puissance. Pour ce faire, les ailes plates disposent généralement d'un grand border-choquer. Il suffit de pousser la barre pour réduire instantanément la traction. (ex : Best waroo - Genetrix Hydra - Cabrinha Crossbow - Airush Halo])les hybrides : qui sont un intermédiaire entre aile plate et aile en arche. (ex : North Rebel). Une aile hybride a une forme classique en C, mais utilise un bridage se rapprochant d'une aile plate, pour un depower important.La barre C'est la partie par laquelle on contrôle les mouvements de l'aile. Elle est plus ou moins grande en fonction de la taille de l'aile. On y attache 2 ou 4 lignes pour contrôler l'aile et gérer la puissance. Pour les nouvelles ailes, on trouve souvent une 5e ligne utilisée pour améliorer la sécurité et le contrôle de l'aile.L'incidence de l'aile Deux de ces lignes, les avants, permettent de réguler la puissance en jouant sur l'angle d'incidence de l'aile. Ces avants sont accrochés au harnais. Un système de sécurité permet, en cas d'urgence, de se désolidariser de l'aile.Le réglage de la longueur des avants est fixe, alors que celui des arrières a justement vocation à être sans cesse modulé en cours de navigation en tirant ou poussant la barre. Ce principe consistant à pouvoir augmenter ou diminuer la puissance de traction de l'aile s'appelle le border/choquer.Il faut bien comprendre que l'incidence de l'aile est fonction de la longueur des lignes avants par rapport aux arrières. Il serait en effet évidemment inutile de raccourcir les avants si on fait de même avec les arrières dans le même temps.Lorsqu'on raccourcit les avants ou allonge les arrières, on dit alors que l'aile devient piqueuse. Dans le cas contraire, on dit que l'aile devient cabreuse.La planche : Planche Twin-tip Celle-ci peut être directionnelle ou bidirectionnelle. Généralement, les planches directionnelles sont utilisées pour les vagues ou la vitesse, alors que lestwin-tips sont destinées au freestyle.À l'origine du sport, les premiers utilisateurs étaient souvent issus du monde du windsurf. Naturellement, les premières planches utilisées pour le kitesurf furent donc des planches de windsurf. Mais rapidement la taille des planches s'est raccourcie jusqu'à atteindre une longueur de 1m40 en moyenne. Leur forme a ensuite évolué pour se rapprocher davantage de celle des planches de wakeboard, dites bidirectionnelles.Les planches directionnelles, historiquement liées au surf, sont assez épaisses et nécessitent une rotation de la planche à chaque virage. Les bidirectionnelles, aussi appelées twin-tips ou tt, sont quant à elles plutôt issues du monde du wakeboard, elles sont souvent parfaitement symétriques et beaucoup plus fines. Il existe enfin une troisième catégorie de planche plus rare appelée mutant. C'est une solution intermédiaire entre ces deux styles de planche.Les pieds du kitesurfeur sont reliés à la planche par ce que l'on appelle des foot-straps et reposent sur une couche de mousse appelée pad. Les twin-tips ont généralement 4 ailerons (1 aileron à chaque coin de la planche) d'une taille allant de 3 à 7 cm. Les planches directionnelles, comme les planches de surf, ont soit un seul soit trois ailerons, situés à l'arrière de la planche, d'une longueur pouvant atteindre 20 cm.Les twin-tips sont aussi souvent munies d'une poignée au centre de la planche. Celle-ci était à l'origine destinée au transport de la planche, puis la poignée est vite devenue un accessoire utile au freestyle, notamment pour les sauts pendant lesquels le kitesurfeur retire la planche de ses pieds. C'est la raison pour laquelle la poignée a été interdite dans plusieurs compétitions, car elle simplifie certaines figures de freestyle que d'autres effectuent sans son aide.Le leash de planche relie la planche au rider pour ne pas la perdre mais il peut être dangereux lors d'une chute car s'il se tend il peut alors ramener la planche a grande vitesse vers le kitesurfeur.Le harnais Les différents grabs : en couleur moutarde la main arrière, en couleur verte la main avant.Contrairement à la planche à voile, le harnais est un élément indispensable en kitesurf. En effet, si le kitesurfer lâche la barre sans être rattaché à l'aile par un moyen quelconque, l'aile va s'envoler parfois très loin et, sans parler de la perte du matériel, risquer ainsi de blesser des personnes qui la recevraient.Il existe deux types de harnais en kitesurf :Ceinture, ou Dorsal : comme son nom l'indique, ce harnais ne passe qu'autour du bassin et non sous les fesses, contrairement au harnais culotte.Culotte : à la manière d'un baudrier d'escalade, celui-ci passe sous les fesses et évite ainsi souvent les maux de dos au rider. On le recommande généralement aux débutants pour cette raison.Sécurité Il est fortement recommandé à toute personne qui désire débuter le kitesurf de le faire par l'intermédiaire d'une école. Des règles de sécurité essentielles, comme l'anticipation, sont à respecter pour éviter des accidents graves, voire mortels. En effet, une utilisation inadéquate du matériel de kitesurf peut rendre ce sport extrêmement dangereux, autant pour l'utilisateur que pour son environnement. Au cours de son stage d'initiation qui dure en moyenne une semaine, le débutant apprendra les règles de sécurité de base, comment décoller son aile, comment faire ses premiers bords, comment faire redécoller son aile si celle-ci vient à tomber dans l'eau, et tout ce qui sera nécessaire à une pratique du kitesurf en toute sécurité.À la suite de plusieurs accidents mortels, la France a décidé sur l'initiative de la DGCCRF (répression des fraudes) en 2003 de créer une norme pour le matériel. Une commission a été constituée par l'Afnor en juillet 2003, regroupant les fédérations sportives concernées (la Fédération française de vol libre, la Fédération française de parachutisme, l'École nationale de skiet d'alpinisme), des responsables de la DGCCRF et du ministère de la Jeunesse et des sports, la Fédération des industries nautiques et des fabricants de matériels et d’accessoires de sécurité.Parmi les solutions retenues, citons :la planche doit être reliée au surfer par un lien (leash), ce qui lui permet de ne pas la perdre même s'il ne la tient plus avec ses mains ;[réf. nécessaire]la possibilité d'annuler d'urgence la traction (en cas de rafale de vent ou d'approche d'une zone dangereuse), tout en restant relié à l'aile (pour éviter que l'aile ne cause un dommage en s'envolant) ;la possibilité de détacher l'aile en dernière extrémité.modifications du cadre de pratique des planches aérotractées (kitesurf)Les types de sécurité 5e ligne : en plus des quatre lignes de contrôle de l'aile, une cinquième ligne (corde) est reliée au bord d'attaque de l'aile. Ainsi, si le kitesurfer se sent en danger, il lui suffit de larguer son système de sécurité. L'aile n'est alors plus tenue que par le bord d'attaque via la cinquième ligne : elle se met alors en "drapeau" et exerce ainsi beaucoup moins de traction (voire plus du tout) et tombe rapidement vers l'eau ou le sol.Les différentes disciplines Le freeride Le freeride qualifie la pratique courante du kitesurf. Pas de but précis si ce n'est la recherche de sensations, d'émotions et de plaisir. Cette pratique est comparable à celle d'un skieur lambda dans une station de ski. Les formes les plus radicales de cette pratique sont la randonnée en kitesurf5 et le kite-bivouac6.La longue distance La longue distance est une régate. Plusieurs dizaines de participants s'élancent dans un parcours dépendant des conditions météo: la plupart du temps un triangle olympique, mais parfois un parcours dos au vent en W ou encore un simple aller-retour.
 Kitesurfing or kiteboarding is a surface water sport that uses the wind to pull a rider through the water on a small surfboard or a kiteboard (similar to a wakeboard). Generally kiteboarding refers to a style of riding known as freestyle or wake-style, whereas kitesurfing is more "wave-riding" oriented. These two styles usually require different boards and specific performance kites.A kitesurfer or kiteboarder uses a board with or without foot-straps or bindings, combined with the power of a large controllable kite to propel the rider and the board across the water. In 2006, the number of kitesurfers has been estimated at around 150,000 to 210,000, with 114,465 inflatable kites sold that same year.[1]The sport is becoming safer due to innovations in kite design, safety release systems, and instructions. Riding styles have evolved to suit riders and conditions, such as wakestyle, waveriding, freestyle, freeride, jumping, and cruising.  A kitesurfer off Long Beach, CaliforniaContents [hide]1 History1.1 Speed records1.2 Distance records and notable journeys2 Techniques2.1 Kitesurfing basics2.2 Turning2.3 Controlled flying and jumping2.4 Board grabs3 Assessing the wind3.1 Wind strength and kite sizes3.2 Wind direction4 Locations4.1 Restrictions5 Equipment5.1 Power kites5.1.1 Leading edge inflatables5.1.2 Foil kites5.1.2.1 Open Cell5.1.2.2 Closed Cell5.1.3 Kite sizes5.2 Other equipment6 Dangers and safety6.1 Kitesurfing safety rules7 Terminology and jargon8 Photos9 See also10 References11 External links HistoryIn the 1800s George Pocock, used kites of increased size to propel carts on land and ships on the water, using a four-line control system - the same system in common use today. Both carts and boats were able to turn and sail upwind. The kites could be flown for sustained periods.[2] The intention was to establish kitepower as an alternative to horsepower, partly to avoid the hated "horse tax" that was levied at that time.[3] In 1903, aviation pioneer Samuel Cody developed "man-lifting kites" and succeeded in crossing the English channel in a small collapsible canvas boat powered by a kite[4]In the late 1970s the development of Kevlar then Spectra flying lines and more controllable kites with improved efficiency contributed to practical kite traction. In 1978, Ian Day's "FlexiFoil" kite-powered Tornado catamaran exceeded 40 km/h.Through the 1980s there were occasionally successful attempts to combine kites with canoes, ice skates, snow skis,[5] water skis and roller skates.Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s Dieter Strasilla from Germany developed parachute-skiing and later perfected a kiteskiing system using self made paragliders and a ball-socket swivel allowing the pilot to kitesail upwind and uphill but also to take off into the air at will[6]. Strasilla and his friend Andrea Kuhn/Switzerland used this invention also in combination with surfboards and Skurfs, grasskies and selfmade buggies. One of his patents describes in 1979 the first use of an inflatable kite design for kitesurfing[7].Two brothers, Bruno Legaignoux and Dominique Legaignoux, from the Atlantic coast of France, developed kites for kitesurfing in the late 1970s and early 1980s and patented an inflatable kite design in November 1984, a design that has been used by companies to develop their own products.In 1990, practical kite buggying was pioneered by Peter Lynn at Argyle Park in Ashburton, New Zealand. Lynn coupled a three-wheeled buggy with a forerunner of the modern parafoil kite. Kite buggying proved to be very popular worldwide, with over 14,000 buggies sold up to 1999.The development of modern day kitesurfing by the Roeselers in the USA and the Legaignoux in France carried on in parallel to buggying. Bill Roeseler, a Boeing aerodynamicist, and his son Corey Roeseler patented the "KiteSki" system which consisted of water skis powered by a two line delta style kite controlled via a bar mounted combined winch/brake. The KiteSki was commercially available in 1994. The kite had a rudimentary water launch capability and could go upwind. In 1995, Corey Roeseler visited Peter Lynn at New Zealand's Lake Clearwater in the Ashburton Alpine Lakes area, demonstrating speed, balance and upwind angle on his 'ski'. In the late 1990s, Corey's ski evolved to a single board similar to a surfboard.[3]In 1996 Laird Hamilton and Manu Bertin were instrumental in demonstrating and popularising kitesurfing off the Hawaiian coast of Maui.In 1997 the Legaignoux brothers developed and sold the breakthrough "Wipika" kite design which had a structure of preformed inflatable tubes and a simple bridle system to the wingtips, both of which greatly assisted water re-launch. Bruno Legaignoux has continued to improve kite designs, including developing the bow kite design, which has been licensed to many kite manufacturers.  Kitesurfing in FuerteventuraIn 1997, specialist kiteboards were developed by Raphaël Salles and Laurent Ness. By 1998 kitesurfing had become a mainstream sport, and several schools were teaching kitesurfing. The first competition was held on Maui in September 1998 and won by Flash Austin.[3]By 1999 single direction boards derived from windsurfing and surfing designs became the dominant form of kiteboard. From 2001 onwards, wakeboard style bi-directional boards became more popular.Speed recordsFrench kitesurfer Sebastien Cattelan became the first sailor to break the 50 knots barrier by reaching 50.26 knots on 3 October 2008 at the Lüderitz Speed Challenge in Namibia. On 4 October, Alex Caizergues (also of France) broke this record with a 50.57 knots run. These speeds are verified, but are still subject to ratification by the World Sailing Speed Record Council. [8] Earlier in the event, on 19 September, American Robert Douglas reached 49.84 knots (92.30 km/h) [9], becoming the first kitesurfer to establish an outright world record in speed sailing. Previously the record was held only by sailboats or windsurfers. Douglas also became the world's third over-50 knots sailor, when on 8 September he made a 50.54 knots (93.60 km/h) run[10].The outright sailing speed record has since been claimed by the French trimaran Hydroptère which, on 4 September 2009, reached a speed of 51.36 knots over 500 meters. [11]The 14th of November 2009, Alex Caizergues completed another run of 50,98 knots in Namibia.Distance records and notable journeysIt is possible to travel great distances on a kiteboard on a journey referred to a "downwinder".Kirsty Jones set a distance record for a kiteboard when she travelled 225km (140 miles), crossing solo from Lanzarote in the Canary Islands to Tarfaya, Morocco, in about nine hours on 13 May 2006.[12][13]A record combination of distance and speed of 207 km in 5h 30 was set by Raphaël Salles, Marc Blanc and Sylvain Maurain on July 24, 2007 between Saint Tropez and Calvi, beatingManu Bertin's previous record of 6h 30 for the same journey. Their average speed was almost 38 km/h.[14]Eric Gramond set the distance record when he went 419.9km (226 Nmilles), crossing from Fortaleza to Parnaiba in Brazil during 24 hours on October 12, 2008.[15].Natalie Clarke crossed Bass Strait from Stanley, Tasmania to Venus Bay, Victoria in Australia, a distance of 240km, in 9 hours 30 minutes on March 22, 2010.[16][17]TechniquesKitesurfing basicsKiteboarding can pose hazards to kitesurfers, beachgoers, bystanders and others on the water. Many problems and dangers that may be encountered while learning kiting can be avoided or minimized by taking professional instruction through lesson centres.Kitesurfing schools provide courses and lessons to teach skills including kite launching, flying, landing, usage of the bar, lines and safety devices.  A kiteboarder at Lake Vernon, Ontario  Kitesurfers at Slufter beach on theMaasvlakte in RotterdamTurningA beginner can turn by stopping, sinking backwards into the water, then turning the kite in the opposite direction and starting again. A heel turn jibe is a quicker, more skillful turn that is executed by slowing down, flattening the board, then reversing the board flat on the water by bringing the rear foot around downwind to eventually become the new leading foot. The direction of the kite is then reversed, which swings the surfer's path in a half circle, centered on the kite. As the turn ends, the kite is flown over to be in front of the surfer again.[18]A poorly executed turn will "fly" the surfer, and is often followed by a tumble if the surfer can't put the board down at the right angle.A careless turn in high winds can easily swing the rider into the air and result in an uncontrolled impact.Controlled flying and jumping  JumpingControlled flying is possible and one of the biggest attractions of the sport. Before jumping, the surfer builds up tension in the lines by strongly edging the board. Then the kite is flown quickly to an overhead position, sometimes just as the surfer goes over a wave. As the kite begins to lift, the board edge is then 'released' and the rider becomes airborne. The kite is then piloted from overhead to the direction of travel. A large variety of maneuvers and tricks can be performed while jumping.Jumping can be very risky, riders must keep a clear buffer zone downwind when attempting to jump. Litigation has come about due to riders not exercising due care when jumping.[citation needed]Board grabs  Board grabs namesBoard grabs are tricks performed while a rider is jumping or has gained air from popping by grabbing the board in a number of positions with either hand. Each grab has a different name dependent on which part of the board is grabbed and with which hand it is grabbed by. Rear hand grabs are known as Crail, Indy, Trindy, Tail, Tailfish, and Stalefish; while front hand grabs are known as Slob, Mute, Seatbelt, Melon, Lien, and Nose. Names generally originate from other board sports like skateboarding and snowboarding.A number of grabs can also be combined into one trick. A rider may perform a tail grab going to indy by moving the rear hand from the back of the board to the middle of the toe side edge.Assessing the windWind strength and kite sizesKitesurfers change kite size and/or line length depending on wind strength -- stronger winds call for a smaller kite to prevent overpower situations.Kites come in different aspect ratios (AR). The AR refers to how much of the kite is exposed to the wind and what angle the wind takes as it passes through the kite. Newer kites also provide a "depower" option to reduce the power in the kite. By using depower, the kite's angle of attack to the wind is reduced, thereby catching less wind in the kite and reducing the power or pull.Wind speed, rider experience and weight, board size, kite design and riding style are all interdependent and affect the choice of kite.An experienced rider generally carries a 'quiver' of different sized kites appropriate for the wind speed range. A typical kite quiver might include 9 m², 13 m² and 18 m² traditional "C-kites". Exact kite sizes will vary depending on rider weight and desired wind ranges.Bow kites have a wider wind range than C-kites, so two kite sizes (such as 7 m² and 12 m²) could form an effective quiver for winds ranging from 10 to 30+ knots for a 75 kg (165 lbs) rider[citation needed].Wind directionCross-shore and cross-onshore winds are the best for kiteboarding. Offshore winds carry the danger of being carried away from the shore in the event of equipment failure or loss of control. Offshore winds are suitable in a lake or when a safety boat is available, however they are generally more gusty. Direct onshore winds carry the risk of being thrown onto land, and are thus less favorable.LocationsMain article: Kitesurfing locations  Kitesurfing in Noordwijk in the Netherlands  Kitesurfer on the Columbia River  Kitesurfers wearing dry suits on Long Island in winter when the air and water temperatures are near 0 °C (32 °F)  Kitesurfing at Punta Paloma Beach, Tarifa, SpainAny location with consistent, steady side-onshore winds (10 to 35+ knots), large open bodies of water and good launch areas are suitable for kitesurfing. Most kitesurfing takes place along ocean shores, usually off beaches, but it can also be practiced on large lakes and inlets and occasionally on rivers. Since kiteboarding relies heavily on favorable, consistent wind conditions, certain locations tend to become popular and sought out by kiteboarders.RestrictionsKite surfing is restricted or banned in some locations[citation needed]. This is generally the result of safety and liability concerns, excessive general beach traffic and poorly organized practicing of kiteboarding. Bans have been reversed when kitesurfers have organized, prepared riding guidelines and negotiated with authorities for resumption of this sport[citation needed]. Many experienced kite boarders stress safety and adequate quality professional instruction in order to keep their sport from being banned or restricted at their favorite location[citation needed]. As the sport has progressed the governing bodies have become a lot more involved in the sport, managing the schools and keeping the teaching practices up to date.EquipmentTo kitesurf, some basic gear is needed:Power kites  Illustration of LEI(R), Bow(L) and Foil(T)Power kitesA power kite is available in two major forms: leading edge inflatables and foil kites.Leading edge inflatablesLeading edge inflatable kites, known also as inflatables, LEI kites or C-kites, are typically made from ripstop nylon with an inflatable plastic bladder that spans across the front edge of the kite with separate smaller bladders that are perpendicular to the main bladder to form the chord or foil of the kite. The inflated bladders give the kite its shape and also keep the kite floating once dropped in the water. LEIs are the most popular choice among most kitesurfers thanks to their quicker and more direct response to the rider's inputs, easy relaunchability once crashed into the water, and resilient nature. If an LEI kite hits the water/ground too hard or is subjected on water to substantial wave activity, bladders can burst or it can be torn apart.In 2005 Bow kites (also known as flat LEI kites) were developed with features including a concave trailing edge, a shallower arc in planform, and frequently a bridle along the leading edge. These features allow the kite's angle of attack to be altered more and thus adjust the amount and range of power being generated to a much greater degree than previous LEIs. These kites can be fully depowered, which is a significant safety feature. They can also cover a wider wind range than a comparable C-shaped kite. The ability to adjust the angle of attack also makes them easier to re-launch when lying front first on the water. Bow kites are popular with riders from beginner to advanced levels. Most LEI kitemanufacturers developed a variation of the bow kite by 2006. Early bow kites had some disadvantages compared to classic LEI kites:They can become inverted and then not fly properlyThey can be twitchy and not as stableHeavier bar pressure makes them more tiring to flyLack of "sled boosting" effect when jumping[19]In 2006 second generation flat LEI kites were developed which combine near total depower and easy, safe relaunch with higher performance, no performance penalties and reduced bar pressure. Called Hybrid or SLE kites (Supported Leading Edge), these kites are suitable for both beginners and experts.In 2008 Naish introduced another kite design, with their "Sigma Series" of kites. These kites are a SLE design and feature a unique "bird in flight" shape with the center of the kite swept back to put much of the sail area behind the tow point, which Naish claims has multiple benefits.For 2009 the performance revolution shows no sign of slowing. Bridled designs feel more like C kites, and five-line hybrids have better depower capability than ever before. [20] There are more than thirty companies manufacturing Leading edge inflatable kites. The ten most popular kitefactories are Best, Cabrinha, Core, F.One, Flysurfer, JN, Liquid Force,Naish, North and Slingshot. The delta-kites are growing in popularity since 2008 with around 12 companies offering delta-kites since 2008/2009.Foil kitesFoil kites are also mostly fabric (ripstop nylon) with air pockets (air cells) to provide it with lift and a fixed bridle to maintain the kite's arc-shape, similar to a paraglider. A depowerable foil kite can cover about the same wind range as two traditional C-shape LEI kite sizes, so the rider can use a smaller kite, giving a wider depower range, although the new LEI "bow" kites have a comparable wide range. Foil kites have the advantage of not needing to have bladders manually inflated, a process which, with an LEI, can take up to ten minutes. Foil kites are designed with either an open or closed cell configuration.Open CellOpen cell foils rely on a constant airflow against the inlet valves to stay inflated, but are generally impossible to relaunch if they hit the water, since they have no means of avoiding deflation, and quickly become soaked.Closed CellClosed cell foils are almost identical to open cell foils except they are equipped with inlet valves to hold air in the chambers, thus keeping the kite inflated (or, at least, making the deflation extremely slow) even once in the water. Water relaunches with closed cell foil kites are simpler; a steady tug on the power lines typically allows them to take off again. An example for a closed cell kite is the Arc Kite.  A kitesurfing kite at Exmouth, Devon,EnglandKite sizesKites come in sizes ranging from 0.7 square meters to 21 square meters, or even larger. In general, the larger the surface area, the more power the kite has, although kite power is also directly linked to speed, and smaller kites can be flown faster; a tapering curve results, where going to a larger kite to reach lower wind ranges becomes futile at a wind speed of around eight knots. Kites come in a variety of designs. Some kites are more rectangular in shape; others have more tapered ends; each design determines the kites flying characteristics. 'Aspect ratio' is the ratio of span to length. Wider shorter (ribbon-like) kites have less drag because the wing-tip vortices are smaller. High aspect ratios (ribbon-like kites) develop more power in lower wind speeds.Seasoned kiteboarders will likely have three or more kite sizes which are needed to accommodate various wind levels, although bow kites may change this, as they present an enormous wind range; some advanced kiters use only one bow kite. Smaller kites are used by light riders, or in strong wind conditions; larger kites are used by heavier riders or in light wind conditions. Larger and smaller kiteboards have the same effect: with more available power a given rider can ride a smaller board. In general, however, most kiteboarders only need one board and one to three kites (7-12m in size).Other equipmentFlying lines are made of a very strong material, frequently Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, in order to handle the dynamic load in unpredictable wind while maintaining a small cross-sectional profile to minimize drag. They come in sizes generally between seven and thirty-three meters; experimentation with line lengths is common in kiteboarding. The lines attach the rider's control bar to the kite using attachment cords on the kite edges or its bridle. Most power kites use a 3, 4 or 5-line configuration. The 5th line is used to aid in water re-launching or adjusting the kite's angle of attack.The control bar is a solid metal or composite bar which attaches to the kite via the lines. The rider holds on to this bar and controls the kite by pulling at its ends, causing the kite to rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise like a bicycle. Typically a chicken loop from the control bar is attached to a latch or hook on a spreader bar on the rider's harness. Most bars also provide a quick-release safety-system and a control strap to adjust the kite's angle of attack. While kite control bars are made intentionally light, they must also be very strong, and so are usually heavier than water; "bar floats" made of foam are generally fixed to the lines right above the harness to keep the bar from sinking if lost in the water. Control bars are usually specific to a particular kite type and size and are not usually suitable for use with different kite types.A kite harness comes in seat (with leg loops), waist or vest types. The harness together with a spreader bar attaches the rider to the control bar. By hooking in, the harness takes most of the strain of the kite's pull off of the rider's arms, and spreads it across a portion of his body. This allows the rider to do jumps and other tricks while remaining attached to the kite via the control bar. Waist harnesses are by far the most popular harnesses among advanced riders, although seat harnesses make it possible to kitesurf with less effort from the rider and vest harnesses provide both flotation and impact protection. Kite harnesses look similar to windsurfing harnesses, but are actually much different; a windsurfing harness used for kiteboarding is likely to break very quickly, which could result in injury and/or gear loss.  KiteboardKiteboard, a small composite, wooden, or foam board. There are now several types of kiteboards: directional surf-style boards, wakeboard-style boards, hybrids which can go in either direction but are built to operate better in one of them, and skim-type boards. Some riders also use standard surfboards, or even long boards, although without foot straps much of the high-jump capability of a kite is lost. Twin tip boards are the easiest to learn on and are by far the most popular. The boards generally come with sandle-type footstraps that allow the rider to attach and detach from the board easily; this is required for doing board-off tricks and jumps. Bindings are used mainly by the wakestyle riders wishing to replicate wakeboarding tricks such as KGBs and other pop initiated tricks. Kiteboards come in shapes and sizes to suit the rider's skill level, riding style, wind and water conditions.  The equipment used can be seen on this kitesurfer at Exmouth, Devon, EnglandA wetsuit is often worn by kitesurfers, except in warmer conditions with light winds. When kitesurfing in strong winds, body heat loss is reduced by wearing a wetsuit. A "shortie" is worn to protect the torso only, and a full suit is used for protection against cool conditions, from marine life such as jellyfish, and also from abrasions if the rider is dragged by the kite. Dry suits are also used to kitesurf in cold conditions in winter.A safety hook knife is considered required equipment. The corrosion resistant stainless-steel blade is partially protected by a curved plastic hook. It can be used to cut entangled or snagged kite lines, or to release the kite if the safety release system fails. Some kitesurfing harnesses are equipped with a small pocket for the knife.A helmet is often worn by kitesurfers to protect the head from blunt trauma. Helmets prevent head lacerations, and can also reduce the severity of impact injuries to the head, as well as compression injuries to the neck and spine.A personal flotation device or PFD may be required if the kitesurfer is using a boat or personal water craft for support. It is also recommended for kitesurfing in deep water in case the kitesurfer becomes disabled and must wait for rescue.An impact vest provides some protection against impacts to the torso area. They can also provide some flotation.A board leash that attaches the board to the kitesurfer's leg or harness is used by some riders. However, many kitesurfing schools discourage the use of board leashes due to the risk of recoil, where the leash can yank the board to impact the rider, which can result in serious injury or even death. Generally, kitesurfers that use a board leash will also wear a helmet to help protect against this.Signaling devices are useful if the kitesurfer needs to be rescued. This may be as simple as a whistle attached to the knife, or retro-reflective tape applied to the helmet. Some kitesurfers carry a mobile phone or two-way radio in a waterproof pouch to use in an emergency. A small Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) can be carried and activated to send out a distress signal.A buddy is important to help with launching and retrieving the kite, and to assist in an emergency.A GPS can be used to measure distance travelled, tracks and speed during a session.Dangers and safetyPower kites can be dangerous. Because of strong forces that can be generated by sudden wind gusts, people can be lofted, carried off, dashed against water, buildings, terrain or power lines, resulting in what's termed a "kitemare" (kite + nightmare).Most kiteboarding fatalities are the result of being lofted or dragged out of control, resulting in a collision with hard objects including sand. It is possible to be seriously injured simply by hitting the water surface at speed or from a height.Jumping and being airborne at inappropriate places (such as shallow water or near fixed or floating objects) can be hazardous.A surfer can get farther from shore than an easy swim, which is the primary reason kite surfing in directly offshore winds is discouraged. Marine hazards include sharks, jellyfish, sea otters, dolphins, and even crocodiles, depending on the location.Collisions with wind surfers, other kite boarders or water craft are hazards, particularly at busy locations.A safety knife is useful if lines become tangled and dangerous.Some kite designs from late 2005 and onwards have included immediate and almost full depower integrated with the control bar and improved quick release mechanisms, both of which are making the sport much safer.Weather planning and awareness are key to safe kiteboarding. A number of riders have been killed in kiteboarding-related accidents since 2000 (Kitesurfing injury statistics 2000- 2003), according to a safety adviser for one of the sport's governing bodies[citation needed].Paying attention to the weather and staying within the limits of the riders ability will provide the safest experience[21].Some countries have laws[22] about flying kites and being safe while flying, this also applies to kitesurfing.Kitesurfing safety rulesKite High Rule - A kiter who is upwind (closest to the wind) must keep their kite high to avoid their lines crossing those of downwind kiters. Similarly, the downwind kiter must keep their kite low to avoid their lines crossing upwind kites. This applies regardless of whether kiters are on the same, or opposing courses.Clearance Rule - A kiter must have a clear safety zone of at least 50m downwind because they move downwind during a jump. A rider must also have a clear safety zone of 30m upwind to jump as his lines could touch the kite or the lines of another rider kiteboarding close by (see Kite High rule).Kiters are also considered as sailing vessels – so some standard sailing rules apply such as:Starboard Rule (Sailing Rule 12) - When vessels (e.g. kiters) approach from opposite directions the kiter who has the wind on the starboard (right side, right leg/arm leads in direction of travel) has right of way. The kiter who has the wind on the port side (left side, left leg/arm are leads in direction of travel) shall keep out of the way of the other.In sailing terms, a sailor or kiter with right of way is entitled to "insist" on exercising that right (warning opposing kiters) by shouting "starboard" very clearly and in good time.Other boating rules such as no-go zones, distance from shore and swimmers also apply.[23]Terminology and jargonAir time: the amount of time spent in the air while jumping. This can be remarkably long; the record is Jessie Richman's 22 second long jump. Five to ten seconds is not unusual.Apparent wind: the kite's speed relative to the surrounding air. When kitesurfing in a straight line, the kite's apparent wind is a combination of the wind speed and the speed of the kite and rider over the surface, but since the kite is highly steerable apparent wind can vary widely depending on how the kite is being flown. Most ways of increasing power from the kite involve giving it a higher apparent wind somehow, i.e. diving the kite, riding faster, or riding at a greater angle into the wind. Any of these raises the kite's apparent wind speed.Big Air: doing a very high jump utilizing the lift of the kite. The jump is often assisted in its initial stage by the rider being catapulted off the lip of a wave.Body dragging: being pulled through the water without standing on a board. This is an early step in the learning process, and is recommended before trying the board after flying a trainer kite.Boost: to suddenly become airborneCharlie browner: same as kiteboarder or kitesurfer.Chicken loop: a hard rubber loop attached to the middle line which has been fed through the control bar. It is used to attach the control bar to the harness so the kitesurfer can produce tension in the lines using their entire bodyweight instead of using purely arm strength.Chicken bone/chicken finger/donkey dick: a hard rubber "tongue" attached to the chicken loop which the rider feeds through the spreader bar hook to prevent the rider from becoming "unhooked".De-power: to reduce the kite's power (pull), generally by adjusting the angle of attack of the kite. Most kites and control bars now allow a rider to rig a kite for a number of different power levels before launching, in addition to powering the kite up and down "on the fly" by moving the bar up and down. Depowerability makes a kite safer and easier to handle. Some new kite models, especially "bow" kites, can be de-powered to practically zero power, giving them an enormous wind range.DP: dawn patrol; a very early morning session.downwind: the direction the wind is blowing towards; to leeward. When a rider is facing downwind the wind is at their back.Downwinder: a kitesurfing "trip" (could actually be as short as a few minutes) where the rider starts at one point and ends up at another point downwind of their original position.  Kiteboarder edging his board -Praia da Varzinha BrazilEdge: tilting the board with its edge into the water. Used to control the direction of travel. Learning to edge properly is critical for learning to tack upwind. Edging is one of the fundamental skills of kitesurfing and is one of the ways kitesurfing is different from windsurfing or wakeboarding. While windsurf boards have daggerboards and/or skegs to steer the board upwind while lift and planing is provided by the board itself, generally kiteboards actually combine both functions and the bottom of the board lifts the rider and steers simultaneously. Kiteboard fins are generally much smaller and are for keeping the board in the water (see "tea-bagging"), but are not essential. Because kite boards have a small rocker, a deep edge can allow the board to act as a large low drag fin. Edging in wakeboarding is used for steering the board; whereas in kite boarding not only does edging steer the kite board, it is essential for kite control and controlling board speed. Riding downwind towards the kite subtracts massively from the kite's power and helps control board speed as well.Freeride: kiteboarding style. Plain kiteboarding that does not involve tricks or jumping. The main goal is keeping a good edge and ability to traverse upwind. This would normally require a board with little rocker.Freestyle: kiteboarding style. Freestyle involves tricks (or combinations of tricks) where the rider is jumping off the water and experiencing enhanced elevation using lift generated from the kite. Freestyle is weather vise a multi-condition concept and is to some degree equipment specific. "Big Air" is commonly associated with Freestyle.Heel side: the side of a board on the edge where a riders heels are (opposite of toe side). "Riding heel side" is riding with heels down.Hindenburg: a reference to the Hindenburg Airship disaster of 1937, which in kitesurfing terminology refers to the kite stalling and then crashing. Hindenburging can be caused either by lack of wind or by the kite advancing to a position upwind of the kitesurfer in the wind window, also called "overflying the kite".Handlepass: while unhooked, passing the control bar behind a riders back while in the airKiteloop: is a powered group of tricks where a rider loops the kite through the power zone while spinning through the air Kitemare: a kiteboardsurfing accident or dangerous mishap.  Ride safe and fun.