There are two basic types of kite surfing kites available on the market today, inflatable and foils. Foils Foils are generally used for land kite traction such as Snow Kiting, Kite Landboarding, and Kite Buggies. They are more durable for impacting the ground(they don't puncture) and generally respond faster to meet the demands of land kite traction. Foils are the most efficient of kite designs and are based on paragliding technology and the sport of power kiting on land. Foils always have a double surface and are also referred to as ram air kites. The air is "rammed" into the openings along the leading edge of the kite which fills the kite and gives the kite its aerodynamic airfoil shape. The individual openings called cells are seperated with a rib that is forming the airfoil shape. Most all modern foils are crossported which allows the wind to cross between the ribs in the cells. Foils can generate a rush of speed and power unlike any other flying wing. Because of this, caution should be taken when launching and flying foils. The more sophisticated designs have de-powering systems similar to the inflatables. These kites have a "sheeting" or "de-powering" system like the HQ Montana or Apex or the Ozone Frenzy or Access Kites. Foils can be very easy to land and relaunch when the kite is upside down. Inflatables Inflatables are generally used for water use and are more suited for the demands of kiteboarding on the water. Predictable power and water relaunching are the prominents benefits. Inflatables, also called framed kites, are classified as such because of the air filled tubes that frame the single skin of the kite. Inflatable kites utilize large tubes that are inflated by hand before launching. The tubes are along the leading edge of the kite as well as across the chord line of the kite. The chord line supports are referred to as down tubes or struts. Because the kite is "framed" it is typically a very solid kite particularly on the edge of the wind window. It is also a very stable design and lends itself to de-powering systems to increase the overall wind ranges of the kites. Inflatables come in two different types, flat or "bow" kites and the traditional "C" shaped kites. See our section below to learn more about the differences. |
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