How to Select the Proper Kiteboarding Equipment

How to Select the Proper Kiteboarding Equipment

There are a lot of kiteboarding kites on the market today. The choices can be overwhelming. I put this section together to try to take some of the mystery out of the selection process.

No one kite excels at all disciplines, this is why kiteboarding companies will produce mulitiple kites & kiteboards. You need to try to choose what your riding style is and/or will be and then select the kite and the kiteboard that best matches your style of kiteboarding. Don't limit yourself to just one style. Many kiteboarders will have mulitple kiteboards and kites for different sessions. ie: A wave kite and kiteboard and a freestyle kite and kiteboard.




High Wingtip Sweep
Crossbow, Convert, & Vector Kites

Pros
• Better Wind Range, more low end power, more high end de-power ability
• Better Relaunch
• More De-power ability

Cons
• Slower Turning Speed
• Less consistent power in turns, feels mushy
• Longer Reach for De-power

Low Wingtip Sweep
Switchblade, Nomad & Drifter Kites

Pros
• Faster Turning Speed
• More Balanced Bridle for Constant Power During Turns
• Shorter reach to de-power the kite

Cons
• Smaller Wind Range
• Harder to Relaunch

Flatter Arc vs C-Shape


Flatter arc like on the Crossbow and Switchblade offers

Much wider wind range as the flatter kite has more surface area meeting the wind to create power. More de-power in high winds to dump more power off the sail.
The best wind range! It does however, make the kite turn slower.

C-Shaped Arc like on the Nomad, Ozone C4, or Drifter kites offers
Better turning speed, but less wind range. The curved arc allows the kite to turn faster and more balanced so you feel a consistent amount of power in the turns.

Choose your riding style by looking below:

Freeride - All Around Riding

Freestyle - Big Air and Kite Loop Tricks

Wakestyle - Unhooked Powered Pop Tricks

Wave - Surfing & Wave Riding

Race - Focused on Speed & Upwind Ability

Light Wind - Optimized for riding in under 13mph

Freeride Kiteboarders - All Around Kiteboarding with no extreme focus on a specific style. This is the largest group of kiteboarders. Freeride kiteboarders enjoy soul riding with simple maneuvers, moderate jumps, & carving nice turns. If you don't know your kiteboarding style, you are probably a Freeride Kiteboarder.

Equipment is focused on "stability" which allows the kite to fly with the most predictable behavior. Freeride kites are optimized for general ease of use.

• The best choice for general use
• Easiest kite to water re-launch
• Most stable kite in flight - kite sits at the edge of the wind window without overflying or requiring you to micro-manage the kite.
• The best choice for progressing your skills quickly

We suggest the following kites and kiteboards as our top picks for Freeride Kiteboarders!
Kites: The Cabrinha Convert IDS or Renegade Kites by Epic Kiteboarding. The RRD Obsession Kite
Kiteboards We suggest the Rival, Placebo, or Crazy Fly All Around Kiteboards.

Top Pick Freeride Kite + Board Package
Our Rival Kiteboard and Convert Kite Package is the best choice! -


Freestyle - Aggressive style of kiteboarding with an emphasis on big air maneuvers with long hang time. Examples would be big lofty kite jumps, spins and flips, board off tricks, and kite loop tricks.

We suggest the following kites and kiteboards as our top picks for Freestyle Kiteboarders!
Kites: Ocean Rodeo Rise Venturi Kite or the RRD Obsession Kite.
Kiteboards - We suggest the RRD Placebo kiteboard. The RRD Placebo kiteboard is optimized for Freestyle kiteboarders. The Placebo kiteboard is best for big air kiteboarding tricks!

Top Pick Freestyle Kite + Board Package
Our RRD Obsession + Placebo Kiteboard is the Best Choice!



Wakestyle - Aggressive style of kiteboarding with an emphasis on unhooked tricks and powered pop tricks. The term wakestyle comes from the wakeboard type style of high powered tricks at lower altitudes that combine board "pop" and a kite that will set deeper in the wind window(more downwind) for constant power.

Kites - Cabrinha Switchblade IDS Kites
Kiteboards - Crazy Fly Raptor Pro Kiteboard - Optimized for the wakestyle kiteboarder. Shaped with progressive flex for amazing pop and to provide a softer landing.

Top Pick Wakestyle Kite + Board Package
Our Cabrinha Switchblade + Raptor Kiteboard is the Best Choice!



Wave - Focus is on surfing and wave riding. Kiteboarding in the waves/surf is easier with a kite that turns fast so you can turn the kite before you turn on the wave. This helps you stay on the wave. Wave/Surf kites also fly heavier off the back lines to prevent overflying and to keep the kite from back stalling when you ride towards the kite. Staying on the wave often means riding towards the kite and temporarily slacking the lines. Our Wave/Surf Package is perfectly suited for this style of riding?!

Kites - Ocean Rodeo Razor Kites!
Kiteboards - The Mako King Kiteboards are the best for wave riding!

Top Pick Wave/Surf Kite + Board Package
Ocean Rodeo Razor Kite + Mako King Kiteboard is the Best Choice!



Light Wind kiteboarding Package - Optimized to ride in that 8-12mph winds that are typical in the summer months.



Top Pick Light Wind Kite + Board Package
Epic Kites Infinity Kite + Oxygen Kiteboard is the Best Choice!







Race - Focus is on speed and upwind ability. Sometimes good for those looking to "cruise" and go upwind with the least amount of effort.