Login/Register

Resources
Kiteboarding FAQ E-mail

Kitesurfing FAQ, Kiteboarding FAQ

This is a copy of the Kitesurfing FAQ originally developed by Hung Vu (with some contributions from Mark Frasier) for the Kitesurfing School web site.

 
  1. What is kitesurfing, kite surfing kiteskiing, kiteboarding or flysurfing?
  2. How does it work and how did it all start?
  3. Is kitesurfing safe?
  4. Can a kitesurfer go upwind?
  5. How does a kitesurfer go upwind?
  6. Can I kitesurf in very light wind?
  7. Can I kitesurf in very strong wind?
  8. Can I relaunch the kite from the water?
  9. What equipment do I need to kitesurf?
  10. What types of kite can I use?
  11. What types of kite control device can I use?
  12. What types of board can I use?
  13. Can I use the kite to pull me on snow or ice?
  14. Can I use the kite to pull me on land?
  15. Can I use the kite with a boat?
  16. Do I need an assistance to launch or land the kite?
  17. Who are selling kitesurfing equipment?
  18. How much does it cost?
  19. I don't have $1500! How can I get into this sport?
  20. Where can I buy used kitesurfing equipment?
  21. How hard is it to learn how to kitesurf?
  22. How can I learn to kitesurf?
  23. What is the wind window?
  24. What is the typical wind range of a kite?
  25. Can a kitesurf kite reef automatically as a windsurfing sail?
  26. How does a kitesurfer control the power of a kite?
  27. How many kites do I need?
  28. What line length should I use?
  29. What line strength should I use?
  30. Should I choose a control bar or handles?
  31. How do I change direction on a bidirectional kiteboard?
  32. How do I change direction on a directional kiteboard?
  33. Is it easier to jibe or to go from heel-down to toe-down position on a directional board?
  34. Should I choose a bidirectional or directional kiteboard?
  35. Should I choose bindings or footstraps?
  36. How many kiteboards do I need?
  37. How big a kiteboard should I choose?
  38. How big a kite should I choose?
  39. What is a safety release system?
  40. How does a safety release system work?
  41. Why do I need a safety release system?
  42. Can I build my own kiteboard or convert an old surf or windsurfing board to a kiteboard?
  43. How many fins should I have on my board?
  44. Can I build my own kite?
  45. I am a windsurfer, why should I learn kitesurfing?
  46. I am a windsurfer, is it hard to convert?
  47. How fast is a kiteboard compared to a sailboard?
  48. Can I use my wakeboarding, snowboarding or water-ski skills?
  49. Can I do tricks in kiteboarding as in wakeboarding?
  50. Can I kitesurf where people are windsurfing, water-skiing, jetskiing, or whatever?
  51. How many kitesurfers can kitesurf in a space that can normally accommodate 100 windsurfers?
  52. I'm a kite buggier, is kitesurfing much different?
  53. How fast is a kiteboard compared to a buggy?
  54. Do I have to be the athletic type?
  55. Is there a discussion group on the net for kitesurfing?
  56. I am convinced now so how do I start?