Kite & Wind Theory, your first step to kitesurfing
MCK Tulum • May 25, 2017
Why a good introduction to kite & wind theory is "A MUST" if you really want to learn kitesurf
In our experience, theory is a very important step. Not everybody likes it and sometimes is overlooked, but is A MUST.
It won't take hours of explanations and you won't need to take any notes. We know you are in Tulum on holidays. Just listen carefully and focus around 20 minutes. Could you do that? In this first step you will get the foundation to be a great kitesurfer.
At this point, you will learn three important things:
(1)
Where the wind comes from
(2)
Which wind directions are good for kiting, and
(3)
What is the wind window.
Please take this just as a brief explanation of what you will learn with your certified instructor on your first day of lessons. Do not miss the first lesson. And never never never try to learn Kitesurf on your own.
(1) WHERE THE WIND COMES FROM?
There are different ways to determine where the wind is coming from:
- Direction of blowing sand
- Direcction of palms or flags
- By the sound of the wind in both ears (our favorite). Turn slowly until you hear the wind blowing in both ears. This would be the direction where the wind comes from.
(2) WHICH WIND DIRECTIONS ARE GOOD FOR KITING?
It is very important to understand the wind direction in relation to shore, because it tells whether is safe or not going out to kite.
The wind directions are:
- ONSHORE:
The wind blows straight to the shore
- OFFSHORE:
The wind blows straight from the shore to the water
- SIDESHORE:
The wind blows parallel to the shore
- SIDE-ON:
The wind blows parallel with an inclination to the shore
- SIDE-OFF: The wind blows parallel with an inclination to the water
Look at the picture above. Lets see which wind directions are good for kiting:
- What is the best direction for kitesurfing (especially for beginners or intermediate)? SIDESHORE and SIDE-ON. Both directions allow you to get into the water, ride downwind parallel to the shore and come back to the shore.
- What is the non-recommended direction to kite in? OFFSHORE and SIDE-OFF because wind pulls you straight out and you can't come to the shore.
- What is the direction just recommended for experienced riders who can go upwind? ONSHORE because wind pulls you straight to the shore, so you need to master going upwind to get into the water and ride against the wind.
(3) WHAT IS THE WIND WINDOW?
The wind window theory is explained in relation to you (the rider). It is basically the three dimensional area downwind of the rider in which you can fly the kite.
If you put your back to the wind, all you can see from your sides to your front is your area of influence, also the space over your head.
The Wind Window has 3 zones:
- The edge of the window or the clock zone (green)
This is the zone used for launching, landing and parking the kite if you want a neutral position while in the water.
- The intermediate zone (yellow)
You will fly the kite in this zone when wind strength is good and you are in riding mode.
- The power zone (red)
You will just fly the kite into this zone when you need power for water start or when the wind is really low.
Are you ready for your next step? Feel free to ask any questions and don't miss your theory lessons.
*** SUMMARY ***
STEP:
1 - Kite & wind theory
DURATION APPROX:
20 minutes
WHY IS IMPORTANT:
Because learning if the wind direction is good for kiting and
the position of the kite in relation to the wind window,
set the foundation of a good kitesurfer.
NEXT STEP:
2 - Kite & lines set up
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It is essential to take kite lessons with a certified instructor. Why? The main reason is that being an action sport with many variables, you can get involve in extreme situations where you have to apply all the knowledge of wind, body position, kite control, security systems, etc. So, it is very important and necessary to know all the rules of kitesurfing and all safety techniques before starting to navigate on your own. Now, we'll give you three more good reasons to take kitesurfing lessons: 1. For safety. And not just for your own safety, but also for the safety of other riders and swimmers in the area. Kitesurfing should not be underestimated. A bad learning can expose you and those around you to a serious accident. Taking the course, you will learn the techniques of kite safety, principles of wind and the necessary conditions to start riding without accidents. If you learn safety rules properly and follow them, you’ll never have any problem. 2. Because you learn faster and better. When you learn kitesurfing with a certified instructor, you do it in much less time and much better than if you do it on your own through the principle of “trial and error”. Principle that not only take you longer to master the sport but very possibly you end up injured. By learning on your own you expose yourself to unnecessary risks. 3. Because you learn with the school equipment. You don’t need to spend money on kite equipment to learn kitesurfing, because you learn with the school gear, with the latest technology and security systems all in perfect conditions. Kiteboarding equipments are not cheap and if you buy one before you have an idea about kitesurfing you will probably make a mistake buying one kite inappropriate for someone starting out. It is best to learn with the school equipment and once completed the course, you ask advice to your instructor about the material that suits you. The best thing you can do is take a kitesurfing course to become an independent rider. The course will allow you to go to any beach, decide the most appropriate kite size according to wind conditions and start riding on your own without problems. In kitesurfing, like in all sports, the more you practice the better you will be. So, if you were thinking of starting kiteboarding and also want a vacation in Tulum contact our school (Mexican Caribbean Kitesurf) and if you are looking for the best place to stay in Tulum beach while learning to sail, your place is Ahau Tulum. Waiting for you here!
For us kitesurfing is not only an extreme sport but also one of the best exercises for our body and our mind. We have made some research in various online publications and below we explain the 10 benefits that the continued practice of kitesurfing can bring to your physical and mental health: # 1 – Tones your body, especially the upper area, arms and abdomen. Strengthening your abdominal area makes a physical improvement of the abductors and legs too. You increase the strength in your arms by holding, the kite in legs by bending over the table to ride, and the muscles of the hands by grabbing the bar. # 2 – Kitesurfing combines aerobics and resistance exercises. This combination is perfect for keeping a balance weight, molding your figure and gaining physical strength, very important to have a healthy heart. # 3 – As you have to keep the kite in the air with one hand while you enter the water grabbing the board with the other hand, and when riding you are focused on several tasks at once, your coordination and your concentration improve. # 4 – Also riding on the board is great to improve your balance. # 5 – With any sport you eliminate stress, but if it is an extreme sport adrenaline rushes are much higher, creating a great feeling of wellness. # 6 – In turn, stress reduction automatically strengthens your immune system and allows you to have a stronger health. # 7 – The way of navigation and jumping in kitesurf, in which you have to constantly make decisions about movement and position of the bar, body, board, etc, makes you resolve difficult situations on the water, increasing your reflexes and reaction capacity. # 8 – Like any sport in which you interact with the environment, kitesurfing fosters respect for the ocean, animals and nature in general, as well as makes you breathe fresh air away from the city smock. # 9 – When you practice kitesurf inevitably you meet more kitesurfers on the beaches, which helps you to interact with people with common interests and tastes, improves your relationships and your ability to communicate. And most important, you know a group of people whom you can talk freely about your passion. # 10 – Finally, we can say that kitesurfing allows you to experience new sensations, like the feeling of flying, increasing your level of happiness. In this passing life we are here to try to be as happy as we can. So … What are you waiting to learn kitesurfing? The more you practice the fitter and happier you will be.
