TRAINER KITE
A kite that may be used on land to simulate the motions used in kiteboarding. It is an
excellent instructional/learning tool. Despite its small size, this kite still has power, so be
alert.

INFLATABLE KITE
A kite with inflatable tubes designed to float the kite and to facilitate water re-
launchability.

TWO-LINE INFLATABLE KITE
A water-re-launchable kite with two flying lines and inflatable tubes. This kite usually
has a bridle system.

FOUR-LINE INFLATABLE KITE
A water-re-launchable kite with four flying lines and inflatable tubes. This kite does not
usually have a bridle system.

STRUTS
The outer fabric tubes found on your kite. They house the inner inflatable bladders, which
are filled with air to give structure to the kite.

BLADDER
The inner inflatable tube found within the leading edge and the struts of the kite. (Imagine a bike-it has both a tire on the outside and an inner tube which holds air).

LAUNCHING
The motion in which the pilot steers the kite from their partner's hands into the sky.

SELF LAUNCHING
A technique in which the pilot launches the kite without assistance, usually by weighting down a wing tip with sand until he/she is ready to launch.

RE-LAUNCHING
The motion in which the pilot steers the kite off of the water and back into the sky.

BODY DRAGGING
This is an instructional tactic/step in which the pilot flies the kite from the water, but without the board. The pilot will launch the kite, walk to the water, and basically drag in the water, practicing flying, re-launching and self-rescue techniques.

WATER STARTING
The motion of the pilot in which he/she goes from sitting or lying in the water to standing
on the board.

GYBING
The motion in which the pilot changes the direction of the board he/she is riding. The pilot switches from a starboard tack to a port tack or vice versa.

PLANING
The point in time in which the pilot gets the board skimming on the water.

LANDING
The motion in which the pilot steers the kite into their partner's hands on shore.

CONTROL BAR
The steering device the pilot uses to steer the kite.

HARNESS
Piece of equipment used to temporarily attach the rider to the control bar harness line. This enables the rider to save energy by utilizing their body weight and all of their muscles to hang on to the kite. Most common are the waist harness (attaches around the torso) and the seat harness (attaches to the waist and around the legs)

KITEBOARDING
The term in used to describe the sport of power kiting on water.

KITESURFING
Another term used to describe the sport of power kiting on water, but in waves.

OVERPOWERED
A situation in which the pilot has a kite too powerful for his/her ability level, weight,
strength and/or wind conditions.

UNDERPOWERED
A situation in which the pilot has a kite not powerful enough for his/her, weight, strength
and/or wind conditions.

REACH
A direction of travel relative to the wind direction. Generally 90-160 degrees off the
wind.

LULL
A term used to describe wind when it lessens in strength, for any amount of time. A term also used to describe the complete de-powering of a kite.

LUFF
A term used to describe what happens to the kite in a lull.

Wind Terminology

OFFSHORE
Wind is blowing from the shore, directly or to a great extent out to the water. Do not
operate your kite near water in this wind direction.

ONSHORE
Wind is blowing directly or to a great extent directly from the water toward the land. Utilize caution when operating your kite near water in this wind direction.

SIDESHORE
Wind is blowing from the left or from the right, in a perpendicular direction to the shore.
Ideal wind direction for kiteboarding.

SIDE OFFSHORE
Wind is blowing from either the left or the right and from the shore out to the water. This is a combination of offshore and sideshore wind. Do not operate your kite near water in this wind direction.

SIDE ONSHORE
Wind is blowing from either the left or the right and from the water toward the land. This is a combination of onshore and sidecar wind. Utilize caution when operating your kite near water in this wind direction.

GUSTY WIND
Wind is inconsistent and varies considerably from one strength to another.

DOWNWIND
The direction in which the wind is traveling.

UPWIND
The direction from which the wind is blowing.

LEEWARD
The downwind side of the kiteboarder.

WINDWARD
The upwind side of the kiteboarder.

KNOTS
A measure of speed, in this case windspeed, which refers to the number of units of distance covered in a certain amount of time, based on nautical miles. 1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour. 1 knot = 1.15 mph.

MPH
A measure of speed, in this case windspeed, which refers to the number of units of distance covered in a certain amount of time, based on miles. 1 mph = 1 mile per hour.

BEAUFORT SCALE
A system for estimating wind strength based on the effects wind has on the physical environment (e.g. the behaviour of waves, smoke, etc.). Instruments are not used to determine wind strengths in this point scale (0 = calm to 12 = hurricane).