Choosing the right kitesurfing equipment.
How do you accurately choose the correct size board and kite for your kitesurfing session?
To begin with, you have to choose the correct size board and kite that fits your weight, height and experience level.
Kitesurfing is an exhilarating sport, but you need to respect some basic safety procedures in order to protect yourself and predominately all others out on the water.
To learn all the safety procedures, it is quite important that you purchase yourself a complete kitesurfing course in an official IKO school, like Coastline Kitesurfing. Kite schools, like Coastline Kitesurfing will guide you through everything you need to know in order to kitesurf safely while having fun!
How to pick the right kite board?
Kitesurfing beginners are recommended to buy a larger kite board and a smaller kite. It’s much easier to get used to flotation, balance and centre of gravity on a larger kite board.
However, from my personal experience teaching people how to kitesurf, I generally see fast progression and thus recommend purchasing a slightly smaller board than recommended for beginners. A 140-142 will do just fine. This way you’ll spare some money from buying 1 board instead of 2.
Understanding the kite
Keep in mind however intermediate and even advanced kitesurfers need larger kite boards and kites, when the wind is too low, for example, on very rare occasions in Cape Town.
Smaller kites will consume less wind & generate less power, kitesurfing beginners will have more control over the equipment. Trainer kites are also great for practising your kite flying skills on the beach with a small risk factor.
Buying two different kite boards and kite sizes – small and larger models – will allow you to ride in totally different wind conditions, depending on your location, you can quite accurately judge what sizes will be optimum!
Kite board chart
Here is a chart to help you decide on what size board to buy.
| Your weight
56-68 kg 68-81 kg 81-95 kg +95 kg |
Board size
134-148 cm 140-160 cm 142-165 cm 146-165 cm |
Board width
41 cm 43 cm 45 cm 46 cm |
What are the 5 main types of kites in kitesurfing?
1.C Kite
The first and foremost original inflatable kite. This kite features square corners in a C-shaped arc when launched. The C Kite gets its shape from the kite lines, which are attached at the four corners of the kite.
2.Bow Kite
The Bow Kite is an innovative concave kite with an almost flat look, after being launched in the skies. Sometimes it is called “flat kite” and its shape offers a near 100% de-power and large wind range features.
3.Hybrid Kite
The Hybrid kite is a fusion of the best characteristics of the C Kite and the Bow Kite.There are a great number of Hybrid Kite variations and some are almost identical to its own inspirational kites.
4.Supported Leading Edge (SLE) Kite
The Supported Leading Edge (SLE) is a kite that has bridles attached to its leading edge. Both hybrid kites and bow kites are considered SLE kites because they have bridles.
5.Foil Kite
A Foil Kite doesn’t have air bladders. A classic foil kite is made of open cells that
breath air and inflate the kite. Therefore, it can’t get in the water and is usually used as a beginner kite to train with on the beach.
Kitesurfing Chart
You can use this chart to help you decide what size kite to take out depending on your weight and wind speed.
| Your Weight (kg) | 43 | 50 | 57 | 64 | 70 | 77 | 84 | 91 | 98 | 104 | 111 | 118 | |
| Your Weight (lbs) | 95 | 110 | 125 | 140 | 155 | 170 | 185 | 200 | 215 | 230 | 245 | 260 | Knots |
| Kite Size (m2) | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 34 |
| 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 28 | |
| 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 24 | |
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 21 | |
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 19 | |
| 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | |
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 14 | |
| 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 13 | |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 12 | |
| 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 11 | |
| 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 10 |
I hope these charts came in handy, if you have any further questions, regarding the purchasing of your own kitesurf equipment, simply contact me by email info@coastlinekitesurfing.com