The Kitesurfing Wind Window

Kitesurfing Wind Window

Kitesurfing Wind Window

Kitesurfing Wind Window : Video Transcript

The wind window is the three-dimensional area where your kite can fly. The size of the wind window is determined by the length of your lines.

In this video, for easier demonstration purposes we are using very short 5m lines.

The wind window would usually be about 5 times bigger when using normal length 24M lines. Hence, the longer the lines, the bigger the wind window.

The pilot (or kitesurfer) is always at the center of the wind window with the wind blowing on its back. If the pilot moves, so does the wind window.

Your kite will naturally want to fly on the edge of the wind window. This is the safest place to fly a kite since it’s where it has the least amount of power.

The various positions on the edge of the wind window can be identified using a simple clock face analogy.

By moving the kite slowly along the edge of the window, you can fly it at all clock positions, in this case from 9 O’clock to 12 O’clock, which is also called the Zenith. Then from 12 O’clock to 3 0’clock.  Now From 3 O’clock to 12’Oclock and finally from 12’Oclock to 9’Clock

Steering the kite aggressively in land can be extremely dangerous to do as the pilot can easily get dragged forwards and get injured. Please note these power zone movements are for demonstration purposes only and should never be attempted on land with an inflatable kite.

The wind window also has different more powerful areas, known as POWER ZONES.

The green area represents the medium power zone,

the orange area is the strong power zone

and the red and purple area is the maximum power zone.

NEW: When the kite is piloted from one side to the other, it gains more speed and generates pull. The bigger and deeper you dive the kite into the power zone, the stronger the pull will be. Beware that the kite will drag you and the wind window will move with you. This area should be free of people and obstacles.

In the future you will need to use the power zones in order to develop enough power to lift you off the water onto your board. And when riding you will be using only one side of the wind window

In the next video, we will learn about kite control and basic flying skills.