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2018 KITE USER MANUAL
GLOSSARY
K
KITEBOARDING
The term used to describe the sport of power kiting on
water or snow.
KITESURFING
Another term used to describe the sport of power kiting
on water.
KNOTS
A measure of speed based on nautical miles.
1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour.
1 knot = 1.15 miles per hour.
1 knot = 1.85 kilometers per hour.
L
LANDING
The action which places the kite on the water or on land.
LAUNCHING
The motion in which the rider steers the kite from their part-
ner’s hands into the sky.
LEADER LINES
The lines that attach directly to the control bar. You will at-
tach these lines to the flying lines in order to connect them
to your bar.
LEADING EDGE (LE)
The front inflated tube of your kite.
LEEWARD
The downwind side of the kiteboarder.
LOFTING
Lofting occurs when the kite is above the riders head in the
neutral position. Instability in the wind can cause sudden
vertical force and lift a rider off of their feet.
LUFF
A term used to describe what happens to the kite in a lull.
A term also used to describe the complete de-powering
of a kite.
LULL
A term used to describe wind when it lessens in strength,
for any amount of time.
M
MPH
Miles Per Hour. A measure of speed.
1 mph = 1.6 kilometers per hour.
N
NEUTRAL POSITION
This is the position just above the rider’s head in the sky. If
the rider levels out the bar, the kite will gravitate to the neu-
tral position. However, it is difficult and dangerous to keep
the kite in this position. Although in this position the kite
may feel steady and may feel like it has the least amount
of power or pull, it is also the position in which on land
the rider is most susceptible to lofting. On the water, the
neutral position can be utilized to rest while you reel in your
board, but on land, we strongly suggest you do not utilize
the neutral position. After launching, it is best to make your
way to the water without delay. Do NOT linger on land with
the kite in neutral position. It is VERY dangerous.
NEUTRAL ZONE
This is the area that includes the neutral position and the
area to the left and right of the rider. It encompasses the
most upwind or windward positions in which to fly the kite.
When flown here, the kite has less power or pull than when
it is in the power zone. However, use caution when the kite
is in this zone, especially when on land, and especially in
gusty wind conditions.
O
OFFSHORE
Wind is blowing from the shore directly or to a great extent
out to the water.
ONSHORE
Wind is blowing directly or to a great extent directly from
the water toward the land.
OVER-POWERED
A situation in which the rider has a kite too powerful for his/
her ability level, weight, strength, and/or wind conditions.
P
PLANING
The point in time in which the rider gets the board skimming
on the water.
POWER ZONE
This is the area in front and to the sides of the rider, but
excluding the neutral position and zones. It is the area in
which the kite has the most power and pull. When flown in
this area, the kite can be powerful and dangerous, so avoid
flying your kite in this zone when learning. Use extreme cau-
tion when flying the kite in this zone.
PUMP – Device used to inflate the kite.
