NEUTRAL POSITION:
This is the position just above the pilot's head in the sky ).
If the pilot keeps the control bar steady and parallel to his/her shoulders, the kite will natural-
ly "park" itself in this position. It is a position in which the kite will have the least amount of pull
and is most steady. When in the neutral position, if the kite luffs, it will move slightly away from
the user, in a downwind direction. If kept steady, when the kite receives a gust, it will pull and
again fly back into the neutral position. The neutral position is also where you may "park" the
kite in order to rest, reel in your board, etc. In this position, the kite still has power, so keep in
mind that although it is relatively stable in this position, it may still pull you. This is the safest
position in which to keep the kite when learning.
NEUTRAL ZONE:
This is the area that
includes the neutral position and the area
to the left and right of the pilot. It encom-
passes the most upwind or windward posi-
tions in which to fly the kite. When flown
here, the kite has the least amount of
power or
pull. This is one of the safer zones in which
to fly the kite.
POWER ZONE:
This is the area in
front and to the sides of the pilot, 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.
POWER ZONES
GENERATING POWER: One way to generate power from your kite is by steering your kite from
low to high or from high to low in the sky. The movement of your kite in the sky creates lift,
which creates power. Keep this in mind, especially when learning. When bringing the kite from
a low position up to the neutral position, the movement of the kite actually creates power and
generates speed, so be prepared. When underpowered, you may use this ability of the kite to
your advantage by creating power and speed to get planing.
KITEBOARDING BASICS
POWER ZONES
