Hi guys,
I've been researching kitesurfing trends for my uni project and I'd like to ask you guys whether these are the main trends in kite design (I'd really appreciate your input, thanks):
- Companies are trying to design the smallest possible kite with the highest possible pulling power.
- Main recent innovations include the relaunch system, bow design and reduction in number of control lines.
- Kitesurfers mostly want kites that can be used in a broad wind speed range.
- The majority of kitesurfers like agile and manoeuvrable kites (in other words direct response is better than slow, sluggish response in kite control).
I'd like to get a better view of how the kites are developing in terms of new features and technical innovations.
I'm a newbie when it comes to actual kitesurfing - but I'm starting my training in a few weeks :) – so any input would mean a lot.
Thanks guys,
Greg

I'd say safety, materials and marketing have been the #1 for the last few years for kite companies.

Better safety is bringing far more people into the sport.

Better materials are helping retain kiters in an expensive sport. Bladders used to pop all the time, kite lines stretched and snapped far more often, kites used to stretch more, rip more, and generally disintegrate faster.
Although kite prices are still high, kites are lasting longer and repairs are needed less often.

Marketing is helping sell kites. Every kiter wants to think they have the Formula 1 of kites, marketing helps them believe this :)

"- Companies are trying to design the smallest possible kite with the highest possible pulling power."
That's incorrect. Kites have got smaller with the introduction of bridling to increase the projected area, however useability is definitely the focus of design. Wind range, depowerability, safety, agility, responsiveness, feedback, efficiency(lift/drag) which translates into upwind ability, auto relaunch, staying aloft in miniscule wind and staying aloft without line tension. These are focus of design improvements. A 3m trainer kite still has the power of around 7m kitesurfing kite.
Innovations- Bow styled bridled kites is definitely the big one. Less struts. Low aspect delta shape. incredibly huge depower, relatively speaking.
"- Kitesurfers mostly want kites that can be used in a broad wind speed range. " I'd disagree. 2003 to 2006 I had a 1 to 2 kite quiver with 4m gap. Now it's 3 kites with 2m gaps even though the windrange now is huge. I expect the broad wind range as a safety margin only.
Different disciplines demand different qualities in a kite. Different people demand different qualities in the same discipline. Luckily we have heaps of choice.
cheers
Col

thanks for your input guys, seems like the manufacturers are focusing heavily on specific niches.

Btw, do you maybe know what would be the best place to look for used kites (online, offline)?

Thanks,
G.

I would have to agree with Trant. I think the biggest innovation over the years would be the safety factor of kite boarding.

Kite design tech is being developed and used to make inflatable robotic arms that can pick up an egg and beat you in an arm wrestle, that weighs very little and costs alot less than a metal robotic arm, Also legs which could get people walking again at little cost. As well as inflatable things that can carry 3 people across a field.

From the below website: "According to my conversations with Saul Griffith, the arm alone (sans valves and air supply) weighs a mere 2 lbs and is still able to lift several hundred pounds (eg. a person) with just 50-60 psi. He tells me that it can handily defeat a human at arm wrestling."

www.hizook.com/blog/2011/11/21/inflatable-robots-otherlab-walking-robot-named-ant-roach-and-complete-arm-plus-hand

The tech from this with PSI and strength if used in a kite design could be very interesting....

Its windy, time to head off to the beach to test more protos...

i think it would be worth while looking at 2 kite companies in particular.
Ocean Rodeo have developed a venturi system and forward swept wing tips.
Naish have developed the sigma/helix design.
to my knowlege these are the major variations to the standard 'C', SLE or Delta designs other than refining combinations of the different styles.

i think one thing that will be looked at in the future is making leading eadge bladders that will maintain an aerofoil shap to reduce drag while also maintaning strength.
this would make be of particular importance to race kites.
kiting's inclusion into the olympics should see more a lot more time and money spent on developments like this.

I think that's now old news Mr "cafe late" Float. Can I expect to see u at Dixon over the next few days, like the good old days.
Col

As a person that has been into sailing for many years, and flying - mostly gliders I'd have to say kites just look clunky ! The round and large leading edges just cant be good for aerodynamics!

I have often looked at my kites while they are flying and can see when bits of them are luffing - thats just not efficient!! - I reckon the drag coefficient on even our "modern" kites would make an aeronautical engineer cringe !!

I'm pretty sure some kite manufacturers have been looking at reducing the size of the leading edge tube ( f one?) - I guess to clean the airflow up a bit?? maybe one day the leading edge of inflatables will be more wing shaped?? ( but the trouble is a tube is the strongest shape...)

I have to say I'm amazed how much better a my 2010 and 2012 kites are to fly compared to a 2006 version - and thats in contrast to a an old teaching DVD that I have thats shows the 2 line kites and the NEW 4 line kites - bloody glad I didnt learn back then!!

Oh and ARC type kites - maybe one day they will be nice to fly... LOL