Kite Scoop Forum

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

In general, that's what they claim to be putting out...

Yes, that's what they claim. But in reality it's different. It mostly pr or hot air

You can't make a kite with a huge low end and still make it agile and have a wide wind range. So it's all about comprimise to make good kites that actually works for the users.

What you are saying is probably more what the users think they want. But they doesn't realize, what's possible with a kite to still make it stable and easy to relaunch etc. Most of your parameters effects each other in a possitive or negative way.

But you see kites getting a little lighter now to improve low end. But then again, you also see things going the other way. Hifi/nirvana

Personally I like my kites to be slower id rather just have it pulling without really having to worry much about steering it.

gas powered kites that produce a wake for you to hit on those windless days...

I think they already make those

Kitel, like inept_fun says here it's all about preference. The general preference of people in this forum will be very different from the average kiter, since we do wakestyle kiteboarding.

It all comes down to what discipline you want to perform. Depending on what you decide to specialize in will make you get an entirely different set of gear than other kiters.

you forget the fact that many people did quit windsurfing and switched to kitesurfing because the gear was too big and too heavy blah blah blah... and then comes race gear in kitesurfing which is just about as big and heavy as windsurfing. at least that's what's happening in italy but race is a bit of an epidemic at the moment