Different types of kites?

The kites we see the most during kitesurfing are the so-called tubekites. These kites get pumped up with air. These kites get their shape by the air pressure. One big advantage is the fact that they keep floating on the water if you crash them. There are a couple of different types of kites available. With the Tube Kites, we distinguish Bow / SLE kites, C-kites, Hybrid kites and Delta kites. For every kiter/ride style a suitable kite. All the different types of kites have a slight differentiation in their shape. Because of this they all have their own character and ride style. Another important factor for the kite's flying features are the bridles and the bar. A kite with bridles often has more depower than a C-kite without bridles. Check below a clear, concise explanation of the different types of kites.
 

Bow / SLE Kites

A Bow Kite, also called a Supported Leading Edge Kite, is a kite with bridles on the front of the kite. These bridles have two functions. First of all, it supports the kite in the sky. The additional support allows the kite to get a more flat arc, with a higher aspect ratio. The kite gets less in a C, which enables him to catch more wind and often gets more power. He uses the wind better than a C-kite (we will get back on this later). The second advantage of the bridles is that the kite can be tilted out of the wind and thereby get more depower. Beginners are always advised to start a Bow kite / SLE kite. As soon as you release the bar, the kite loses 80% of its strength. So if you accidentally make a steering error, leave the bar and you will be safe for 99%. An additional advantage is that the kite relaunched easily. There are no real disadvantages unless you prefer the aggressiveness of a C-kite to do more freestyle riding and tricks.

Examples of Bow / SLE kites: Core XR6, Eleveight XS, Flysurfer BOOST3
 

C-Kites

The so-called C-kites have the shape of a C. These kites are extremely powerful and are made for freestyle action. The best freestyle riders out there often use these kinds of kites, as these kites offer a very good pop. With that extra power, you will be able to propel yourself into the sky to perform the sickest tricks. The kites are also very stable because they have a very natural shape in the sky. However, you often need a size bigger because fewer surface catches the wind. C-kites are suitable for kiters who are looking to push their limits. You can ride unhooked and do wakestyle-oriented tricks. A C-kite feels extremely stable and solid as a rock in the sky. Still, a C-kite has a lot less depower than an SLE kite. This is because the tips aren't going backward and because it isn't supported by bridles. In general, you get punished a lot harder if you make a steering error! Once you master this obstacle, you can go high and very fast. Examples of C-kites: Eleveight FS, Core Impact, 
 

Hybrid Kites

Now that we know a little bit about SLE and C-kites we can talk about the kites that actually fall in the middle of these two. The so-called Hybrid kites. These hybrid crossover kites offer the best of both worlds. The disadvantage of a C-kite is depowering and relaunching, but the advantage is the good pop, stability and direct feel. The hybrid kite often has bridles (depower) but still the shape of a C. As a result, the Hybrid kite remains direct and fast but has a lot more depower than a true Bow kite. Hybrid kites are often used by kiters who want to learn tricks, but still, want the allround character of an SLE kite if they want to cruise. The Hybrid kites are also easily unhooked and are well suited for making thick kiteloops!

Examples of Hybrid kites: Reedin SUPERMODEL, Flysurfer STOKE, Core NEXUS, ELEVEIGHT RS
 

Delta Kites

A Delta C-shape kite has a lot in common with the hybrid kite but is a little bit more allround and less freestyle oriented. Delta kites have their tips swept backwards giving them more depower as a C kite. They look a lot like bow kites and are suitable for the allround freerider who likes to do anything with his kite. However, Delta C-shape kites have the shape of a C-kite, which allows them to steer a bit faster than bow kites. They feel very responsive and are also well suited for making high leaps.

Example of a Delta kite: Core GTS5, 

Foil Kites

Foils are the most efficient of the power kites. Best performance from all kites. The aerofoil section means that they can still provide significant lift when parked overhead, unlike leading edge inflatable kites. In addition to tube kites, sometimes surfers use foil kites. These kites are not able to pump up with air. The kite fills itself with air thanks to the wind blowing in it. As a result, a good foil kite simply stays on the water if you crash it. This enables you to relaunch it, almost as easy as with a Tube kite. The advantage of a Foil kite is that they are a lot lighter than Tube kites. So you can kite with the littlest wind. With 6/8 knots you can hit the water using a 21m foil kite. A tube kite needs at least 12 knots to generate power. 

Examples of a Foil kite: Flysurfer SOUL, SONIC3

In addition to distinguishing in the type of kite, it can also be distinguished in the riding style. For example, we speak of Freeride, Freestyle, Lightwind, Surf/wave & Race kites. Below we talk more about the different types of kites in the corresponding ride style.

Freeride Kite

A freeride kite has everything you need to be able to cruise but also to add in a jump from time to time. A good freeride kite has a good depower and is always ready to go. A freeride kite also called an allround kite, has good relaunch features and is suitable for beginner to advanced kiters. Freeride kites are often Bow / SLE, Delta or hybrid kites who feel at home in all circumstances.
 

Freestyle Kite

Freestyle is a ride style where the kiter pushes himself to go faster and higher. For this job, you will need an aggressive kite that greatly increases your pop to perform high tricks. We often see that freestyle kiters make use of C-kites, because of their giant pop and power in the turn. A freestyle kite unhooks good and is amazing for kiteloops. If you think a real C-kite is a bit too much for you, the Hybrid kite is also a very good choice.
 

Lightwind Kite

A lightwind kite is made for kitesurfing with very little wind. These are often big kites with a very flat arc so they catch a lot of wind. Lightwind kites often have fewer struts to reduce the weight. In addition, they are often 12m or larger so you can ride with only a few knots. Thanks to the Bow shape, they have a lot of depower and enables them to relaunch quite easily. 
 

Wave kite

A wave kite is made for wave riding. This is a kitesurfing style which has a focus on ripping all those sick waves! Tons of fun but also challenging in a good way. Wave kiters ride on a wave board/surfboard with or without straps. This allows you to surf the coolest waves without having to wait for it. Your kite will just simply pull you into every wave possible :) A wave kite has a fast response so you can steer hard from left to right. In addition, a good wave kite drift along with the wind so that it doesn't fall out of the air when you slide off a nice wave.
 

Are there also several bars?

There are plenty of different bars available on the market, to make it easier we have divided them depending on some differences. A bar usually has four lines, a chickenloop, control bar, depower line, floaters, depower system and a safety system. Generally speaking, there are two different types of bars, the 4-line bar (most common) and 5-line bar. The 5-line bar is often seen in C-kites which have a middle line for safety. SLE kites do not usually need that extra 5th line. So make sure when you buy a kite, that your bar always matches with the type of kite. Because there is quite some differentiation in line lengths, V-splits, pigtails etc.
 

How long does a kite last?

A kite can certainly last a couple of years, making it very attractive for many beginners to buy a second-hand kite. Make sure you check the state of a kite. A kite can still be in good shape after a few years, but this depends greatly on how often the kite has been used. For example, if you use a kite often with strong wind, a kites durability will drop faster. A kite lasts 3 to 6 years, depending on how often and intense it has been used.
 

What should I consider when purchasing a kite?

Before purchasing a kite it's important to keep in mind a few things. First of all, you have to buy the right size kite. Choose the right kite for your weight. If you know what size you need, it's important that you look for the right kind of kite. For beginners, it's often wise to buy a freeride kite with a lot of depower. A C-kite is often too fierce to start with. If you are advanced, you can make a decision to go for a hybrid / C-kite for the extreme jumps or some wave kite action. So choose the right type of kite which matches your ride style. In addition, every top brand on the market has its own characteristics.
 

Which size of kite do I need?

No idea what size of kite you need? No worries, check out please contact us and we will advise you.

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