<< Page 1: Kite Board Design Attributes

Twin tips rely very heavily on edging to provide grip and improve upwind performance.

The fins are present to provide grip during the edge to edge transition when making a turn and to aid upwind performance in underpowered conditions. During a transition, the board will momentarily become flat; the moment at which fin grip comes into play. In lower winds, the board is ridden with far less bank (there is less weight over the rail) so fin grip is needed to increase the point of sail (the direction of travel in relation to the wind).

Larger fins increase grip and allow better upwind performance. However, they can cause unnecessary drag (especially in underpowered conditions) so can actually slow the board and negate any upwind gain.

As a rule of thumb, use the smallest fins possible for a comfortable ride - normally around 2.0 inch (50mm).  Small fins may feel a little skatey underfoot, but the loose feeling gives a fast ride and smaller fins are far more forgiving of mistakes during fast landings.

The stance width on a kiteboard has a huge impact on the ride characteristics of the board. It is possible to dramatically adjust the 'feel' of your kiteboard merely by tuning the stance width to your preferred riding conditions.

Stance width is measured centre to centre between the foot placements:

x<-A->x<-B->x<-A->x

Stance width = A + B

A: the distance across the footstrap screws
B: the distance across the board between the inner foostrap screws

A wide stance width favours powered conditions since the rider is able to apply their weight along a greater edge length. This allows increased leverage for improved 'pop' and provides increased stability during fast landings. The board will feel more responsive since the rider has better control over the tips. However, too wide and it is possible to trip over the tips! Reducing the stance width will give improved performance in light wind conditions since this makes the point of sail less sensitive to foot pressure.

Leashes on kite boards are the most dangerous things in the world. Your kite is pulling you one way, your board is submarining itself nice and deep under the water, either the leash snaps or your board comes flying back at you ready to take your head off....

Although it is really nice not to have to worry about your board floating away after crashing, there are a significant number of board leash related deaths every year. Modern kite surfers abandon board leashes altogether since it is very easy to "body drag upwind" to retrieve the board instead.

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