"The best place to learn is Kiteboarding School of Maui...We like how KSM does their lessons..."
Maui Revealed-The Ultimate Guidebook
2007 4th Edition, page 231
Kiteboarding Questions
What is the wind window?
The wind window or power zone is the area in which you can fly a kite. The quarter-sphere shape that defines the power zone can be imagined when you face straight down wind and look 60 degrees to the left of center, 60 degrees to the right of center, and 85 degrees upward. The front face of the powerzone can also be imagined to be the face of a clock with the numbers 9 and 3 resting on the ground and 12 at zenith. The outer edge of the "clock" is also referred to as the stall or neutral zone. The idea behind kiteboarding is to briefly maneuver the kite through the power zone (straight line from 11 to 2 or 1 to 10 depending on direction of travel) to expose surface area of the kite to the wind. That action gives the kiteboarder the needed power during the water start phase to get pulled up on the board to begin riding and then the rider maneuvers the kite to the edge of the power zone to maintain control of board speed.
- What are the terms and names for kiteboarding tricks?
- What is the difference between kitesurfing, kiteboarding, and flysurfing?
- What is the wind window?
- Can I relaunch the kite from the water?
- Do I need assistance to launch or land the kite?
- How much does equipment cost?
- How big a kiteboard should I choose?
- What is the typical wind range of a kite?
- How many kites do I need?
- Will I need a wetsuit on Maui?
- What equipment do I need to kitesurf?
- Do I need to bring anything with me for the lesson?
- When is the best time to come to Maui for lessons?
- Is kiteboarding safe?
- How hard is it to learn how to kite?
- I am a windsurfer, is it hard to convert?
- How fast will I learn the sport?
- What sort of physical shape do I need to be in?
- I have done some trainer kite flying and body draggng. Will I be able to take a class starting with the kiteboard on my first lesson?
- Will I be riding on a board the first day?
- Will I get on the water on the first day of lessons?
- What is the best time of day for lessons?
- My son and I would like to take a lesson together. Do we have to each take private lessons or can we take lessons with one instructor?
- What can I do to prepare for my lesson ahead of time?
- I already kiteboard. Can I rent kites?
- What does FAA have to do with kiteboarding on Maui?
- What does the IKO and PASA certification offer students?
- Is KSM insured?
- How long has KSM been in business?
- How much experience do KSM instructors have?
- What sets KSM apart from other Maui kiteboarding schools?
- What should I look for so I know I have found a safe, quality school?
- Will the 2009 Cabrinha IDS control bar work with 2008 Cabinha kites?
- Is the bow kite bridle system complicated?
- How do the bow kites turn?
- What does the bridle on a bow kite do?
- Can I use the bow kite with a 5th line?
- Are bow kites better than other kite designs?
- How did kiteboarding start?