"Kiteboarding School of Maui is the premier kiteboarding operation on Maui."
Lonely Planet-Maui
2nd Edition, page 108
Are bow kites better than other kite designs?
Bow kites were first introduced mid-year 2005 by Cabrinha and immediately KSM, the only authorized Cabrinha kiteboarding school on Maui, began teaching beginners on the kites. KSM instructors recognized that the quick depowering capability of bow kites (due to pulleys on the control bar and bridle lines), which allows the rider to instantly reduce power and avoid an accident, is an excellent safety feature for beginners and intermediate riders. (That same quick depower feature makes kitesurfing in the waves more fun for advanced riders). The ease in water launching the kite is another design feature that makes bow kites better for beginners. When the kite is leading edge down on the water (or snow), you simply pull on either the left or right leader line to choose the direction you would like to launch the kite and the wingtip will rise out of the water. The increased range of the bow kites is also an important factor that makes the kites so popular for all levels of experience over other designs. Kiteboarders around the globe can now accommodate most wind conditions in their riding area with only 2 kite sizes. Kites are easy enough to pack for your travels but if you can get away with taking only 2 sizes of bow kites, versus 4 of the classic design, this is a big plus.
Kiteboarding Questions
- What are the terms and names for kiteboarding tricks?
- Are bow kites better than other kite designs?
- Can I use the bow kite with a 5th line?
- What does the bridle on a bow kite do?
- How do the bow kites turn?
- Is the bow kite bridle system complicated?
- What should I look for so I know I have found a safe, quality school?
- What sets KSM apart from other Maui kiteboarding schools?
- How much experience do KSM instructors have?
- How long has KSM been in business?
- Is KSM insured?
- What does the IKO and PASA certification offer students?
- What does FAA have to do with kiteboarding on Maui?
- I already kiteboard. Can I rent kites?
- What can I do to prepare for my lesson ahead of time?
- 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 is the best time of day for lessons?
- Will I get on the water on the first day of lessons?
- Will I be riding on a board the first day?
- 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?
- What sort of physical shape do I need to be in?
- How fast will I learn the sport?
- I am a windsurfer, is it hard to convert?
- How hard is it to learn how to kite?
- Is kiteboarding safe?
- When is the best time to come to Maui for lessons?
- Do I need to bring anything with me for the lesson?
- What equipment do I need to kitesurf?
- Will I need a wetsuit on Maui?
- How many kites do I need?
- What is the typical wind range of a kite?
- How big a kiteboard should I choose?
- How much does equipment cost?
- Do I need assistance to launch or land the kite?
- Can I relaunch the kite from the water?
- What is the wind window?
- What is the difference between kitesurfing, kiteboarding, and flysurfing?
- How did kiteboarding start?