Many people confuse kiteboarding and kitesurfing, despite the fact that they are two different sports. Although they have a few things in common, kiteboarding and kitesurfing refer to two separate activities. Whether you’re using a windsurf board or a sailboard, you’ll need your own personal equipment.
Kiteboarding and kitesurfing are the same sport, but they refer to two different activities within that activity. Kitesurfing employs a directional board to ride waves, whereas kiteboarding utilizes a twin tip board on open water.
The distinction between kiteboarding and kitesurfing may appear small, but it has a significant influence on how the sport is classified as well as which activities are permissible in each region. Continue reading to learn more about the distinctions between kiteboarding and kitesurfing and why they’re important.
Kiteboarding
Kiteboarding is a form of windsurfing in which a kite is used to propel a person or object along the water’s surface. Kiteboarding is similar to wakeboarding rather than surfing. A kiteboarder is pulled across flat water instead of riding waves.
The Board
The board is the most obvious difference between kiteboarding and kitesurfing. Both utilize a kite, but the type of board used influences the activity.
Kiteboarding is similar to wakeboarding in that it uses a twin-tip board, which allows users to ride it forward or backward. A kiteboard, on the other hand, is not the same as a wakeboard!
Although a kiteboard has the same basic shape as a wakeboard, it has some distinct features. A kiteboard must be lighter than a wakeboard in order to be pulled easily by the kite. In addition, a kiteboard’s foot straps are simpler to put on and take off than those of a wakeboard.
A kiteboarder may also ride completely strapless, as this is the case with freestyle kiteboarding.
Events for Kiteboarding
Kiteboarding’s format and site selection lend themselves to various types of performance and competition than kitesurfing.
- The most popular form of kiteboarding is freestyle. Freestyle is a type of competition that consists of twin-tip boards and focuses on a rider’s ability to perform aerial tricks. Freestyle competitions for kite surfers are also held.
- Wakeboarding is performed by riding a kiteboard while strapped to it. This style of wake-style surfing is utilized to perform wakeboard-like tricks.
- Park riding is the term used to describe wakeboarding tricks and aerials utilizing ramps. It’s comparable to wakeboarding.
- R Slalom: This is a slalom kite race that takes place on twin tip boards rather than one-directional race boards. Similar to kitesurfing, TT: R slalom is seen as an event that may be utilized to assist younger participants into kite racing.
Kiteboarding on Land
The term kiteboarding is sometimes used to refer to the same activity done on land, particularly in the United Kingdom. Kiteboarding on land differs from water kite surfing. It necessitates the use of a specialized skateboard, and land kiteboarders frequently utilize a distinct sort of kite.
In order to avoid ambiguity, kiteboarding on land is sometimes referred to as landboarding or land kiting. Landboarding is regarded a distinct activity from kite surfing/kitesurfing, with its own set of rules and competitions.
Kitesurfing
Kiteboarding is similar to wakeboarding, but kitesurfing involves using a kite to surf. It takes place closer to the beach than kiteboarding and makes use of waves rather than open water.
The Board
The board is the simplest method to determine if you’re kiteboarding or surfing. A surfboard is comparable to a kitesurfing board. It’s a directional board that doesn’t require straps.
You might kitesurf with a regular surfboard instead of a kite. There are, however, several differences between kitesurfing boards and surfboards to be aware of.
Although the goal of kitesurfing is to reach a position where you are unencumbered by your equipment, many kitesurfing boards have straps available. Kitesurfing boards are also designed to be more robust and more difficult to break.
The wide, solid base ensures that the boards remain upright in the water as they are launched.
Kitesurf boards are smaller and shorter than traditional surfboards, owing to the fact that kite surfers obtain additional power from their kite.
Kitesurfing vs. Surfing
Because they utilize the same sort of board, kitesurfing and surfing are comparable sports. Kitesurfing, on the other hand, is thought of as a more straightforward sport to start. The use of the kite makes it simpler to bail and control the ride than surfing with just a board.
As a result, surfers may have an easier time learning to kitesurf than a kitesurfer learns to surf.
Events for Kitesurfing
Kitesurfing is similar to kiteboarding in that it also has events and activities for which it is more suited.
- Freestyle: Kiteboarding and kitesurfing also have a freestyle category that focuses on jumps and tricks. While you may freestyle in both kiteboarding and kitesurfing, freestyle competitions between kiteboarders and kitesurfers do not occur. One sport is avoided throughout the events.
- Surfing: This may appear to be self-evident, yet it is the most significant distinction between kiteboarding and kitesurfing. Kitesurfing allows you to ride surf. The directional board can cut through the chop and execute the tight turns necessary to surfing. It will be much more difficult to surf on a twin tip board.
How Exactly are Kiteboarding and Kitesurfing Connected?
Despite the fact that they are two distinct sports, there is a reason why people frequently interchange the words kiteboarding and kitesurfing. The two activities are both part of the same extreme sport and are closely linked.
The greatest approach to get into the game is to begin with kiteboarding. After a person has reached an intermediate level of kiteboarding, they can attempt to advance to kitesurfing.
While kitesurfing and kiteboarding are two distinct sports, many practitioners can perform both since they require similar abilities. Because kiteboarding is regarded as the gateway sport, you’re more likely to find a kiteboarder who can’t kitesurf than a kitesurfer who can’t kiteboard.
Why Do People Start with Kiteboarding?
Even if your ultimate goal is kitesurfing, most lessons will begin you on kiteboarding with a twin tip board. This is since learning kite basics on a twin tip board is considerably easier.
Kitesurfing is the art of managing a surfboard and a kite at the same time. Twin tip boards are simpler to control and are suitable for flat water where students may focus on the kite without having to worry about waves.
The most crucial aspect of both kiteboarding and kitesurfing is controlling the kite, so you must master that first.
Twin tip boards are also simpler to launch into the air than surfboards, making them a good place to start learning freestyle.
Why Do People Switch to Kitesurfing?
Following up with kiteboarding after attempting kiteboarding is frequently a natural progression. Many individuals who begin kiteboarding want to ride waves, and, as we’ve previously said, you need to kitesurf in order to surf waves. Kiteboarding is a step toward their ultimate goal for these individuals: kitesurfing.
Aside from the riding waves, some individuals believe that kitesurfing is healthier. It places less stress on the knees and hips, which can make it more comfortable for some people.
Challenges in Moving from Kiteboarding to Kitesurfing
As can be seen throughout this essay, kiteboarding and kitesurfing are not the same! As a result, making the transition from one to the other entails acclimating to their differences as well as learning new skills.
Turning
The biggest difficulty in moving from kiteboarding to kitesurfing is choosing between twin tip and directional boards. A twin-tip board may be used in either direction, but a directional board must be jibed if you wish to turn.
This implies you can ride in a single direction, then simply flip your kite to change directions. You don’t have to shift your feet; you’ll simply be riding with one foot in front of the other.
When you turn your kite back in the direction you came from, for example, if you begin on a twin tip board with your right foot forward and turn it to head back, you will be riding with your left foot forward.
In contrast, directional kite surfboards may only be ridden in one direction. As a result, when you turn, you’ll have to change your feet as well. Jibing is the process of turning while using this sort of board. You should expect to fall off your board a lot.
Going Strapless
The two activities have different approaches, which means you can use straps or a strapless suit to kite and surf. Kitesurfing is typically done with straps to keep the smaller and lighter twin tip boards in place, while kiteboarding utilizes them to assist move your feet about more easily when jibing.
When kitesurfing, surfboards are generally larger and having the ability to move your feet gives you a greater feeling of control. However, being able to ride waves without straps is difficult for many kiteboarders because they learn how to go strapless when kitesurfing.
You may start kitesurfing with straps if you want, but many people recommend making the switch to strapless for the best results. There are also those who only use a front strap to give them more range while retaining all safety.
Changing Stance
Anyone who has ever skated, snowboarded, or surfed knows that a solid posture is crucial to success. Because they ride on different boards, changing from kiteboarding to kitesurfing necessitates altering one’s stance.
In kiteboarding, the rear foot bears more weight than in kitesurfing. To keep a surfboard from rising, the feet must be farther apart and the weight transferred ahead.
It may be as difficult to change stance as it is to learn to jibe, but it frequently necessitates reversing established habits.
Why Does the Difference Matter?
Why is there a distinction between kiteboarding and kitesurfing, when both activities are so similar? Is kiteboarding exclusively for those who can’t kitesurf?
At competitions, kitesurfing and kiteboarding are regarded as two separate sports. Kitesurfers are not superior to kiteboarders. They ride in distinct conditions and with various goals in mind.
At a competition, twin tip board riders don’t compete against directional board riders. Although both kiteboarding and kitesurfing include freestyle events at a competition, there would be two separate freestyle events for twin tip paddlers (kiteboarding) and kitesurfers.
Kitesurfing and kiteboarding are similar sports that are often confused with one another. Since they fall under different categories, it’s difficult to compare them side by side. A kiteboarder and a kitesurfer will be riding in varying conditions while performing distinct sorts of tricks.
Be cautious! Terms may change at any time.
Have you ever observed that people from all over the world have various names for objects, even if they speak the same language?
Although you now understand the distinction between kiteboarding and kitesurfing, keep in mind that not everyone is aware of it. The truth is that these two words are still frequently confused with each other, and which term people prefer has a lot to do with where you live.
Basically, if you hear or come across the term “kiteboarding” or “kitesurfing,” you should determine how it’s being used. Do they mean all water kiting in general, or are they talking about twin tip riding vs. surfing?
We can’t guarantee that everyone understands these words in the same way.
Sailing or Surfing?
The terminology used in this sport is partly to blame for the confusion surrounding its classification. Some people believe that kiteboarding/kitesurfing is a sailing sport due to the kites.
In the world of water kite sports, we discovered numerous sailing phrases such as upwind, downwind, and jibing.
Because it utilizes a surfboard, some people consider kiteboarding/kitesurfing to be similar to surfing. Of course, twin tip boards are not the same as surfboards, therefore twin tip boarders must deal with classification issues.
Water kite sports are sometimes called kiteboarding because the name separates them from surfing. Those who feel water kiting is similar to surfing favor the term kitesurfing, while those who believe it is more akin to sailing prefer the term kiteboarding.
The Third Water Kiting Activity: Hydrofoil
In order to keep your terms straight in the water kiting sports world, you should be aware of the third sort of water kiting that is neither kiteboarding nor kitesurfing: it’s known as “kite hydrofoil.”
The distinction between hydrofoiling and kiteboarding comes down to the board. Kite hydrofoil simply indicates being towed behind a hydrofoil board instead of a twin tip or surfboard.
The Board
What is a hydrofoil board, and how does it work? A hydrofoil is simply a flat surface that raises an object in water. A hydrofoil board has a board on top of a shaft connected to a hydrofoil.
A hydrofoil board rises out of the water on top of the shaft when it gains speed, and the hydrofoil is what skims across the surface of the water. This causes the board and rider to ride a meter or more above the water’s surface.
How is Kite Hydrofoil Different from Kiteboarding and Kitesurfing?
Kite hydrofoil, like kitesurfing and kiteboarding, should not be compared to each other. Kite hydrofoils have the least resistance of all hydrofoil boards, allowing them to go faster than twin tip and directional boards.
Hydrofoils are ideal for racing, but they aren’t as well-suited to performing stunts as kiteboards or kitesurfing boards.
Let’s look at the other perplexing name: Windsurfing.
While we’re on the subject of terminology, you should be aware of another sport that involves wind and water-based boards: windsurfing.
Surfing with a sail is known as windsurfing. A kite, on the other hand, uses the wind to power itself rather than a sail.
Windsurfing is a distinct sport from kitesurfing and kiteboarding, as it uses wind rather than water. Nonetheless, its employment of wind and a board on the sea might lead to some confusion with kite sports.
Kitesurfing, kiteboarding, and kite hydrofoil are all activities that make use of a kite. Windsurfing does not utilize a kite, so it is not part of the same athletic group.
Conclusion
The boards, however, distinguish kiteboarding from kitesurfing. The position of the riding and what kind of skills are required to be successful varies depending on the type of board. Despite these differences, water kiting sports such as kiteboarding and kitesurfing are connected under the same umbrella.