Hi guys,
I've been researching kitesurfing trends for my uni project and I'd like to ask you guys whether these are the main trends in kite design (I'd really appreciate your input, thanks):
- Companies are trying to design the smallest possible kite with the highest possible pulling power.
- Main recent innovations include the relaunch system, bow design and reduction in number of control lines.
- Kitesurfers mostly want kites that can be used in a broad wind speed range.
- The majority of kitesurfers like agile and manoeuvrable kites (in other words direct response is better than slow, sluggish response in kite control).
I'd like to get a better view of how the kites are developing in terms of new features and technical innovations.
I'm a newbie when it comes to actual kitesurfing - but I'm starting my training in a few weeks :) – so any input would mean a lot.
Thanks guys,
Greg
I'd say safety, materials and marketing have been the #1 for the last few years for kite companies.
Better safety is bringing far more people into the sport.
Better materials are helping retain kiters in an expensive sport. Bladders used to pop all the time, kite lines stretched and snapped far more often, kites used to stretch more, rip more, and generally disintegrate faster.
Although kite prices are still high, kites are lasting longer and repairs are needed less often.
Marketing is helping sell kites. Every kiter wants to think they have the Formula 1 of kites, marketing helps them believe this :)
"- Companies are trying to design the smallest possible kite with the highest possible pulling power."
That's incorrect. Kites have got smaller with the introduction of bridling to increase the projected area, however useability is definitely the focus of design. Wind range, depowerability, safety, agility, responsiveness, feedback, efficiency(lift/drag) which translates into upwind ability, auto relaunch, staying aloft in miniscule wind and staying aloft without line tension. These are focus of design improvements. A 3m trainer kite still has the power of around 7m kitesurfing kite.
Innovations- Bow styled bridled kites is definitely the big one. Less struts. Low aspect delta shape. incredibly huge depower, relatively speaking.
"- Kitesurfers mostly want kites that can be used in a broad wind speed range. " I'd disagree. 2003 to 2006 I had a 1 to 2 kite quiver with 4m gap. Now it's 3 kites with 2m gaps even though the windrange now is huge. I expect the broad wind range as a safety margin only.
Different disciplines demand different qualities in a kite. Different people demand different qualities in the same discipline. Luckily we have heaps of choice.
cheers
Col
Look at the initial c shaped kites, followed by the bow revolution, including SLEs followed by delta, then c shaped kites again. Then look at all the hybrids which take the DNA from all of these and mix and match to meet the demans of an increasingly differentiated market. Kites are getting very specific. Maybe someone with a windsurfing background could draw some analogies. the changes in basic wing design should also be looked at through the basic definitions above as well as the change in bridle design. This all has a basis in safety design as well.
You had better look into the evolution and changes to double skinned foils as well, not big here in australia but used extensively throughout Europe.
And the other advice given above as well.
You say what is the next big thing, I suppose a historical perceptive is needed. Be interested to see what you find
thanks for your input guys, seems like the manufacturers are focusing heavily on specific niches.
Btw, do you maybe know what would be the best place to look for used kites (online, offline)?
Thanks,
G.
Hey Greg, must be summer in the UK - how's the water where you are?
Australia's most popular Buy & Sell is right under your nose... if you're thinking of buying while you're in the UK, the aussie $ must hurt...?
www.seabreeze.com.au/classifieds/default.aspx
I would have to agree with Trant. I think the biggest innovation over the years would be the safety factor of kite boarding.
think col pretty much summed it up . but i wonder how many people buy a kite because it looks good ? so taking this into account aesthetics plays a big part .
when designing a kite i wonder how much theoretical modelling of the air frames goes into the design ?
i think the last major break from the norm was naish with their sigma shape
safety has to be top priority and kites have evolved massively in this area.
kite design now has segregated into different disciplines eg free stlye ,wake new school, free ride ,wave riding , boosting, trainer. where as years ago a kite was a kite and they did everything ish because we didn't know any better.
as for trends there will be massive push for race kites in the future due to the Olympic influence.
i think the air frame design for kites would make an amazing degree project
if you go this was id love to see your end project .
best of luck
daz
Kite design tech is being developed and used to make inflatable robotic arms that can pick up an egg and beat you in an arm wrestle, that weighs very little and costs alot less than a metal robotic arm, Also legs which could get people walking again at little cost. As well as inflatable things that can carry 3 people across a field.
From the below website: "According to my conversations with Saul Griffith, the arm alone (sans valves and air supply) weighs a mere 2 lbs and is still able to lift several hundred pounds (eg. a person) with just 50-60 psi. He tells me that it can handily defeat a human at arm wrestling."
www.hizook.com/blog/2011/11/21/inflatable-robots-otherlab-walking-robot-named-ant-roach-and-complete-arm-plus-hand
The tech from this with PSI and strength if used in a kite design could be very interesting....
Its windy, time to head off to the beach to test more protos...
An interesting thing to add into your research would be looking at how boards have evolved with the kites. Originally, as some previous people have pointed out, it was all C-kites, and we just rode what ever boards we thought might work. As we've evolved into surfing, wake-style, long-distance racing, course racing etc, boards have changed / evolved with the kites - just nice little side-story that could add to your research.
Cheers.
Danno
i think it would be worth while looking at 2 kite companies in particular.
Ocean Rodeo have developed a venturi system and forward swept wing tips.
Naish have developed the sigma/helix design.
to my knowlege these are the major variations to the standard 'C', SLE or Delta designs other than refining combinations of the different styles.
i think one thing that will be looked at in the future is making leading eadge bladders that will maintain an aerofoil shap to reduce drag while also maintaning strength.
this would make be of particular importance to race kites.
kiting's inclusion into the olympics should see more a lot more time and money spent on developments like this.
water skis and kites .....its a hunch .
Here is a guy using water skis to ride waves (no kite )
I think that's now old news Mr "cafe late" Float. Can I expect to see u at Dixon over the next few days, like the good old days.
Col
An interesting aspect would be to focus on how as the equipment has improved to work in ever decreasing wind speeds so too has the wind conditions of each successive season been poorer so out of it all we are no better off. Or - are we just getting spoilt? The grass is always greener?
Col
As a person that has been into sailing for many years, and flying - mostly gliders I'd have to say kites just look clunky ! The round and large leading edges just cant be good for aerodynamics!
I have often looked at my kites while they are flying and can see when bits of them are luffing - thats just not efficient!! - I reckon the drag coefficient on even our "modern" kites would make an aeronautical engineer cringe !!
I'm pretty sure some kite manufacturers have been looking at reducing the size of the leading edge tube ( f one?) - I guess to clean the airflow up a bit?? maybe one day the leading edge of inflatables will be more wing shaped?? ( but the trouble is a tube is the strongest shape...)
I have to say I'm amazed how much better a my 2010 and 2012 kites are to fly compared to a 2006 version - and thats in contrast to a an old teaching DVD that I have thats shows the 2 line kites and the NEW 4 line kites - bloody glad I didnt learn back then!!
Oh and ARC type kites - maybe one day they will be nice to fly... LOL
