Kite - Wave

Welcome to the Kitemana Q&A regarding wave kites. If you are looking for a wave kite, you have come to the right place. Here we answer the most common questions about wave kites that are asked again and again. Feel free to read the questions and answers below, but please don't hesitate to contact us! Our English-speaking customer service is always available and will always be happy to help you with their expert knowledge!

Which size should I choose for my wave kite?
Which characteristics should a wave kite have?
Are wave kites good for beginners?
Are wave kites also suitable for freeriding?
Do I need a special bar for a wave kite?
Can I jump with a wave kite?
Which wave kite brands does Kitemana stock?
Are wave kites suitable for foil kiting?
Are wave kites suitable for strapless freestyle?
Why is a quick relaunch important for wave kites?

Of course, the right size for a wave kite also depends on your weight and wind strength. The heavier you are or the weaker the wind, the bigger your wave kite should be. However, you should always choose a wave kite that is slightly smaller than usual, as you ride a directional kiteboard in the wave and not a twintip, which has more buoyancy. You also want to fly a smaller kite so that you can make quick turns in the wave and are not overpowered. As soon as you are in the wave, you don't want that the kite pulls you off your surfboard or out of the wave when it is depowered.

A good drift is essential for a wave kite, so that if you ride the wave without the power of the kite, the kite drifts along without stalling. It is also important that your wave kite turns quickly, so that your wave kite can keep up in fast turns. For these two properties, it is an advantage if your wave kite has a rather low weight so that it is agile and dynamic.
A very good depower is also important for a wave kite, so that you can „switch off“ the kite in the wave as much as possible. The kite should still be easy to control when depowered. The bar forces of your wave kite are ideally rather low to enable easy and dynamic steering.
In addition, it should be possible to relaunch your wave kite quickly and easily so that if you drop it, you can restart it quickly before it gets washed by the next wave. You should also choose a robust kite so that your wave kite can withstand being washed in the wave.
Last but not least, a wave kite should have good upwind properties so that you can easily go upwind again after riding the wave.

Typical characteristics of a wave kites such as a good relaunch and depower, are very useful for kite beginners. In addition, wave kites usually release their power more lineal and softer, which is particularly advantageous for lighter kitesurf beginners.

Wave kites are suitable for freeriding as well – especially for light weight riders. You can cruise on your wave kite, especially in light wind. Due to its lower weight, a wave kite usually starts flying quite early, which is why it is ideal for light wind sessions. If you want to jump and go big, a wave kite will not offer a lot of lift and hangtime. A classic wave kite generates less lift than freeride kites. There are now good all-round kites from several brands that are well suited for both pure wave kiting and freeriding.

Usually, it makes sense to use a bar and a kite from the same kite brand. There are also special chicken loops for wave kiting, which you can only use in combination with a rope slider harness. This offers you maximum freedom in the wave. For classic harness hooks you should use a small freeride chicken loop so that you can use as much depower as possible.

The typical characteristics of a wave kite such as a linear and softer power release contradict the properties of a kite that you need for high jumps and a lot of lift. You can also jump with a wave kite, but with freeride kites you will be able to jump higher and you will have more hang time.

At Kitemana you can get wave kites from the following brands. Click on the respective link to learn more about the brand. Airush: BY INNOVATORS FOR INNOVATORS
Cabrinha: LIVE FREE. RIDE FREE.
Duotone Kiteboarding: TRUE KITEBOARDING.
F-One: ENJOY ALL CONDITIONS, TRY OUT NEW THINGS, OPEN UP YOUR PLAYGROUND
Naish: POWERED BY NATURE.
North: FOR THE SEEKERS.
Ozone: INSPIRED BY NATURE · DRIVEN BY THE ELEMENTS
Slingshot: THE ART OF POWER

Wave kites are usually very suitable for foil kiting, as their good low-end means they can be used early in little wind. The high agility and good depower, as well as the lower bar forces and the good drift make wave kites very well suitable for foiling.

Wave kites with good all-round properties are ideal for strapless freestyle tricks. Basically, wave kites are more suitable for strapless freestyle than, for example, freestyle or freeride kites, since jumping with a directional surfboard is very different from the take-offs with a twintip. Feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help you find the perfect kite!

If you drop your wave kite in the wave, you should be able to start it again quickly so that it is not eaten and washed by the next wave. Because this is not only unhealthy for your kite, but in big waves this situation can quickly become uncomfortable for you as well.