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KITESURFING EQUIPMENT
Having good equipment is
vital to your success. At Action Sports we stress the importance of of
choosing the correct equipment for each
situation. We only use the highest quality gear because it has to be
dependable when you
need it most. We constantly renew and revise our equipment to give our
riders that very best gear that is available. We thoroughly test and try all
the new equipment before we put it into your hands. So that we know how it
will perform in every situation. Our livelihood and
reputation depends on us making smart gear choices. Your life may depend on
it too. That is why we never recommend taking short cuts in training or
equipment.
Our Quiver of kites is
mostly comprised if Naish Kites. Naish is the premier kiting companies. With
the longest reputation for making Quality Kites. Naish was the first
licensed manufacturer of the Legaignoux inflatable kites, and Naish was the
first Professional Sail maker to make
inflatable kitesurfing kites. Action Sports has worked closely with Naish Kites for
over nine years. and we have always found them to be at the forefront of
design, and with the highest quality and integrity. Naish Kites cost more
than other kites because they are usually better. Naish kites can cost twice
as much as the cheaper brands,
but you get
what you pay for. Quality,
Durability, Reliability, Performance, and the highest resale value on the
market.
In
2007 we have the full spectrum of Naish Kites from the beginner's very first
Trainer kites, to the high performance SLE/Bow kite designs. We have exactly
the right kite for any kiteboarder. |
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We can can teach on any brand of kite,
and are thoroughly familiar with the different functionality of the
different systems. If you have a Brand Preference we can arrange Cabrinha
Kites, Airush Kites, Best Kites, North Kites, Star Kites, Ozone Kites, Ocean
rodeo, Globe Kites, or Slingshot Kites for you.
  
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TRAINER KITES
When learning to fly we mostly recommend cutting your teeth on the trainer
kite. Traditionally, a potential kitesurfer would spend at least 20-30 hours on the
trainer kite before, their first session with an inflatable kite. The
trainer, is a smaller less powerful kite that is easier to use than a full
size kite. Using the trainer gives the flyer a feel for the wind, and they
learn the steering reflexes that are so important to kitesurfing. The
trainer kites are usually a simple two-line design, that is quick to set up
and simple to use. The Trainer kites are a
ram-air design which is relatively soft
when it crashes, yet very powerful for their size. Trainer kites range in
size.
 Trainer
Kites are typically between two and three square meters in flat area. The
size of the kite is proportional to its power. A three meter kite has 50%
more power than a two meter size kite. Basic Trainer kite flying techniques
are taught in a standard kiteboarding course. A kite flyer will then
transition onto a Traction Kite for the water (or snow). The larger trainer
Kites can also be used as introductory snow kiting kites too. Land bound
kite fliers will develop their power kiting skills even more and may go into
stunt kite flying or other related kite-sports.
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Trainer Kites are not toy kites. They should be used responsibly and
with adult supervision. Always use a trainer kite in an area free from
hazards and obstructions (and people). Larger trainer kites should be
used with wrist leash (that depowers the kite when the bar is dropped).
Trainer kites move very quickly and can generate power to throw you
around if you are not careful. |
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KITESURFING (L.E.I.) KITES
When
you are ready to get into the water, you will transition onto the inflatable
type kites. LEI's or "Leading Edge inflatables" are what make kiteboarding
on water possible. These kites have inflatable framework that holds enough air
to keep the kites afloat and to hold their arched shape. The shape of the
kite is essential to its ability to Re-launch from the water.
The LEI inflatable kites
use a four-line or five-line control system which makes them depowerable,
(like having gears on a bicycle). Changing the kites power while you fly is
a great advantage when the wind strength increases. Inflatable kites have
become vastly easier to fly and to water relaunch in the last year or two. advances
in design have made the kites easier and safer to use. |
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There are two popular
styles the are is use. The five-line "C"-Kite and the "Flat" Kite designs.
Generally the "C-Kite" is easier to use in steady wind and for the basic
flying techniques. The C-shape kite has been the main kite design for the
last ten years. Flat kites have become popular in the last year or two. The Flat Kites take a little more
skill to fly, but will ultimately have
a wider wind range, and more de-power than a traditional C. We usually recommend flat kites for
gusty wind conditions and for people who are up and riding. There are also
an emerging group called "Hybrid" kites that share some of the
characteristics of "Flat" and "C" shaped kites. Your instructor can
advise you which kites are best for you in any given situation. In the
lessons, we will make
use of the best kite type for a given situation, and perhaps we will be utilizing a
different kite type for each stage of a riders development.
Once a rider has
mastered the basics of kiteboarding, and is independent, they will choose a
kite style according to their personal preferences, and local ride
conditions. |
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KITEBOARDS
When you are ready to get on the board, you will notice that there are two
different board types to choose from. We usually recommend you start with a
twin-tip style board. A twin tip board is similar to a wakeboard, or a
snowboard, in that it can go in both directions. Beginners who start with
twin tips have more success early on. The other style of board that is
gaining popularity is the directional board,. The directional board looks
like a surfboard. it has fins at one end and a distinct nose and tail.
Directional board are more difficult to ride for the beginner. Directional
boards are now used in surf conditions to give a surfing like feel, and they
are also used to enhance light wind performance. The directional requires
the rider to switch their foot placement each time they turn around, so that
requires some practice. People with windsurfing experience, will find this
very similar to Jibing their windsurf boards. and will have little trouble
learning to ride the directional board style. |
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Twin-Tip Kiteboard
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Directional Kiteboard
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