| | | HARNESS A piece of equipment used to temporarily attach the rider to the control bar harness line. This enables the rider to save energy by utilizing their body weight and all of their muscles to hang on to the kite. Most common are the waist harness (attaches around the torso) and the seat harness (attaches to the waist and around the legs) The term used to describe the sport of power kiting on water, KITESURFING Another term used to describe the sport of power kiting on water. NEUTRAL POSITION This is the position just above the rider's head in the sky. If the rider levels out the bar, the kite will gravitate to the neutral position. However, it is difficult and dangerous to keep the kite in this position. Although in this position the kite may feel steady and may feel like it has the least amount of power or pull, it is also the position in which on land the rider is most susceptible to lofting. On the water, the neutral position can be utilized to rest while you reel in your boat board, but on land, we strongly suggest you do not utilize the neutral position. After launching, it is best to make your way to the water without delay. Do NOT linger on land with the kite in neutral position. It is VERY dangerous, NEUTRAL ZONE This is the area that includes the neutral position and the area to the left and right of the rider. It encompasses the most upwind or windward positions in which to fly the kite. When flown here, the kite has less power or pull than when it is in the power zone. However, use caution when the kite is in this zone, especially when on land, and especially in gusty wind conditions. POWER ZONE This is the area in front and to the sides of the rider, but excluding the neutral position and zones. It is the area in which the kite has the most power and pull. When flown in this area, the kite can be powerful and dangerous, so avoid flying your kite in this zone when learning. Use extreme caution when flying the kite in this zone. | | LAUNCHING The motion in which the rider steers the kite from their partner's hands into the sky, SELF LAUNCHING A technique in which the rider launches the kite without assistance, usually by weighting down a wing tip with sand until he/she is ready to launch. RE-LAUNCHING The motion in which the rider steers the kite off of the water and back into the sky, BODY DRAGGING This is an instructional tactic / step in which the rider flies the kite while in the water, but without the board. The rider will launch, then walk to the water, and basically drag in the water while practicing flying, re-launching and self-rescue techniques. WATER STARTING The motion of the rider in which he/she goes from sitting or lying in the water to standing on the board. GYBING The motion in which the rider changes the direction of the board he/she is riding. The rider switches from a starboard tack to a port tack or vice versa, PLANING The point in time in which the rider gets the board skimming on the water. LANDING The motion in which the rider steers the kite into their partner's hands on shore, OVER-POWERED A situation in which the rider has a kite too powerful for his/her ability level, weight, strength, and/or wind conditions, UNDER-POWERED A situation in which the rider has a kite not powerful enough for his/her weight, strength, and/or wind conditions. REACH A direction of travel relative to the wind direction. Generally 90-160 degrees off the wind. | | |