TECH HIGHLIGHTS: THE DIFFERENT SHAPES OF A KITE AND THEIR QUALITIES

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14 june 2024 0

Identify the different shapes of a kite and their qualities in the blink of an eye!

The pioneers of kitesurfing have experienced a succession of major innovations in terms of shapes. They have gone from good old classic kites and foil kites to inflatable structures in multiple shapes, of which 4 families now make up almost all shapes on the market: C-Shape, Bow Kite, Open C-Shape and Hybrid C-Shape. These last two shapes, the most modern, represent most of the kites developed to date. Let's see them in detail.

Kitesurfer: Patrice Guénolé, GONG boss and shaper, with a Vertigo kite (Hybrid C-Shape).

C-Shape

The C-Shape is the kite shape that marks the commercial rise of kitesurfing at the very beginning of the 2000s. It simply takes its name from its C shape. It’s a kite shape with tips that are square. If you were a kitesurfer in those years, you probably had a C-Shape kite. They were powerful kites but suffered from a limited wind range and a significantly less effective depower than the modern shapes we have today. Reason why these pure C-Shapes have gradually been replaced. However, they remain a niche product for freestylers, particularly for unhooked tricks, who appreciate the characteristics of this shape:

- Good maneuverability: The C-Shape offers a direct and precise response when steering the bar, which is a major asset in technical maneuvers and jumps.
- Constant power: They deliver constant and predictable power, interesting for a lot of tricks and unhooked sequences.
- Less depower: Compared to other shapes, C-Shape kites offer less possibility of reducing power, which is a major disadvantage, especially for beginners.

Bow kite

The bow kite is recognizable by its more arched shape with a leading edge which joins the trailing edge with a curvature which accelerates on the tips. This progressive rounding on the tips greatly facilitates relaunch, and its flattened profile with more surface area in the center, which flies significantly better than a pure C-Shape, gives it a large wind range. Also note the innovative bridle on bow kites which boosts depower on the leading edge. The main advantages of bow kites include:

- Wide wind range: Thanks to their more slender wingspan and a more direct and longer depower, bow kites can be used in a wide wind range.
- Easy re-launch: The design of their leading edge allows for easy re-launch from the water.
- Increased safety: Bow kites have a depower system that is significantly more efficient than a pure C-Shape, which allows the power of the kite to be quickly reduced if necessary.

Bow kites were hugely successful when they were released in the second half of the 2000s, in particular thanks to their depower, which completely changed the game in kiting, and their wide range of use. There was, however, another side to the coin. We had lost the raw dynamism of a classic kite. If bow kites are still used in freerace or race, today we prefer Open C-Shape or Hybrid C-Shape kites which combine the best of both worlds. And whatever the program, be it for beginners, sending huge tricks, surfing or hovering over the spot with a foil.

Kitesurfer: Airton, GONG team rider, in Ayto (Hybrid C-Shape), Lethal FSP 2X and FeelX bar.

Hybrid C-Shape

The Hybrid C-Shape combines elements of the C-Shape, which is its base, and bow kites, such as the rounded tips and the front bridle. This type of shape offers an excellent compromise between maneuverability, power and depower. Their major characteristics are:

- Versatility: They are designed to offer a high level of performance with fine tuning of their shapes, ratios and bridle according to their dedicated program. A Hybrid C-Shape can be suitable for very different styles, from freestyle to freeride, including waves, like the Vertigo, our most versatile kite.
- Effective depower: The Hybrid C-Shape kites have a very good depower system, equivalent to that of bow kites.
- Precise and fast steering: They offer excellent maneuverability while offering very good stability in flight, making them suitable for a wide range of kitesurfers.

Most of the kites in our range are Hybrid C-Shape whose qualities we have calibrated for the specific needs of each program. For example, intuitive depower for the Display, extreme versatility for the Vertigo, the pivot of an Ayto or the responsiveness and drift of an Elips.

Kitesurfer: Béryl, GONG team rider, in Strutless Revo (Open C-Shape), an Alu FSP 2X and a FeelX bar.

Open C-Shape

The Open C-Shape which is, as its name suggests, a more open variant of the C-Shape, without taking up the typical arc of bow kites and their setback tips. On this type of shape we are looking for greater glide than a C-Shape, with more wind range, more upwind performance and a power delivery which allows undersized sailing. Its main characteristics are:

- Gliding and performance: Superior flight quality which favors underpowered sessions and all programs where speed is your ally (freerace, foil, surfing, etc.).
- Progressive depower: They have a more progressive depower system than the C-Shape. The control is smoother and more precise.
- Very good wind range: The Open C-Shape can be used in a wider variety of wind conditions thanks to their constant torque, ability to go upwind and progressive depower.

In our range, the Strutless and Strutless Revo are Open C-Shape kites capable of extracting the best out of the wind conditions thanks to exceptional glide. These are very fast kites that always seem to be able to deliver power, even in very light conditions. Typically the kind of kite we appreciate in kite foiling, especially with a smaller and more dynamic size or more generally in tricky wind conditions.

Kite foiler: Thomas, GONG staff, in Strutless (Open C-shape), Fronteira FSP Pro, HM85 mast, Curve H-XS and Freestyle 39 stab.

Conclusion

The choice of the shape of a kite by its designer is made to correspond to a specific program, considering all the qualities that we have just mentioned. Make your choice based on your preferred program, freeride, freestyle, big air, wave riding, foil,... and the shape will automatically correspond to your expectations. To simplify, the glide of an Open C-shape on one side and the versatility of a Hybrid C-shape on the other.