Frequently Used 16 Letters Terms of Wing Surfing

For beginners, wing surfing seems unfamiliar. At the beginning of learning this sport, there are many professional terms that we do not understand the meaning of them. So, this article organizes common terms about wing surfing around 26 letters, allowing you to understand the sport faster.

A

SPRINT TUBES

Tubes that connect the LE bladder to the strut bladders.

AIRLOCK

A 2 part valve that allows a single point for inflation and deflation of the kite.

SPRINT PINCH CLAMPS

Clips that prevent air transfer between the LE and the struts.

B

BAR (unit) – A unit of pressure

• 1 bar = 14 PSI

• 1 mbar = 0.015 PSI

PSI – A unit of pressure. Pounds per square inch

• 1 PSI = 68.9mbar

BEAUFORT SCALE

A system for estimating wind strength based on the effects wind has on the physical environment (e.g. the behavior of waves, smoke, etc.). But instruments are not used to determine wind strengths in this point scale (O = calm to 12 = hurricane).

BODY DRAGGING

This is an instructional tactic/step in which the rider flies the wing while in the water, but without the board. Then the rider will launch, then walk to the water, and basically drag in the water while practicing flying, and self-rescue techniques.

BLADDER

The inner inflatable tube of wing surfing is found within the leading edge and the struts of the kite. (Imagine a bike-it has both a tire on the outside and an inner tube that holds air).

D

The direction in which the wind is traveling.

G

GUSTY WIND

GYBING

The motion in which the rider changes the direction of the board he/she is riding. And the rider switches from a starboard tack to a port tack or vice versa.

H

HARNESS

A piece of equipment is 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).

I

INFLATABLE WING SURFING

A wing with inflatable tubes designed to float the wing.

K

KNOTS

A measure of speed based on nautical miles when wing surfing.

1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour.

1 knot = 1.15 miles per hour.

1 knot = 1.85 kilometers per hour.

L

LEADING EDGE (LE)

The front inflated tube of your wing.

LEEWARD

The downwind side of the wing surfer.

LOFTING

Lofting occurs when the wing is above the rider’s head in the neutral position. Instability in the wind can cause sudden vertical force and lift a rider off of their feet.

LUFF

A term used to describe what happens to the wing in a lull.

LULL

A term used to describe wind when it lessens in strength, for any amount of time.

M

MPH

Miles Per Hour. A measure of speed.

1 mph = 1.6 kilometers per hour

N

NEUTRAL POSITION

This is the position just above the rider’s head in the sky. Although in this position the wing may feel steady and may feel like it has the least amount of power or pulls, 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 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 wing in a 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 wing. When flown here, the wing has less power or pull than when it is in the power zone. However, use caution when the wing is in this zone, especially when on land, and especially in gusty wind conditions.

O

OFFSHORE

The wind is blowing from the shore directly or to a great extent out to the water.

ONSHORE

The wind is blowing directly or to a great extent directly from the water toward the land.

OVER-POWERED

A situation in which the rider has a wing too powerful for his/her ability level, weight, strength, and/or wind conditions.

P

PLANING

The point in time in which the rider gets the board skimming on the water.

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 wing has the most power and pull. When flown in this area, the wing can be powerful and dangerous, so avoid flying your wing in this zone when learning. Use extreme caution when flying the wing in this zone.

PUMP

The device is used to inflate the wing.

R

REACH

A direction of travel relative to the wind direction. Generally 90-160 degrees off the wind.

S

SIDE OFFSHORE

The wind is blowing from either the left or the right and from the shore out to the water. And this is a combination of offshore and side shore wind. SIDESHORE Wind is blowing from the left or from the right, parallel to the shore. Ideal wind direction for kiteboarding.

ONSHORE

The wind is blowing from either the left or the right and from the water toward the land. This is a combination of onshore and side shore wind. Utilize caution when operating your kite in or near water in this wind direction.

STRUTS

The outer fabric tubes are found on your wing. They house the inner inflatable bladders, which are filled with air to give structure to the wing.

U

UNDER-POWERED

A situation in which the rider has a wing not powerful enough for his/her weight, strength, and/or wind conditions.

UPWIND

Direction from which the wind is blowing.

W

WATER STARTING

The motion of the rider in which he/she goes from sitting or lying in the water to standing on the board.

WINDWARD

Upwind side of the kiteboarder.