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Glossary
Rider Kaleo Padilla Photo Richie Hawley
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Terminology A
Advisory Official information issued by tropical cyclone warning centers describing all tropical cyclone watches and warnings in effect along with details concerning tropical cyclone locations, intensity and movement, and precautions that should be taken. Advisories are also issued to describe: (a) tropical cyclones prior to issuance of watches and warnings and (b) subtropical cyclones.
Anticyclone A body of air in which the atmospheric pressure is higher than the pressure in the surrounding air; a high or high pressure area. Describes the movement of air around a high pressure; and rotation about the local vertical opposite the earth’s rotation.
Adjustable Travel A stopper knob above the control bar which limits the distance the bar can travel.
Apex The top of the wind window, the highest point on the wind clock.
Ahi (HI) Yellow fin tuna Air The mixture of gases that make up the earth’s atmosphere. Air launch A kite flying from the kite launcher’s hand into the air. Air mass A large body of air that has similar temperature and moisture characteristics. Air speed Speed of air flowing over the kite. Akamai (HI) Smart, in a clever way. Anabatic Wind flowing up an incline, such as up a hillside; upslope wind. Anemometer An instrument used to measure wind speed. Angle of attack (AOA) Relative angle of kite to air flow. Angular momentum The energy of motion of a spinning body or mass of air or water. Angular speed This speed describes how long the kite needs to describe an angle in the wind window.
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Angular velocity The rate at which a spinning body rotates.
Apparent air speed When kite is moving through the air from high point to low point increasing the speed of the kite. Arctic air A mass of very cold, dry air that usually originates over the Arctic Ocean north of Canada and Alaska. Arctic high A very cold high pressure that originates over the Arctic Ocean. ASOS The Automated Surface Observation System.This system observes sky condition, weather, temperature, dew point, wind direction and speed, pressure and precipitation. Aspect ratio Measurement of the wingspan divided by the width of the wing. Asymmetric board Board designed with two different rails. The difference of design is intended to help to tack better or dig in the rail better when overpowered. Atmosphere The mass of air surrounding the earth and bound to it more or less permanently by the earth’s gravitational attraction.
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B Back door The area below the apex where a kite travels during a power loop. On the wind clock this area is between ten o’clock and two o’clock opposite apex. Backwards launch See reverse launch. Back loop To jump and turn 360 degrees against the direction of travel, during which the board is higher than the rider’s head. Back-side See toe side. Beach-start Start technique with one foot on the board and the other on the sand. Bail out To abort a wave or jump. Balanced aspect ratio A middle ground between high and low aspect ratios. Bar 1. The control device used in kiteboarding. 2. An obstacle formed at the shallow entrance at the mouth of a river or bay that empties into the ocean. Barometer An instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure. Beach troll Drug addicts who live in the bush near the beach. Beaufort Scale A scale that indicates the wind speed using the effect wind has on certain familiar objects. Generally used in Europe. Virtually unused among kiteboarders in the US.
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Beaufort Scale 0 Calm Sea like a mirror, smoke rises vertically 1 Light air Ripples with appearance of scales are formed but without foam crests. Wind direction shown by smoke drift but not by wind vanes 1 to 3. 2 Light breeze Small wavelets, still short but more pronounced. Crests have a glassy appearance and do not break Wind felt on face; leaves rustle; ordinary vane moved by wind 4 to 6. 3 Gentle breeze Large wavelets. Crests begin to break. Foam of glassy appearance. Perhaps scattered white horses, leaves and small twigs in constant motion. Wind extends light flags 7 to 10. 4 Moderate breeze Small waves becoming longer; fairly frequent white horses, raises dust and loose paper; small branches are moved 11 to 16. 5 Fresh breeze Moderate waves, taking more pronounced long form; many white horses are formed. Chance of some spray, small trees in leaf begin to sway. Crested wavelets form on inland waters 17 to 21. 6 Strong breeze Large waves begin to form; white foam-crests are more extensive everywhere. Probably some spray, large branches in motion; whistling heard in telephone wires, umbrellas used with difficulty 22 to 27. 7 Near gale Sea heaps up and white foam from breaking waves begin to be blown in, streaks along the direction of the wind, whole trees in motion; inconvenience felt when walking against wind 28 to 33. 8 Gale Moderately high waves of greater length; edges of crests begin to break into spindrift. Breaks twigs off trees; generally impedes progress 34 to 40. The foam is blown in well-marked streaks along the direction of the wind.
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9 Severe gale High waves. Dense streaks of foam along the direction of the wind crests. Waves begin to topple, tumble and roll over. Spray may affect visibility. Slight structural damage occurs (chimney pots and slates removed) 41 to 47. 10 Storm Very high waves with long overhanging crest. Resulting foam in great patches is blown in dense streaks along the direction of the wind. Whole surface takes on a white appearance. Tumbling of sea becomes heavy and shock-like. Visibility affected. Seldom experienced inland. Trees uprooted; considerable structural damage occurs 48 to 55. Copyright Scout Notebook - 2001
Body roll The act of full body spinning to untwist kite lines. Bone Yard A reef which either shows or is just below the surface of the water. Often causing riders to crash and make a skin and bone deposit on the reef. Bowline knot An adjustable knot used in kiteboarding to attach the trim line to the power strap.
Beef (HI) To throw blows, to fight. Betty An anachronism used to describe an active beach girl; Beach’en, Electric, Titillating, Tan, Yumster. Bi-directional A board that can be ridden either forward or backwards.
Booties Footwear that functions on the water as well as on the reef and beach. Generally made of neoprene.
Bitchin’ Really good.
Bra (Hi) A ride buddy.
Bindings Wakeboard/snowboard style boots, that attaches the rider’s feet to the board.
Bro (Ca) A ride buddy.
Blind To ride with your back to the kite.
Bridle The internal lines of the kite, which attach the kite lines to the kite.
Board speed Speed of the board through the water.
Bridle fitting A line extending from the bridle that connects the kite lines to the bridles or kite.
Board recoil Over-tensioning of the leg leash resulting in board-body contact.
Broken clouds Opaque clouds that cover 6/10ths to 9/10ths of the sky.
Body-drag Being pulled trough the water by a traction kite without a board.
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Buffer zone An area or distance maintained between a rider and an obstacle. Generally two times the length of the kite lines. Burn (Fl) To smoke herb, pot or pakalolo Burly Big and ugly, usually used to describe conditions or women Bury To put sand or other weight on top of a kite sufficient to keep the kite from moving.
C Calm The absence of apparent motion in the air. Cabo-Verde Islands Volcanic islands west of Senegal. Good for kiteboarding.
Center lines The inside or leading-edge lines on a four-line kite. Center line slide A technique used to move from the kite to the board while in the water. Channel bottom Edges on the bottom of the board other than the rails. Chicken loop An old school term to describe the Trim Loop. The center harness loop on a four-line bar. Chinook A strong downslope wind that causes the air to warm rapidly as a result of compressive heating. Called a Foehn wind in Europe. Chuck To discard, throw away, abandon. Chucking To toss a new rider into the water on full length lines.
Carbon A strong, lightweight material used to make boards. Also, a chemical found in coal and in all living things.
Clarissa Hempel The KITEs Safety girl, who is also a professional kiteboarder and model.
Ceiling The height of the lowest layer of broken and overcast clouds.
Clear The appearance of the sky when it is without clouds, or clouds cover less than 1/10th of thc sky.
Celsius A temperature scale in which zero is the freezing point of water and one hundred is the boiling point.
Climatology The scientific study of climate.
CG Center of Gravity. The lowest point of body weight
Cloud Condensation Nuclei Small particles in the air on which water vapor condenses and forms cloud droplets Cloudy The state of the sky when clouds cover 7/10ths or more of the sky.
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Coastal flooding The submersion of land areas along the ocean coast and other inland waters caused by sea water over and above normal tidal action. Coastal waters Includes the area from a line approximating the mean high water along the mainland or island as far out as sixty nautical miles including the bays, harbors and sounds. Coho wind Name for the cold easterly winds that blows through the Columbia River Gorge during the winter months. Local interest groups created the name in 1996/1997. Cold front The leading edge of a cold air mass as it moves toward warmer air; its movement is characterized by a drop in temperature and humidity after the front passes. Cold low A low pressure system with cold air mass from near the surface to all vertical levels (also called a cold core low). Combined seas The interaction of wind waves and swell; the combined seas height is equal to the square root of the sum of the squares of the wind waves and swell. Condensation The occurrence of vapor transforming into a liquid. Conduction The transfer of heat between bodies that are in contact. Controlled crash The act of tucking the knees to the chest and dropping the bottom of the body to the water to slow speed. Controlled hop A small jump used to control both board and kite speed. Control lines The outside lines on a four-line kite bar. 328
Control position Board in hand at side. Convection The transfer of heat by movement within a gas or liquid. Core The body, the center of gravity of a persons body Corona A disk of light surrounding the sun or moon. This is a result of the diffraction of light by small water droplets. Crackin’ A wave breaking with attitude. Critters Any living organism with a defense system. Cross wind 90 degrees to the wind. Cruising Light casual action, mellow. Cyclone A body of air in which the pressure is lower than that of the surrounding air; a low or low pressure area.
D Dacron/Mylar Lightweight, strong material found in the struts of marine traction kites. Dialed (Fl) The way you want, usually used to refer to conditions or gear. Da Kine (Hi) The good thing, a brand name. Can be used to mean anything.
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Dangerously close A kiteboarder who can get power in but can’t edge it out. Dead man To jump upside down while letting go of the bar. Default The secondary area for the kite or person to exit safely when primary area is no longer an option. Depowering system System that allows riders to depower their kites partially and or completely. A power strap is an example of a partial depower system, a fifth line completely depowers a kite. Depression A region of low atmospheric pressure that is usually accompanied by low clouds and precipitation. Dew Point The temperature to which a certain amount of air must be cooled in order for saturation to occur (a cloud or fog to form); the drier the air the lower the dew point. Disturbance A disruption of the atmosphere. Usually refers to a low pressure area, cool air and inclement weather. Directional A board that has a distinct nose and tail. Divergence Refers to the spreading out of winds. Doldrums The regions on either side of the equator where air pressure is low and winds are light. Dolphin kick The full-body aqua man kick used to propel yourself through the water.
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Dolphin mode When being pulled under water, relaxing and giving a dolphin kick towards the power. Doppler Radar Radar that determines the intensity of rainfall and velocities of water and air particles; the National Weather Service uses a type of Doppler Radar called the WSR-88D, or NEXRAD; velocities of detected targets are determined by Doppler shift in frequency. Double head nod The act of nodding the head yes twice to indicate a kite launch. Double-pull-in To pull in on the kite bar with both hands. The #1 technique problem in kiteboarding. Down burst A vertical or nearly vertical downward burst of strong winds at ground level. Usually associated with a thunderstorm. Downwind The side of the observer away from the wind. Also to travel away from the wind. Drop in To take off on someone else’s wave. Drop zone The area underneath the kite. Dude (Ca) An over used term used to refer to a person, friend or ride partner. Dust Devil A rapidly rotating column of air carrying dust, leaves and other lightweight material; dust devils usually develop during hot, sunny days over dry and dusty or sandy areas. Dust storm An area where high surface winds have picked up loose dust, reducing visibility to less than one-half mile.
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E Ebb Current The movement of a tidal current away from the coast or down an estuary. Edge The side of the board. To carve the side of the board aggressively. El Nino A great warming of the equatorial waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean; El Nino events occur every three to seven years and are related to shifts in global weather patterns. Epoxy A two-part chemical used to glass boards. Eps/pvc Foam sandwich.
Fair Describes weather in which there is less than 4/10ths of opaque cloud cover and no precipitation; there are no extreme visibility, wind or temperature conditions. Fall off To go downwind because of light winds. Fall wind A strong, cold, down slope wind. Fathom The common unit used to measure depth in the ocean; it is equivalent to six feet. Fetch The area in which waves are formed by a wind with an approximately constant speed and direction. Figure eight knot Used on control lines. Secure and can be undone.
Equal hand pressure To push with one hand as you pull the same amount with the other hand (EHP). Extended outlook A basic forecast of general weather conditions three to five days in the future.
F FAA The Federal Aviation Administration. Face plant To crash face first. Fahrenheit The standard scale used to measure temperature in the United States. On this scale, the freezing point of water is thirty-two degrees and the boiling point is two hundred and twelve degrees. . 332
Final check With tensioned lines, the kite launcher allows the kiteboarder to check lines, bridles, and bladders for symmetry. Flagged A kite opens up when kite lines become asymmetric. Flat To land a jump under the kite and directly on top of the board. Flat area The measurement of the total surface area of the kite when it is spread out flat on the ground.
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Flatter Arch Kite Kites which have less of the traditional C shape and more of a flatter shape, ie ( . Float Used to describe a kite flying upside down.
Free diver A spear fisherman, usually marked by a plastic jug or float.
Float & fly plan A plan of exactly what is going to happen when your kite is in the air and you are in the water.
FWTS An acronym meaning fleshy white thigh syndrome.
Flash Austin The first guy to ride upwind on a kiteboard.
Frog storm The first bad weather in spring after a warm period.
FLL Full length lines.
Front The boundary or transition zone of two air masses; if cold air advances and replaces warmer air the front is a cold front. If warm air advances and replaces cooler air the front is a warm front.
Flower A young attractive beach girl. Fleshy white thigh syndrome When water forces board shorts up the rider’s leg exposing his pale thigh. Foehn Wind European term for Chinook Wind. Warm, down slope wind. Fog Water that has condensed close to ground level, producing a cloud of very small droplets that reduces visibility to less than one km (three thousand and three hundred feet). Foot straps Padded neoprene loops which connect the rider to the board. Forward adjustment point The adjustment point on the trailing edge of a kite closest to the leading edge. Used to slow the steering of the kite. Fluky Inconsistent and unpredictable winds.
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Free hand The hand that does not have your wrist leash.
Frost The formation of thin ice crystals on the ground or other surfaces; frost develops under conditions similar to those of dew, except that the temperature drops below thirty-two degrees. Funnel cloud A funnel-shaped cloud that extends from a cumulus or cumulonimbus cloud; this cloud is related to a rotating column of air that is not in contact with the ground.
G Gale warning A warning of one minute sustained surface winds in the range of 34 kt (39 mph or 63 km/hr) to 47 kt (54 mph or 87 km/hr) inclusive, either predicted or occurring and not directly associated with tropical cyclones. Geostationary Satellite A satellite positioned over the equator. It revolves around the earth once every twenty-four hours, thus remaining in the same position relative to the earth’s surface.
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Geri (Fl) A senior citizen.
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Goofy foot In board sports, riding naturally with the right foot forward.
Hail Precipitation in the form of balls of ice. Produced by liquid precipitation freezing and being coated by layers of ice as it is lifted and cooled in strong updrafts of thunderstorms.
Grab To hold the board during a jump. Gradient The time or spatial rate of change of an atmospheric property. Greenhouse effect The heating of the earth’s atmosphere caused by imbalances in the atmosphere’s radiation cycle, characterized by so called greenhouse gases such as water vapor and carbon dioxide, that trap the heat from the sun in the atmosphere and inhibit re-radiation of that heat into space from the earth at night. Theoretically, this results in a gradual warming of the atmosphere. Grinder A really big wave. Grind 1) To ride your board onto reef & beach. 2) To feed hard, in an urgent way. Grommet A young kite surfer or surfer. Grunt More pull than lift. Gust front The leading edge of a thunderstorm’s downdraft air that is most prominent beneath the rain-free base and the leading edge of a thunderstorm; this gust front may precede the thunderstorm by several minutes and have winds that can easily exceed eighty miles an hour.
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Hale (Hi) A Hawaiian meeting house. Halos Rings or arcs that seem to encircle the sun or moon and are the result of the refraction of light through the ice crystals that make up cirrus clouds. Hang The amount of time a rider stays in the air. Harmattan A hot, dry, and dusty northeasterly or easterly wind that occurs in West Africa north of the equator and is caused by the outflow of air from subtropical high pressure areas. Harness A heavy-duty kiteboarding belt with an open “J” hook used to attach the rider to the harness lines. There are two types: seat and waist. Harness lines Heavy-duty lines attached to the bar, they allow the rider to balance body weight against the power in the kite without using upper body strength. There are two types of harness lines, fixed and center. Heavy surf The result of large waves breaking on or near the shore. Resulting from swells or produced by a distant storm.
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Heckle A barrage of comedic statements highlighting an embarrassing personal fact. Hecklelable The act of committing a severe ride error in front of your peers. Heel side The standard ride position in kiteboarding. The wind is hitting the rider’s back first and then the kite. Hehe nalu (Hi) Wave skipping, surfing or kiteboarding. Hero Landing To land the kite leading edge down, unassisted. High or High Pressure Area An area of high pressure that is usually characterized by clear skies and fair weather carried by sinking air; winds rotate clockwise around and outward from the center of the high. High Wind Sustained wind of 40 miles per hour or greater and/or gusts greater than 58 miles per hour. High Seas That portion of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans beyond the territorial limits of a country. High wind warning A high wind warning is defined as one-minute average surface winds of 35 kt (40 mph or 64 km/hr) or greater lasting for 1 hour or longer, or winds gusting to 50 kt (58 mph or 93 km/hr) or greater regardless of duration that are either expected or observed over land. Hole A spot in the wind that is less windy than surrounding areas. Often characterized by glassy water.
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Honeymoon position Tandem kiteboarding position where the partners arm is around your neck, legs over yours, and your arm is around her back. Hooked in The act of being attached to the kite via the harness and the harness line. Horse Latitudes Subtropical regions where anticyclones produce settled weather. Hot Launch To launch the kite deep in the wind window with a lot of force. To launch a kite with a lot of power. Hurricane/typhoon A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind (using the U.S. one-minute average) is 64 kt (74 mph or 119 km/hr) or more. The term hurricane is used for Northern Hemisphere cyclones east of the International Dateline to the Greenwich Meridian. The term typhoon is used for Pacific cyclones north of the Equator and west of the International Dateline. Hurricane local statement A public release prepared by local National Weather Service offices in or near a threatened area giving specific details for its county/parish warning area on (1) weather conditions, (2) evacuation decisions made by local officials, and (3) other precautions necessary to protect life and property. Hurricane season The portion of the year having a relatively high incidence of hurricanes. The hurricane season in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico runs from June 1 to November 30. The hurricane season in the Eastern Pacific basin runs from May 15 to November 30. The hurricane season in the Central Pacific basin runs from June 1 to November 30.
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Hurricane warning A warning that sustained winds 64 kt (74 mph or 119 km/hr) or higher associated with a hurricane are expected in a specified coastal area in 24 hours or less. A hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force.
Interlocking knot Used to add one line length to another.
Hurricane watch An announcement for specific coastal areas that hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours. Hygrometer An instrument used to measure humidity.
I Ice Short for an addictive drug call Crystal Methamphetamine Ice Head A person addicted to Crystal Meth. Impact zone The area in which breaking waves exert the most force. Impact jacket A lightweight water jacket. Often has some flotation. Inflatable A kite with air filled struts. Insane Beyond imagination. A term used to describe intense wind strong enough to blow car keys down the beach, 35knots plus.
Inversion An increase in temperature with height; a reverse of the normal cooling with height. Inverted Turned inside out or upside down. Iridescence Brilliant patches of green or pink sometimes seen near the edges of high- or medium-level clouds. Isobar The line of equal pressure denoted on surface weather maps. Isotherm The line of equal temperature denoted on surface weather maps.
J Jet stream A zone of strong winds concentrated in a narrow band in the upper atmosphere; these winds are often referred to as the “storm track� since the jet stream often steers atmospheric storms. Jibe To change direction 180 degrees by turning downwind.
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Jump start To boost off the beach, put the board on and land riding.
Kite-bro A person familiar with catching and launching a rider’s kite.
Juiced To be fully powered.
Kite clock Describes the kite’s position in the wind window. There are seven positions on the kite clock; they are 9,10,11,12,1,2,3 plus the back door.
K Kama’aina (Hi) Resident of the State of Hawaii. Katabatic wind Wind blowing down an incline, such as down a hillside; down slope wind. Kiawe (Hi) A thorny tree found around many of Hawaii’s kiteboarding beaches. Kicker (Fl) A small bump of wave. Keiki (Hi) A child. Killer advice When someone tells a new rider to waterstart their first day on full length lines. Kiteboarder Someone who can launch from one spot, ride, turn around and come back to the same spot. Kick-out Jump technique to get out of the wave over the back of the wave. Kite-ski Package composed of waterskis developed for kiting and a special kite with a control bar. The control bar is equipped with a disc brake to relaunch the kite.
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Kite mare A tale of an unfortunate kiteboarding incident. KITEs Kiteboarding International Training Evaluation. The modern teaching methodology created by John Holzhall on Maui. Kook Someone who consistently lets go of his or her kite. Knot The unit used to measure wind speed, equal to 1.15 statute miles per hour. Kona wind A Southerly wind found in the North Eastern pacific. This wind reaches the Big Island of Hawaii first, which is the Southern most Hawaiian Island, and then travels up the state. Kona is a city on the Big Island.
L Land breeze A coastal breeze that blows from land out to sea. It occurs when the sea is warmer then the adjacent land. Land hand The hand a rider uses to bring the kite back into the power zone. Larks head A reversible connection used in kiteboarding to attach kite lines to bridle fittings.
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Latent heat The heat energy that must be absorbed when a substance changes from solid to liquid and liquid to gas, and which is released when a gas condenses and a liquid solidifies. Launch To bring a kite skyward from the earth’s surface. Launched A term to describe a rider who rockets from the earth’s surface. Leading edge Front of the kite. Lead line The thicker lines that connect the kite lines to the bar. Leg leash The strap that connects the board to your leg or body. Left bar To pull in with the left hand while pushing the same amount with the right hand. Lift The aerodynamic or hydrodynamic force that results from the passage of air or water. Lightning Any and all forms of visible electrical discharges produced by thunderstorms. Kite lines conduct electricity wet or dry! Riders should not fly when lightning is present. Link To add lines together. Lit To have plenty of power.
Loaded Powered up, fully powered. Lofting Being involuntarily lifted by the wind. An occurrence when wind rises at a speed faster than the descent rate of the rider. Looping Rider spins 360 degrees while the board is at a point higher than his head. Loose Quick turning. Low or Low Pressure Area Usually characterized by clouds of precipitation caused by rising air; often related to inclement weather such as winds flowing counter-clockwise and into the center of the low. Lull A decrease in the wind for a short duration. Legaignoux (Bruno and Dominique) The two French brothers who designed the first marine wing, the Wipika.
M Macro burst A large down burst within a 2.5-mile or larger outflow diameter with damaging winds lasting five to twenty-five minutes. Magnetic sport A sport where the body follows the eyes. Mahalo (Hi) A Hawaiian word which means thank you. Mahu (Hi) A gay man. Mana’o (Hi) Spirit.
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Marine traction kite A kite designed for water use. Its structure comes from five interior inflatable struts and one inflatable leading edge chamber. MAT Maintain composure, Analyze the situation, Take appropriate action. Method A proven process. Micro climate A local climate that differs from the main climate around it. Milibar The scientific unit used in measuring and reporting atmospheric pressure. Mermaid position Position of partners hands on kite handler’s shoulders. Meteorology The study of phenomena of the atmosphere and all the processes that take place in the atmosphere and their relationships with processes at the surface of the earth. Monsoon A seasonal change in wind direction bringing dry air or heavy rain. Mo Short for homosexual. Motorcycle throttle movement Wrist movement required to get into the harness, similar to a motorcycle throttle.
N Naish A brand of kites owned by Robby Naish. The first complete modern kiteboarding set-up to enter the marketplace. Naish, Robby Hawaiian Superman. Natural stance The ride stance in which the rider feels most comfortable. There are two types of natural stances, goofy (right foot forward) or regular (left foot forward). Neutral steering Steering while in the harness with no hands on the bar. Also called Core Steering. Neutral zone To position the kite directly overhead at the zenith of the wind window. Also called the apex. Neutral bar A bar position which requires arms extended equally. Nice & windy A wind measurement term used when wind moves water in the shape of defined whitecaps. NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; parent agency of the National Weather Service in the Department of Commerce.
MSL Mean sea level.
No-go zone The area 25 degrees to either side of the direction of the wind not readily possible to kiteboarding.
Mummy wrap Multiple wraps of kite line around the body.
Nose The front of the board. Nuclear wind Used to describe smoking windy conditions.
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O Ocean culture Customs consistent with ocean living, no worries, no problems. Old school Believes in what was. Old-fashioned. Off Shore A general term to describe wind blowing from the land to the water. Offshore waters That portion of oceans, gulfs, and seas beyond coastal waters extending to a specified distance from the coastline, to a specified depth contour, or covering an area defined by specific latitude and longitude points. Ono (Hi) A white fish, delicious, ie ono grinds. Overcast When more than 9/10ths of the sky is covered with clouds. Overpowered When a kiteboarder can’t hold an edge against the pull of the kite. Ozone A form of oxygen in which the molecule is made of three atoms instead of the usual two. Ozone is a primary component of photochemical smog.
P Paddlers Traditional Hawaiian canoers. Panic pull A double-arm-pull against a powered kite. A hurdle humans have to overcome to advance in kiteboarding. Pad Foam pad on the board made of comfortable and anti-slip material.
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Pattern The path of a kite. Partly cloudy The appearance of the sky when 3/10ths to 6/10ths of the sky is covered with clouds. Parked A kite hovering in any position on the kite clock. In kiteboarding, advanced riders edge off a parked kite. Planing When the board breaks free of the bow wave and rides on top of the water. Pinch To track into the wind. closer than 30 degrees off the wind. Poach (Fl) To take. Pop Vertical pull Pit The bottom of a breaking wave. Pitch The angle of the trailing edge of the kite. Ponytail The bridle fitting on a kite. Power strap A strap extending from a four-line bar that allows the rider to manually adjust the kite’s angle of attack. Port tack Wind direction with the wind from the rider’s left as he faces the water. To ride away from the beach with the left hand forward. Pau (Hi) Finished, done with the task.
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Power package The combination of board area + kite area + line length + bar length + wind speed. Power package The combination of board area + kite area + line length + bar length + wind speed. Power loop A kite looping in a descending path through the “back door” of the wind window and returning to its point of origin. Power stroke To move the kite on an ascending and descending path to increase power. Power zone The two sides of the wind window, 1 o’clock to 3 o’clock and 11 o’clock to 9 o’clock, used when generating power or traveling across the direction of the wind. Precipitation All forms of water that fall from the sky and reach the ground. PFD Personnel Flotation Device. Prelaunch procedures Techniques involved in getting you and your kite ready to launch. Pressure A measure of the weight of the air. Usually measured with a barometer in meteorology. Projected Area Determined by measuring the kite area, which is presented to the wind while in flight. If you were to take a snapshot of the kite from directly underneath, it the area shown represents the projected area.
Puffy A term used to describe wind that comes and goes. Push out To apply enough foot pressure to push the power out of a board.
Q Quick release The mechanism that instantly depowers the kite by releasing one line. Quiver A number of kites or boards usually of the same brand but different sizes.
R Radar A method of detecting the distance, size, and movement of objects by the reflection of radio waves. Radiosonde A balloon carrying instruments for measuring conditions in the upper atmosphere. Rail The edges of a board. Rain A type of precipitation that is in the form of water droplets larger than 0.5mm. Ram Air A kite that is open at one end and sealed at the other. Rapid Air Movement fills the kite and gives it shape and structure. Rat’s nest 30-meter kite lines tangled into a ball. Rashie A lycra rash guard shirt used in the tropics to reduce sun exposure.
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Rawinsonde A balloon that is tracked by radar to measure wind speeds and wind directions in the atmosphere. Really windy Leaves and bigger objects move across the land. Small ocean waves take shape 15-20 knots. Rear adjustment point The adjustment point on the trailing edge of the kite, furthest from the leading edge adjustment point. Used to increase the turning speed of the kite Relative humidity The amount of water vapor in the air as compared to the percent of the amount of water vapor it would take to saturate the air. Reverse steering The steering technique involved when a kite is leading edge down in the water. Reverse taco A kite bending backwards and breaking like a hard shell taco. This usually happens during a launch when an inexperienced rider moves towards his launcher. The kite then breaks over the launchers shoulder. Reverse launch 1) Using bridles on a kite to launch trailing edge first from the water. 2) To launch on the land side and then fly through the apex of the wind window to the waterside. Regular foot A ride style where the rider is left foot forward. Reride (tm.) A registered trade mark of Airush for a kiteboarding safety system that allows the kite bar to travel up one line to depower the kite. Ride To edge off a powered kite for a length of time.
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Rider The term to describe any level of kiteboarder. Ridge In the atmosphere, an elongated high-pressure area that lies between two lowpressure areas. . Ripping In side-stance sports, the act of seamless riding. Rip-stop polyester A lightweight material often characterized by small box like squares. Used in board shorts and kite canopies, known for being light and strong. Right bar To pull in on the kite bar with the right hand while pushing the same amount with the left. Rossby waves Long waves that form in air or water that flows almost parallel to the equator, which results from the effect of the earth’s rotation. Run A part of a session. In kiteboarding, to ride one way. Rubber Any type of wet suit.
S Safety plan ABCs of depowering, buffer zones, self-rescue, and the KITEs MLL. Sandal bindings An open-toed, heel binding used in kiteboarding
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Scoop (or scoop line) The curvature of the bottom of a board that goes from the nose to the tail. On the nose, it’s called nose rocker and the tail, it’s called lift or tail rocker. Sea breeze A coastal breeze that blows from sea to land during daytime in summer. It is caused by warm air rising over land and being replaced by cooler air from over the sea.
Shape The design of the board. Shaped The act of building a board’s core.
Session Every thing which happens between the launch and the exit. A series of runs.
Shine (FL) To blow off. to dis.
Slot machine technique To pull the center strut of a kite to remove sand from the kite.
Shore The dry area near the water’s edge.
Side Shore Moving parallel to the shore.
Shore-break The first wave that breaks on the beach. A dangerous wave when it’s big.
Side shore wind Wind moving parallel to the shore.
Shore pound Heavy waves breaking where the water meets the sand.
Side-stance Sports in which the rider travels with one foot leading and the other foot trailing. Surfing, kiteboarding, wake boarding, snowboarding are examples.
Single skin One layer of cloth or fabric.
Sea gull A kite that makes a flapping motion while flying.
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Shaka The famous Hawaiian greeting, thumb and pinky finger extended.
Slipper Hawaiian for sandal or flip flop, also the name of the KITEs Method boards.
Self launch To launch unassisted.
Small craft advisory A marine advisory issued for sustained winds and/or frequent gusts greater than 20 knots.
Set 1) To pressure against. 2) a group of waves.
Snake To overtake someone aggressively. To take some thing from some one.
Set hand The rider’s hand used to initiate a jump.
Snobberknocker Hard impact resulting in the snot being knocked out of the rider’s head.
Skunked To miss out on the wind or have no wind.
Slog To go slow.
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Space Shuttle A kite launching leading edge pointed up from the deepest point in the wind window. Spiel (Fl) The story, the skinny, what real happened. Spill To let out power in the kite or board.
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Starboard tack Riding with the right hand forward with the wind at your back Statement Provides the public with information concerning the status of existing severe weather conditions; it is used to cancel a watch or warning or delete part of a watch or warning that refers to areas that are no longer being threatened by a certain weather hazard
Spoon position The fitting together of two bodies while tandem kiteboarding.
Stationary front The boundary between cool and warm air in which neither air mass is advancing.
Squirrely Wind blowing from all directions at nearly the same time.
Stay (Hi) Hawaiian slang for going or moving.
SLT Short line technology.
Stop A ball or piece of plastic that keeps the bar from moving further up the kite lines.
Snap shackle A re leasable shackle often used to attach the riders center lines to the harness.
Storm track The path that a low-pressure area follows.
Spinning To turn 360 degrees in the air while riding.
Storm warning A marine wind warning for winds greater than 48 knots (55 mph).
Step rail An additional level on the top of the board, intended to give the rider more flotation without increasing the board’s area. Stall When a kite flies too far into the wind, causing it to lose power and dive.
Storm surge An abnormal rise in sea level accompanying a hurricane or other intense storm, and whose height is the difference between the observed level of the sea surface and the level that would have occurred in the absence of the cyclone. Storm surge is usually estimated by subtracting the normal, or astronomic, high tide from the observed storm tide.
Stable air Air with little or no tendency to rise that is usually accompanied by clear dry weather.
Storm tide The actual level of seawater resulting from the astronomic tide combined with the storm surge.
Starboard The right side of the board when looking from back to front.
Stroke The movement or path of the kite when flying on the wind clock.
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Strut The interior casing that holds a kite bladder. SS Snowboard and skateboard style, a term used to describe a free-ride style, or type of board. Submarining The act or processes of the nose of the board submerging like a submarine. Subtropical cyclone A non-frontal low-pressure system that has characteristics of both tropical and extra tropical cyclones. Subtropical cyclones, which can evolve into tropical cyclones, are generally of two types: (1) An upper level cold low with circulation extending to the surface and maximum sustained winds generally occurring at a radius of about 100 miles or more from the pressure center. (2) A mezoscale cyclone originating in or near a frontolyzing zone of horizontal wind shear, with radius of maximum sustained winds generally less than 30 miles. The entire circulation sometimes encompasses an area initially no more than 100 miles in diameter. These generally short lived, marine cyclones may vary in structure from cold to warm core. Subtropical depression A subtropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. one-minute average) is 33 kt (38 mph or 62 km/hr) or less. Subtropical storm A subtropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. one-minute average) is 34 kt (39 mph or 63 km/hr). Superman A layout position similar to the comic hero’s flight. Used in body dragging and advanced aerials. The rider follows the power in the kite while in this position.
T Tack In kiteboarding, a direction of travel. Tacking the wind Sailing technique that allows you to go upwind better than 90 degrees from the wind direction. If you travel at less than 90 degrees, you cannot return to your point of origin. Tail The rear end of a board. Tea-bag To get repeatedly lifted out of the water and dunked. Temperature A measure of the warmth or coldness of an object or substance with reference to a standard value. Three step rocker Refers to the bottom of a board when the ends are curved more than the middle of the board.
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Throw To push water with the edge of the board. The act of a wave pitching forward with attitude. Toe side A ride position where the rider is facing the wind (toes pointing into the wind) with his back to the kite. Tombstone A board standing vertically while being pulled by the leash. Torn up (Fl) To damage, to rip up, or to be extremely drunk. Tornado A violent, rotating column of air extending from the ground to a thunderstorm.
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Trade winds Easterly-blowing winds that are found on either side of the equator and blow northeasterly in the northern hemisphere and southeasterly in the southern hemisphere. Trainer kite Generally a small ram air kite used on land to lean how to fly a kite. Travel The amount of distance you can change the kite’s angle of attack. Trailing edge Back of the kite. Transition Any aerial move resulting in a turn. Traction kite A kite designed to pull a person or object. Trim gears The four gears to the four line. Trim Gear One is to ride in the center harness line, Gear Three is to ride in the fixed line, Gear two is to ride in both Three and One. Gear Four is to ride out of the harness. Trim lines The center lines. Trim loop The center harness loop or Gear One. Trip line A safety line which when activated radically shortens one line while lengthening the other, spilling the power in the kite. Troll (Hi) Druggies who hang out at the beach and steal.
Tropical air An air mass that has a warm temperature and high humidity and develops over tropical or sub-tropical areas. Trough An elongated, relatively low-pressure area between two high-pressure areas. Tropical cyclone A warm-core, non-frontal, synoptic-scale cyclone, originating over tropical or subtropical waters, with organized convection and a definite closed cyclonic surface wind circulation. Once formed, a tropical cyclone is maintained by the extraction of latent heat from the ocean at high temperature and heat export at the low temperatures of the upper troposphere. In this they differ from extra tropical cyclones, which derive their energy from temperature contrasts in the atmosphere (baroclinic effects). Tropical depression A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. 1-minute average) is 33 kt (38 mph or 62 km/hr) or less. Tropical disturbance A discrete tropical weather system of apparently organized convection— generally 100 to 300 nmi in diameter—originating in the tropics or sub tropics, having a non frontal migratory character, and maintaining its identity for 24 hours or more. It may or may not be associated with a detectable perturbation of the wind field. Tropical storm A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. 1-minute average) ranges from 34 kt (39 mph or 63 km/hr) to 63 kt (73 mph or 118 km/hr). Tropical storm warning A warning for tropical storm conditions including sustained winds within the range of 34 to 63 kt (39 to 73 mph or 63 to 118 km/hr) that are expected in a specified coastal area within 24 hours or less. Tropical storm watch An announcement, for specific coastal, areas that tropical storm conditions are possible within 36 hours.
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Tropical wave A trough or cyclonic curvature maximum in the trade-wind easterlies. The wave may reach maximum amplitude in the lower middle troposphere. Truing To make straight, symmetric, or even. Tune To dial in, to personalize. Tweaker People who make extreme problems out of nothing. Some one drugged out. Twin tip A board that has an identical nose and tail. Twist A cross or X in kite lines. Typhoon A hurricane that occurs in eastern Asia.
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Vectran/Dyneema Type of kite line.
W Wahine (Hi) Hawaiian for young female. Wana Long, black spiny sea-urchin found in most tropical waters. Warning Is used when severe weather conditions are occurring, imminent or are expected within the following twelve to twenty-four hours. Watch Informs the public that favorable conditions exist for the occurrence of severe weather conditions within twelve to thirty-six hours of the given announcement. Water A transparent, odorless, tasteless liquid; composed of hydrogen and oxygen.
Unstable air Air that rises easily and often forms clouds and rain.
Waterspout A column of rapidly spiraling air that develops over warm, usually shallow water, in seas or large lakes.
Upwind The side closest to the wind. To travel towards the wind.
Water launch A kite coming from the water to the air.
Upwind riding Traveling closer than 90 degrees off the direction of the wind.
Weather Synopsis A description of weather patterns affecting a large area.
V Virtual kiteboarder Any kiteboarder who has never actually kiteboarded.
Westerly Winds with a western direction occurring between latitudes of 35 degrees and 60 degrees. The whole regime forms a “vortex� around each of the poles and forms a major element in world climate.
Valve The stem of the inflatable kite bladder.
Wet suit Generally referring to neoprene clothing worn in water. Measured in millimeters.
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Wetty A wet suit.
Windward With back to the wind, the area upwind.
White caps Breaking water caused by wind.
Wind speed Measured speed of the wind from a fixed point.
Wicked Strong wind in a nasty way.
Wind window The area in which a kite travels when flying.
Wind Air in motion relative to the surface of the earth. Produced by an imbalance of pressure, this imbalance is caused by uneven heating by the sun.
Waterstart Start technique lying in the water with feet on the board.
Wind aloft The wind speeds and wind directions at various levels in the atmosphere above the area of surface weather observations, usually above about two thousand feet AGL. Wind direction The direction from which the wind is blowing. Wind goon A rider who is obsessed by wind, often uses the greeting of “What size were you on? Were you powered? What should I rig?� Wind shear The change in wind direction; vertical wind shear is the change in wind speed with height. Wind wave A wave that is caused by the action of wind on the surface of water. Windy Water will move causing scattered small white caps to appear. Wind shadow The area downwind of an obstacle with disrupted wind. Wind speed Measured speed of the wind from a fixed point.
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Wake board A thin board with little volume and considerable effective edge, generally used when being pulled by a boat. Wipika The first self-relaunch able marine wing. Worked To get crushed, pounded, to get hammered. Wound Totally powered. Wrist leash Connects the bar and kite to your wrist. Water launch To launch the kite from the water.
Y Yaw, pitch, & roll The three axes of a wing or kite. Yellow Wind The strong, cold, dry west wind of eastern Asia that blows across the plains during winter and carries a yellow dust from the desert.
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Youg A hot wind during unsettled summer weather in the Mediterranean.
Z
About the Method
Zen harness techniques Counterbalancing the power in the kite with your body weight without using your hands.
This book is not an overview of kiteboarding or history of the sport. It details the most efficient path towards expert riding.
Zigzag lightning Ordinary lightning of a cloud-to-ground discharge that appears to have a single lightning channel. Zodiac The position of the sun throughout a year as it appears to move through successive star groups or constellations. Zonal wind The wind or wind component along the local parallel of latitude. Zone of maximum precipitation The belt of elevation at which the annual precipitation is greatest in a mountain region. Zoolander A professional kiteboarder who doesn’t compete. A camera slut. The best job in kiteboarding!
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The KITEs Method is absolutely the easiest way to learn what can be a complicated sport. That is not to say that there aren’t other ways. There are and it is important to remember that most people teach the way they learned. Methodology I learned to swim after my dad chucked me in the deep end of the pool. I’ll never forget it. After the splash down came panic, furious paddling and finally, my first breath. Lots of people learned to swim this way. Unortunately, most people learn to kite in a similar way. By and large, most lessons are taught using the Traditional Techniques. These techniques involve heavy ground or safety school (which is good) before new riders try to waterstart on full length lines their first day. This is a tough way to learn and an even tougher way to teach. Consider kiteboarding more of a lifestyle than a sport. You won’t “get it” by viewing the Book and DVD. You have to get your ‘reps’ (repetitions) in. The Method helps riders sync their mind and muscles with the conditions and the equipment.
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KITEs Method Book #4 is dedicated to this very moment. Other than the next moment, there is no better time in the history of our planet. The advent of the internet has brought ‘real information’ to the figer tips of millions of Extreme Sport Athletes. The best gear, locations and information are only a click away. It has never been easier for humans to walk on water and fly!
Extra special mahalos to our Maui photographer
Lee Guthrie
Savor the moment. Let’s ride! Aloha & mahalo, John
Maui Photos by Lee Guthrie, eel productions, P.O. Box 427, Wailuku, HI 96793 Lee Guthrie’s talent has taken her from such diverse work as the official photographer for the Mevlevi Order of America, documenting the Sufis, commonly known as Whirling Dervishes, to the beaches of Cabarette, Dominican Republic to Maui, HI. Her work can be viewed at: www.eelproductions.biz
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Many mahalos to our Florida/Bahamas photo team of
Mike Minichiello & Clarissa Hempel
Mike has been shooting the KITEs Method from the beginning and Clarissa has blessed us as our first KITEs Safety Girl. She remains a big part of the KITEs Method. She also shoots and rides professionally. They can be contacted at www.youwerethere.com or found sailing the Caribbean.
Extra special mahalos to Tonisha, our 2006 KITEs Safety girl. When she is not kiting, she is touring the US with Youth With A Mission, helping those in need find their way.
Mahalos to Erik Aeder for the helicopter shots of the 2005 Molokai Challenge. Erik is one of Hawaii’s premiere photographers. He can be contacted at erikaeder.com Erik Aeder
Mahalos to Richie Hawley for the fantastic shots of Fiji. When not shooting, he can be found playing the clarinet for the Cincinnati Orchestra.
Richie Hawley
Special mahalos to Dave Misconish: dave@misconish.com for adding his illustrations to both the last book and this book. Dave is an accomplished artist and illustrator working out of San Francisco.
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