Snowkiting from “A” to “Z”

Snowkiting is an extreme sport and outdoor activity, which is very much loved around the world. The equipment used in kiting is not at all similar to the kites children play with. What they have in common is that kites also are powered by wind. Kiting is considered to be a sport of sailing, as the same laws are applied as for sailboat steering. Winter kiting, or snowkiting, implies riding on the snow-covered fields or on a frozen body of water. Let us take a closer look at this amazing discipline.

Disciplines

Nowadays, the main type of competition in snowkiting is racing. Only these competitions bring more than a hundred participants to the start. Only these competitions are held every weekend and holidays throughout the winter season. This type of snowkiting competitions has the greatest number of competitors. Yet, there are far more disciplines in snowkiting. What are they?

FR stands for freeride. Free skating involves demonstrations of the skills on a limited area of the slope for the allotted time with the mandatory achievement of the control area. Due to the lack of a sufficient number of participants with the proper level of skiing required for these types of competitions, at the moment freeride is considered a demonstration sport.

GD stands for gliding. This discipline requires flying downhill. The main criterion for evaluation in this sport is the distance covered. Although it requires considerable height difference and the size of the slope, it can be held on a much more modest scale. You need to keep in mind that the height difference must be not less than 50 meters.

SR stands for soaring. This type of snowkiting is known as soaring in dynamic streams without leaving the allotted performance area. Evaluation criterion applied to this sport is the amount of time that was spent in the air.

UH stands for uphill. Competitors start at the bottom of the slope. Up to six competitors can participate in the race at a time. The finish line is situated at the top of the slope. Several races take place until the complete distribution of places.

BX (also referred to as BCX) stands for backcountry cross. This short race requires performing one or more mandatory tricks in the control points defined by the rules of the competition. The races may be held on cross-country terrain away from big mountains.

XC (or X-Country) stands for cross country and involves overcoming a given route of high technical complexity on the mountainous terrain. The number of starters is limited only by the capabilities of the venue. The length and complexity of the route should allow to pass it in one day.

ER stands for endurance race. This is a cross-country with a long distance that does not allow passing the entire route in one day. It is held in several stages over several days. As a rule, it is a team race.

Equipment and ammunition

For winter kiting you need a lot of equipment and ammunition, including a kite, a trapeze (a special belt to which the kite is attached; the trapeze facilitates control, takes the pull of the kite off your hands and distributes it evenly on the kite’s lower back), a pair of skis or a snowboard, protection (a helmet, a pair of knee pads, protective shorts) and comfortable clothes and shoes.

Do not rush to buy equipment right away. It is better to use a rental when practicing snowkiting for the first time. Keep in mind that snowkiting is not a budget sport. That is why, in order to save your money, it is better to purchase the equipment when you have completed some training. Moreover, without any experience it will be difficult to find appropriate equipment among the variety of different brands.

As for clothing, the best option you have is ski clothing. Additionally, you need to buy a triple zipper that allows you to put a trapeze under it. Do not forget that kiteboarding is always associated with the wind. In addition, at the initial stage the students experience great physical strain due to the untested technique and inefficient use of muscles. That’s why you should choose a jacket and pants with good wind protection and ventilation in order not to feel hot during the motion, or cold during the breaks.

Particular attention should be paid to shoes. Snowboarding boots are the best. In some schools boots are available for rent. At the very least it is possible to wear high boots, but they must be supplied with a good ankle brace, as its absence increases the risk of injury.

You will also need a ski mask and gloves, and preferably thermal underwear that wicks away moisture. A mask, or a lens, is chosen in accordance with the weather conditions. There are types of lenses that are suitable for sunny weather; others are perfect for cloudy weather.

To prepare for the instructor training or to learn and master the principles of operating a kite by yourself, you will need a small kite with two strings (all the big kites have four or five strings). But do not hurry to buy it. This piece of equipment is rather expensive.

Training

It is necessary to start classes by finding a good instructor. Of course, the Internet is full of theoretical information and video lessons on kiting. But a beginner will not be able to figure out what is right and what is wrong. Besides, a good instructor sees your mistakes and corrects them right away. This greatly increases the speed of mastering the kite. And finally, only an instructor is able to make sure that your training process is safe. Therefore, it is necessary to take at least a few lessons with an instructor. His main task is to teach you how to control the kite on your own and do it safely for yourself and others around you.

There are several organizations that train international level instructors. The most famous and respected is the International Kiteboarding Organization, or IKO. Courses are held all over the world.

Safety rules

It is worth remembering that winter kiting is always a ride on a hard surface that can cause injuries if you fall. So never disregard the safety equipment! It is equally necessary for beginners and experienced riders. It will not only protect from injuries but also give you confidence while riding, thanks to which your progress will be faster, because the pilot will not be afraid of hitting the surface.

In most schools, helmets and knee pads are issued when training with an instructor. If you have already decided for sure that you are going to practice snowkiting on a regular basis, you should buy helmet, shorts and knee pads.

There are some safety rules that will make training more enjoyable.

1. Before you start skiing, determine all the possible obstacles in the place where you are planning to train.
2. When riding on the lake, you should be aware that the thickness and strength of the ice can be uneven across the surface, especially at the beginning and end of the season. Explore the place of skating in advance. Cloudy or yellowish color of the ice, the presence of water on its surface, the cracking indicates the fragility of the ice.
3. Follow the temperature changes and weather forecasts. It is better to train only when there is no doubt that the ice will hold.
4. Start your training when the wind is light and steady. Strong and gusty wind in the initial stage of training can significantly increase the risk of injury.
5. Make sure there are no roads and power lines nearby.
6. Remember that kites are launched only with the help of an assistant. And the assistant must know how to do it. It is dangerous to fly a kite by yourself, especially if you do not have any experience.
7. It is paramount to start each lesson with warming up your joints and muscles. Think back to your school gymnastics classes. The best exercises are running in place, bending, turning the body, squats, lunges, rotating joints.
8. To avoid injuries and collisions with other kites, always look carefully to the sides. Keep in mind that a gust of wind can make the kite tear in an unpredictable direction. The lines of the kite at such speeds are as sharp as razor’s edge.
9. Make sure to have an extended insurance that includes this sport.

All in all, snowkiting is a discipline that requires a lot of training and exercising. This sport is not for everyone, since it is necessary to be able to operate the kite, pay attention to details, and think fast in unpredictable situations. Yet, if you start practicing snowkiting and follow all safety rules, you will get unforgettable emotions.