The Wind Window 

The wind window is the area where we fly our kites, and every kiteboarder needs to understand it.  We use parts of it to keep our kites when we don’t want any power, and we use other parts when we need lots of power.  This page is going to cover: 

• Parts of The Window 
• How to Find It
• Navigation Terminology.
• Using It to Create Power

If you have worked your way through the first four trainer kite exercises on this site, you know all this already.  If not, it’s covered here, and it’s easy!  

The Wind Window 

There are two main parts, and one intermediate part that make up the wind window. 

• The Edge
• The Intermediate Zone
• The Power Zone 

The kite produces different amounts of power in each zone, so we use them all for different purposes. 

The Edge 

The edge of the window (AKA the shoulder), is where the kite has the least amount of power.  It is the furthest that the kite can fly into the wind, and all of the kite’s power is produced by lift.    You want to park your kite here when you do not want much power – when you are taking a rest, putting on your board, or launching and landing. 

The Intermediate Zone 

The intermediate zone is the area between the shoulder and the power zone.  When flying in this zone the kite begins to build up speed, which increases its power.  In addition, the kite catches more wind, which adds even more power.   These two things combined can create a lot of power in the kite. 

The Power Zone 

The power zone is where your kite has maximum power. This is the place where your kite is moving the fastest and catches the most wind – this creates an extreme amount of power.   This is where you create the pull you need to kiteboard and do cool tricks.   

Because the power zone is so powerful, you never want your kite there unless you put it there intentionally.  If something happens (i.e. you trip) and you see your kite making a dive for the power zone, dump all of your power (for those with bow or hybrid kites) or release your chicken loop.

Finding the Wind Window

To find the wind window do this: 

1. Stand facing downwind, with your back into the wind.
2. Extend your hands out sideways.
3. Imagine lines extending out of your hands horizontally and above your head vertically – the window is the area downwind you and it ends when it meets these lines.

Navigating the Wind Window.

Kiteboarders use a clock-type navigation to describe the wind window.  The picture below illustrates how it works.

Note:  The 12 o'clock position is also called the zenith position.

Using the Wind Window

Since the window houses all the power that we use while kiteboarding, we need to learn how to harness that power.  Flying your kite in a certain pattern will produce a certain effect – and learning what pattern to fly is what kiteboarding is all about!

For this page I will only discuss two specific flight paths.  One that creates very little power and one that creates a lot of power.

Flying in the Shoulder

You fly in the shoulder when you want little power.  I bring this up because it is important to understand one point – you need to fly your kite very slowly in the shoulder.  Just because the kite has the least amount of power doesn’t mean that it has no power.  Flying your kite too fast here can still pick you up off the ground, so keep your movements slow and controlled – just like your instructor taught you!

Power Strokes

The power stroke is the basic power generating move.  The purest form of power stroke is used when you water start.  Here’s how it’s done.

Low Power – Start with the kite at around 12:30 (or 11:30) and dive it through the window to around 10 (or 2) (in case of the picture 9:30 and 2:30).

Medium Power - Start with the kite at around 1 (or 11) and dive it through the window to around 10 (or 2).

High Power - Start with the kite at around 2 o’clock (or 10) and dive it through the window to around 10 (or 2).

As the kite is flown deep and deeper into the window, it creates more and more power.  This is great because it allows us to start with a low-power power stroke, and progress to higher power ones – this way we can avoid being over-powered.

 

Make sure you understand clearly how to navigate the wind window and how to read the pictures above.  As you progress, people will describe how to do things like I did above.  Things like jumping or kite-loops can be described by saying “start at X, do such-and-such with your kite, and then fly it up to Y”.  It’s a very simple way to describe tricks, and all you need to do is translate it!