WHAT TO RIDE IN LIGHT WIND

The possibilities of light wind are endless.

Hydrofoils fly through the water beneath the surface with little drag or resistance, which makes them so adept at light wind. They don’t have drag to slow them down, so they don’t require a lot of power to propel them.

A Foil Kite has much less drag and more lift per square meter than a conventional kite. The low-drag, high-lift wing improves both upwind and downwind riding angles without sacrificing stability. With foil kites, you quickly forget what it’s like to fly tube kites upwind.

It is impossible to ride without wind as the kite’s structure needs to be inflated by the wind to become aerodynamic. However, skilled riders with good technique and a high-quality foil kite can ride in winds as low as 3 knots. The kite’s aerodynamics, rider knowledge, and equipment selection are all crucial in this regard. 

As you start to break free from the water, by stalling or looping, the foil reduces drag, resulting in an upwind acceleration. The rider can dump the excess power by sheeting out, resulting in a smooth ride. 

Kitefoiling in very light wind conditions is akin to dancing on glassy water, giving riders a sense of freedom and excitement that can only be achieved with wind speeds of 3-4 knots. Personally, I enjoy riding my Boom V2 in almost no wind and being the first one in the water when it’s glassy. It requires technique, and the ability to spot small gusts in the water while knowing how and where to maneuver. 

To fly a kite in light wind, it’s important to use a light kite. A light kite will stay in the air longer than a heavy kite with the same surface area, especially when the wind tends to drop. The different types of kites can be classified from lightest to heaviest as single-skin kites (e.g. Shaman), hybrid kites (e.g. Marabou), and closed-cell kites (e.g. Spirit, Instinct HB, Boom). However, the kite’s shape and technical characteristics also play a significant role. A more powerful kite requires less wind for the rider to have fun. 

For snow, the Shaman and Marabou kites are recommended as they are light and powerful. On the water, the Marabou 2 is excellent for staying in the air for a long time in super light winds, and it has a smooth and predictable behavior. The Spirit and Instinct HB, while slightly heavier than the Marabou 2, offer amazing power and a wide range of use, making them ideal for having fun in light winds. They can also easily relaunch when an inflatable kite is stuck in the water due to a lack of wind.