Bow kite

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Diagram of a bow kite

Bow kites are leading edge inflatable kites that incorporate a bridle on the leading edge. They can be identified by a flat, swept-back profile and concave trailing edge allowing the kite greater depower. Bow kite design was pioneered by Bruno Legaignoux^[1], and have been licensed to many kite manufacturers.

Bow kites have a wider wind range than C-kites (traditional LEI kites), so two kite sizes (such 7m² and 12m²) could form an effective quiver for winds ranging from 10 to 30+ knots for a 75kg rider. This makes bow kites more suitable for beginners to kite sports; however, they are also used by professionals.

Bow kites are used in a varity of kite related sports, including kitesurfing and snowkiting. Because of their depower range, they allow users to combat problems caused by gust, making them safer to use. They are also used by kite surfers for wave riding, as their unique shape lends itself to this discipline.

1 Early Kites
2 Safety
3 See also
4 References

[edit] Early Kites

While early bow kites allowed kite to be fully depowerable, they had a number of disadvantages^[2] compared to classic C-Kites. These included:

They can get inverted and not fly properly
They are a bit twitchy and not as stable
They have heavier bar pressure, which makes them more tiring to fly
They are more difficult to relaunch (except if they are on the leading edge).
The lack a "sled boosting" effect when jumping (Anyway jumps are higher and longer. The way to jump is just different).

In 2006, second generation flat LEI kites were developed which combine 100% depower and easy, safe relaunch with higher performance, no performance penalties and reduced bar pressure.