Snowkiting
What is Snowkiting?
Snowkiting is a winter sport that uses a kite to propel the rider and cruise on snow or ice. You can use a snowboard, skis, or a split board, whichever you’re most familiar and comfortable with. Think of it like kitesurfing but on snow or ice.
With snowkiting, you harness wind power to pull you and give you momentum and speed. You no longer need to go downhill to accelerate. And the kite allows you to go uphill or cruise on a flat surface and in any direction.
You can snowkite in spacious areas that have consistent air and with thick enough snow or solid ice. You can also go to dedicated snowkiting parks or backcountry terrains in several European countries, the US and Canada.
What Are the Rules of Snowkiting?
The players are required to add flag or steamer as a bulletin in the places they have glided through. These marked positions increase the player’s visibility.
The kites used in the events should have a single-layered frame prepared with air-filled balloons.
The players are permitted to fly three kites from various areas in the standard division round, whereas two kites are allowed to project in the standard M. Division.
The kites used in the events have an area of 5 squares meter.
The players are completely forbidden to make any alteration in the kite design and maintenance, although the participants can change their bridles and can trim it too.
The players are also prohibited from modifying the kites by using Kevlar lines or steel ropes and strings.
The distance between the bar centre and canopy’s end should have a maximum length of 45 meters.
The players can use any bar design for the matches although the players are required to make sure that they have an easy release option to open the harness.
The players are required to use only one ski or board for an entire event, and they can only replace the boards if it is broken or deformed during the match.
The standard division has a maximum axial length of 220 centimetres, whereas the radius should be 100-150 meters.
All the participants are required to wear a helmet for protection. And the harness should have an industrial production to provide better handling and grip.
Each kite is required to be administered by the officials. Only after their approval, the kites are allowed for the event.
Snowkiting Equipment
Snowkiting equipment mainly includes skis, snowblades or a snowboard and a special glider (the power kite). Skis are recommended for beginners, as they give better grip and allow you to move around more easily. Professionals can also try their hand at snowboarding. The glider is usually attached to the hip by a strap and is steered with a bar like in water kiting. Apart from this special equipment, the usual winter sports accessories are also included, of course: ski clothing, gloves, ski goggles, ski helmet and, because of the jumping possibilities, ideally a back protector.
Who Invented Snowkiting?
Snowkiting’s invention is credited to German Dieter Strasilla, a German national. In the 1960s, together with co-experimenters, he was trying to develop a new way to ski using wind propulsion. By 1972, he was able to create the snowkite prototype, a contraption that made it possible to glide on snow and fly. Thus began snowkiting as a sport.
The sport evolved throughout the 80s and was first fully embraced by Americans. Soon after, the rest of the world did the same.
Where Was Snowkiting Invented? Dieter Strasilla first conducted his snowkiting experiments in his home country of Germany. But other people conducted their own trials and experiments in other countries. Wolf Beringer’s parawing system was used in several polar expeditions in the 1980s. The first foil kites were used in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, kite skiing was demonstrated in Switzerland, Germany, Poland, and Finland.
Trivia
Snowkiting is a winter sports experience of a very special kind! It is recommended to all winter sportsmen who are looking for new challenges as well as enthusiastic water sportsmen who want to find a suitable alternative for the winter. This winter sport undoubtedly offers unlimited possibilities. The basic prerequisite is, of course, sufficient wind. 스포츠중계