When it comes to kiteboarding, I have to admit that there is plenty of terminologies that will daunt most beginners. One such term is called “boosting”. Boosting is a unique technique to get an upwind force by the kite and taking off the water to a certain height. If the kiteboarder uses the correct technique, he can go up to 50 feet! Isn’t that amazing, having a good and long jump into the air and appreciating the vast nature from above. Here is a video that will perhaps pique your interest.
While we can explain how to boost during kiteboarding, it is perhaps best left to the experts who can guide you along when you go about your kiteboarding session. To give you a gist, what we do is that we adjust the kite and the bar and while splashing through the water, the kite needs to be directed into the right wind window to get the right push at the launch. Once that is in place, all you need to do is align with your board and the kite does all the magic. The uplift of the kite is so strong that no pressure is needed from your legs.
When it comes to boosting, the right equipment will come into play. And when we say the right equipment, what I am really saying is that to have a good boost, you will need a good kite that allows you to achieve a good lift effortlessly.
What To Look Out for When Choosing Best Kite For Boosting
There are a few features which we can look in a kite for choosing it for a good boost and hangtime. Some of them are:
- Long wing tips
- Wide turn radius
- High aspect ratio
- High bar pressure
- Responsiveness
Let’s move on to some of the available kites in the market, their features and reviews.
1. Cabrinha 2018 Drifter Kite
The Cabrinha 2018 Drifter Kite
Being able to assist you to have a larger boost is one of its benefits. One of the other benefits is that it allows you to have the best freestyle performance that you can ever dream of, and that is partly due to the slack line drift that exists on this kite itself.
This 2018 version does have an improved arc stability, which will allow the kiteboarder to have maximum control over the kite in all sorts of weather and water conditions. This is one of the most highly rated kiteboarding kite for boosting ever.
Pros
- Superior power delivery with quick relaunch
- Can be used for foiling too
Cons
- Can be expensive
Ocean Rodeo Razor Kitesurfing Kite
A great kite for any kiteboard rider who love hangtime and light winds, the Ocean Rodeo Razor Kitesurfing Kite is one of the highly rated kites that you can find in your local kiteboard shop. Mainly used by professionals, these kites give excellent exposure to stunts in the water and air.
The Razor range of kiteboarding kites is very well known in the industry to provide maximum control over to the kiteboarder. When it comes to control, what you are really looking for is for the kite to have the ability to turn around fast in extreme windy conditions. This will allow you to shift the kite around so as to achieve a higher and longer boost in the air.
Pros
- Durable and tough-made for great hangtime
- Fast turning features
- Easy set up design
Cons
- Cannot be used for paragliding
- Might be slightly overpriced for beginners in boosting
Ocean Rodeo Prodigy Kitesurfing Kite
An all-round performing kite, the Ocean Rodeo Prodigy Kitesurfing Kite is a favorite for beginners as well as professionals. Features include the high flow inflate and deflate valves which is quite popular in the market.
Indeed, this is one of the lightest kiteboarding kite that Ocean Rodeo has produced. The lightest of all Prodigy range kites, it also has the 3 strut design which will assist the kiteboarder to achieve a good boost. The design also helps in providing a good level of stability as well as endurance while kiteboarding.
One of its added feature is that the Prodigy’s bridles length is pretty short. As such, there is a lower chance that the bridle will tangle when you are controlling it. All of this also assist the kiteboarder to have a smoother launching and landing sequence.
Pros
- Massive wind range with high flow inflate/deflate valves
- Easy relaunch
- Effortless hangtime
Cons
- Restricted international shipping
- Not advised for aggressive boosting tricks
Conclusion
Boosting is one of those tricks which will always remain popular. The excitement reaches another level when the kite supports our jump and takes us higher. Always spare some time to choose your kite according to your pet style and you are sorted. I prefer the Ocean Rodeo Prodigy kite which is always packed with my gear. It helps me take cruises as well as gives me a hangtime when required. As I always advice, have your research in place and select the best kite for yourself. A tip for beginners, to get started with boosting, along with the kite comes a series of directions which needs to be followed. Get through with that and done! Safety and fun both are covered.
In time to come, you will be able to achieve a good time boosting, just like in the video below.
