Aloha, so me and Peter Frank was discussing a bit on traits of a wave kite.
Now I know there are a ton of absolutely killer kites for waves out there, but that is not really what this is about.
I guess the way I see it we can split traits into two main categories: The first is general traits. They are absolutely needed all all wave riding. The second category is preference traits. These are traits that you personally prefer, or that given conditions provide a preference to but are not absolutely needed in all situations for the kite to be a great wave kite.
Once we figure out what these traits are we can discuss perhaps how to achieve them.
To me this would be:
General trait:
Drift - the way a kite falls backwards while you ride the kite to stay with you as you ride down the wave. I think this is a general trait always needed when riding waves. Even for people that turn the kite aggressively, and people that ride in side off conditions that will be a needed trait. Obviously not as much is straight off shore, but at that points you are not really wave riding you are just riding down the wave face.
Preferred trait (depending on conditions and day and..):
fast turning - I don;t always need this, but sometimes it is great to have.
good depower - again it depends on where I ride. If I ride where it is stable winds this is not a huge issue.
stable (will not fall if all lines are slack) - this is good when the winds are light.