Formula Kite Racing Is Breathtaking

[@onamonapia7811]

My back hurts just watching this.

[@dosgos]

Doubled over backs look uncomfortable compared to windsurfing. But...the foil provides a smooth ride & the big kite provides stronger and smoother winds. These racers are going very fast ( I see some races average 30+ knots).

[@FizzBhaal]

Does look straining. You’d think they could attach the main wires to the board, and just have the control lines in hand.

[@Mcconks]

Lots of hip ad lower back problems in future years sadly

[@dosgos]

@@Mcconks There has got to be a better way to harness the kite without that doubled up back. I can imagine back problems even while racing.

[@its4michael]

@@FizzBhaal kite lines stay on the rider as they and the board are frequently separated in turn-around manuvers or tricks (different boards and kites). The rider must also respond intuitively to the different pressures the kite pulls (like a shock absorber) as wind, angle or turbulence affects the kite. It is quite the balance of forces. But yes, I kiteboard and the back takes a beating. In certain conditions it can be relaxing but going fast is rough.

[@Thurcke]

@@dosgos a paragliding harnass has its mountingpoints higher on the body. That might work.

[@bretgreen5314]

I am a boater, and I remember one day in San Francisco monumental winds and the waves were absolutely treacherous. I looked out to sea and what do you think I saw??? A bunch of wind surfers flying around, doing flips spins and etc. I was absolutely astounded. Still am. . .

[@cycologist7069]

Windsurfing has been a huge sport in SF for a long time. Kiteboarding too. SF Bay is a world class spot.

[@Daniela-Christianson]

Am I the only one picturing all those kite lines tangling up together 😂?

[@mathewkeipert6021]

Same.

[@Toffies974]

Same

[@wavefuse]

same!

[@Antipodean33]

I never made this comment above, it was made on a sailing clip and I noticed it here as I made another comment on this clip. I tried to delete it but it won't go, I've never seen this before, it's very strange

[@johnnydfred]

Optimum body position sure looks uncomfortable. Last sport I can think of that beat the crap out of the body was inline skating. Pretty to watch in the highlight reels tho.

[@nitrokale7045]

When I first saw Corey do this in the 90s I never thought it would progress to this. Fantastic.

[@markalan1501]

Man that music was incredible. Great job with that!!

[@corujariousa]

Amazing sport! This one deserves to become Olympic.

[@COLLAR01]

Why??????????

[@corujariousa]

@@COLLAR01 Requires lots of skills, training, has elements of technology research for best possible equipment, it is practiced all over the world and is exciting to watch as well.

[@rahulwithraj]

It's going to be in Paris Olympic

[@cycologist7069]

It almost was, tho without the foils.

[@reitairue2073]

@@corujariousa meh

[@MaxPowersHedgehog]

Thank you for this. Quite amazing thing to do. Great shots to show this sport off nicely.

[@bmanbarry40]

Amazing video! Amazing sport! I'm instantly addicted. I have to know where that soundtrack came from and the name of the band or the person performing the music.

[@viktorgusev1288]

Doubled over backs look uncomfortable compared to windsurfing. But...the foil provides a smooth ride & the big kite provides stronger and smoother winds.

[@LeonardZech]

Great images, beautifully shot and edited! 👌

[@mkogrady6078]

Looks like a lot of fun if you had the timecand experience to zip around the water thisvvway. Heck, they're going faster than a lot of waterskiers would be going, and its not noisy.

[@mitseraffej5812]

Not noisy or polluting and I guess takes considerably more skill.

[@richskater]

@@mitseraffej5812 All he said was they're going faster and you're attacking him like he said "what about...". You must really hate waterskiers.

[@mitseraffej5812]

@@richskater I use to go waterskiing with a friend when I was young and while being great fun, going fast is mostly dependant on the boats engine. Even as a rank amateur I could go fast. Compared to surfing waterskiing is real easy. I imagine kite boarding also takes a while to become proficient and that is all I am saying.

[@DanielSMatthews]

This sport is proof that no matter what some kid dreams up there is a chance that it will become a reality in their lifetime.

[@cycologist7069]

It's actually a pretty old sport at this point.

[@DanielSMatthews]

@@cycologist7069 So am I.

[@benjaminhawthorne1969]

Excellent video!🙂 I'm hoping to take up kite boarding at Montrose beach on Lake Michigan in Chicago this year. This video has got me stoked!😎

[@49minutesago]

Would love to see this as next Olympic exhibition sport.

[@camcammy4753]

It is in the next Olympics

[@49minutesago]

@@camcammy4753 Cool,thanks

[@johnhanson5943]

Too good for the rotten Olympics

[@Statek63]

Judging from the riders' body positions it must be one of most complex and convoluted ways to take a dump into the water at a high speed 🤣

[@u1zha]

I think the looks are a bit deceiving, the harness attaches to the waist and they're not really holding on to the bar for their dear life.

[@MikeMPharmaCyclist]

They need to counter the force of the kite with body weight as it pulls the waist harness. What's it like living in a fog of ignorance? 😂

[@cycologist7069]

You're about as sharp as a bowling ball.

[@cvanscho]

@@MikeMPharmaCyclist No need to get personal or insulting.

[@AuRowe]

@@cvanscho People rude for no reason are almost always lacking intelligence themselves.

[@TydalWind]

Music by Trudelmer - Shadow Orders... I found the song on Spotify, but it won't play.

[@MrTigerlore]

Great music match with the video.

[@snowgorilla9789]

HOLY SHIT ! and I thought single handing a Hobie 16 in a stiff wind was a gas. Have never seen or heard of these missles

[@cycologist7069]

Seriously? You've never heard of or seen this sport? Kiteboarding more or less started in the late 90s and was the fastest growing water sport throughout the 00s, then SUP kind of took over.

[@Bill-in-SF]

Great athletes, but let's also acknowledge a great edit with the right soundtrack. Nice job!

[@jackconnolly2665]

It's the best track I've heard on YT,............although the standards are ridiculously low here :)

[@ianickgentes4078]

I agree and looking for the title of the soundtrack

[@marcjohnson7882]

The stances are gigantic, but understandable. Pure performance!

[@williamsecor7745]

Used to watch the Kite Surfers off the jetty at Ft Pierce in Florida. Fantastic

[@aaronlegan892]

What a powerful and beautiful sport!!! Yes if I was only 40 years younger.

[@flinch622]

It all began with the Americas Cup, and the special keel design a couple decades back: finding that precious location balance for wind power which is a different matter compared to a motor powered hydrofoil. I have to say this looks like an absolute blast - just don't ever nose that board in.

[@cycologist7069]

There are people who've taken up kiteboarding in their late 60s, tho not with the foil.

[@louise8752]

My fiancé has been kiteboarding for 10 years and now kite foiling too. He and his friends have a blast!!! It gets way more fun when you jump!!

[@thibod07]

Amazing! They are surely moving fast! I hope that they follow some strict rules when in group as danger comes with speed in a group. One thing for sure it looks amazing

[@arnoldmayii3563]

People really will race anything! This was cool to discover.

[@Chris.Davies]

Low-altitude Paragliding with a hydrofoil! The big downside is clearly the horrible "heel side turn" of a snowboard they're all having to do, when it's the toe-side that's comfortable, and properly inside the curve. Also, if your wing gets tangled, or swamped, you aren't gonna have a good day. Ex-paragliding and ex-ski instructor.

[@datianlongan5567]

Taking sailing to a whole new level!

[@NicolasValentinScotland]

I use to wind surf 40 years ago , but this is different class . Brilliant .

[@klausuhlig7141]

Hey but someone had to do it, my Dad started wind surfing at the age of 60, and that was 30 years ago, Me I started surfing at 50+

[@NicolasValentinScotland]

@@klausuhlig7141 I just kayak fish now .easy

[@dano336]

same here , we thought we were doing great, late 80's off Daytona beach. But this is incredible

[@Jvljvljvl]

Wow so impressive! I can see the elements of a few sports giving birth to this sport.

[@alanjm1234]

I'm just learning. What amazes me about the good guys, is they really never look at the kite! Guess they know exactly what it's doing from the lines. If I take my eyes off it for a couple of seconds it'll do something I didn't want!

[@NGC1433]

Train the feel for it - spend some time each session just holding the kite at 12 without looking at it. Little steps, take your eyes off and feel where it pulls - look up and correct. After some time, try to correct without looking, or taking a peek and turning back away.

[@philgray1023]

If only I was 47 years younger, I'd be there.

[@rodgoddard5113]

Me too

[@Dawn2DuskAdventuring]

Right brother I feel that a lot these days.

[@ded.serious]

You would have an excuse like you have right now, just go and do it

[@levitated-pit]

make that 57 yrs

[@moleisrich1]

I’m with your but he’ll might as well give it a go.

[@RT-np5ws]

Back wont last enjoy while you can walk but impresive

[@djmir4]

The music on this a freakin jam!

[@Briguy1027]

Actually now that I look at it, it's basically sailing, but with the gear you can tack faster than any boat.

[@MikeMPharmaCyclist]

Indeed, power kites are awesome for their maneuverability and versatility with different gear/conditions.

[@punkinhaidmartin]

Okay, so sound hound can't identify that music, and I want to know who made it because I like it and I would like to hear more from whoever it is. What to do?

[@julyasa8095]

Yea!

[@SkellyGraves]

i found its called Shadow Orders by Trudelmer but i cant find it anywhere

[@cabanford]

Sort of like a wet 2D paragliding race.

[@Dawn2DuskAdventuring]

How do these riders not get pulled up into orbit is beyond me. 💪🏼👊🤙🏽

[@mickcarson8504]

LOL. Best comment. 😄👍

[@butzbach1]

They actually have their feet in holders on the board. The boards are hydrofoil so it ain’t pulling out of the water. Yes, they adjust but one foot stays connected at all times. If not, they would be pulled off. Compare this to regular kite surfing where the board is not a hydrofoil.

[@Marlow88]

@@butzbach1 I am a strapless kite hydrofoiler so I will have to respectfully disagree. Many people ride without straps.

[@its4michael]

These foil kites are designed to stay nearly parallel to the wind window for maximum power and their wing is shaped for maximum speed. They don't loft very well at all at the top of the wind window and have to stay moving to keep inflated. They pull sideways more than they pull up.

[@louise8752]

It's called gravity

[@jeremyripton]

Spectacular...a real Bond movie escape mechanism....as long as there's enough wind....

[@larsthorwald3338]

Woah. Coolest thing I've seen on the 'net in ages. 👍

[@markw2266]

Couple of real world issues that kiting hasn't gotten by for me. Space due to lines, and you should always have some help to launch and retrieve. One other downer is if you want to take a break it's not as easy as just dropping the sail it the water and sitting on your board. I do like the simplicity of not needing a mast and a boom and the kites seem to have a wider range of wind conditions than does a windsurfing sail. Still has my curiosity.

[@billdelicatessen948]

Been kitesurfing for 20 years, lines and space never an issue. Taking a break is as easy as dropping the kite, and putting it back up when ready. Inflatables 100% easier then foil for solo launching and recovery

[@markw2266]

@@billdelicatessen948 where do you do most of your kite surfing? One more question, I was stuck in the transformation of windsurfing equipment through the 80's- 20's of improvement of design. It reached a point where the improvements were not all that huge. Has kitting gotten there yet or are the newer kites leapes and bounds over something produced a couple years ago? . Got up on a kite a few times but didn't invest the time to figure out the handling aspect to getting up wind. I may do a week of school down in Hatteras. Finding a week of good wind is the biggest issue. Unfortunately my career has me locked down for another couple years and if I'm going to learn it needs to be soon. I'm running out of body to get it done correctly. Probably would be high on my bucket list of things to do after cashing a winning lottery ticket...be a wind bum for a few seasons.

[@bastienlvdx1779]

@@markw2266 I don't know if there won't be more improvements but kiting gear has gotten pretty stable in the last few years, especially when it come to safety. Performance wise I think all rounder kites now do pretty much all anyone could need for casual practice. Finally some people start rather "old" (60+), you'll be fine!

[@srr441]

I was first kitesurfing 25 years ago, with that perspective they've definitely hit a refinement curve 10 years ago and flattened out. Just don't by an older kite. Things corrode, lines get old and fabric stretches. All recent kites have good depower which gives wind range and let's you get out of trouble. And good safety releases and water relaunch. 25 years ago, I was the first where we rode, to put a safety release on my harness. No kite had them stock, used a yachting release. And kites had too much drag so limited depower (limited how forward they could go in window and depower by bringing them upwind), if not careful you got into a bad situation where you kept accelerating and the drag meant the kite got stuck in the power zone and kept increasing power as apparent wind speed increased until you had to much speed for your board to stay in the water. Had to either crash the kite or learn to catch it early and get the kite up above you to reduce power before it had too much and sent you skyward. And yeah, we started before these kites with single skin kites that couldn't water relaunch, no control bar, two vertical paddles with a strap around our backs riding home made boards. Used to hang out with Peter Lynn and his son Pete. Also tested out early kite boats.

[@its4michael]

I'm 58 and learned about 5 years ago. There are some really easy going, easily relaunchable kites out there. Get a good instructor and bomb their kites before purchasing your own ;)

[@fertysurfer]

These guys are out training on Fuerteventura now, from Flag Beach, for the Olympics. Incredible speed with 23 metre kites. You can see them in the background on the fuerteplayas Web cam from Waikiki beach, Corralejo. Screaming along at unimaginable speed.

[@amandablaise2112]

Great video, and the music is awesome. I wish I knew what music this was so I could download.

[@eneastavora1943]

Not only the sport, but the soundtrack is also extreme !

[@johntaylor1947]

That looks like a blast. I still love trapping with my catamaran.

[@jwnrocks]

One of the best KZbins I’ve seen in quite a while!

[@captainsirjackchucklebutty6147]

Can somebody show us the course they are sailing please? Is a reaching start and downwind zigzags? How can they all get round an upwind/downwind race?

[@iz5772]

This should be an Olympic sport

[@friendoftellus5741]

The future of sailing !!!!

[@jakegrace108]

Amazing, i want to do it, QQ posture is so low to water! and chest seems hunched misaligned but they ride perfectly. Any footage of the wipe outs? must be bad tacos

[@markjmaxwell9819]

Wow a great time to be alive.. So many new and exciting pass times invented in the last twenty five years. Wind power with hydrofoil efficiency. I could imagine the sh*t that would go down with a chute tangle.... 😂😂😂👍

[@foesfly3047]

This was developed at least 2 full decades too late for this dude but Man, what a rush!!

[@TheMRTVID]

Awesome action - what is the music track please as Id like to download it !

[@jefflindeman]

Channel worth a sub for this vid alone. Nicely done. Great music too. Cheers

[@creamrising]

This soundtrack is fucking excellent.

[@larrrevenga49]

That’s epic stuff right there Loved it

[@2dclxvi]

Competitions must be a constant battle to avoid getting tangled in other people's sails...you're limited to passing on the outside exclusively it seems.

[@pteamwheeler]

Great looking sport. Very catchy tune too, anyone know what it is?

[@gameboy228]

If this existed back in the my snow skiing days I would have definitely done this as well. Looks like so much fun.

[@iviewthetube]

I didn't realize that so many people are so good at doing this.

[@cycologist7069]

It was the fastest growing and most popular watersport in the 00s, tho without the foilboards.

[@simondalzell6108]

Great filming excellent music. Who is playing ?

[@bearclaw5115]

That's a whole lot of physics to balance all at once!

[@theoskeptomai2535]

This sport is not as difficult as it seems. In fact, it is rather easy to perfect. The key is learning how to control the wind and the waves.

[@AnyMotoUSA]

They're basically doing squats the entire time...and you can't take a break. It might be easy to move, but in a race where you can't just stop?

[@Zomby_Woof]

Being somewhat fixated on the what-it's of time travel, it immediately occurred to me that this is one of the technologies that one could implement without any detailed knowledge or supporting technologies. Imagine you're on a trireme closing on the enemy when suddenly a horde of troops comes screaming in on you on kite driven foils, hurl Greek fire at your ship, and vanish off into the distance.

[@dominodoggy1]

"Yet their crude brass and wooden foils were somewhat less effective than the compression forged carbon fiber counterparts we have in use today, and their hemp sails were not tough and lightweight like modern woven superfilaments. Nine times out of ten, the target vessel merely moved away in time, passing out of range of even the strongest arms"

[@Zomby_Woof]

@@dominodoggy1 There is nothing about a foil that requires exotic materials. Silk has been used for sails for thousands of years, and spruce is an extremely strong, lightweight construction material.

[@cycologist7069]

I'm honestly surprised at how many commenters have never seen this sport. Great vid BTW.

[@friendsmakingmusic1751]

Having been on the forefront of sailing hydrofoils, what I see is the amount of effort still being used to counteract the roll component of the equation. Still don't think they have broken the 50kn barrier. Looks like fun, but I did have a close friend die while kite sailing back in the early 2000s. Be careful

[@nickjunes]

How did he die?

[@friendsmakingmusic1751]

@@nickjunes He was kitesailing on Corpus bay and got lofted and slammed into a telephone pole 20 yards in shore. He was on the forefront of the kitesailing movement. Peter Nordby

[@pencilpauli9442]

Sorry for your loss. What sort of speeds are these guys doing?

[@friendsmakingmusic1751]

@@pencilpauli9442 If you are referring to the video I do not know. It does not look as fast as we were going in the 80s, we were doing high 40s, BUT in 35kn winds.

[@pencilpauli9442]

@@friendsmakingmusic1751 Thank you Just wonder the sort of speeds the kite racers were doing in the video.

[@kjlahti782]

In the Olympics will their "sails/chute" be in the colours of their countries? How fast are they going? What would be the distances they would be racing? I could see GO cameras for the viewers during the races.

[@RZ-eu2rl]

The sharks are wondering what is going on.

[@RockLeeMC]

Bruce waits patiently.

[@mikesrcgarage]

That looks so awesome it doesn't seem possible but it is! 🤯👍

[@Jerrymc1975]

They need a demolition derby!

[@zpza8666]

Ce qui est très dommage, c'est que vous ne laissez pas la camera ficus sur les changements de bords, pour avoir le temps de visualiser la manœuvre, changements de pieds, c'est dommage car c'est le plus intéressant 😢

[@douglasalexander4348]

Where’s the shots of it all going wrong at the gybe mark ?

[@jaimemetcher388]

30m wide and doing 25 knots...what could possibly go wrong?

[@douglasalexander4348]

@@jaimemetcher388 It’s the foils, you ever seen one on its side when some one crashes in front of you ? This is perfect promo footage, so your not going to see the carnage.

[@KKIcons]

Please we need a bloopers reel

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

This blew my mind. I had no idea this even existed. I subscribed.

[@skesmond606]

Kevin Shepherd started this in 83. He said smaller kite stacked will win the race. He "hydro kite " raced wind surfers. He was the only one for ten years.

[@Hans-mg5nf]

So progress does exits, from my windsurfboard with wooden sword to this level. Excllent dream.

[@prwchan]

That's the most futuristic thing I've ever seen 🤣

[@jessiecoastaliving]

Where was this filmed? It’s beautiful

[@earthlingjohn]

Many locations... Some scenes looked like they were filmed in the Columbia River Gorge (Hood River, Oregon/White Salmon, Washington)

[@rogerhamilton4961]

This looks like a blast!

[@2009salsared]

Jet skis with no noise and great beauty? Wow!

[@dalehill6127]

Great video, great music, *WILD* sport, fantastic!!!😲😃👏🏻

[@jimpaisley2583]

I see mostly 18M kites, what do you think the wind speed was, 18 mph? I don't see a lot of white caps....

[@theofficialdiamondlou2418]

10-15’s I’d guess.

[@jjrice9371]

for an 18m kite on foils is usually 8 to 13 knots of wind

[@Rumb1epit]

Beautiful chaos , How this isn't a cluster F of crashes and tangles ill never know.

[@pubfixture]

As soon as I see ram-air kites i think, oh hey, French people.

[@R0cky0]

any idea where this was?

[@EmpiricalWizard]

How do they do that without getting all tangled up with each other?

[@adamblackman6660]

For real. Just imagine paragliders doing this in mass hundreds of feet from the ground in huge clusters too…

[@thinkingape7655]

This is killer, but what are the credits for the music playing?

[@kennethken8974]

How do they start the race together ? Who lifts those sails ?

[@torotom2023]

OMG I get back pain already from watching!

[@jon630]

I assume they have to hike out like that to try and tilt the foil the windward and avoid the sail dragging them to leeward? Looks kind of funky hahaha

[@porkyswelding]

how do they not get tangled up? i'm guessing this is a positive promotional so they don't show wrecks.

[@KKIcons]

Maybe the guy in Windsurfing TV will cover this sometime, or maybe a similar kite channel (which shows humorous bails)

[@skidogbill]

How do they not get tangled up?

[@Rickles37]

So much to learn young Skywalker.

[@seanogallchoir3237]

Thank you enjoy our beautiful Ocean Planet. # HeroesAtSea.

[@caitlynkelly4312]

the human machine must be in top condition for this one I expect- I imagine these riders have really defined back abs ... what a rush to be able to see them

[@glennthomson2461]

Great music too. Any clues?

[@macrumpton]

This is the pinnacle of solo sail racing in the 21st century!

[@matthewstanton5262]

So far...

[@someguydino6770]

that IS the absolute safest way to fly a paraglider right there folks

[@RavenRaven-se6lr]

How fast how many knots across the water. Amazing skill🇦🇺👍

[@rcpmac]

30 knots

[@rmidawg]

So, how do you go faster? Tightening the sail?

[@kahhowong3417]

A sport where a Masters in Aerodynamics might be more of a hindrance than a help.