San Francisco Bay Boardsailing Plan - What is Boardsailing?

2.0 Boardsailing

Boardsailing consists of windsurfing and kiteboarding, but there are many variations to each sport depending on the skill and goals of the rider.1 This section will provide a brief overview of each sport, including equipment, basic riding techniques, and necessary water access facilities.

Note. SFBA acknowledges that the term “boardsailing” traditionally only applies to windsurfing. However, as the mission of SFBA has expanded to cover both windsurfing, kiteboarding, and foiling for ease of reading and simplicity, this document uses “boardsailing” to refer to the sports.

Wind

A key first step in understanding boardsailing is to understand the optimum wind direction, velocity, and quality need to boardsail; and how wind velocity and direction can influence launch locations, rider safety, and equipment selection.

• Wind Direction: Winds should predominantly be blowing side-shore and  side-onshore, which means either parallel to the beach or at a 45-degree angle onto the beach. These are the safest two wind directions for boardsailing as they will blow a rider along or gently back towards the shore. Straight onshore or offshore winds can be more hazardous wind directions as they can pull a rider onto land and into
  hard objects, or out to into the Bay. 
• Wind Velocity: Boardsailors require steady winds typically between 10-25mph. With the rise of hydrofoils, some boardsailing can now occur in winds of 8mph or less. Wind velocities greater than 25mph are suitable only for advanced riders.
• Wind Shadow: Structures located upwind of a launch site can disrupt wind flow and  cause significant impacts to boardsailing areas downwind. Generally, a structure will cause turbulence (i.e., swirling, gusty winds) across a distance equal to 20 times the height of the structure. This area of turbulent wind is often referred to as the wind shadow

Windsurfing

Windsurfing is a gear intensive sport. Each rig is comprised of a sail supported by a mast, a boom, a universal joint that connects the sail to the board, and a board that is similar to a surfboard with a fin for stabilization. Sail and board size are determined by the strength of the wind and the size of the rider. Generally, the stronger the wind the smaller the sail and board.

Technique

A sailboard will move, depending on wind conditions and the skill or intentions of the rider,in two entirely different manners, with two different displacements; it will either sail or hydroplane (referred to as “planing”).

• Under Sailing Conditions: The board moves through the water using an extendable centerboard (if available) and fin or skeg at the back of the board for stability, directional control, and lateral resistance. The centerboard is retracted at broad points of sail to allow for jibing control. In these conditions windsurf boards also tack and jibe like a sail boat.
• Directional Control: Is achieved by moving the rig either forward (turning away from or downwind) or aft (turning towards or upwind). When jibing, the clew of the sail (bottom corner farthest from the mast) is allowed to rotate out and around the mast.
• Launching and Fall Recovery: When the wind is light and the waves are small, the rider generally needs a large, buoyant board and they will launch and recover by up-hauling the rig (sail + mast + boom). This is accomplished by climbing onto the board, pulling the rig up and out of the water with the up-haul (rope attached to the boom) and adjusting the sail-board combination until they are sufficiently balanced and the sail is “powered up”. In stronger winds and waves, the rider generally needs a smaller board and rig, and they launch and recover with a waterstart (refer to “Advanced Techniques” on page 17). Mastering this technique is necessary to be able to windsurf in areas of high winds or large swell when up-hauling is impossible.

Facilities

Windsurf rigs can be hand carried, making them highly versatile to get on and off the water. However, rigs are gear-intensive and require adequate space for rigging and to carry equipment to the water. Beaches and ramps are the preferred launch type for most windsurfers.

• Water Access: An ideal launch will provide a gradual path from the rigging area into the water that is wide (>15-feet preferred) and free from obstructions that could snag or tear a sail.
• Rigging: Windsurfing equipment consists of numerous parts that usually take a minimum of 20 minutes to set up. Sails are particularly fragile and therefore should be rigged on a soft surface that won’t puncture or tear a sail. Rigging areas of smooth pea gravel, grass, or turf are preferred. Each windsurf rig requires a minimum of 30-square feet to allow enough room to lay down equipment and have a safe buffer between users.
• Parking: For windsurfing, the time spent rigging, sailing and de-rigging is often a minimum of three hours, so parking with a two-hour time limit is not workable. Windsurfing equipment is heavy, awkward to carry and consists of many parts, which requires frequent vehicle access for rigging and de-rigging. Thus, proximity from parking areas to rigging areas is very important in site design.

Kiteboarding

Over the past twenty years, kiteboarding emerged as a new form of on-water recreation on the Bay. To a large extent, kiteboarders come from the ranks of windsurfers, which may have reduced windsurfing participation. The number of kiteboarders on the Bay remains somewhat small partly because the skill level required and equipment costs creates a barrier to casual participation, but participation has grown rapidly in recent years.

Launch Safety 

Safety of kiteboarders and bystanders is a critical concern as these sports continue to grow in popularity. There are five site requirements for access that encourage safety for kiters and others using a launch area:

1. Adequate space and surface for launch and landing. Kites require a circular space with aminimum radius of 100 feet for safe launching and landing. This space should be devoid ofhard surfaces, including poles, shrubs, trees, tall grass and anything else that could act as an obstacle or snag a line. Beach sand, pea gravel, turf, or low grass are safe options.
2. Remove/limit obstacles between the launch area and point of water access. Due to gusts,lulls and shifting winds near land, it is imperative to maintain a clear path of entry and exit between the point of access and the launch/landing area. The long lines that attach the kiter to the kite can easily catch on tall objects, and kiters can trip and lose control of their kite while attempting to maneuver technical terrain.
3. Adequate space for entry and exit into and out of the water. The entry and exit point from the water should be sufficiently wide to accommodate use during several predominant wind directions (i.e. W, WNW, and NW). A wide, sandy beach with no large rocks wrapping the shoreline is the safest option, but rare in the Bay Area.
4. Kite staging area. This space is separate from the launch/landing area and is safely away from launched kites. Kiters can pump up kites and get ready, or just watch other kiters while resting between sessions. An inflated, resting kite with a safety buffer generally requires 15-feet x 25-feet of space, but multiple kites can be “stacked” together when lines are not attached to more efficiently use beach space.
5. Limit/alert other users between launch/landing area and the water. During launching and landing, kiters need to move quickly to and from the water. This is the most hazardous time so limiting potential for interactions with other beach goers is safest. Placing signs to alert pedestrians and cyclists along the beach or trails can help encourage understanding.
6. Adequate space and surface for launch and landing. Kites require a circular space with a minimum radius of 100 feet, devoid of poles, shrubs, trees, tall grass, or anything that could snag a line. Beach sand, pea gravel, turf, or low grass are safe options.
7. Remove or limit obstacles between the launch area and water. Long lines can easily catch on tall objects, and kiters can trip on technical terrain.
8. Adequate space for entry/exit. Wide enough to accommodate several predominant wind directions. A wide sandy beach without rip rap is the safest option, but rare in the Bay Area.
9. Kite staging area. Separate from the launch/landing area, away from launched kites. Each inflated resting kite needs about 15×25 ft, but kites can be "stacked" when lines are detached.
10. Limit/alert other users between launch/landing and the water. Signs alerting pedestrians and cyclists help reduce conflict.

The 411 is a collective of local kiters working to build community and safety at sites throughout the Bay Area. The primary goal is to bring hyper-local information and connection to a growing population of Bay Area kiters. In addition to helping new kiters safely navigate new sites, the 411 strives to improve outreach, stewardship, and advocacy among the kiting community. More information is available at sfba.org

Equipment

Kiteboarding uses a maneuverable kite attached to a rider via a harness, which powers a rider across the water on a small surfboard, wakeboard, or kiteboard (a separate board that straps to the user’s feet). Kite size and shape varies depending on the wind velocity and user’s skill. Generally, stronger winds require use of smaller kites and shorter lines. 

Technique

Kiteboarding requires practice and skill to control and maneuver the kite. Controlling where the kite is placed in relation to the wind direction will determine where a kite will generate the least and most amount of power. 

Wind Window: The wind window is anywhere in the sky that your kite will fly. The graphic below represent how the kite performs in relation to wind direction. The red area is where the kite is directly in the wind’s path, which will give the greatest amount of pull and rider speed. Yellow areas represent more moderate pull and is where riders will keep their kites to comfortably cruise across the water. The green area has very little pull, as the kite is close to perpendicular to the wind direction. Working the kite across the edge of the wind window allows riders to safely and gently launch and land their kites.

Technique

Kiteboarding requires practice and skill to control the board and maneuver the kite. Taking a series of lessons when beginning and staying within one’s skill level is particularly important given the risks inherent in the sport.

• Directional Control: is achieved by using the bar to control the location of the kite relative to the wind window. Additionally, maneuvering the board allows kiters to make fine movements while pulled in a general direction by the wind powered kite. An ability to get “upwind” requires riders to be at speed and tack at an angle that allows sailing against the wind, which is a more advanced skill that separates beginners from intermediate kiters. 
• Fall Recovery: As soon as the kite crashes the first priority is to ensure there is tension in the lines. As long as there is tension a kiter has control of the kite. Slowly the kite will start to walk around to one edge of the wind window. Keep steering the kite in the same direction until it walks itself around to the edge of the wind window and slowly starts to rear up onto its side towards the normal launch position. When the kite is about to release from the water, the rider will let the bar out fairly quickly (but still in a controlled manner) while maintaining the correct amount of steering to bring the kite upwards towards 12 o’clock. The kite is then repowered and will pull the rider up to riding position.

Facilities

The most essential requirement for a kiteboarding launch, aside from wind, is space. Gusty winds can quickly yank a kite and attached rider in unintended directions. Obstructions like fences or structures can snag lines or harm a kiter if they lose kite control, so it is critical to kiter safety as well as the safety of others near the launch that a broad open area be provided. Each kite rig requires a minimum of 100-foot radius clear space downwind to allow enough room to lay down equipment and have a safe buffer between users. Beaches are the preferred launch type for most kiters.

• Rigging: Kiteboarding equipment usually takes a minimum of 15 minutes to inflate, set up lines, and prepare for launch. Kites are fragile and therefore should be rigged on a soft surface that won’t puncture or tear the kite. Rigging areas of sand, grass, or turf are preferred. Self-launch anchors can be provided to allow unassisted launches.
• Water Access: An ideal launch will provide a wide, gradual path from the rigging area into the water that is free from obstructions that could snag or tear a sail, such as sign posts or fences. Once a kite is aloft, the kiter must quickly move from the rigging area to the water, so limiting obstructions, other people, or tripping hazards is important to maintain safety.
• Parking: Kiteboarding equipment is lighter and easier to carry longer distances than windsurfing gear so nearby parking is less essential. However, parking should be permitted for a minimum of three hours to allow adequate time for rigging and kiting.

Foiling

Once the basics of windsurfing and kiteboarding have been mastered, there are a variety of tools and techniques that riders can use to expand their experience. Foiling however is the newest way to get on the water. 

• Hydrofoil: A hydrofoil is a keel with “wings” that attaches to the bottom of the board of a windsurf board or kiteboard. As the board speed increases the foil generates lift and the board rises above the water, with the bottom of the foil remaining in the water. The kiter controls elevation by applying pressure on the board through their feet and forward drive via the kite or sail. Foils reduce drag so can allow for boardsailing with less wind and at greater speeds. Foiling requires deeper water when launching and cannot occur in areas with underwater obstacles (i.e., eelgrass).
• Self-Launch Anchor: A self-launch anchor or “hitch” is a small post with a eye-hook that allows kiteboarders to launch their kite unassisted. A kiter will attach their kitebar to the post and run their lines and kite to the edge of the wind window. The kiter then will move the kite into the power position and launch the kite, then walk back to the hitch and move the kitebar from the post to their harness and then walk into the water.
• Waterstart: A waterstart is a windsurfing-only technique that allows the sailor to more efficiently recover from a fall than up-hauling. This advanced and necessary maneuver requires that while the rider is floating in the water they push the mast high enough out of the water so that the sail begins to fly and lifts the riders weight up and onto the board.

Add a wind surf rig and you get Wind Foiling

Add a kite and you get Kite Foiling

Add a paddle and you get Stand UP Paddle Foiling or SUP Foiling. 

Add a Wing and you get Wing Foiling. 

Add a Para Wing and Get Para Foiling or Parawing Foiling.

Add a electric motor and you get eFoiling.

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