View source for Bow kite

{{Short description|Leading edge inflatable kites}}

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[[Image:Bowkite.svg|thumb|Diagram of a bow kite]]
[[Image:LEI-Kite.jpg|thumb|A bow kite]]

'''Bow kites''' are [[Leading edge inflatable kite|leading-edge inflatable kites]] (LEI kites) that incorporate a bridle on the leading edge. They are used for the sport of [[kiteboarding]]. Bow kites can be identified by a flat, swept-back profile and concave trailing edge, allowing the kite greater depower.  

The bow kite design was pioneered by Bruno Legaignoux,<ref>[http://www.inflatablekite.com/sitebow/BowPortraitgb.html Bow Portrait] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814220250/http://www.inflatablekite.com/sitebow/BowPortraitgb.html |date=August 14, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kitesurfing Handbook - History of kitesurfing |url=https://kitesurfing-handbook.peterskiteboarding.com/history-of-kitesurfing |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=kitesurfing-handbook.peterskiteboarding.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-07-08 |title=The History of Kitesurfing |url=https://kitesurf.capetown/history-of-kitesurf/ |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=Kitesurfing in Cape Town |language=en-GB}}</ref> and has been licensed to many kite manufacturers.  

Bow kites have a wider wind range than C-kites (traditional LEI kites), so two kite sizes ({{Convert|7|and|12|m2|sqft}}) could form an effective quiver for winds ranging from 10 to 30 knots for a {{convert|75|kg|lb|adj=on}} rider. This makes bow kites more suitable for beginners to kite sports; however, they are also used by professionals.

Bow kites are used in a variety of kite-related sports, including [[kiteboarding]] and [[snowkiting]]. Because of their depower range, they allow users to combat problems caused by gusts, making them safer to use. They are also used by kite surfers for wave riding, as their unique shape lends itself to this discipline.

==Early kites==
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While early bow kites allowed the kite to be fully depowerable, they had a number of disadvantages compared to classic C-kites. These included possible inversion of the kite; less stability; heavier bar pressure, leading to greater user fatigue; more difficult relaunch; and lack of "sled boosting" effect when jumping.
In 2006, second-generation flat LEI kites were developed, which improved many previous issues. The bridle and control bar design has later been refined to give a more direct feel and less bar pressure, while small modifications to the kites themselves have provided more stable kites less likely to invert.

==References==
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{{Kites}}

[[Category:Kites]]
[[Category:Kitesurfing]]


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