Frequently Asked Questions & Glossary
At what times is your station open?
Our center is open daily from May to September from 12 noon to 7 pm.
At what age can you learn kitesurfing?
We train from an age of 10-11 years, upwards no limits. Even older people (provided they are physically fit) can still learn to kitesurf.
Do I have to be a sportsman to learn kitesurfing?
No, you don't have to. Normal physical fitness is sufficient. In addition, the duration and intensity of the training can be individually adapted to your physical and mental condition.
Do I need any special preparation for a kitesurfing course?
No, a special preparation is not necessary. Just, come, see, exercise, feel it and be happy!
How long do I need to learn kitesurfing?
Under normal conditions you can kitesurf independently and safely within one week. This means: kite assembly and disassembly, starting and landing the kite, safe kite control, water start, keeping altitude or running, first simple turning maneuvers.
In which languages do the kitesurfing lessons take place?
We currently teach in German and English, Serbo-Croatian/Montenegrin is planned for the future.
Is kitesurfing dangerous?
As with any sport, there are a few basic rules to follow. These are especially safety measures and the correct launching and landing of the kite. If you take this to heart, the risk of injury to yourself and others is very low.
Can I come to you with a whole group?
You are welcome to come to us as a group. It is advisable to make an arrangement in advance.
What is the best season for kitesurfing in Montenegro?
The best time here in Montenegro is from May to September. The wind blows stable side-on-shore from northwest from noon. The temperatures are mediterranean ones (we are on the latitude of Rome) and you mostly short wetsuit and in high summer lycra are enough.
Which kite sizes do I need?
Mostly we fly kites between 12 and 9 sqm. Should there be a weaker wind day, we also have larger kites with 14 and 17 sqm at the station. Alternatively, the hydrofoil (for experienced riders) can be used.
Can I park my car at the center?
Yes, you can. We do have a large, free parking lot directly behind the kitebeach, which you can use.
Can I stay at the center during the day?
Of course you can. The kite station is also available for your other stays at the beach. Furthermore you can rent smaller and bigger beach beds and buy food vouchers (with discount).
What is the best way to get to Ulcinj?
The fastest way to get to Montenegro is by plane. Airports are Tivat and Podgorica (the capital). Depending on the traffic, you can reach us in about 1 1/2 hours. Alternatively, you can also come to Montenegro on wheels via Austria, Slovenia and Croatia.
Which means of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, major credit cards, EC cards and paypal.
Glossary - And last but not least some "kite jinglish" :
Trailing edge
The trailing edge of the kite.
Adjuster
The adjuster is used to change the relationship between the front and back lines, and thus the angle of attack of the kite to the wind can be adjusted, as well as its pressure.
Tie point
The lines are attached to the kite at different knots. The different lengths have an effect on the position of the kite in the air.
Anpowern
Pulling the bar towards you to increase the pull of the kite.
Leading edge
The leading edge, the front tube, of the kite.
Angle of attack
The pull depends on the angle of attack of the kite to the wind.
Backlines
The control lines that run from the sides at the trailing edge to the bar.
Bar
Handlebar
Bodydrag
Without a board, just lying in the water, letting the kite pull you.
Chickenloop and -stick
Oval shaped rubber tube. It is connected to the depower rope and the harness is hooked into it. Then the stick is put through it to prevent it from slipping off unintentionally.
Depower
Push the bar away from you.
Front tube
Front edge of the kite that is filled with air and determines the shape of the kite.
Run height
Riding as high as possible on the wind to get close to the not possible riding direction against the wind.
Pumpleash
To prevent the kite from flying away when the tube is inflated, it can be attached to the kite using the pumpleash, a rope.
Cross tubes
Go from the front tube across the kite and are used for stabilization.
Quick-Release
Intended for emergencies. If it is released, the kite crashes and hangs only on the Safety Leash.
Sine Curves
To increase the pull of the kite, it can be moved in up and down movements to the water and back up again.
Wind window
The flight range of the kite.
Zenith
Also called 12 o'clock. Highest point of the wind window with the least pull.
THE KITE
18. Canopy
19. Leading edge / Front tube
20. Leading edge
21. Bridle lines (front)
22. Bridle lines (back)
23. Struts (air chambers)
24. Outer sail
25. Inner sail
Good to know
Wind window
The area in which the kite flies. It is divided into times (9 am - 3 pm) and indicates in which position the kite is located.
Zenith
The highest position of the kite in the sky, just above the kiter (12 o'clock)
Power Zone
The area where the kite develops the most pull (in the wind direction in front of the kiter)
Safety System
Helps to depressurize the kite or completely release from the kite in emergencies
Quick Release
The release mechanism of the Safety System
1st safety level
Push bar away from body (kite depressurizes and sinks to the ground)
2nd safety level
Quick release at the chicken loop (kite hangs only on 1-2 kite lines, depending on the system)
3rd safety level
Quick release at the safety leash (kite is completely separated from the kiter)
Relaunch
Restarting the kite after it falls from the sky
Bodydrag
To be pulled through the water by the kite, mostly on the belly or sideways (without board on the feet)
Waterstart
Being pulled onto the board by the power of the kite and riding off.
Depower
The ability to reduce the power of the kite
Underpowered
Not enough wind/pressure in the kite to ride
Self rescue
A technique to save oneself back to the beach using the kite as a buoyancy aid/sail, should the kite not be restartable
Material
Bar: handlebar
Chickenloop: a loop with which the bar is attached to the harness
Chickendick: a tube-like pin that prevents the chickenloop from slipping out of the harness hook
Adjuster: a system that adjusts the angle of attack of the kite to the wind
Depower lines: connects the chickenloop to the frontlines and the adjuster respectively
Harness: a hip belt. The harness hook is located at the front of the harness and connects the chickenloop to it.
Safetyleash: a safety line, with which the kite is connected to the harness last, should the chickenloop (2nd safety level) already be released
Canopy: canvas
LEI: Leading Edge Inflatable, inflatable kite
Softkite: Kites with air chambers, which fill themselves with air by the wind
Leading edge: leading edge/ for LEI kites = front tube
trailing edge: trailing edge
Tip: the lateral wingtips
Fronttube: tube filled with air at the leading edge, which gives the kite its profile
Quertubes: engl Strut, they run crosswise to the front tube and together with it form the framework
Bladder: tubes in the struts and the front tube, which are filled with air to give the kite a stable shape
Middle lines: also called frontlines, these are the lines that are attached to the front tube.
outer lines: also called backlines, they are attached to the tips
bridle lines: a framework of lines on the kite, they give the kite more depower
Twin Tip: a symmetrical board that can be ridden in both directions without changing foot position or turning the board
Wave Board: specially designed for kiting in the waves, similar to a surfboard
Hydrofoil board: a hydrofoil board that is lifted out of the water by increasing speed by means of the hydrofoils, due to the low water resistance, this type of board can be ridden even with very little wind
Fins: are attached to the bottom of the board and give the board stability
Footstraps: are attached to the upper side of the board and give the kiter stability.
Tricks
Back and front roll: A 360 degree rotation of the body. Backroll = backward rotation clockwise Frontroll = forward rotation (counterclockwise)
Handle Pass: a trick where the bar is passed from one hand to the other behind the back
Kite Loop: a 360 degree rotation of the kite (a kite loop can rotate clockwise and
counterclockwise)
Railey: an unhooked trick where, after the jump, you bring your legs back to a position above your head.
Wind & Water
Windguru/ Windfinder: wind and weather forecast on the internet for almost all spots worldwide
Downwind: leeward, the side facing away from the wind
Upwind: windward, the side facing the wind
Off-shore: offshore wind
On-shore: onshore wind
Side-shore: wind blowing sideways to the shore
Knots: Unit for measuring wind force 1 knot=1.85 km/h
Thermal wind: a pressure balance between temperature differences on land and at sea
Apparent Wind: apparent wind, the apparent wind is the sum of the true wind (meteological) and the sailing wind
Rip Current: surf return current, read more about it in our other blog entry Surf Return Current.
Technique
Edge: Edge of the kiteboard, with this you determine the direction and the speed.
Heel: Heel edge
Toe-Side: edge of the toe
Unhooked: the bar is not connected to the harness, the kiter holds the kite with all his power with his arms
Right of Way: Right of way rules that prevent collisions on the sea
