Kite · Take-off
2002
Four lines and twin tips
Four-line inflatable kites become the industry standard, and wakeboard-style twin-tip boards take over from surf-style directional boards.
A two-line and a four-line kite, seen from behind the rider
The first kiteboards were borrowed from other sports. By 1999 most riders stood on single-direction boards shaped like surfboards or small windsurf boards, which had to be turned around at every change of direction.
Between 2001 and 2002 that changed. Bi-directional boards in the style of a wakeboard, with the same shape at both ends, became hugely popular. A rider could simply stop, shift weight and ride off the other way.
The kites changed at the same time. In 2002 four-line inflatable kites became the industry standard, with Slingshot, Flexifoil and F-One all bringing inflatables to the market.
The combination of an inflatable kite that relaunches from the water, four lines and a twin-tip board set the pattern for the decade. What was still missing was a kite that could be switched off almost completely; that came with the bow kite.