Narrowest upwind channel?

[gbrungra]

Challenge: what is the narrowest channel in which a kiteboarder could still up upwind?
(wind direction is directly down the channel)

Let's say zero tide/current

What is the optimal gear?

What is the optimal windspeed?

[Regis-de-giens]

Excellent game and challenge which can be useful by the way on touristic beaches having boat channels.

[Peter_Frank]

And it will be easy to verify, just show the gps track (current can not be though...)

Thus you dont need a channel, you can do this anywhere, practice, and see your gps track afterwards.
A bit more difficult to keep it straight yes, but good practice (I will suck as my tacks are nothing to write about).

I am pretty sure high aspect big wings, foil kite, and the more wind the better

So the challenge could also be in how low wind you can go "narrow" upwind?
Besides the narrowest in "any" wind.


The other way could be just as challenging - how narrow can you go downwind?
In how low wind (a LOT more difficult in low wind).

Peter

[gbrungra]

Duck-tacking vs no foot switch (heelside/toeside alternating)

Yes, probably easiest to train for the challenge in open water.

The real goal is to be able to maneuver in tight spaces as well as a sailboat, opening up new navigation options.

[BraCuru]

Average 50m on the distancce of 2,7km. 82 tacks.
However it was not the game. I was training airborne quick tacks.
I believe it is possible to make it in a 30m channel.
Moses Comet 111, Ozone R1V2 15m, lines 17m, Bracuru Hover board.

[BraCuru]

25 meters channel:

[Regis-de-giens]

Great ! With tacks ?

[BraCuru]

sure. that was the challenge!

[tkaraszewski]

This has inspired me to go work on my tacks. I've pretty much got heel-toe ducks tacks down on one side, now I need to go do 82 of them in a row on my weak side.