A smartphone based system for kite and board measurements in kitesurfing

This study introduces a smartphone based measurement system to obtain dynamic parameters of board and kite during kitesurfing. A built-in GPS receiver tracked the path and speed of the kitesurfer. Orientation values from inertial sensors in the smartphones attached to the kite were used to visualise kite movement patterns through projection onto the surface of a sphere. Ring transducers on kite lines measured forces acting between the kite and kitesurfer. The measurement system was tested with one participant. The total distance covered was 6654 m at an average speed of 8.17 m/s. Accelerations during a jump were evaluated to estimate jump height and duration. Board orientations and kite movements were found to be reasonable and in alignment with video recordings. Kite steering and lift force traces comprehensibly described the interaction between kitesurfer and kite. Jump parameters were in agreement with visual observations.