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Kitesurfing Trick
Kitesurfers
Kiteboarding
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Kitesurfing, also known as Kiteboarding, and sometimes as flysurfing in Europe, originated in the 1980s but has only gained widespread popularity in recent years. Kitesurfing uses a power kite to pull a small surfboard (on water), a wheeled board on land (Kiteboarding), or a snowboard over snow (Kiteskiing).
Generally, the first step of Kitesurfing is to fly the power kite into a neutral position - in which the kite is straight overhead, and therefore not pulling except against one's body weight.
A safe way to launch involves lying down in shallow water, and strapping the board onto the feet. More experienced kiters can launch from dry sand or beach. The kite is then flown toward the water, in the direction that the board is pointing. If the board doesn't dig into the water or into a wave, the kite pulls the surfer up into a powerful planing motion similar to wakeboarding.
It is generally held that kitesurfers should never venture onto the water without boat assistance in direct offshore winds (because of the possibility of being 'flown' out to sea), or direct onshore winds (because of the possibility of being thrown against beach objects, trees, rocks etc).
Cross-shore wind directions are widely considered to be the best. In a strong wind with flat water, it is possible for a kitesurfing expert to travel at 50km/h (30 mph) or more… |
Kiteboarding is a relatively new sport, based on the ever-growing sport of kitesurfing. Whereas in kitesurfing the rider is pulled over the water on a wakeboard style board, kiteboarding involves the use of a landboard which is essentially a large skateboard with offroad wheels and suspension.
The rider manoeuvres the kite into a neutral position (over head), and once strapped to the board can get the kite to pull them across the ground. Like kitesurfing, competent riders are able to "get some air" which is essentially allowing the kite to pull a rider up into the air - normally several feet high.
More competent riders are able to do several moves in the air, such as grabs, rotations and flips. Ideally, this sport is done on large empty areas without any obstructions like trees or people, and where the wind is at a constant. Use the Your Leisure Time Quick Search to find Kiteboarding and Kitesurfing locations and tuition in the UK.
Contacts and Links
International Kiteboarding Organization(IKO): international kiteboarding self-regulation and certification body.
KiteSurfing Articles at Kiteworld.net - Online forums, videos and pictures
Skypilotkiteboarding.com - a global network for kitebording
KiteSurfing Forum- Large kitesurfing forum
KiteSurfing and Kiteboarding - Good introductory resource
PKRA - KiteSurfing World Tour of Professional Kite Riders Association