What is Kite Surfing?
Kite surfing is a combination of power kite flying, windsurfing, paragliding and wakeboarding. First seen in France at the end of the 1990's this extreme sport has been made very popular in Hawaii, the world's best surfing destination.
How Do I Get Started In Kite Surfing?
The best way would be to find a Kite surfing school. The avoid wasting time and money you could also get yourself a powerkite and learn how to use this first. Once you know how to handle a power kite you will find it easier and faster to get onto the water. Your instructor will provide all the equipment you need for your lessons so this will help you with the intial cost of getting kite surfing gear.What Equipent Do I Need?
Your instructor wil help you choose what equipment would be best for you but at the most basic level you will need to buy- A Kite Surfing Kite
- A Kite Surfing Board
- A Kite Surfing Harness
- A Helmet
- A Wet Suit
- A De-Power System
The most important piece of equipment you need is a good level of fitness, strong swimming skills, upper body strength
What Will I Learn During My Lessons?
Ok assuming you are of the intelegent type and have got yourself an instructor or at least a very experienced kite surfer to mentor you what type of things will you be learning?1. The first and most important lesson should be the Safety rules.
2. You will learn about kite, the size of kites and the wind strengths.
3. An Introduction to equipment and how to set up would be taught near the start of your lessons.
4. What saftey checks to perform on your equipment and the emergency procedures you may need perform if things go wrong.
5. Before you learn to take off it's important to learn how to land safely.
6. You should know how a kite fly's and how you can generate power from it.
7. Basic Kite skills - you will learn about body dragging, how to re-launch, how to land on water in an emergency and self rescue.
2. You will learn about kite, the size of kites and the wind strengths.
3. An Introduction to equipment and how to set up would be taught near the start of your lessons.
4. What saftey checks to perform on your equipment and the emergency procedures you may need perform if things go wrong.
5. Before you learn to take off it's important to learn how to land safely.
6. You should know how a kite fly's and how you can generate power from it.
7. Basic Kite skills - you will learn about body dragging, how to re-launch, how to land on water in an emergency and self rescue.
How Much Will This All Cost Me?
This is a difficult question to answer as each piece of gear comes in a range of prices. On average you should expect to pay around $1500 for a full set of new gear but if you have a look around this price tag could be halfed if you buy used kite surfing gear. Have a look at some of the auctions here!
