As any extreme sport, kitesurfing presents some dangers. Modern technology is improving its safety record but kitesurfers must be aware of other kitesurfers and the weather as strong winds present the biggest danger. It is highly advisable to have training a kitesurfing school.
What to do with a kite and board
Turning, controlled flying, board grabs and jumps. There are various ways of turning which depend on the skill level of the boarder. Board grabs are done in the air and there are different names for the grab depending on which part of the board is involved. Controlled flying and jumping is one of the most attractive aspects of this sport, but it can also be the most dangerous. Boarders create tension on the lines and position the kite overhead which causes the board to "release" and boarder starts to "fly."
As in many sports, there is an extensive list of jargon used by kitesurfers to describe the tricks, stunts and conditions.
Where Kitesurfing comes from
When it comes to the history of Kitesurfing, it only really came about as a widely popular sport until the late 90s. Since the 1800s people have been trying to combine kites with buggies, boats, skis and skates, although it wasn't until the 70s that a special kite was designed and patented. Bruno and Dominique Legaignoux, two French brothers, designed the kite which became the model for kitesurfing kite designs. Kitesurfing boards were developed in 1997 and by 1998 the first competition was held in Maui, Hawaii (where else!). Now that this is a widely known and practised sport, there is a national governing body called BKSA, the British Kitesurfing Association.
Equipment for kitesurfers
The basic gear needed to start kitesurfing is a kite, board, harness, flying lines and control bar. Kites can be foil kites or leading edge inflatables and they can come in different sizes for different variations of kitesurfing. It would also interest the kitesurfer to invest in a neoprene wetsuit as they are going to be spending long periods of time in the water and it's best to stay warm. A safety hook knife is also required for getting out of trouble if the kitesurfer has to break loose in any moment. A helmet and GPS are optional and depend on the kiteboarder's tastes.
Different types of Kitesurfing
There are many different forms of kitesurfing which can be independent although some do end up sharing characteristics:
Freeride
The most common way to enjoy kitesurfing. The vast majority of equipment produced is for this category and it involves riding and developing skills and technique.
Freestyle
In this style of kitesurfing, the kitesurfer uses the kite and board to get high above the water in order to practise tricks in the air.
Wave-riding
This is a combination of surfing and kiteboarding that requires waves and wave breaks. The board is a bit larger and can also be used for regular surfing if the bindings are removed. This board is a directional board and it needs to be able to turn easily in order to surf the waves.
Wakeskate
This version of kitesurfing uses a board similar in size to a skateboard. The board is binding-free and is also done on flat water.
Wakestyle
Similar to wakeboarding. The kitesurfer uses a board with bindings to perform tricks and stunts, occasionally off ramps. Flat water is optimum for this category.
Jumping
This may be seen as belonging to the category of Freeride. It involves what the name implies; jumping - and these kitesurfers often use kiteloops to gain more height and the kites have shorter lines and kites smaller than others.
If you are interested in trying this sport, now is the time to start looking! It's an exhilarating sport that unites the beauty of water and wind sports! As we are lucky enough to be an island, there are endless locations within Scotland, Wales, and England like Devon, Weymouth, Calshot and Aberdeen (just to name a few)!
