Kite Surfing for Beginners

Kite surfing, an extreme sport that is becoming increasingly popular, combines a variety of athletic skills to form an activity that is both challenging and rewarding. While most kite surfers surf on water, it may also be done over snow or sand.

  1. Description

    • Kite surfers use large, sometimes inflatable kites to harness wind power to propel them across the water (or other surface). They apply a combination of learned skills to jump, jibe and do other tricks. With enough practice, kite surfers can get as much as 30 feet of air during jumps.

    Cost

    • Beginning to kite surf requires a good bit of investment. However, as more and more people have taken of the sport, new kite surfers can often find gently used equipment at a fairly reasonable price. The minimum equipment necessary includes at least one kite and lines, a bar, a harness and a board. These items may be purchased for between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on quality.

    Additional Equipment

    • Many athletes prefer to have additional equipment. For example, most kite surfers own several kites to use in different wind strengths. Ideal board sizes also vary according to the wind and the surfer's weight. A life vest, an impact vest, a wetsuit, booties, gloves and a helmet are other optional items.

    Advantages

    • While kite surfing can be learned without prior experience, skills from several sports may make provide an advantage. For example, other board sports such as surfing, wind surfing, wakeboarding and snowboarding help hone certain skills that are also helpful for kite surfing. Kite flying experience is also helpful. Individuals without any practice in the sports mentioned above may require a few extra weeks to master some basic skills before moving on to more advanced techniques. At least a few lessons are recommended for all beginners.

    Practice Techniques

    • The first step to learning how to kite surf is to practice gaining control of the kite on land. Once you are confident in your ability to fly the kite from the beach, try allowing the kite to drag your body through the water as you practice controlling direction and speed. Later, begin using these skills while you are standing on the board. Practice will enable you to master these beginning skills and add others along the way. A similar method may be used when learning to surf on sand or snow.