Intro
Kiteboarding is one of the fastest growing sports on the planet today! However, kiteboarding can be a very dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing. You often hear about horror stories or kitemares as we like to call them of kiters being hot-launched into people, objects and even building. Some stories end in severe injury because the kiter lacked the knowledge, training and experience needed to avoid the situation. Even if the danger involved in kiteboarding is part of the appeal, most injuries and kitemares we often hear could have been avoided with the use of a little common sense and proper instruction!
At The Kite Ranch we recommend that all kiteboarders take a lesson before they begin flying. Even if you have flown before or are a bit rusty you should still take a refresher course! We don’t make this recommendation because we offer lessons, we recommend it because we are kiter’s just like you. The last thing we want to see is a fellow kiter injured or have a rookie to the sport injure somebody else because they lack the proper skills!
Remember, many of the prime kiteboarding locations are on public beaches and before you injure yourself or bring bad publicity to our sport do us all a favor and take a lesson with a certified instructor before you fly!
What is Kiteboarding?
According to Wikipedia “kiteboarding is a surface water sport that uses wind power to pull a rider through the water on a small surfboard or a kiteboard (similar to a wakeboard). Generally kiteboarding refers to a style of riding known as freestyle or wake-style, whereas kitesurfing is more “wave-riding” oriented. These two styles usually require different boards and specific performance kites.”
Unlike most sports, kiting is one of the few sports that can be done on water, land or snow. For more information research snowkiting, landboarding, kite buggies, etc.
Who can learn to kiteboard?
Kiteboarding is a great family sport and anyone can become a kiteboarder! You don’t have to be physically strong or in great shape to learn. You just need to know how to swim, be comfortable in the water and have the willingness to learn. Like any extreme sport kiteboarding takes practice and patience as you learn to fly.
What equipment will I need after my lesson?
You will need a kiteboard, a kite (including lines and bar), a pump and a harness. We recommend a helmet and an impact vest, which offers flotation. You can never be to safe and overlook your safety gear or equipment before every use! Other than the basics you may find other accessories that you can’t fly without once you begin kiting.
ADVICE!
• NEVER KITE ALONE!
You are amped! You just purchased your gear, taken a lesson and are ready to go! But, never kite alone! If something happens you will need support or someone looking out for you!
• NEVER KITE WITHOUT PROPER INSTRUCTION!
If you intend to become a kiteboarder, never, ever kite without proper instruction. We want to see you join the community and our sport, not become an inexperienced bystander who injures him or herself!
• ALWAYS TALK TO THE LOCALS BEFORE YOU KITE A PARTICULAR SPOT!
If the wind is pumping 20 knots but none of the locals are riding there probably is a good reason for it! At any new location spend some time to get to know the locals and ask them about the location before you kite. Ask about wind patterns, terrain, the water, best location to launch, etc! You never know, you might learn something that would have helped before the fact!
Sincerely,
The Kite Ranch
www.thekiteranch.com
