How to Learn Kite Surfing

Paraflyer on Flickr

Kite surfing is a relatively young sport that uses a kite to move the rider across the water using a board equipped with footstraps. Hardly anyone kite-surfed before 1998, but by 2006 it was estimated there were between 150,000 and 200,000 kite surfers worldwide. The sport is difficult because you must control the kite and the board you are riding at the same time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Kiteboard Harness Life vest Helmet Wetsuit (optional)
Kiteboard
Harness
Life vest
Helmet
Wetsuit (optional)

Step 1

Find a trainer or instructor to take kite-surfing lessons from. This is strongly recommended because proper instruction can educate you on the dangers of kite surfing and how to handle them, and it will speed the learning process.

Step 2

Purchase, borrow or rent a trainer kite to learn on. These are smaller than the full-size kites and will be easier to control while you learn kite surfing.

Step 3

Take a kite surfside when there is a good amount of wind. Get the kite in the air and practice turning and maneuvering while on land.

Step 4

Launch the kite from the beach and walk into the water where it is two to three feet deep. Put down the board, attach it to the kite line and let the kite drag you out to deeper water. After a couple of seconds, the board will rise to the surface and you're on your way.

Tips & Warnings

Keep close to the beach while you are still learning the sport. You will likely fall many times, and shorter swims to shore will make kite surfing safer and less exhausting.

Always wear a helmet when kite surfing.

Article Written By Jonathan Croswell

Jonathan Croswell has spent more than five years writing and editing for a number of newspapers and online publications, including the "Omaha World-Herald" and "New York Newsday." Croswell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Nebraska and is currently pursuing a Master's of Health and Exercise Science at Portland State University.

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