Notes

How to Get Started in Kitesurfing
What is Kitesurfing?

What is kitesurfing? Well a dictionary definition may possibly list it as an is "a surface water sport that uses the wind to pull a rider through the water on a small kiteboard" but that's really missing the point. Kitesurfing is about the rider using a kite and its own force to direct them on the surface of the water using the same basic principle as sailing. The rider is attached to the kite with a harness that provides balance and control on the kites direction and speed. You can kitesurf on most open areas of water which may be deep or shallow, calm or rough and when possible with constant winds of between 8 and 50 knots.

Skills

To be able to kitesurf you will require certain skills. The first and probably most significant is the ability to fly and control the kite, which is your main source of propulsion. Once the ability to fly the kite has been mastered the rider must then discover ways to ride the board and use the kite to propel them across the water surface by flying the kite in the correct zone consistently to create enough force to propel both rider and kiteboard.

Once the rider has become efficient at the essential they can attempt more complex manoeuvres such as jumps and tricks. Due to the nature of the sport and its own associated freedom there is no limit to the scope of the manoeuvres and tricks that could be achieve.

It really is worth pointing out that kitesurfing can be dangerous to both kitesurfer along with other users of the water and surrounding areas, with this in mind its essential that people interested in the sport first take professional lessons from a kitesurfing school.

Equipment

Kites

Well first let look at the kite itself, its not one of those plastic and bamboo efforts you used on the beach as a kid that for sure. In kitesurfing the kite may be the means of propulsion, its the engine and needs to grab wind. To do this the kite uses a framework to include rigidity, the framework is frequently created from inflatable tubes, solid battens or perhaps a double layer of cloth. This gives the kite a cell arrangement which helps maintain a fixed shape. Inflatable kites are more common as they are considered an easy task to re-launch after a crash into the water.

Control bar

Most kites are controlled by bars such as a "depower" system which reduces the kites angle of put on the wind, thus catching less wind and reducing power. Bars may also be more suitable to one handed riding which gives the kite surfer more scope when performing tricks and jumps.

Connecting the bar to the kite is attained by something of lines manufactured from non-stretch materials. The amount of lines and complexity varies with respect to the kind of kite but normally there are four or five 5 lines with an average length of 23 meters.

Harness

Kitesurfing harnesses come in several forms, seats with leg loops, waist or vest. The harness attaches to the control bar and takes a lot of the strain applied via the kites pull off the riders arms.

The board

You will find a vast selection of kitesurfing boards out there but the hottest are multi directional twin tip board symmetrical boards. Boards come with sandal type foot straps that attach the rider to the board, the rider can detach and attach these very easily. Kitesurfing boards are of a similar construction as snowboards with high compression cores and harder rails.

Other equipment

A safety hook knife is virtually required equipment in our opinion, they can be used to cut entangled or snagged lines or release the kite if your safety harness fails. You need a helmet to protect your mind from knock that can cause concussion, cuts and decrease the severity of impact injuries.

Kitesurfing School Kenya that occur whilst kitesurfing are because of being lofted into the air or dragged uncontrollable resulting in collisions with hard objects including sand, water, buildings and power lines. Yes you'll be able to seriously injure yourself colliding with water from height at speed! Lofting and dragging often happen in excessive weather conditions so a good understanding of the weather is crucial.
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