Kiteboarding!

Let the wind in your kite power you across the flatwater and gentle waves. You’ve seen those kiteboarders along the foreshores and at the beaches, traversing the flatwater and catapulting to greater heights as the wind swept them high above the water. You may have even spotted a few experienced riders performing tricks and turns as they rise above the water level. But have you tried this sport for yourself?

Now as the weather is warming and warm days of summer are ahead of us, it is a great time to don your beach gear and give kiteboarding your best. You’ll feel exhilarated with this sport that combines paragliding, surfing, windsurfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, and wakeboarding. This is a sport for the novice or experienced rider as long as the weather is warm, there are consistent winds and readable waves.

There are several types of kites and boards. Inflatable kites are a single skin kite with inflatable bladders. Providing power and traction these kites are flown using 2, 4 or 5 control lines and a bar. Foil kites have air cells running fore to aft which open at the front to allow air to inflate the kite and generate the lift. Boards may be bidirectional, similar to a wakeboard, or directional like a surfboard, or a foilboard. A foilboard rises above the waterline once the speed gets up.

With the right conditions, kiteboards can be very fast reaching speeds of up to 120kms per hour. If you are seeking the thrill and adventure of speed, and competitive action be prepared to commence your training. For the novice, a gentle breeze and soft ripple will see you ploughing through the water at an easier pace. Make sure to take instruction when you hire your kite. There are training school at most major beach locations.

Getting started

Fitness Level: As a beginner you don’t need an elite level of fitness. While it may look like you need biceps to hold that kite, your harness will take most of the strain. At beginner level, a kiteboarding session is more like a light cardio workout, so you will need a reasonable level of fitness to begin. As you progress or if you are looking to join the competitive ranks, you will need to maintain a higher level of fitness, strength and flexibility training all year round.

Swimming Skills: You will need to be a strong swimmer and be very comfortable in the water. If things go wrong out in the water, you may have to swim back in. So don’t overestimate your swimming skills.

Learning Time: Kiteboarding takes time to learn. For recreational level you should be able to stand and feel confident in three days. At competitive level, you will be developing your knowledge and skills each season.

Responsibility: Kiteboarding equipment is generally safe if used properly. However, you need to act responsibly and be aware of your surroundings at all times, and consider your skills, weather, and water conditions when going out.

Five great places to try kiteboarding Agnes Waters, Australia

Located at the most southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, Agnes Waters boasts perfect on average 310 sunny days per year. Sea breezes at this tropical destination are perfect for kitesurfing with wind blowing from all directions. With swells and flat water, it’s a destination for the novice initiate and most experienced riders.

St Kilda Beach, Australia

St Kilda’s West Beach is one of the most popular kitesurfing beaches in Australia and is the most central training location in Melbourne. With South South East (SSE) to South South West (SSW) wind direction travelling over Port Phillip Bay, St Kilda is an excellent place to practice your freerider or freestyle kiteboarding over the summer months.

Cabarete, Dominican Republic

Who wouldn’t want to try their freestyle at the kitesurfing capital of the world. Cabarete, the jewel of the Caribbean, is perfect for all levels — whether you are just beginning, want a little more adventure near the reef, or ride some beautiful waves on a strapless board.

Boca Grandi, Aruba

Try your freestyle at the luxury travel destination of Aruba. Boca Grandi proffers absolute beauty with white dunes, crystal-clear turquoise water, and stable winds in this 11kmwide bay. While the bay is a protected from the reef and conditions can be a little rough, it’s a favourite spot for local kiters.

Mykonos, Greece

Korfos Bay just 2.5kms from Mykonos with its reliable weather conditions and calm Aegean waters is a natural paradise for beginners to learn this sport and perfect for those aiming for a little more power to their freestyling.