Kite Surfing

Kite surfing, also known as kitesurfing and kiteboarding, and sometimes as flysurfing in Europe, involves using a power kite to pull a small surfboard (on water), a wheeled board on land, or a snowboard over snow.

Generally, the first step of kite surfing is to fly one's power kite into neutral position, in which the kite is straight overhead, and therefore not pulling except against one's body weight.

A safe way to launch involves lying down in shallow water, and strapping the board onto the feet. More experienced kiters can launch from dry sand or beach. Then, in a (hopefully) coordinated movement, the kite is flown toward the water, in the direction that the board points. If the board doesn't dig into the water or a wave, the kite pulls the surfer up into a powerful planing motion similar to wakeboarding.

Kitesurfers should never venture onto the water in offshore winds (because of the possibility of being 'flown' out to sea), although an exception to this rule is if you have someone with a boat or other watercraft, which can assist you back to shore. The best wind directions are cross-shore. Gusty onshore winds are equally dangerous because one can be lifted and thrown into hard objects onshore. In a strong wind with flat water, it's possible to traverse at 50 km/h (30 mph) or more.

To get going and to be able to stay upwind, you need about 8 - 10 knots (15 to 19 km/h) on a big kite (16 m²), which will allow you to perform low jumps and freestyle manoeuvres. An experienced rider generally carries a 'quiver' of different sized kites, appropriate for each wind condition.

A beginner can turn by going to the shallows or another stopping place, putting the kite up into neutral, and then turning the kite in the opposite direction. A quicker, more skilful turn moves the kite toward the wind, to swing the surfer's path in a half circle, centred on the kite. As the turn ends, the kite is flown over in front of the surfer again.

An unskilful turn will lift the board out of the water, which is often followed by a tumble if the surfer is unable to put the board down at the right angle. The kite can power up after tumbles and pull uncontrollably under water or against objects, so it is important to use safety equipment such as a deadman system, where the kite lines can be detached from the surfer's harness. Safety knives are a must to quickly cut lines in the event of dangerous entanglements. After a tumble, untangling and re-flying the kite can sometimes be difficult, and so experienced kite surfers try to keep the kite in the air.

If the kite is only turned partially, or is not straightened at the right rate, a turning surfer can swing up and fly, then get hurt when they re-contact the surface. Even in water, flying a power kite can be a brutal contact sport. The kite is usually twenty metres (sixty feet) in the air, and a careless turn in high winds can easily swing one five metres (two stories) into the air and down to an uncontrolled contact.

Controlled flying is possible and one of the biggest attractions of the sport, but more difficult and potentially dangerous. Before jumping, the surfer builds up as much tension as possible by accelerating and strongly edging the board. Then in controlled, straight flight, the kite is flown quickly (snapped) to an overhead position, usually just as the surfer goes over a wave. The kite must then be quickly turned to glide in the direction of motion, usually into the wind. A large variety of manoeuvres can be performed while jumping, such as rotations, taking the board off one's feet and so on.

Some kite flyers claim to be able to catch a 'rotor' (a horizontally cyclonic ridge updraft) when flying above large waves or ridges in high wind. This extremely difficult technique is not recommended, as the opportunity occurs only in dangerous surf and wind conditions, or above land.

Since kiteboarding relies heavily on favourable consistent wind conditions, certain geographic locations tend to become popular and sought out by experienced kiteboarders. Some of the best locations include Hawaii, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and other locales where consistent winds, calm surf and large open beaches are available.

Powerkites can be dangerous. Lightweight people can easily be carried off, and dashed against water, buildings, terrain and power lines. Another, more subtle hazard is that at 50 km/h (a typical speed for a skilful kite surfer), one can easily get tired, and then get farther from shore than an easy swim.

Fatalities can result from equipment failures or tangles. Safety should be a prime consideration and practiced diligently. The use of basic safety equipment such as quick-release harnesses, safety leash, knives (for cutting tangles lines) and helmets should always be observed. According to a safety adviser for one of the sport's governing bodies, at least 17 people have been killed in kiteboarding-related accidents since 2000.