FAQ

KITEBOARDING FAQ

• Do i really need to check out my instructors name or shop ?
• What is kitesurfing, kite surfing, kiteskiing, kiteboarding or flysurfing?
• How does it work and how did it all start?
• What equipment do I need to kiteboarding?
• What types of kite can I use?
• How many kites do I need?
• How many kiteboards do I need?
• Do I have to be the athletic type?
• I am a windsurfer, is it hard to convert?
• I am convinced now so how do I start?

KITEBOARDING FAQ

• Do i really need to check out my instructors name or shop ?
  Do i really need to check out my instructors name or shop ?
  Absolutely, you need to know who is teaching you and your family

today kiteboarding is a very popular sport and there are many who want to learn,at the same time there are many who want to teach but that does not mean they should, there are plenty of people who think they can teach kiteboarding and maybe they even have a surf shop or kite shop or a web site but that does not mean they are quilified (certified) instrutors (no )actually to be certified you go to a school to learn how to instruct and you do hours in a class room and in the water so before you have your money taken away beshore to ask some questions to your instructor

• What is kitesurfing, kite surfing, kiteskiing, kiteboarding or flysurfing?

Kitesurfing, kite surfing, kiteboarding or flysurfing (if you speak French), is a new exciting water sport for the new millennium. Kitesurfing is a very, very young sport. In 1998, there were probably only a couple dozens kitesurfers in the world (there was a "world cup" back then in Hawaii but some of the winners were starting learning kiting a few weeks/months before the "world cup"). The population of kitesurfers has been growing rapidly to around 150,000 to 200,000 kitesurfers world wide by the end of 2006. The idea behind kitesurfing is very simple. A kitesurfer stands on a board with foot straps or bindings and use the power of a large controllable kite to propel him and the board across the water. This simplicity also makes kitesurfing challenging. Your body is the only connection between the kite and the board and you have to control them both at the same time: piloting the kite on the sky and steering the board on the water.

• How does it work and how did it all start?

Kites originated in China thousands of years ago (two kite masters Kungshu P'an and Mo Zi flew kites as early as 478 BC) and have managed to remain unchanged until the modern time, when multiple line controllable kites were introduced by George Pocock in 1826. For the first time in history, instead of letting the wind fly the kite, a multiple line controllable kite flyer can actually pilot the kite on the sky

• What equipment do I need to kiteboarding?

A kiteboarding kite (with a certain degree of water relauncheability),

A kiteboard,

A kite control bar,

Accessories (safety release system, harness, life jacket, wet suit, helmet, water shoe, etc.).

• What types of kite can I use?

There are a number of kites on the market for kiteboarding. All of them has a certain degrees of water relauncheability. There are mainly three types of kitesurfing kites:

Inflatable kites

Flat Inflatable kites (Bow kites)

Framed single skin kites

Ram air foil kites

• How many kites do I need?
  The number of kites you need is dependent on the conditions at your local beach. Ideally, you should have 3 kites: a light wind kite (5 to 15 knots), a moderate wind kite (10 to 20 knots), a high wind kite (15 to 30 knots). For an typical kiter, this means a quiver consisting of 18m, 12m and 8m inflatables.
  
  
• How many kiteboards do I need?
  Normally you need only one kiteboard (normally a bidirectional board 40cm shorter than your height). If you live in a light wind area (5 to 15 knots) with some super high wind days (20 to 30+ knots), you may want to consider having 2 board: a larger one for regular days and a smaller one for super high wind days.

• Do I have to be the athletic type?
  Not really, at least not to kitesurf casually. Since you should normally use a harness, your body weight is more of a factor in how much kite power you can handle than your strength. You should be strong enough to unhook the kite from your harness when you need to, though (do a lot of pull up). Kitesurfing is not very aerobic - you don't quickly run out of breath like you do when running. The kite does most of the work. Muscle fatigue can wear you out, but as your skills improve it becomes less strenuous.
  
  
• I am a windsurfer, is it hard to convert?
  As a windsurfer, you already know how to have good balance on a board and know the "way of the wind". It should be easier for a windsurfer to learn kitesurfing than for an ordinary person. However, the learning curve is still pretty steep as you need more balancing act in kitesurfing not to mention doing that while controlling a nervous kite which tends to pull you out of your board. Once you get pass the beginner stage, you can progress faster in kitesurfing than in windsurfing.
  
  
• I am convinced now so how do I start?
  It is wise to take lesson at a local reputable school.
  
  Cost is an important consideration but not THE most important
  consideration. Proper effective instruction can save you a lot of time,
  frustration and possibly injury/damaged equipment in learning kiteboarding. Quality instruction is a good thing. If you are interested in kiteboarding take the intelligent path and hookup with a Professional kiteboarding instructor for adequate, quality training. The experience should speed you on your way to safer enjoyment of this excellent sport.

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