Craving Thrills? Give Surf Kiting A Go

February 20, 2010 | Leave a Comment

In recent times kite surfing has become one of the most preferred sports that people involve themselves in for pure, unadulterated pleasure.

You will need a <a href='surf kitesboard to balance yourself on while you are surfing the waters. The surfer is dragged over the waters by the force that is produced by the kite that is used for surfing. You can strap your feet to the board, but there are many experienced people that do not make use of the straps.

Skilled kite surfers make use of kites of different sizes according to the power of the wind and water conditions. Normally, cross shore or cross onshore winds are ideal for kite surfing. You should be careful with off shore winds as there is the risk of being taken far away from the shore if by any chance your safety devices become faulty or you lose control.

The kites used for kitesurfing are of two main types. They are the Foil Kites and the Leading Edge Inflatable Kites. The Foil kites have either an open cell or closed cell pattern. In the open cell type, the permanent flow of air through the inlet valves ascertain that the kite stays inflated. But if these kites fall into the water they get deflated and re-launching is practically out of the question.

In the closed cell foil kite, the air is filled into the bladders that are fitted with inlet valves to inflate the kite. The closed cell Foil Kite can be re-launched without any difficulty by pulling at the kite line when they hit the water.

Leading edge inflatable kites is the other option which is much easier to handle and can be launched easily. But there lies the risk of the bladders tending to rupture in case the kite lands on land or is stuck in strong waves.

Kite surfers are expected to take some security measures when they go surfing. One rule that is applicable to surfers who are very close to the winds is that they must see that their kites fly really high so that they do not collide with those down wind surfers.

The leading Edge Inflatable Kites are easier for the surfer to use and can also be re-launched without much trouble. The disadvantage of these kites is that if they hit hard surfaces or face very strong winds the air bags may get ripped apart.

All Kite surfers are expected to follow certain kite surfing and boating safety rules. One of them is that if you are very close to the wind you have to ensure that your kite is really very high up in the air such that it will not obstruct or crash into a down wind surfer. In the same way if the kite surfer has the wind on the starboard and there is a boat that comes directly in straight line from the opposite direction, then he goes first. Other than this the kite surfer has to comply with come clearance zone rules as well.

If you are a good kite surfer than you can attempt certain acrobatics like the ‘huge Floaty jump’, Grab, Board Off, Spin, Invert and Kite Loops.

If you want to get more information about this extreme sport, you will have to join the closest kite surfer’s training school and learn some lessons.

Want to find out more about kitesurfing equipment, then visit this site on how to choose the best power kite for your needs.

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Craving Thrills? Give Surf Kiting A Go

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