What is the first thing you think of when your gear is set up and your feet first hit the water? Well, fun of course! You’ve worked hard all day and now it’s time to get out there and catch some air. Nothing takes away the stress of the day and invigorates you like a board, your kite and the wind at your back, or under you! Board-worx knows what it takes to get you geared up and ready for it all.
What’s The Best Way to Enjoy Kitesurfing?
One of the first and best ways to enjoy kitesurfing is to learn about it, find out the safest ways to enjoy the sport and to get high-quality training and equipment. Learning about the sport can be done at first by stopping in and talking to experts who not only sell the equipment, but enjoy the lifestyle as well. Speaking to people first hand who are out there experiencing the different conditions, brands of equipment and styles of surfing is a great way to learn about it. You’ll take away a lot of enthusiastic and exciting stories that will get your interest peaked and have you gearing up in no time. However, in order to ensure that you have the most enjoyable and safest time out there, make sure you are ready to take the time to learn about safety first.
While you can listen to a lot of great stories and see some great video that will get you pumped up with excitement, first and foremost, kitesurfing is a sport. Built into the many different types of equipment available aretime-tested safety features that keep you where you need to be. There are training kites that can be used if you are a novice that can help you learn about wind speed and how the kite works and your interactions with the equipment to use the wind to your advantage. That is a great reason to explore taking a course and learning what to buy and how to use it. Ask around for recommendations.
Working Out a Budget
Take some time to investigate how much a training class or one-to-one instruction will cost. Taking advantage of this important step will pay for itself when you are out there safely enjoying the waves. Ask if you need to bring your own equipment, or if training equipment will be provided. Ask many questions when the time comes if you are unsure about any aspects of your training. Not every new person will understand the terminology, or you just might need some extra explaining. Getting it right the first time is great, but if you don’t understand where the lesson is going, don’t be afraid to ask. Remember, all instructors were once like you. Mastering the sport takes time and dedication.
Find out the gear your instructor recommends. Explore different combinations of items to see what fits into your budget. Perhaps a starter kit will work out best for you and you can add gear as you go along. Then again, maybe you know what you’re going for and you want to outfit yourself with the latest and greatest. Whatever your budget, there’s going to be a way to make it work for you.
Watching Those Great Videos and Slideshows
All it takes is a quick trip around the internet and you will find amazing video and spectacular photos from all over the world. Novices and professionals alike have put an amazing show online for all enthusiasts and make it easier than ever to experience the thrill of kitesurfing. While viewing all of these, remember that most people participating in these shoots are often professionals with hundreds, if not thousands of hours on the waves. There are many who are at competition level and take on far more advanced locales and use professional level equipment. If that’s where you want to be one day, that’s great! Just be aware of the time, dedication and effort it takes to get there.
If you want to document your own videos and get some great pictures, either invite a friend along to get some great takes or maybe you want to invest in a GoPro camera. Trying out various configurations on how to video can get you some great material to look back later on as your skills advance. There is a wide variety of equipment available to attach and operate a camera from many different vantage points. Ask around for opinions on what people are using and what their opinions are on the different types of mounts and devices available.
Safety Check Done, Ready for Action!
You’ve done your research, spoken to the experts, taken a few classes and now you feel like you’re ready to hit the waves. That’s great! What was once considered a risky and dangerous sport has evolved into a much safer and growing trend of kite surfing enthusiasts from around the world. There are more equipment and variety available than ever and wherever the sport takes you, you will find a friendly and eager surfing community ready to take on the many aquatic adventure zones all over the world.
It may seem like a lot to learn, but there is no time wasted when learning about the proper and safe use of equipment. With time and effort, you will find yourself advancing from a training board on a beach, mastering the feel of the wind, finding your way into the softer winds and gaining your balance on your new surfing adventure. As you build your skills, you can imagine your first flip and probably your first splash, but it’s all part of the exciting learning curve that comes along with the sport. Wearing the safety equipment you researched, the camera you splurged on and seeing the water and the world from a new perspective makes all the time and effort you took to make it happen the right way worthwhile. May the wind be always at your back and the sun warm on your face.