Kite surfing is a complex, but rewarding sport. There really is nothing like it. Unlike many sports that you can teach yourself through trial and error, kite surfing is a sport that requires the supervision of a qualified kite surfing instructor. This is in the best interest of your own safety and the safety of other innocent beach goers and kite boarders. Besides, do you really want to risk ripping that sexy new kite you just bought because you don’t know how to set it up correctly or launch and land it safely? Investing in a few lessons with a kite boarding instructor will be money well spent, as you’ll not only become a safer more responsible kite surfer, but you’ll also learn much quicker.
Here are top ten myths busted by Lisa Moss for those seeking to try out this sport!
#1 You must be strong
Although being in good health and overall fitness counts, with kite boarding, you wear a harness so the pressure is taken off your arms, thus allowing even small built people to kite board.
#2 I’m too fat / too tall / too small / too old / too young
Kites come in many sizes. Many kite board stores require you to weigh at least 80 pounds in order to take a lesson. If your son/daughter wants to get into kite boarding, but they are under the weight requirement or you feel they are too young, start them out with a trainer kite.
#3 Kite boarding is very dangerous
How NOT to kite board As long as you take the necessary precautions, kite boarding is relatively safe. I say relatively, because everything in life has risk, even driving your car to the grocery store. However, if you don’t know what you’re doing, things can go bad, very bad. Take a lesson! When in doubt, don’t go out.
#4 I don’t need a lesson
Just because you’re a pro wakeboarder/snowboarder, etc., doesn’t mean you’re a good kite boarder. You need to learn how to fly the kite. Kite boarding is 80% kite skills, and 20% board skills. Pick up a trainer kite and spend time flying it, and then take a lesson. If you’re not an expert kite flyer, you’ll never get the chance to put those board skills to good use behind the kite.
#5 I’ll take a lesson and be riding by the end of the day
I wish!
Ok, each year the gear is getting better and better. Three years ago, it would take weeks to be able to learn what people now can learn in a matter of days. Even so, do not expect to be up and riding your first time (or second time for that matter). It does happen every now and then and there are ways to improve your chances. For example, spend lots and lots (did I say lots) of time with a trainer kite (practice flying one-handed, hooked in to a harness, with your eyes shut, etc.).
#6 Trainer kite? I don’t need a trainer kite!
You can learn so much with a trainer kite that by the time you take a lesson, you’ll feel much more comfortable handling the real thing. Sure, you can skip that step and go straight to the lesson but if you can’t keep a kite in the sky, don’t expect to progress any further.
#7 Kite boarding is expensive
Well, it is more expensive than something like tennis, for example. If you go out and buy the complete kite board set up (kite, bar & lines, harness, board), you’re looking at around $1,800 – $2,000.
#8 Kiteboarding can only be done in the ocean
Wrong. Kiteboarding can be done in any large body of water. A sandy shoreline along with clean, steady wind is ideal. Open areas like great lakes or oceans typically get smoother wind than inland spots like smaller lakes and reservoirs.
#9 I have a wakeboard, all I need is a kite
Your wakeboard is designed differently than a kite board. A kite board is much lighter, thus not needing as much power to get up on a plane. The bindings on a wakeboard are boot-like and hard to get into, compared to the easy-entry, sandal-like binding of a kite board.
#10 I found a great deal on a kite off eBay!
Oh really? Unless you are a seasoned kiteboarder and know exactly what to look for in a kite, I strongly recommend staying away from eBay when it comes to buying a kite. Have you ever noticed how every kite listed on there is “great for beginners”? Don’t believe everything you’re told. Many times, the kite is old (old in kiteboarding can mean anything over 2-3 years old) and may not have much in terms of the ability to depower the kite or other safety features. Remember, kiteboarding is still a new sport, and the equipment today is one hundred percent better than it was 4 years ago.
This article has been compiled from http://www.mackiteboarding.com/top-10-kiteboarding-myths.htm
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