| One of the "up and coming" sports people are | | | | but those are a rarity. |
| enjoying has its roots in the simple joys of sailing a | | | | Part of the training process is using a trainer kite, |
| kite. | | | | which experts say is one of the smartest things a |
| Toss in a skateboard and turn on the virtual blender | | | | newcomer to the sport of kiteboarding can do. |
| and you have kiteboarding, an extreme sport that's | | | | Someone who starts on a trainer kite will feel much |
| taking off, throughout Texas but especially in cities | | | | more comfortable handling the real thing and |
| such as Houston, Dallas and Austin. | | | | combined with lessons, the process will go much |
| Some might think it takes a great deal of strength to | | | | smoother. Certainly one option is to learn mandatory |
| master the sport, but that's not always the case. A | | | | kite flying skills the hard way (with a powerful kite), |
| properly equipped harness system lets even a smaller | | | | but an easier way is to use the trainer kite. |
| person (in stature and weight) master the sport and | | | | What about the cost? |
| have loads of fun. | | | | A complete kiteboard set up, that includes kite, bar |
| While there may be concerns over safety, those | | | | and lines, harness, and board, will likely run between |
| knowledgeable about the sport make the point that | | | | $1,500 - $2,000. While that might sound expensive, |
| almost every activity has risk -- even driving a car to | | | | those who advocate the sport will point out that a |
| the grocery store. Still, kiteboarding has inherent | | | | boat is no longer necessary, not to mention the fuel |
| safety issues for those who haven't been properly | | | | it would require. |
| trained to operate the equipment. The answer? Get | | | | For those who snow ski, much of the same |
| trained. | | | | equipment used in kiteboarding can be used for |
| Experts will also recommend kiteboarding in pairs | | | | snowkiting (the same kit and harness plus the |
| (something scuba divers have known for years). | | | | addition of skis or snowboard). Kiteboarding is also a |
| There are a number of "don'ts" associated with the | | | | sport that can be done on any large body of water, |
| sport--especially the one about not kiting in storms or | | | | the ideal being one where there's a sandy shoreline |
| other times when the wind isn't steady and reliable. | | | | and a clean, steady wind. |
| Bottom line: get a lesson. | | | | Regarding equipment, a word of caution: |
| Someone who is an accomplished wakeboarder, for | | | | wakeboarding equipment is not the same as |
| example, may think they can easily transfer the skills | | | | kiteboarding, a key difference being in the binding. |
| to kiteboarding, but it's not necessarily so. The | | | | Wakeboard bindings are boot-like and are hard to get |
| difference is the kiteboarder must also learn how to | | | | into, compared to the easy-entry, sandal-like binding |
| fly the kite as well as how to set up the kite, | | | | of a kiteboard. |
| relaunch, and perform a self-rescue. Experts are | | | | Those who are in the water with the kite will want |
| more likely to compare the sport of kiteboarding to | | | | to have the binding as easy as possible to put the |
| scuba diving rather than to wakeboarding, skiing or | | | | board on their feet while flying the kite. |
| surfing. Lessons, in short, are required. | | | | Kiteboards allow enthusiasts to cut right through the |
| Each year kiteboarding gear is getting better, which is | | | | chop of rough water, giving the enthusiast a nice ride |
| helping the learning curve for those who take up the | | | | and opening up a host of possibilities. |
| sport. Even so, it will likely take some time for a | | | | Regarding acquiring the equipment, experts will advise |
| novice to get to the point where they're considered | | | | those interested in the sport to head to a reputable |
| proficient. Some people, typically those who are | | | | kiteboarding store for specific advice. The fact that |
| naturally athletic and pick up on other sports quickly, | | | | the sport is relatively new means there are still great |
| might become proficient more quickly than others, | | | | advances being made in equipment. |