Kitesurfing: A New Shot Of Adrenalin

If you are a thrill-sports enthusiast looking for something new to give you that all-important rush

, kitesurfing (or kiteboarding) will help you get it: and then some! All you need is the right gear, a body of water and a steady breeze to catapult you into a whole new experience in thrills, chills and - yes - spills! It's not hard to learn; just about anyone can do it, and it's the hottest thing to hit the California coast and lakes all across America since the bikini. Here's a brief overview.

In a nutshell, the kitesurfer is harnessed to a large-canopied nylon kite (either with a sturdy frame or inflatable design) then uses a board to propel himself across the water without the need for motorized boats or other pulling devices. Like wind surfing, it is a completely "green" sport but most beginners find kitesurfing easier to learn and master.

Boards come in a variety of different sizes, lengths and shapes: it's really all a matter of personal preference and whether or not freestyle trickery is something you enjoy. They can come with bindings or without, but most beginners and nearly all freestylers choose to use bindings to keep their boards under control.

The concept of kitesurfing is actually not a new one: it's been around in one form or another for over 150 years! It only started gaining widespread popularity in the last 30 years or so; and modern innovations and substantial improvements in safety technologies (such as harness release systems) have led to a virtual explosion in the sport in this century.

Because kitesurfers are harnessing a very powerful natural force - the wind - extra care must be taken to enjoy the sport safely. Most beginners should take lessons from a professional to learn the nuances associated with wind strength, wind direction, different types of boards, etc. A good rule of thumb is: the stronger the wind, the smaller the kite. So avid kitesurfing lovers will keep several sizes on hand to prevent overpower situations.

Once you master the basics, the sky is (literally) the limit for the kinds of breathtaking and turbo-speed experiences that are available to you. Controlled flying and jumping are popular parts of the sport along with board grabs: basically, if you can do it on a snowboard you can do it on a kiteboard; just with a lot more air!

So if you're up for a different way to get your blood pumping, maybe kitesurfing should become your new obsession.

by: Art Gib

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