Kite surfing is one of those brand new, exciting sports that you've heard about; it's good exhilarating, it's adrenaline pumping, it's wet and wild and it definitely has the wow factor – but how do you get involved in this awesome outdoor pursuit? What do you need to get started? Where do you have to go? Who do you have to talk to? And most importantly, is it for you? When it comes to starting any new recreational activity or sport it's best to do a little reading and research before heading out to the shops. Having all the gear and no idea is not going to win you any 'cool' points.
First of all, make sure that it's something that you really want to do. The best way to get a taste for the sport without actually doing it is to watch it. Head down to the local areas where your native kite surfing gurus practice their art and watch the professionals in action. If you have the benefit of living in a coastal area, check out any long stretches of coastline that have strong, steady winds. If you're unsure what winds to look out for, check a local surf report website for more information.
If you're far from the coast, try searching for lakes and reservoirs; Basically, any large body of water will attract the land locked kite boarder (some intrepid enthusiasts even fly up and down rivers!).
As soon as you've watched some kite boarding action, you're either going to say: 'I want to try this' or 'I do not think so!'. If you tick the first box, it's time to make a decision, are you going to self-teach or take the lessons?
DIY learning is possible but it takes a lot of time, effort and money. If you're unfamiliar with kites in general, you'll need to educate yourself how to control one on land before you can hit the water. To learn how to control and launch a kite means another thing too: buying one. Small power kites are reliably inexpensive but it's an expense that you can do without because a small beginner kite will be of no use to you on the water, it'll only be for practice. You'll also need to learn the basics of wind direction management, tacking and de-powering before you head out onto the water too. It's a lot to learn at first and that's even before you've spent money on a kite board, a wetsuit, a harness and all of the other paraphernalia that you may need.
Lessons are a good investment. It's as simple as that. Taking a kite boarding lesson can save you a lot of money in the long run, because the equipment rental is usually included in the price and you get the pleasure of a dedicated, professional instructor to walk you through the basics. Most beginners (we're talking about complete amateurs here) can be up on a board and gliding through the water in hours of beginning their first lesson. So, if you want to learn how to kite board, why take time with the spills when you can fast track to the thrills?