Kitesurfing is a nautical discipline. Like most sports, its practice offers many advantages. It not only allows you to have fun but also to work the whole body and the organs. But, before enjoying the benefits, you need to know the basic information to start this sport.
What is Kitesurfing?
Kitesurfing is a water sport whose origins date back to the 90s. In fact, the innovations that gave life to this extreme activity were created during the last decade of the 20th century. But it was not until 2000 that this activity really took off. Kitesurfing is a water sport that can only be practiced when the wind picks up. Just like surfing, it consists of sliding on water. The difference is that the movement of the board is pulled by a kind of large kite: the kite wing.
The back lines and leading lines are connected to a pull bar that the kitesurfer keeps in his hand. The front lines are attached to a safety line which is attached to the kitesurfer’s harness. The kite wing is based on the same principle as that of the kite. Therefore, when the wind comes into contact with this equipment, it creates a thrust that allows the practitioner to move forward on the water. Although the practice of this sport seems very entertaining, it is not without risk. This is also why there are certain strict recommendations that it is important to know before going into practice.
Many kitesurfing spots have become essential destinations for enthusiasts:
Tips for getting started in kitesurfing
Like most sports, kitesurfing can be dangerous. This sport has already caused several deaths. Certain regulations therefore surround its practice to limit the cases of fatal accidents. To take note of these recommendations, you must take kitesurfing lessons with qualified instructors.
How to start kitesurfing?
To start kitesurfing, it is important or even essential to take lessons with an instructor who is authorized to provide this training. Courses with third parties who master the discipline are not recommended. Indeed, mastery is not enough to be a good rider. To avoid unfortunate events, it is preferable to learn all the modules, in particular the rules of practice and safety. Learning from a professional is therefore not an insignificant step.
In addition to providing training regarding the safety of the practitioner, the instructor gives basic lessons on posture to practice this nautical activity. In general, the first step is to learn how to fly. The instructors teach their novice kite surfers to hold a kite and fly it. Once mastered, they can move on to learning with the kite.
Then, the learners receive body dragging lessons which allow them to learn to go upwind. Finally, new kite surfers can get on the boards and try the sport itself. As with most disciplines, there will be the probably disastrous first tries before mastery is seated. To start kitesurfing, a week’s training with a competent instructor is already a good start.
At what age can you start kitesurfing?
Kitesurfing is a water and wind sport. The wind infuses direction into the kite and increases the speed of the board’s progress. It is therefore important to have some weight to create resistance. Thus, the wind can neither lift the board nor tow it at a very high speed. The age of admission to kitesurfing lessons is determined according to the weight of the practitioner. But, in general, you have to weigh between 35 and 45 kg before starting this water sport.
The age required to start kitesurfing is therefore between 11 and 12 years old. From this age, the kite wing can be adjusted according to the weight of the practitioner so that he runs less risk. Despite these provisions, other conditions must be met in order to comply with the safety instructions. The novice rider must know how to swim and certify it with a swimming certificate which is presented before registering for the course. Finally, kitesurfing equipment must be adapted to the age and weight of the person using it. In addition, the kitesurfer must be equipped with a helmet and a buoyancy vest. Once all these conditions are met, beginner kitesurfing lessons can begin.
The practice of kitesurfing is not only based on mastering the posture but also on the choice of equipment. To practice it safely, you have to know what equipment to buy and how to choose it. The equipment to buy are: the kite wing, the kite board, the safety harness and the neoprene suit.
The kite wing
To choose the right kite wing, you have to pay attention to several criteria. Prefer wings that are intuitive, versatile and easy to handle. This type of equipment is more suitable for beginners and minimizes the effect that a handling error could cause. The less sophisticated it is, the better for a start. Also consider the size of the kitesurfing wing. If you plan to practice during the summer, prefer a 12m wing2. The size of the wing will change according to the season and the weight of the person who must use it. Finally, it is preferable to choose a bar of the same brand as the wing.
The kitesurf board
The choice of board depends on the rocker which must be moderate, the flexibility and the measurements. The flexible board is easier to handle for a beginner. However, consider your weight. The greater your weight, the stiffer the board should be. The choice of measurement depends essentially on the size of the user. For this, it is best to take advice from the seller to avoid making errors of choice.
The kitesurfing harness
Regarding the choice of harness, there are not many protocols. It is important to take your body type into account so that the harness is tight, but comfortable. Refer to the manufacturer’s size charts. Finally, as for the suit, prefer the neoprene set which is very comfortable.
Kitesurfing is an entertaining discipline but still quite dangerous. This is why you must respect the age and safety instructions to prevent an incident from spoiling your experience. Also take care to choose good quality equipment for easier kitesurfing.
