Kitesurfing!!

been surfing for 25 years , kitesurfing for 15 and teaching kiteboarding for 12 years . you dont have to duck dive paddle out , catch about a 100 waves on a down winder , take the tops off waves with mean topside carves , beat close out sections . kitesurfing complements surfing so well , when its on shore and swells building you kitesurf , but when it turns off shore , put the kite down and surf ...

 

[video=youtube_share;d4J9mHbJIgo]http://youtu.be/d4J9mHbJIgo[/video]

 

Yeah, no doubt.

Google the story of the guy in Florida a few years ago. That was the most brutal kite surfing incident I have read. Homeboy took a spill only 400 yards off shore, and was eating by a pack of sharks. They suspect that it was juvenile whites.

http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2010986403_shark05.html

 

Very sad indeed, what a horrible way to go, but this line speaks volumes in the grand scheme of things.

"He is the first person to die of a shark attack in Florida waters in five years and only the 14th since 1896. Beaches remained open Thursday."

How many people died in a car accident just yesterday alone? Like 113 or so? It's about 40k per year last I checked...

 

i creeped your youtube acct

you guys do some cool stuff

 

Haha, good point. I will look around for some sick Kite Surfing videos and post that stuff. Like I said originally, my next door neighbor basically runs sh** with regards to Kite surfing around here and he is hooked on it for life. He basically traded in surfing for it. He was out kiting during Arthur and Sandy. I am not sure what level of a "surfer" he ever was, but when someone tells you that Kite Surfing is the tits, and goes so far as to say he doesn't surf anymore because of it, that is a bold statement.

Have fun. If I had the time, I would get into it for sure. Right now its hard enough to get out a couple days a week in the surf.

And with regards to the Florida thing, that was a freak accident. He was REAL close to shore, so that same situation would have happened to a diver, snorkeler, surfer or whoever happened to be in the water at the time...

But talk about sh**y timing. damn. Dude was like a pro too.

 

I couldnt watch more than 30 seconds of this.. brought back bad memories. I snapped the head off my radius in multiple pieces last november landboarding from a strong gust. Steel plate, 6screws, and lots of therapy later, I sold all my gear and splurged on a new 5'9 egg.. Safety is HUGE when you're kiting, or feel the wrath of nature in a split second. But it was a very addicting sport and super fun, (and expensive) and if you live near the coast, there's wind almost every day.

 

Yeah, that was a sick video. I am loving the integration of the surfboards to the equation. Hittin a few lips on your way over the water... Really nice video for sure. They made that look "Super Easy", so you know they are legit with it.

 

Kite surfing with a friend:
http://www.frequency.com/video/tandem-kitesurfing-double-pleasure/135157440/-/5-114054
cool

 

I have had this problem recently. Dude had the entire beach, but he insisted on following me and constantly passing by right next to me. Really annoying when a set was coming in and I couldn't take it. I knew that he would snake right by and possibly hit me. I have no problem with the sport, but I prefer they stay away from me in the water. It isn't like you need a clean break with that kite pulling you around.

 

I windsurf. Most kiters are cool, although few follow basic safety rules like "starboard sailor/rider has the right of way". Nothing worst than heading up wind on starboard tack and some kiter thinks your in his way. I,ve seen kiters get way too close to kids and people who have no clue of the dangers involed.
Some popular kiting areas have established local rules for that area and self police that area to keep axcess open and safe for all enjoying the water. Agressive, mocho A holes can ruin any sport. Keep it cool, layed back and safe so everyone has a great day.

 

I've been windsurfing for 20 years, kited for one year and started surfing five years ago.

If you have wind knowledge, from sailing or windsurfing, kiting is super easy. Yes, once you pass the intermediate stage there's all these jumps, grabs and handle passes you can do, but most kiters are beginning intermediates that don't respect other peoples space on the water and behave in a dangerous manner.

My go to-surf spot gets invaded by rude kiters whenever there is a slight breeze and these guys are a danger to themselves and others, choosing to show of their jumps a few yards from shore or surfers, catching up to and dropping in on waves, and generally being a nuisance.

I find most kiters to be middle aged, mid-life crises types or young wannabe surfers with rich daddies.

Windsurfing is much harder to learn, therefore more fulfilling and you can actually surf a wave rather than power through.

Surfing is the hardest to learn and requires patience and being in shape, which makes it the most fulfilling.

Kiting, SUPing and Windsurfing are cheating. You do not have to paddle hard to get out and you can be in the wrong spot on the wave and use your extra power (wind or paddle) to get through it. You can do these awesome spraying top turns, but really, you didn't have to position yourself much or use the wave's energy to do it.

I can go out in bigger surf on the windsurfer than on my surfboard, but whenever I do, I'm thinking that if I cannot paddle out by my own power, I shouldn't be doing it because if (when) you fall, it could get dangerous.

Give a fat, middle-aged guy a kite and six months of practice and he will be out there jumping and getting in spots he's not equipped to handle.

 

fify

 

not sure if it is true but in florida did not a man get killed by sharks - kiting - as the wind was fading
and he was being followed...slower, slower, slower.....OH NO! need wind now! chomp/bye. heard he
died in arms of a lifeguard.

 

Yeah, I posted the link on the first page. He did die in route to the hospital and he was attacked by MANY sharks. Dude basically air dropped into a feeding frenzy by accident. It was right on shore though, so it could have happened to anyone.