Facts about Kite Surfing

Kite Surfing is extremely fun. You could get addicted very fast to the point that it’s all you think about. (we call this a wind junkie) You will find yourself watching all the treetops and flags where ever you go. Checking the wind forecast 6 times a day, leaving the weather channel running for hours and calling all the other wind junkies to check on the wind. Your family and friends will think you’re crazy and many a relationship has been broken.

You may find your spouse accusing you of "Loving kite surfing more than me" which could probably be true, however kite surfing is a sport and he or she is a person so your answer should be "As far as people go you’re number one."

Becoming a kite surfer is like being a fireman. At all times your vehicle is loaded and ready to go. Just a gust of wind gets your heart pumping and strong wind makes your stomach tie in knots with anticipation. Some have actually hurled with the thought of such fun. Remember the wind is not always here and not always good, it’s an event, a moment in time, like a fire. You do not want to miss it or be late. There is no worse feeling than showing up at the beach just as the wind dies and hearing Matt say "You should have been here sooner, it was great!"

Some basic rules you should always follow:

1. Keep all your stuff in your car. If you leave one kite home you can be sure that will be the perfect size.

2. Never leave wind to find wind. If its windy at the beach you’re at and you’re tempted to go to another location be warned. The wind may die while you’re driving or it may not be as good when you get there. It’s better to ride now where you are.

3. Check and double-check all your gear before its windy so you will be ready to go at a moments notice. Have extra stuff with you as well as fast repair stuff just in case.

4. The wind is very unpredictable; be aware of what it’s actually doing. It can be gusty, stronger on the outside, building, dropping, changing directions, or be accompanied by rain or lightning and thunder. (You do not want to do the Ben Franklin thing.)

5. Evaluate the hazards of the location and your ability to deal with them. You know how good you are- don't go out if you feel like you may not be able to handle it. Wait ‘til later or another day. Many people have injured or killed themselves because of bad judgment. Use your gut feelings, sometimes its better to just stay on land. 

6. Send out a probe. This is a person who is the first one out. If you know what size kite they have then you can rig depending on how much power they seem to have. You can watch their kite to see how the wind is gusty or steady.  The probe is not selected but just the first to go. So if you do not want to be the probe then fart around. Pretend to be fixing something or go slow. Even though everyone knows you doing it its cool. Be sure you know the probe and their ability some of the better guys like to be really overpowered.

7. Shit happens!!! No matter how good you think you are, you can get messed up. A broken line, a kite that has been let go, a wrong turn and you’re in the shit. Its fast and often there's not much you can do about it, so be warned.

8. Kite buddies are very helpful to have. They will help launch and land your kite safely (most of the time). (Plus they can call 911 if you mess up!) The basic plan is if you help me I will help you. Some kite surfers will need too much help- avoid these guys or you may never get out. Here is a situation that you can expect: there are 4 kite surfers on the beach. After you have sent out a probe there are three, two get a launch one has to self-launch and wait for the other two to go. After you have dogged around waiting for the probe now you need to speed up or you will be that last guy. Some guys will try to make an appointment for a launch before they are even pumped up. "Hey man can you launch me?" If you say yes you have made a promise and now you have to wait for him even though you might be ready first. The unspoken rule is you must be ready to launch now before you ask. Then, its quick.

9. Be a nice person to all the rubber-neckers. These people are just interested in what you’re doing. Sometimes they are in the way. Just ask them to move for their safety. They will for sure ask stupid questions.  "How do you get back to shore?" , "Where can I rent one?", "Is it hard to do?", "What do you do when the wind dies?" , "Looks like a good day for that." Usually all you want to do is kite surf and not have an interview. Once I was walking back up the beach with my kite in the air and my board under my arm trying to get away from the people and a lady in a beach chair said "Can I ask you a few questions?" I was a little busy at the time, so I used the girl method that's been used on me many times: pretend like you didn't hear them and keep walking.

10. Kite surfing is a really good work out for your whole body:  legs, abs, arms, etc. The more you do it the better shape you will be in. You may have to do other things while the winds are light to keep your lean rock hard style. A good yoga session before you go out is not a bad idea. But if you’re like most you will just pump and go. I usually use my first few runs to check out the wind and get my muscles going so I take it easy for a bit. Keep hydrated and try some food bars like Balance. I find that anything with peanuts seem to work good for rebuilding energy. If you feel cramps happening, try some food with salt. You will find that you have a peak time when you ride the best after you are warmed up then as your body gets tired you start to suck.