Kiteboarding: Where to Ride?

 - Steve Sipes, Level 2 PASA kiteboard instructor, Kiss The Sky Kiteboarding

Kiteboarding Locations – Where to Ride?

The short answer is “wherever there is wind and water.” But the real answer takes in many considerations, such as access to water, wind direction, ample area for set-up and launching, strong currents, nearness of trees and highways, etc.

Kiteboarders ride in oceans, bays, lakes, rivers, tide pools, and anywhere that there is water and space to ride. And riders are trying out new places all the time. But why are some places better than others? And what factors should be considered when trying out a new spot?

Well, let’s have some fun first. See if YOU can identify the potential hazards of these launch sites in the next four photos (answers at the end):

Photo #1:                                                                      

Photo #2:                                                                      

Photo #3:

Photo #4:

 

Photo#1: This site has plenty of room for set-up and launching, and the shallow water is great, but could give NEW meaning to “powered up” if you happen to land on these power lines.

Photo #2: Tourist sunbathers and kiteboarders don’t mix! We don’t ride in areas marked off by swim buoys. Period. You don’t want the entire kiting community coming to your house to “thank you” for getting the beach closed to kiters, because you accidentally injured a tourist in a marked swim area.

Photo #3: Causeways are great places to ride - ease of set-up, access to water, etc., but make sure you get out in the water and stay there. Ending up on this highway can “kill” a good time in seconds.

Photo #4: If you said the weathered old guy in the thong, you’d be half-right! The other element to avoid is the pier. Sites such as this one are great places to ride, but only if you can stay upwind and in control, away from obstacles like rocks, piers, bridges, etc.

So what about lakes? Lakes are definitely ride-able, but the bigger the better. The larger the lake, the more clean the wind will be. Winds coming over trees and buildings will be gusty and unpredictable, for distances of up to 10 times the height of the obstacles.

And a quick word about riding in the gulf or other deep water location. Please be proficient at body-dragging back to your board, riding upwind, and water relaunching before attempting deep water riding.

If you want to try out a new spot, do a search on kite forums, to see if you can learn from someone else’s mistakes. In the meantime, here’s our FOUR favorite spots in Tampa Bay for shallow, flat-water kiteboarding:

http://www.kisstheskykiteboarding.com/kiteboardinglocations.htm

Ride on!

Whether to Weather the Storms

 - Steve Sipes, Level 2 PASA kiteboard instructor, Kiss The Sky Kiteboarding


Kiteboarding is an extreme sport. Extremely exciting, extreme speed, extreme air, extremely liberating, etc., BUT it doesn't have to be extremely deadly.

Summertime in Florida brings frequent storms, many of them with accompanying strong, gusty winds, and often with updrafts and lightning.

Here's the scenario ...
You are out kiteboarding. Huge dark cumulus clouds are moving in your general direction. So you:
a) keep riding until you hear thunder
b) keep riding as long as the cloud doesn't go directly over you
c) keep riding through the storm, while yelling at the sky, "Come on! You call this a storm?"
d) put your kite down on the beach and wait for the clouds to pass

Answer: I'll give you hint - I witnessed two kiteboarders get struck by lightning this year.The dark clouds were not directly overhead, and there was no previous thunder. They both saw a blue glow coming down their lines and felt tingling in their arms. They both survived with ringing in their ears and a new appreciation for life! ... so put the kite down on the beach and wait for the clouds to pass. At the very least, you can get hydrated, say hello to fellow kiters, or seek shelter in your vehicle from the pounding rain. Then resume your session safely under a clear sky!

Live to ride another day!