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Do You Fear Golf Weight Training Programs
In a sport that hardly has any controversies; few issues have come as close to being controversial as golf weight training programs have. More so with amateur and non-professional golfers. And yet if you really examine the facts, golf weight...
Looking for Cheap Batting Cages? Here's some Basic Advice.
Cheap batting cages can be found in a number of places. One
option is to look in your local newspaper for garage sales or in
the ads under sporting equipment for sale. Garage sales would
probably be a good place to look for smaller, cheap...
New Technologies in Camping Outdoor Clothing Enhance the Camping Experience
Camping is an excellent way to explore and experience the outdoors. The weather needn’t be an obstacle to what sorts of climates and places you might trek to. Outdoor clothing has become incredibly innovative in its designs and features, allowing...
The Base Hit
The Base Hit © William A. Patsis 2004 Sometimes there is that rare moment that causes one to reflect on those matters that are deemed important and deflect those that are not. It is a very humbling experience but a nice feeling nevertheless. I had...
TOP TEN Myths Surrounding the Montreal Expos
10 - That the Expos lost its fan base after all the English left in the early 80’s.
The Olympic Stadium continued to average over 18 thousand visitors per game until 1997. While they were not leaders in attendance by any stretch, it was still a...
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Big air equals big thrills with this new extreme water sport
Kiteboarding or kitesurfing, if you don't already know, is like snowboarding on water. This, behind a boat, is called wakeboarding. OK, now forget the boat and add a giant kite for the power source. The kite is controlled or steered using a control bar in the hands of the rider. The kite can be flown is specific patterns to generate greater power, or can be used to jump or fly through the air. We are not talking about little hops either; you can really get up and float for some serious air time. The power is directed to a harness by "hooking in"; this takes the load off the arms which helps reduce fatigue.
Kiteboarding is the fastest growing water sport in the world, and for good reasons.
The freedom of jumping 10, 20, 30ft off the water, without the necessity of a wave for a ramp, means that people who live near lakes can still fly through the air. Snowboarders love it as a summer alternative to riding on snow, not to mention there's no lift ticket to buy. Windsurfers love it because you can kiteboard in less wind, and the gear fits in a economy car, instead of the truck, or trailer. Surfers can get out on the water when the surf is too low or blown out. Wake boarders are forced to rethink what big air really is, plus saving all the gas money they were putting into their boats every weekend. People who have never tried a board sport at
all are getting into kiteboarding.
Ideal learning conditions include warm, flat and shallow water coupled with consistent wind. Being able to stand up after a gulp of water or a head first plunge is not only convenient but comforting. Having a boat right there where you need it saves time, as the beginner will end the kite surfing lesson far down wind from where he or she started.
Taking lessons with a qualified instructor is a must. The best thing to do first is to buy or rent a trainer kite, and watch an instructional video to get the basics down. Next, is the first three hour kiteboarding lesson, in which you will learn the safety issues and systems, setup of the kite, launching and landing, the wind window and power stokes, water re-launching and body dragging. From there you can continue with lessons or go practice on your own. The cost of equipment has come down over the years; a beginner setup will run $1000-$1500 for everything. Unlike many sports, such as snow
Skiing, kiteboarding is not something you should expect to be able to learn in an afternoon. Once you get it, you'll be hooked.
Captain Jeff Hoxtell
Air Padre Kiteboarding
5709 A Padre Blvd.
South Padre Island
956-299-9463
www.airpadrekiteboarding.com
About the Author
Captain Jeff Hoxtell is a certified kiteboarding instructor.
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