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Best Of MLB’s Ballparks
When baseball fans feel that a ballpark is a shrine rather than just a place to watch a baseball game, then there must be something about the park that makes it so great. Whether it’s the view, the enthusiasm, or the game itself, not many activities...
How to feel the power of the kite
There are many different techniques that you will need to learn before you can master the kitesurfing sport. One of these techniques is learning how to feel the power of the kite and learning to control that power. Part of learning how to feel the...
New Golf Tip - How Mind-Movies Will Improve Your Golf Quickly
If you want to improve your golf game nothing will get you on the right track more quickly than well formulated Mind-Movies. The good news is that you can at last get a really first class guideline on how to develop effective Mind-Movies.
A great...
Tips to Buy a Good Treadmill
Buying treadmills can a be a daunting task and if you are not
sure what you are looking for then you could end up with
something that is totally wrong for you.
Before rushing out and buying a treadmill there are certain
things that you...
Why my Lactate Threshold Training is better than any other Strength Training System.
It's a very simple training system. Consisting of using your body in space with simple counts. Music is optional. With every position and exercise your concentration is focused on alignment, form, breathing, pacing, contracting or relaxing. You...
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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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