My next sport I hope, Kite Boarding

[Dan T]

Hi everyone, happy New Year

I'm planning on learning to kite board in 2017. I know at least one of you who are, or were, active in the sport. Any suggestions on where I might learn?

I planned to take lessons in Virginia Beach in May but the instructor advised me that it's not the best place to learn. Apparently the water tends to be too deep and choppy when the winds are suitable.

In the long run I hope to be able to fly it like the big boys do, so I'm claiming that this post is suitable for this topic.


Dan T

[Dunegoon]

OBX. Many of my old HG friends/instructors from the Outer Banks now only kite board. Most say it more fun because less driving and just as challenging. Also from a risk management perspective it is appealing. The sound is shallow and a good place to learn. And of course you could also tow HG from the Cotten Gin if the winds are light.

Good luck!

[jyoder111]

I quit HG and took up kiteboarding this past year. There's a sizable group in the DC/Baltimore area and some ok sites on the Chesapeake and of course out at Dewey/Lewes or down in OBX. Before I took lessons, I bought a 4m fixed bridle trainer kite and flew that for a while, even learned to water body drag upwind with it. I eventually took lessons down in OBX and then bought some used equipment. I've had a couple good days on the Chesapeake. I'm still learning to get up, stay up, and kite upwind. Some of the local folks ride during the winter as well with heavy wetsuits or drysuits, but I'm not that brave yet. I've also started mountainboard kiting ("landboarding") on the ball fields by the Potomac by the Roosevelt Memorial. It's a bit turbulent there, but when its South the wind is pretty good off the water. http://www.EastKB.com is the forum for the local group. They're nice enough but pretty cautious with newbies as they don't want someone to have an incident and lose a site for everyone, just like HG/PG.



let me know if and when you make some moves,

Jesse

[wmelo]

Fortaleza, CE, Brazil...one of the best places to learn and practice Kite Boarding.
I think there is former HG/PG pilot from our area who immigrated to Fortaleza and run a BB there where he practices Kite Boarding.

Walt