Non-football (real sport) thread - Wakeboarding & Kitesurfin
Discussion
Are there any other boarders here?
If so, where in the world have you boarded? I'm looking to book up some flights to somewhere hot & want to get lots more boarding in or maybe even a kitesurfing course as I absolutely love it and it's my new best thing.
Also - have you kitesurfed - how does this compare? just HOW difficult is it - I'm pretty uncoordinated and weak & not sure if I'd be able to work a kite as well as my feet! are the boards the same as a wakeboard?
Are there any members of Hawley lakes here - I'm looking at alternatives to Princes & Thorpe in the SE/Surrey area.
P.S. Ran out of space in the title - I'm not trying to be uber-trendy leaving my g's out and sayin' wakeboardin' and kitesurfin'
Actually can a mod move this to the P&P please - I really don't think thefootball forum Sport forum, is the right place for this kind of thing. Thanks. HTH.
If so, where in the world have you boarded? I'm looking to book up some flights to somewhere hot & want to get lots more boarding in or maybe even a kitesurfing course as I absolutely love it and it's my new best thing.
Also - have you kitesurfed - how does this compare? just HOW difficult is it - I'm pretty uncoordinated and weak & not sure if I'd be able to work a kite as well as my feet! are the boards the same as a wakeboard?
Are there any members of Hawley lakes here - I'm looking at alternatives to Princes & Thorpe in the SE/Surrey area.
P.S. Ran out of space in the title - I'm not trying to be uber-trendy leaving my g's out and sayin' wakeboardin' and kitesurfin'
Actually can a mod move this to the P&P please - I really don't think the
Edited by parakitaMol. on Thursday 21st February 11:26
I know there was a lot of kite-surfing going on in Kenya last summer...might be quiet there now 
I really fancy trying it. I'm going to go down the line of doing some wake-boarding on the tow-lines at the local watersports place, and also get a kite and se how I find the power / feel of it...and then go on from there. I fancy the idea of something I can do on and off land - so a mix of the two would be nice
I really fancy trying it. I'm going to go down the line of doing some wake-boarding on the tow-lines at the local watersports place, and also get a kite and se how I find the power / feel of it...and then go on from there. I fancy the idea of something I can do on and off land - so a mix of the two would be nice
tigger1 said:
I'm going to go down the line of doing some wake-boarding on the tow-lines at the local watersports place, and also get a kite and se how I find the power / feel of it...and then go on from there. I fancy the idea of something I can do on and off land - so a mix of the two would be nice
I think I might be too feeble for kitesurfing - I tried windsurfing last summer and was utterly pathetically weak, got on ok with boarding cos I picked it up really quick - maybe cos I snowboard but I just clicked - unlike the skis which I just faceplanted endlessly until my mates took pity on me and allowed me back into their boat!! ..... but I'm not sure I'd get on with doing the kite bit - thats why I want to know some more about it... I think I might give Kenya a miss would like to know where is good for a)wakeboarding and b)kitesurfing in a great locationOh and as for the cable tows... I hated that thing, like a catapault, see if you can get a boat with a static boom & lesson or two to get started before using the tow! especially with an audience!
I do a bit of kite surfing, not as much as I used to due to work now. Tried it all over the world really - Cornwall and S Wales here and also in Australia, N.Africa, Portugal etc. Its great fun!!!
As for starting, the best thing would be to try and go on a course. I think there is a school at Watergate Bay and there is a bit of a kite surf 'scene' around Porthcawl of all places as the beach etc is really good. Its not a nightmare to learn. The best start is to learn to fly a four line power kite, that will give to an idea as to how a big kite reacts under power etc. Learn to fly it on land! The fundamental differences in kite design are that kite surfing kites have an inflatable spa so that you can launch them in the sea and tend not to turn as quickly - that is more due to size! In terms of flying land kites tend to be flown on two handles whereas kite surf kites are flown on a bar and you wear a harness kite surfing which you don't need to on land, although you can.
The surfing bit I find much easier as balance is slightly less of an issue as the kite takes your weight. Its a great laugh as a sport and don;t worry about strength etc, its all in technique! Get some lessons and see how you go, but if you get into it prepare to spend cash... Its quite an expensive hobby but there are plenty of places you can buy second hand kit!
As for starting, the best thing would be to try and go on a course. I think there is a school at Watergate Bay and there is a bit of a kite surf 'scene' around Porthcawl of all places as the beach etc is really good. Its not a nightmare to learn. The best start is to learn to fly a four line power kite, that will give to an idea as to how a big kite reacts under power etc. Learn to fly it on land! The fundamental differences in kite design are that kite surfing kites have an inflatable spa so that you can launch them in the sea and tend not to turn as quickly - that is more due to size! In terms of flying land kites tend to be flown on two handles whereas kite surf kites are flown on a bar and you wear a harness kite surfing which you don't need to on land, although you can.
The surfing bit I find much easier as balance is slightly less of an issue as the kite takes your weight. Its a great laugh as a sport and don;t worry about strength etc, its all in technique! Get some lessons and see how you go, but if you get into it prepare to spend cash... Its quite an expensive hobby but there are plenty of places you can buy second hand kit!
Twit said:
I do a bit of kite surfing, not as much as I used to due to work now. Tried it all over the world really - Cornwall and S Wales here and also in Australia, N.Africa, Portugal etc. Its great fun!!!
As for starting, the best thing would be to try and go on a course. I think there is a school at Watergate Bay and there is a bit of a kite surf 'scene' around Porthcawl of all places as the beach etc is really good. Its not a nightmare to learn. The best start is to learn to fly a four line power kite, that will give to an idea as to how a big kite reacts under power etc. Learn to fly it on land! The fundamental differences in kite design are that kite surfing kites have an inflatable spa so that you can launch them in the sea and tend not to turn as quickly - that is more due to size! In terms of flying land kites tend to be flown on two handles whereas kite surf kites are flown on a bar and you wear a harness kite surfing which you don't need to on land, although you can.
The surfing bit I find much easier as balance is slightly less of an issue as the kite takes your weight. Its a great laugh as a sport and don;t worry about strength etc, its all in technique! Get some lessons and see how you go, but if you get into it prepare to spend cash... Its quite an expensive hobby but there are plenty of places you can buy second hand kit!
Thanks Twit, that's exactly the sort of stuff I was hoping for... I am indeed looking at a course, however somewhere somewhat hotter than Cornwall :/ I'm pathetic when it comes to cold!As for starting, the best thing would be to try and go on a course. I think there is a school at Watergate Bay and there is a bit of a kite surf 'scene' around Porthcawl of all places as the beach etc is really good. Its not a nightmare to learn. The best start is to learn to fly a four line power kite, that will give to an idea as to how a big kite reacts under power etc. Learn to fly it on land! The fundamental differences in kite design are that kite surfing kites have an inflatable spa so that you can launch them in the sea and tend not to turn as quickly - that is more due to size! In terms of flying land kites tend to be flown on two handles whereas kite surf kites are flown on a bar and you wear a harness kite surfing which you don't need to on land, although you can.
The surfing bit I find much easier as balance is slightly less of an issue as the kite takes your weight. Its a great laugh as a sport and don;t worry about strength etc, its all in technique! Get some lessons and see how you go, but if you get into it prepare to spend cash... Its quite an expensive hobby but there are plenty of places you can buy second hand kit!
It's the whole kite thing that I'm just not really taken with, it sounds complicated, I'm expecting I'd hate it, get cross with it, get tangled in lines and then just throw it in the water. I also know I won't go out and 'practise'... I'm too lazy!
It's kinda answered my question really - so I'll focus on the wakeboarding & windsurfing this year & if I end up somewhere with kitesurfing course + sun I might try it...
Not so worried about the kit, if I like something I'll get the kit, already got a couple of wetsuits from last years boarding & looking to get my own wakeboard this year now too as I love it so much...
Any other Surrey boarders?
Thanks!
TheCarpetCleaner said:
Blue Meanie said:
Why didn't you just have Wakeboarding, et al in the title. What on earth does 'Non-football' have to do with anything?
Why does it bother you so much? Honestly liking football is one thing, being obsessed is another... 
f
k off to a football thread.Blue Meanie said:
TheCarpetCleaner said:
Blue Meanie said:
Why didn't you just have Wakeboarding, et al in the title. What on earth does 'Non-football' have to do with anything?
Why does it bother you so much? Honestly liking football is one thing, being obsessed is another... f
k off to a football thread.TheCarpetCleaner said:
Blue Meanie said:
TheCarpetCleaner said:
Blue Meanie said:
Why didn't you just have Wakeboarding, et al in the title. What on earth does 'Non-football' have to do with anything?
Why does it bother you so much? Honestly liking football is one thing, being obsessed is another... f
k off to a football thread.So, about kite-surfing then.
I've decided to go and get a small traction kite that I can learn to fly properly (hopefully). Any recommendations, or should I just go and get a 1-1.5m kite "suitable for novices" - or am I being a big girl and should I just get a 2-2.5m kite and make sure that I know how to crash it if I get airborne?
I've decided to go and get a small traction kite that I can learn to fly properly (hopefully). Any recommendations, or should I just go and get a 1-1.5m kite "suitable for novices" - or am I being a big girl and should I just get a 2-2.5m kite and make sure that I know how to crash it if I get airborne?
Tigger - Dunno the answer to that but I have found a fab place over the weekend to go and learn... they have two centres in Spain & Portugal. They take about 8 groups of 6 each week and do beginners through to expert coaching.... and match you into a group of same ability. I spoke to them at length and they have said that having some kite or wind experience (windsurfing or sailing) would be a huge bonus before doing their 5 day course... so I might do their windsurfing or surfing course instead and leave the kites for another year... still keen to do a lot more wake boarding this year though.
parakitaMol. said:
Tigger - Dunno the answer to that but I have found a fab place over the weekend to go and learn... they have two centres in Spain & Portugal. They take about 8 groups of 6 each week and do beginners through to expert coaching.... and match you into a group of same ability. I spoke to them at length and they have said that having some kite or wind experience (windsurfing or sailing) would be a huge bonus before doing their 5 day course... so I might do their windsurfing or surfing course instead and leave the kites for another year... still keen to do a lot more wake boarding this year though.
Who were you thinking of using for the kitesurfing and who did you use to learn to wakeboard Anna? I did a windsurfing course with Neilson in Turkey a couple of years ago which I enjoyed. They were starting out with kitesurfing in Spain at that time. They had a good combination of plenty of time on the water and time to chill with a 
in the evening. I'd definitely go somewhere with the right weather conditions, much more enjoyable when you get up to glorious sunshine every day!Steve.
Steve_T said:
parakitaMol. said:
Tigger - Dunno the answer to that but I have found a fab place over the weekend to go and learn... they have two centres in Spain & Portugal. They take about 8 groups of 6 each week and do beginners through to expert coaching.... and match you into a group of same ability. I spoke to them at length and they have said that having some kite or wind experience (windsurfing or sailing) would be a huge bonus before doing their 5 day course... so I might do their windsurfing or surfing course instead and leave the kites for another year... still keen to do a lot more wake boarding this year though.
Who were you thinking of using for the kitesurfing and who did you use to learn to wakeboard Anna? I did a windsurfing course with Neilson in Turkey a couple of years ago which I enjoyed. They were starting out with kitesurfing in Spain at that time. They had a good combination of plenty of time on the water and time to chill with a in the evening. I'd definitely go somewhere with the right weather conditions, much more enjoyable when you get up to glorious sunshine every day!Steve.
This is the link to the one I've just been speaking to - sounds great and I do need good weather & good social scene to tempt me - cold dank south coast UK doesn't float my kite :-)
http://www.extremeholidays.com/index.htm.
tigger1 said:
So, about kite-surfing then.
I've decided to go and get a small traction kite that I can learn to fly properly (hopefully). Any recommendations, or should I just go and get a 1-1.5m kite "suitable for novices" - or am I being a big girl and should I just get a 2-2.5m kite and make sure that I know how to crash it if I get airborne?
Well it won't do any harm. The main thing is to make sure you get a four line kite to get used to working power lines and brake lines. Also, you have much more control with a four line and better fun!I've decided to go and get a small traction kite that I can learn to fly properly (hopefully). Any recommendations, or should I just go and get a 1-1.5m kite "suitable for novices" - or am I being a big girl and should I just get a 2-2.5m kite and make sure that I know how to crash it if I get airborne?
I'd go for a 3-4 metre kite to start with, Rhombus are a decent first kite make and not as expensive as Flexi etc. Assuming you are a 'normal' size that will be controllable and you shouldn't get in any trouble, but to be safe pick a gentle breeze day to start!
Its great fun!!
Jumps are brilliant, the reason I fly land kites really, but I wull only really do them on beaches as the landing is a bit softer!! The main thing is build them up; I remember flying a 5 metre once in a very strong wind and it caught me well off guard. Got about 6 foot up but was pulled about20 feet forward - landed in a true face plant style and a bit bruised!!
Jumping isnt automatically dangerous but you need to build you technique. Concentrate on learning the feel of the kite when its de-powered, under full power and how it gets there. Different positions in the arc in front of you produce different power. You will pick up sliding along dead quick, if it feels scary to start with sit on the ground and get pulled alone on your arse... Where old trousers!!!!
Once you get used to it it is great fun!!!!
Jumping isnt automatically dangerous but you need to build you technique. Concentrate on learning the feel of the kite when its de-powered, under full power and how it gets there. Different positions in the arc in front of you produce different power. You will pick up sliding along dead quick, if it feels scary to start with sit on the ground and get pulled alone on your arse... Where old trousers!!!!
Once you get used to it it is great fun!!!!
I had some lessons in Fuerteventura. Hot, cheap, not too many lager drinking tossers and generally a nicer climate to learn in
My observations were this.
You don't need to be strong. The kites are very responsive and the kite pulls the harness - not you.
It's bloody hard to learn the basics - patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time. Its bloody hard to master.
Its great fun though - well worth a try. You'll soon learn the meaning of the "long walk of shame" whe n you give it a try.
Having boarded before will be a definite advantage and it may be worth borrowing a small traction kite to learn about powerzones and de-powering etc. before you try it. You will spend your fist day getting dragged up and dwon the beech.
Can be dangerous though!
My observations were this.
You don't need to be strong. The kites are very responsive and the kite pulls the harness - not you.
It's bloody hard to learn the basics - patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time. Its bloody hard to master.
Its great fun though - well worth a try. You'll soon learn the meaning of the "long walk of shame" whe n you give it a try.
Having boarded before will be a definite advantage and it may be worth borrowing a small traction kite to learn about powerzones and de-powering etc. before you try it. You will spend your fist day getting dragged up and dwon the beech.
Can be dangerous though!
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