Have you ever tried the extreme water sport of kitesurfing? Kitesurfing in the UK has been growing rapidly since starting in the late 1990s and now has many thousands of participants worldwide. It’s a great recreational, outdoor pursuit that gives you a rush and keeps you fit. Kitesurfing is a fusion of sports, including windsurfing, surfing, and skateboarding. The equipment consists of a customised kite, board, harness, bindings, bar and lines, which are combined to catch the wind to propel you across the water.
A kitesurfer uses a kite which normally ranges from 6 m² to 18 m² for those light wind summer days. They will also need a good 5/3mm wetsuit to insulate them from the cold sea.
Kitesurfers normally start with just one kite, but as they progress, they often build up their quiver to handle an extensive range of wind conditions. Kitesurfers typically reach speeds of between 15 and 25 mph. If conditions are favourable and with the right equipment, 40mph is achievable. Professional racers commonly attain speeds of 50mph and up to 60mph.
You can surf the waves or attempt huge jumps in flat water. Alternatively, you may prefer to just cruise around or practise the latest freestyle tricks. There are many disciplines you can take on in kitesurfing.
One operator, NEKitesurfing, teaches this amazing sport in Northumberland, in the North East of England. It’s a great place for kitesurfing with regular strong winds blowing off the North Sea and stunning, sandy beaches with few people on them. Favourite spots include Beadnell Bay, Budle Bay, Druridge Bay and the stunning Bamburgh beach with Bamburgh Castle in the background.
Another option, if you prefer something a little drier, is kite landboarding. The principle is the same as kitesurfing, except you travel on land. A long, quiet, sandy beach makes an ideal location. Kite landboarding involves the use of a mountain board, which is like an oversized skateboard with large pneumatic wheels and foot straps. Depending on the rider’s skill level and the quality of their board, achieving speeds of over 50mph is possible, as well as tricking and manoeuvring. Although not yet as popular as kitesurfing, its appeal is fast developing.
Whitewater Rafting – Not For The Faint Of Heart
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