| Every beginner should undertake lessons before | | | | with a twintip kiteboard, which will allow you to change |
| attempting to fly a kite alone. The kites used in | | | | direction without jibing the kite. Once you're confidently |
| kitesurfing are high performance sports kites, and have | | | | up and riding, the board you pick will be a matter of |
| the capability of causing injury, or even death. | | | | personal preference and riding style. |
| The IKO is the world governing body of the sport, and | | | | A twin-tip board, such as the Best Spark kiteboard or |
| a 2 day course with an IKO instructor or school will | | | | Balance Team 133 kiteboard, would be ideal for any |
| have to up and riding a kiteboard in safety. | | | | creative freestyle, free ride and big air kitesurfers. If |
| Which kitesurfing equipment is right for me? | | | | you prefer the thrill of riding big waves and swells then |
| 2009 has seen huge development in kite technology, | | | | a directional board would suit you better. North Kites |
| the Supported Leading Edge (SLE) bridled designs feel | | | | make the Bullets board, which is considered by many |
| more like C kites, and five-line hybrids have better | | | | to be the best production board available. |
| depower capability than ever before. | | | | For the ultimate in directional boards, you should look |
| For newcomers to kitesurfing, the Best Kahoona is the | | | | for custom surfboards by Luke Young, who has been |
| perfect kite. It is ultra stable in the air, easy to fly, | | | | rated as Shaper of the Year by Carve magazine. |
| tolerate mistakes, and is used by hundreds of | | | | So I just need a kite and board to kitesurf? |
| kiteschools around the world. | | | | The minimum equipment list is a kite, board, harness |
| When you have mastered the Kahoona, most riders | | | | and a bar, but you should not even think of leaving |
| progress to more extreme kites such as the Best | | | | without safety equipment until you have been riding for |
| Waroo or North Vegas. These kites offer sharper | | | | a long time. Check out which personal flotation devices |
| performance, better handling and more power. | | | | are available, these also give you some padding when |
| Which kind of kiteboard should I ride? | | | | you crash! A helmet can also save your head from |
| If you are learning, most people find it easier to start | | | | some severe damage should the worst occur. |