K is for Kiteboarding

A quick bit of information for any new readers out there, I love water. I love drinking water. I love being on, in or around water. I was born and raised in Hawaii so I basically grew up with the water. That being said, this might come as a surprise. For all my love of water, adventure and trying new things, I have yet to ever try Kiteboarding. That is why K is for Kiteboarding.

Kitesurfing evolved from kite buggying (yes it is a real thing) in the early 1990's. It started to catch on in the late 1990's when mainstream windsurfing companies took notice and began manufacturing kites. Today you can find kite surfers at almost any body of water. Kitesurfing was even initially included in the 2016 olympics but were taken out because some of the panel who voted said they were confused by what they were voting for.

In case the name isn't self-explanatory, Kitesurfing is simply that, surfing with the power of a kite to move you. There are several "styles" of kitesurfing:

Freestyle: Go where you want and do what you want; jumping and tricks are the main thing here.

Wave-riding: Surfing waves while kitesurfing.

Course Racing: Similar to a yacht race but with kitesurfing. This was the sport that was initially      included in the olympics.

Speed Racing: The object here is to go as fast as you can in 500 meters.

While I'm sure given the chance I would partake inevitably surf some of the waves, I think that I would find the most joy in just going where ever. I would also love to get out and jump some of the waves and doing tricks hopefully.

One thing that makes the fact that I have never been kiteboarding really surprising is that one of my good friends that lives about 30 mins south of me has six, yes, six kites and boards to use. For whatever reason I've just never had the timing to go and learn and try it. He is a pretty adventurous guy like me and he says that kitesurfing is his most favorite water sport. I can't wait.

Photographer: Ethan Janson

Have you ever seen or better yet been kitesurfing? What did you think? Is is something you would try if you haven't yet?