Kiteboarding as
a sport has really taken off on Fuerteventura.
Kiteboarding - or kite surfing as it is also known - has
attracted a legion of enthusiasts since it was invented about
a decade ago.
Kiteboarding has caught on in a big way on the island and is
an adrenalin-fuelled mixture of kite flying, surfing and
wakeboarding.
Driving around Fueteventura you will often notice kites being
flown in the sky. And although kite flying is popular on the
island, closer inspection will often reveal a kiteboarder
attached to the end of the line.
Kiteboarding has its origins in
Hawaii nine years ago when Frenchman Manu Bertin arrived in
Maui with his new invention. Soon, the whole island became
caught up in the new craze.
Kiteboarding competitions are now held around the world and
riders have been pushing the sport to its limit by coming up
with ever more daring manoeuvres.
Kiteboarding sites on Fuerteventura
The beaches at Sotavento were
the venue for the 2005 PKRS Kiteboarding Grand Prix in July
2005 which attracted the best kite borders in the world.
These beaches attract scores
of kiteboarding enthusiasts as do the beaches outside
Corralejo.
Kiteboarding theory
The theory behind
kiteboarding is simple - a surfer stands on a board lashed to
it with foot straps or kiteboarding bindings and use the power
of a large controllable kite to propel them across the water.
It can be a dangerous sport as you have lines attached to you
from the kite which can wrap themselves around and cause
injuries.
Kiteboarding schools on Fuerteventura
Kiteboarding chools can be
found around the island offering everything from beginner
courses to advanced levels.
Generally speaking, a beginners kiteboarding course takes
between five and ten hours of tuition and starts with learning
to fly a stunt kite. This is followed by a four session with a
line kite with a safety system that allows you to detach the
kite along with lessons in safety procedures and understanding
the wind and finally, being introduced to the board.
Getting up on the kiteboard at the beginning can take time but
if you come off – just keep trying!
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