Water Sport Blog » Kitesurfing and Kiteboarding

Basic Equipments for Kiteboarding

John Philips — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 07:55:24 +0000

Kiteboarding is a sport which is based on kitesurfing. Kiteboarding involves the use of snowboard. People who engage in this type of sport are often called riders. These riders tend to build slightly modified snowboards for a greater impact, a sturdy snowboard, so with the use of kites the same of that with the kite used in kitesurfing. But kiteboarding needs a bit of kitesurfing gear to secure your safety. To play it enjoying and safe, there are some things that you should consider. You must have the Impact vests all the time whenever you are kiteboarding because these vests are a necessity. Well, the key item to enjoy in this sport is obviously, a kite. There have been a lot of used kites that come with a warranty and ensures against problems like failures.

Kiteboarding travel bags and accessory backpacks are also needed since you will have to take the equipment to the site for kiteboarding. There have been three common different styles in which kiteboards are available. These are the Twin Tip, Hybrid directional and the Wake style. These kiteboards are made out of wood, froth or composite fiber glass, which is the most widely used today. Of course, you should pay attention to details about the kiteboard you will use. The length of the board is the most vital factor that you should consider when buying kiteboards.

Also, you have to pay attention to the weight of the board. If you think you weigh more than an average person, then a board in excess of 150cm is much recommended. The board will be difficult to maneuver at first. Most of the experienced riders select kiteboards that are less than 140 cm. The width of the board also should be taken a closer look since this makes the ride smooth and aids the individual to control the board better. If you have a greater weight, then a shorted but wider board will suit you very well. You also have the edge of the kiteboard.

The edge is often called as the rail. This means that pointy rails make it easier for the person to accelerate. It also helps the board to grip the water. But the most crucial issue regarding kiteboarding is the safety. To promote safety, the bottom of the board must be created as flat as possible. It is advised that it should be designed in which the bottoms are with a concave shape to make it stick with the water and may give additional traction to the individual. Boards have bindings much the same as that with wakeboards. There are three kinds of bindings, and the first one is the foot strap. Foot strap straps the rider’s foot to the board. The second one is the boots. They are fitting as far as comfort is concern. The last but not the least is the plates. Plates are just footpads mixed with foot straps.

Kiteboarding in Cabarete

Ralph Serpe — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 03:01:57 +0000

Situated on the North Shore of the island, the upscale resort town of Cabarete is home to several kitesurfing competitions, including the World Cup (Copa Mundial in Portuguese), and the Master of the Ocean. Cabarete is not just a world center for kiteboarding; Playa Encuentro, just west of Cabarete, is one of the best-known surfing beaches in the Caribbean. With an average temperature stays at a constant 30 degrees Celsius, although the average annual temperature is about 26 degrees. The months of April through September have the highest probability of strong on-shore winds, as well as wind speed. The trade winds deliver predictable, consistent winds between June and August, while during the rest of the year winds pick up at mid-day and get stronger until the early evening.

Bozo Beah, Encuentro Beach and La Boca de Yasica are all popular local destinations for kiteboarding – real estate in Dominican Republic is never far from the beach. Some of the top competitors in the emerging sport of kiteboarding have decided to reside in Cabarete in order to take advantage of the winds. Living in Cabarete means these atheletes are able to train year-round, and residing here means they are also able to participate in competitions such as the Presidente World Cup.

The town of Cabarete itself is often described as “upscale yet laid-back”. It’s located about twenty minutes from an international airport that offers easy access to Miami, New York, Toronto, and London, and the town has been designed around its beautiful white sand beach. The beach is the perfect place to relax after a hard day of kitesurfing, windsurfing or scuba diving, and you have the opportunity to mingle with people from every corner of the planet who come to Cabarete for its trade winds and kite surfing.

There are nightclubs where visitors can dance away the night, and restaurants featuring the best seafood and haute cuisine. Budget travelers can also take part by spending the night at the dozens of friendly pubs and watering holes that sell delicious, refreshing local beer. Other people who fall in love with Cabarete often buy Dominican Republic condos.

Kiteboarding Gear Basics

David Stewards — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 07:23:15 +0000

Getting the right type of board is the usual challenge for kiteboarders. There are so many styles out there that make it so overwhelming to choose which board to buy. Kiteboarders should get the one that suits their style. It is hard to get the right resources about kiteboarding boards especially when you have no idea when to start. There are lots of marketing promotions that makes it even more confusing and difficult to choose. Sometimes, you can’t avoid seeing or watching ads about the newest or hottest product that’s available on the market. You list them down and before you know it, you have so many things to buy.

The first thing you should do is to buy a board. I suggest that you buy a Twin Tip board when you plan to get one kiteboard. Twin Tip boards are easy to control and perfect for beginners or even advance kiteboarders. Instructors or pros usually recommend this board for beginners. You can be able to control your board even on your first session.

Next, you also have to pay attention about the length of the kiteboard that you’re going to get. The sizes of the kiteboards are mostly 140cm to 150cm long. Though there are some models that are longer. Longer boards that are more than 150cm are excellent for beginners and shorter boards that are less than 140cm are perfect for experienced riders. Advance riders need shorter boards to make it easier for them to execute their tricks. But longer boards are excellent for light winds and the shorter ones for stronger winds.

And last, the width is also an important factor of the board. It is easier for a kiteboard to glide when it is wide. Riders can achieve tricks and stunts when the width is wider and the length is shorter. And the best board to use if you want speed is the one that has a sharp rail. Kiteboarders with sharp rails allow riders to have a better control of the board.

When you buy your board make sure that you ask for tips and suggestions from your instructor. There are so many information and tips that you can get during kite surfing lessons. So always remember that it is important that you know what board that suits you. Know your riding style and skill. Choosing and buying your board can be a fun and unforgettable experience.