As you drive south on Highway 12, the first thing you notice are all the kites in the air over the Pamlico Sound. The sport of kiteboarding was first seen in Cape Hatteras in 1998 and has recently exploded in popularity, with our beaches becoming the sports #1 destination in the world. To watch kiteboarding is simply amazing, as riders scream across the water at 30mph and jump upwards of 40 feet into the air. To practice the sport yourself, is nothing short of incredible.
Is kiteboarding hard? Not if you follow the right steps. Today’s kiteboarders range from 8 up to over 70 years old, men and women. Follow these steps and you’ll be hooked before you know it!
1. Trainer Kite and Instructional DVD : This is the first step to kiteboarding and an small investment your entire family can enjoy together! Watch the DVD, learn the basics, then practice with your trainer kite on the wide open beaches. As a courtesy, keep your kites clear of any wildlife closures and other people.
2. Sign up for Kite Lessons : Cape Hatteras is the perfect location for learning to kiteboard with shallow water, consistent winds and some of the best schools in the world. You’ll hit the water with a certified coach and all the equipment. Having flown your trainer kite beforehand will put you that much further ahead. Many students get up on the board the very first day!
3. Get Your Kite Gear : You can’t be a kiteboarder without your own kite and board to practice your skills. Complete gear packages can be purchased for around $1,500, but once you are equipped, the wind is FREE!
4. Practice, Practice, Practice! This is the FUN part! Start out by doing “downwinders” along the coast to improve your board skills. The Outer Banks unlimited launch sites are perfect for this. Once you can “edge” across the wind, staying upwind becomes second nature and then the jumping begins!
Kiteboarding is a sport the entire family can enjoy. Many families who ski and snowboard together, make the trek to Cape Hatteras to “take their runs” on the water in the warmer months. Whether you try it yourself, or simply enjoy the scene at Kite Point, the sport of kiteboarding is truly at home here at the beach.
REAL Waterpsorts, was ranked by Outside Magazine as one of the
“Top 10 Adventure Camps in the World!”
Sign up TODAY and stay updated on great gear and event news:
For more information or to book your Kite Lesson, call us toll free at 1-866-REAL-548 or email us at info@reawatersports.com
