Kiteboarding Questions

[JeffGerke]

I have a couple of kiteboarding questions. I've dabbled in windsurfing a couple times over the years. Water starts are about as far as I got since I never stuck with it long enough. I love windsurfing but didn't seem to be a sport suited to Utah. It seemed really tough to get in enough consistent wind days to learn very much. I've been reading a little about kiteboarding. From what I have read seems like kiting would be a little better suited for Utah. I don't want to start a windsurfing vs. kiting debate but I was wondering if maybe kiteboarding would be a better option for Utah. Would I be able to get more time on the water kiteboarding? Is the cost for getting started be any cheaper than windsurfing? One of the things that seems like a big negative for kiting is the hassle of dealing with the kite. Seems like a pain to launch safely especially if it is a little crowded. Do you always have to have a second person helping you launch? Is it tough to launch by yourself? I've also read that kiting is easier to learn, is this true?

Thanks,

Jeff

[bordy]

Yes to all of your questions except cost. There is cheap kite gear but you want SLE or Bow kites to ride in UT gusty winds. So the cost of gear can be more but if you were to buy NEW gear they are about the same. You NEED to take a lesson to learn to kite. There is way more going on then windsurfing and if you make a mistake as a begginer you can get into trouble fast, the kite takes a little bit of time to learn how to fly, but the trick is to Buy a trainer kite and have it dailed before you see your instuctor( Morst of us will not let you launch at any off our spots unless you have taken lessons and can prove you know what you are doing, any injuryes could jepordize the handfull of spots we have). Once you learn the saftey aspects of the sport(in about a day or two) then it is the best way to enjoy the wind year round in UT.

[Travis Cook]

And you shouldn't worry too much about needing two people to launch or land: at the best spots, when the wind is blowing, there WILL be others there. And everyone is really willing to help. That said, once you get a few years under you, you can safely(?) self-launch and self-land and ride alone. It's definitely better to be out where there are other kiters though-- they'll help you know what size to be flying, tricky aspects about the riding area and safety stuff. But get into it! I took a bunch of lessons and it was so worth it.