Kitesurfing isn’t a mere hobby or activity, but it does provide plenty of fun. It’s a very physical activity for those looking for an adrenaline rush on the water. The surface water sport combines many of the same aspects as skateboarding, snowboarding, windsurfing, paragliding, surfing, gymnastics and wakeboarding. While not everybody has access to an area for to perform this activity, those that do should understand the health benefits kite surfing.
Kiteboarding Safety
Before you can enjoy any of the health benefits; it’s important to learn basic kite boarding safety. There are certain safety rules you need to follow, or you could end up injured. If possible, it’s best to choose a kite surfing school and learn from a professional.
One of the most important safety rules is to always know the chicken loop release of your kite. Most brands use a similar type of release. If you feel stressed or something happens on the water, you need to know how to release. It’s also important because if it’s released by accident, you could end up stranded somewhere you don’t want to be. Before hitting the water, make sure you understand the chicken loop release on the kite you will be using. 
It’s also important to know the areas you will be kite surfing. Some of the important elements include wind conditions, reefs/rocks, sea urchins, other dangers in the water and if there is a rescue boat in the area.
Kitesurfing becomes safer when you use the buddy system, as well. While it can be done by yourself, it’s better to have someone with you, just in case something does happen.
Some of the other important safety rules to follow with kite surfing include:
Inspect kite surfing equipment before hitting the water
Practice self-rescue often
Don’t go out in conditions more advanced than your ability
Avoid going out in storm fronts until you have at least a full year of experience
Get help when launching and landing your kite
Use the right size kite for the conditions
Stay away from boats, groins, buoys, piers and other objects
Be careful of shallow water and sandbanks
Don’t touch kite lines under tension
Don’t use your kite as a flying device
Before hitting the water for fun kite surfing, make sure you understand all of these safety rules, along with any specific local rules and regulations.
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Health Benefits of Kitesurfing
While most know kite surfing as an extreme sport, it’s also a great exercise. Several health benefits come along with kite surfing since it causes you to use your entire body for balance.
Stress Elimination
One of the best things any exercise can do is relieve stress. Kiteboarding does so by providing an adrenaline rush. This rush comes with feelings of wellness and boosted endorphins, which help to lower your stress level. These endorphins will also contribute to boosting your immune system.
Ideal for Toning
If you want to get a tone upper body and core, kite surfing will provide it. You will use your upper body, arms, and abdomen quite a bit, but this doesn’t mean you won’t use the lower half of your body. Your legs will also be used to help with balance and will likely become toned from kite surfing, as well. 
Calorie Burning
Kitesurfing provides a great calorie burning exercise. For the average man weighing about 180 pounds, one hour of light wind kiteboarding will burn over 1,000 calories. For women, the benefit is even greater with a 140-pound woman burning nearly 800 calories during the same session.
Increased Concentration and Coordination
Due to the many tasks you will engage in while kite surfing, you will experience better concentration and coordination. You need to balance yourself to stay on the board while grabbing ahold of the kite; which helps with coordination. Your concentration is tested, since you’ll be navigating the water.
Some of the other benefits that may come along with kite surfing include the socialness of community and respect for nature, ocean, and animals. Breathing in the fresh air can provide many benefits for the body, as well.
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How to Learn Kitesurfing
If you’re a beginner, the easiest way to learn is to enroll in a kitesurfing school. A professional instructor will be able to get you out into the water faster than trying to tackle the how-to of kite surfing on your own.
However, it can be helpful to understand the basics of how to kite surf. Anybody can learn this extreme sport from about age ten all the way up. It’s fun for boys, girls, women and men and you can learn how to kite surf, too. You don’t have to be super active or fit to do it, but it will make you stronger.
The Responsible Way to Learn Kitesurfing
Since kitesurfing isn’t like most other sports, you won’t be able to learn it as easy as just picking up a basketball or hopping on a bike. It’s bet to learn under the supervision of a professional instructor. Without the right help, you could end up injured or hurting someone else. It’s also possible you will damage your equipment because you don’t understand the basics.
Before trying to kite surf on your own, make sure you know safety, the rules, weather conditions, how to set up your kite correctly and how to launch and land your kite safely. Some of the other things to understand include the wind window, attaching the lines, re-launching from the water, proper posture, and self-rescue.
Kitesurfing has a pretty steep learning curve, and it can be a good idea to start with a trainer kite. It’s also easy to ruin gear when you’re new, so spending a ton of cash may not be a great idea. As a beginner, it is a bad idea to skip a trainer kite or lessons to save money as kite surfing can quickly become very dangerous. Some of the things you should practice with an instructor before you take a lesson include:
Where to leave the kite in the sky for reduced power
How to loop the kite
Flying with just one hand
Flying with your eyes closed
Inverting the kite control
Flying a kite while backward
Flying with the bar spun
Turning the bar to tangle lines and learning how to untangle them
Maintaining control of the kite
Trainer kites are ideal for this part of the training and allow you to learn before you take on this dangerous activity.
Beginners Guide to Kitesurfing: Getting Started
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Do I need to get a Trainer Kite?
Getting Started: Beginner FAQs and Articles
Waterstart – Kitesurfing Top Tips (video)
Kiteboarding Beginner Intro (video)
Kitesurfing Gear
Kitesurfing will come with a significant initial investment. You need plenty of gear to get started, and there are some things you just cannot do without. It’s best to start with a trainer kite, but you will certainly need more gear than just this one kite.
The basic three things you will need to ride include a kite, board, and harness. The kite needs to have a bar, line, and safety system. Some kites are sold as “kite only” so be aware of this and make sure you get everything you need.
The board will need to fit your riding ability. If you go too small and you’re new to kite surfing, it will be tough. You also need to make sure the board comes with foot pads, screws, and foot straps. Some are sold as “board only.” Don’t be tricked by the low price as you need the entire kit to get started.
Your harness is a must have in the water, and a seat harness is best for beginners and experienced riders. If you’re younger and experienced, a waste harness might be a better fit, but if you’re not experienced, you may end up with bruised ribs from this harness.
Here’s a list of what you will need when you head to the beach to enjoy kite surfing.
Someone to ride with – a riding buddy
Kites
Bar with lines
Safety system
Pump
Kitesurfing Boards
Straps
Kitesurfing leash and kitesurfing helmet
Harness
Spreader bar
Flotation/impact vest
Tool Box
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Hat
Towel
Water
Food
Wet Suit (optional depending on the temperature)
You want to make sure you drink at least 20 ounces of water for every hour you’re riding, and you want to bring some food as kite surfing can make you rather hungry.
If you’re a beginner, there are some complete equipment packages you can get that include the board, kite, and harness with everything you need. These kits are great as it keeps you from missing something you need to get started with kitesurfing.
Basic Kiteboarding Gear List
Beginner Kitesurfing Q & A
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Types of Kites
Today’s modern kites are 4-line inflatable options. They come in many different profile designs with different terminology for each. It can be easy to get confused by the different types. Here’s what you might run into when buying a kite.
C Kites or C-shape
These kites are known for the lack of a bridle and the square wing tips. When uninflated, this kite will look like a rectangle. The lines attach at each corner, and when inflated, the shape is more of a large C.
This is not the right kite for beginners. While they are plenty of fun, they come with a severe learning curve for inexperienced riders. There isn’t much way for de-powering if the wind picks up and this could be trouble.
Bow Kites
A bow kite, also known as Nay kite with a bridle, looks more triangular when uninflated. Its lines don’t attach directly to the leading edge, and this type of kite provides more de-power than C-shaped kites. These are safer than C kites, as well and a better choice for beginners.
Hybrid Kites
Falling somewhere between C-shaped and Bow kites, the Hybrid kite provides a bridle with de-power much like bows, but they also turn with plenty of power like C kites do.
Delta Kites
A bow kite with more of a swept back wing profile; Delta Kites provide the best choice for beginners. They are easy to re-launch and provide a more forgiving choice for piloting when in the water. You will have more time to react with a Delta Kite, but these are not just for beginners. Many riders use and enjoy Delta Kites.
Foil Kites
Foil Kites don’t have an air bladder like the kites above, which may be called LEI kites. Instead, they provide square cells of fabric that trap air. The front lines attach differently, as well. A traditional foil kite cannot be re-launched if it falls into the water because it will fill with water. This kite is used more for snow kiting or landboarding. However, a valved foil kite can be used in the water. The valve only lets air in and won’t let it escape. It will also keep water from getting in.
Along with the type of kite, you will need to choose the size. Larger kites are often used for lower winds of up to 15 mph. These kites are usually about 14 to 18m in size. Medium kites are best for 15 to 20 mph winds and range from 11 to 13m in size. The smaller vary from about 5 to 9m in size. They are best for 20 to 25 mph winds.
Beginners should always start with a large board and a kite that won’t pull too hard. It’s better to be underpowered when you start out than overpowered and end up getting hurt.
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Additional Resources
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