1. Kiteboarding is dangerous-Not true if you take lessons and learn all the techniques to keep you safe. Kiteboarding is only dangerous if you go out in unsafe conditions or try to learn on your own. The gear is actually quite safe now and uses redundant systems so if you need to detach from your kitesurfing kite, you have multiple methods to do so.
2. Kiteboarding takes a lot of muscle-Most people don’t realize that the sport doesn’t require hardly any arm strength. A kiteboarding harness is worn around the waist or hips so the force and pull of the kite is targeting those areas instead of your arms and shoulders.
3. Kiteboarding is expensive-Actually, since the sport has been around for little bit now, there’s lots of used gear available on the market so you can save a lot of money. However, take caution that you shouldn’t purchase gear that is more than two or three years old since major safety improvements have been made in recent gears. You can also save money by purchasing a package with a kite and board together.
4. Kiteboarding is hard to learn-Believe it or not, the gear has improved so much over the last few years that the sport is easier to lean than ever before. Often times, people will be up and riding proficiently within their first few times out on the water. Some people even pop up on the board during their first lesson, especially if they have trainer kite experience.
5. You have to start with a kiteboarding trainer kite-Trainer kites are a great place to start and will allow you to learn the fundamentals of the kite flying skills necessary to kite board. They help to build muscle memory that will really benefit you when you take your first lesson. While trainer kites are extremely helpful and will likely save you money in the long run, it’s not required to have trainer kite experience.
Stay tuned for 5 more kiteboarding myths tomorrow!
When are you going to be up at Jetty Island in Everett again? Would love to come out and take pics! Cya!