10 fausses idées sur le kitesurf

Let's debunk 10 misconceptions and preconceived notions that often make kitesurfing seem like a difficult, extreme activity reserved for an elite few.

If you look closely, you'll realize that the kiter population is made up of all age groups and all body types. If you talk to them, most are not former windsurfers, surfers, or sailors. Instead, they are men and women from 7 to 77 years old who dared to take the plunge and learn Kite at a kitesurf school that taught them how to safely handle a Kite until they became independent.

 Here are 10 common excuses for not getting into kiteboarding:

1) "I don't have the physique or muscle strength for this sport."

This argument is often used but completely false. What most people don't know is that the kite's power is directed to the harness, meaning it requires no force on the bar, and therefore no arm strength. The harness supports you.
Compared to windsurfing or surfing, a kite session is much less strenuous. In kitesurfing, a session can last several hours.

2) "I'm too old for watersports!"

Since I started kitesurfing, I've met riders of all ages. And everywhere I travel, I encounter kitesurfers from 7 to 77 years old, as Michel Sardou so aptly put it.

In kiteboarding, you ride as you are, and you choose your kite, board, kitesurf spot, and weather conditions based on your riding style.

 You're never too old; here's the proof in pictures. Watch this video about a 78-year-old kitesurfer:

3) "I don't have the stamina; a three-hour session is too physically demanding for me."

Initially, kitesurfing is mainly based on coordination, not your physical fitness. After the first session, you'll be exhausted. But your body quickly adapts to new challenges, and after a few sessions, you'll have all the muscles required for the task and progress rapidly.

4) "Too many difficulties and elements to manage, how can I control everything at once?"

Difficulty is often what you imagine the first time you see a kitesurfer.
In kitesurfing, you have to pilot the kite and also glide on the water with the board. Surfing seems simpler to approach, but learning to surf is actually very unrewarding and much more physical. A good instructor will teach you kitesurfing step by step. Thus, each lesson is a victory, and you will perfect your skills until you achieve your first glides without difficulty.

5) "Three to five sessions of 3 to 4 hours just to learn? That seems quite long. If I learn to surf, I'll be gliding on the water in my first session." 

Most kitesurfing courses last 3 to 5 days, which might seem quite long at first. Some are irritated by the theory, then shallow water piloting, and not getting in the water with the kiteboard from the first session.
But learning to control the kite (a large kite) is the basis of everything that comes after. Kiting is 70% kite piloting and 30% board management.

Kitesurfing lessons are very clearly structured, and each step brings us closer to "planning." Compared to windsurf, Surf, and stand-up paddle, the learning curve is very fast. Becoming independent in kite takes about a dozen hours, not a dozen sessions.

6) "I'm too thin / heavy for kitesurfing..."

Kitesurfing is a matter of simple physics. If you are very light, you will use a small kite. If you are heavier, you will use a larger kite. When taking lessons, the instructor advises you on the kite size, between 5m and 15m, to use during the session. Later, you will need to choose your first kite based on your build and the average wind in the region.

7) "Kitesurfing? That's far too extreme a watersport for me"

In magazines and videos, you'll always see professional kitesurfers doing crazy "tricks" or riding 6m waves.

But kitesurfing is so much more than dizzying jumps. I know many people, myself included, who love to ride, feeling the wind on their face, gliding on the ocean, becoming one with the elements while enjoying a privileged kite spot.

Furthermore, once you master your kite, you can ride a twintip, a Surf, a foil, but also a snowboard, skis, a skate, a mountainboard, or other...

In terms of accident risk, kitesurfing is a low-risk activity. If we calculate the risk as a percentage of dying per 1000 hours of practice for certain sports or non-sports activities, kitesurfing is not on the list, but skydiving and paragliding are.

8) "It's far too dangerous for me!"

In the early days of kiteboarding, about fifteen years ago, that argument was valid. The activity was new, and safety systems were improving every year. Yes, we were completely reckless back then, trying it out on our own.

Today, kites are safe, with several effective release systems. Your instructor will teach you how to use them and in which situations. They will also explain how to choose your spot and read the weather. For added safety after your lessons, opt for supervised sessions with your instructor to validate your progression to independent riding and full range.

9) "Kiteboarding gear and lessons are too expensive."

Indeed, getting equipped for kitesurfing is a bit more expensive than for surfing. However, you can always find good deals on kitesurfing lessons, during the week or outside school holidays, with kite instructors who are more available than during peak season.

Once you are confident in your ability to kite independently and with full range, I recommend buying new packs orsecond-hand equipment no older than 4 years, and getting to know your gear in supervised sessions.

Additionally, take advantage of trying different kites during test days organized by shops, or contact our ambassadors, to find out which kite best suits your size and use.

10) "It must hurt to fall from several meters high or to get rolled in the waves." 

The good thing about kiteboarding is that you fall into the water. Moreover, before doing jumps several meters above the water, and thus potentially big falls, you will have already gained experience and technique by freeriding.
It's freestyle riders, or "freestylers," who try new tricks that result in impressive falls.
For waves, initially, you will only go on flat water. As you progress, riders will go for bigger waves...

MORE INFO ON THE KITESURF SCHOOL

► Our favorite gear for kitesurfing:

Personally, I'm a fan of strapless surfing, so I recommend a Whip or a Fish as a board with a wave kite, Duotone Neo or Dice, Eleveight WS.

Greg, who rides twintip, would recommend a Duotone Jaime Textreme or an Eleveight Master , paired with a Duotone Evo or Eleveight RS, for sending loops.

For kite foil, the Duotone Pace and Spirit Carve foil combo remains our most obvious choice.

For Wing foil, we appreciate Julien Kerneur's Supreme Carbon board, with a Moses 72C40-790foil. For the wing, the Ozone Wasp is the most relevant for long surfs and the Duotone Echo for freeride and freestyle.