Imagine the exhilaration of harnessing the wind in a 12 meter kite as you silently slice across the water on a board at rates of up to 20 mph. That’s the feeling of kiteboarding, a sport which has gradually been turning more and more people into avid fans.</p><p>“I could go on forever about why it’s addictive,” said Mike Walsh, owner of Otherside Boardsports (www.othersideboardsports.com) in Islamorada. “You’re completely free, and the only noise you hear is the ripple coming off the back of your board. When you jump, you hear a sound that’s amazing. It’s just you, the wind and a board.”</p><p>Although the sport has been around for over ten years, it has just recently begun to gain in popularity in the past three years. Paul Menta, the owner of Kitehouse (www.thekitehouse.com) in Key West estimates that ten years ago 10,000 people were involved in the sport worldwide, and now, it is up to over half a million.</p><p>“The last three to four years especially, I’ve seen it grow because extreme sports have become popular,” Menta said. “This is an extreme sport, but it’s as extreme as you make it. It’s obtainable to a whole range of people and age groups.”</p><p>Walsh noted that another reason that the sport was taking off was because there have been significant changes in the design of the equipment, which have added safety features. Alterations were also made that allow riders to get out on the water in more weather conditions.</p><p>The Keys, in particular, have gained attention as a kiteboarding destination because of the numerous beaches with warm shallow water, which make for excellent learning conditions. Menta said that he has people who travel to Key West from all over the world just to kiteboard with his company.</p><p>Walsh cautioned that people should not experiment with kiteboarding on their own. Instead, they should take a class with an instructor who has been certified by an organization such as the Professional Airsports Association (PASA). Private lessons run about $200-$300 for a three hour beginner course. </p><p>“There are lots of videos and magazines out there, but they all say that they don’t substitute for a lesson,” Walsh said. “I don’t say this as an instructor. I say this because I tried to learn the other way. There were no teachers when I learned. I got lucky, but I have scars from my first day. I’ve seen some people come out of it not so lucky.”</p><p>AJ Iler, an instructor for Kitetricity (www.kitetricity.com) who lives in Big Pine, said that the rate of learning depends on the individual. </p><p>“I’ve had people up on the board and riding in three hours, and the longest I’ve had is eight hours,” he said.</p><p>He said that one of the first things that an instructor will do when teaching a lesson is go over the gear and explain how it all works. </p><p>One of the main components of kiteboarding is, of course, the kite, which is typically made from ripstop nylon. They are made with inflatable struts, or ribs, which shape the kite and allow it to float when it falls into the water. They also help the kite catch the wind to get back in the air.</p><p>The size of the kite can range from 5 square meters to 20 square meters and is based on a person’s weight, level of experience and wind speed. Smaller kites are used by light riders, or in strong wind conditions; larger kites are used by heavier riders or in light wind conditions. Inexperienced riders do better with a smaller kite and bigger board, so they deal with less power.</p><p>The kite has four lines, two of which are connected to the control bar. This bar slides up and down and twists left and right. These movements control the direction of the kite. The kite powers down into a neutral position when the bar is released.</p><p>The other two lines and the control bar are attached to a seat or chest harness, which takes most of the wind pressure off of the arms and distributes it along the body.</p><p>The boards are usually made from wood or foam core and come in different styles to suit the rider’s skill level, style and weather conditions. Some are designed to ride in one direction, while others can travel both forward and backward. They generally come with foot straps that allow the rider to slide their feet in and out easily. Wakeboard style boards are also available that have bindings for the feet. </p><p>Once the instructor has reviewed the equipment, he should show you how to set up the kite and make sure that the lines are attached correctly.</p><p>Then, he will teach you how to fly the kite either on land or in very shallow water. It’s a bit of a shock to feel how strong the pull of the wind is the first time the instructor lets you go with the kite.</p><p>Menta said that they like to take new students out to sandbars away from Key West to learn.</p><p>“People become relaxed,” he said. “It’s a lot easier to teach somebody when they are very comfortable without any obstacles around and no people watching on the beach.”</p><p>Iler prefers Coco Plum Beach in Marathon, and Walsh generally uses Anne’s Beach in Islamorada for instruction.</p><p>The next step is called bodydragging, where you maneuver the kite to pull you through the water on your stomach or your side through the water. This step can be a humbling experience as the term that often goes with bodydragging is the faceplant.</p><p>After you feel comfortable with your ability to control the kite, you will lie in the water and put your feet through the straps on the board. Guiding the kite towards the water in the direction you want to travel in, you catch the wind in what is called the power zone. </p><p>With the board pointed crosswind, ideally, you pull yourself up onto the board and use your feet to steer and ride the edge of the board. This move can take a lot of practice.</p><p>Walsh said that this is the point when people start to think too much and forget all of their training.</p><p>“The biggest opponent to kiteboarding is thinking,” he said. “If you can turn off your thinking, you can pick up kiteboarding.”</p><p>Once you’ve decided that you are hooked on the sport and ready buy your own equipment, you can get the basic setup for around $1600-$2000 new or $1200 used. Most places that offer classes also have the gear for sale, and several new boardsports stores have popped up in the Keys including Seven Sports and Otherside Boardsports in Islamorada and Above and Below Extreme Ocean Sports in Marathon.