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History of kitesurfing

The modern sport of kitesurfing originated around 1995.

In the 1800s, George Pocock used kites of increased size to propel carts on land and ships on the water, using a four-line control system - the same system in common use today. Both carts and boats were able to turn and sail upwind. The kites could be flown for sustained periods. The intention was to establish kitepower as an alternative to horsepower, partly to avoid the hated "horse tax" that was levied at that time.

Toeside riding

Toeside riding can be tricky to learn at first, but once mastered is fun. It is particularly useful for directional boards when you want turn rapidly and keep going, and for slalom turns and surfing waves. It is also the basis for many tricks and advanced techniques on twin tip boards.

Steps - twin tip

Self rescue

Sometimes things get out of hand. This situation can occur for example when:

* The wind picks up beyond your capacity to handle it with your kite, or
* Equipment failure - a broken pulley, line or kite.

The following self rescue technique is the best way to keep yourself off the front page of the news. If you kite long enough, you will need to know this!

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