Eesti Lohesurfiklubi / Kitesurf Estonia

Mitte Not too long ago we put together a portable slider at our local kitesurfing spot and hey did it cause a buzz. For some reason, be it a childhood fantasy or an adult madness, there seems to be this deep hidden craziness in many of us to want to slide up, down or on things and the evidence is in seeing it like we did. Once you have understood the idea and found your feet, you will catch yourself dreaming about it then contemplating your next move and attack. It is addictive and it’s exciting.

So you want to line up and hit a rail? It can be super daunting at first, but as soon as you’re locked into a rail you’ll love it! Before you can hit a rail, you’ve got to check on a few things.

First, set the rail in the water pointing somewhere around 45° off the wind. Make sure your gear is working right and check that your kite flies nicely unhooked without being overpowered or wanting to stall.

Take the fins off your board so they don’t catch and it’s going to feel a whole lot better if you’re laced into some bindings for control, commitment, and support.

Most of you reading this article either have already purchased kitesurfing gear or will be going through the process sooner than later. Let’s be honest – this isn’t the easiest decision you ever made.

Choosing your kitesurfing gear is as much of an emotional choice as a factual one. With dozens of kite and board manufacturers offering an overwhelming amount of models, features, and innovations, your decision is even more complicated than you might have originally thought.

How much wind do I need to go kiteboarding?

Generally speaking, the average kiteboarder needs about 12mph of wind to get up and ride. Lighter riders can stay upwind and ride in less wind, while heavier riders (over 200lbs) may need 15mph. Modern race boards and race kites can get a skilled rider ripping in under 10mph, but this is the exception, not the rule.

When is it too windy to head out kiteboarding?