Kite Surf Training
Like the name suggests, kite surfing combines the sports of surfing and kiting and is a draw for thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies, according to kitesurfingnow.com. Advanced kite surfers have been able to reach heights of 20 feet, according to the website. Those interested in kite surfing can either take lessons offered by a kite surfing school or can train by themselves with videos or online programs. Either way, training for kite surfing is a combination of gaining physical and mental skills.
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Kite Control
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The majority of skills needed for kite sports are in kite control, and therefore, the very first place to start training for kite surfing is learning how to maneuver and control the kite, according to catchsomeair.us, a kite boarding shop located in Charleston, South Carolina. Beginners should start with a training kite, which is a smaller version of the kite used in water, and should train on land with exercises led by a certified instructor, according to the website. Many kite surfers spend roughly 15 to 25 hours training on land with the kite before they acquire the skills to hit the water, according to catchsomeair.com.
Core Strength
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Successful kite surfing depends on the strength of a surfer's core muscle strength, according to catchsomeair.us. Core strength refers to the abdominals, back, hip and pelvis muscles. Core strength helps improve balance, which is critical for balancing on the board and turning the board, according to catchsomeair.us. Exercises to improve core strength for kite surfing include lunges, dead rows, squats and planks. Details on these exercises as well as more information on improving core strength for kite surfing is available at catchsomeair.us.
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Endurance
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Kite surfing can be a grueling sport, and many head back to shore after an hour because they are simply too exhausted to ride any longer, according to thekitelife.com. Those interested in extending their ride time should start or continue an endurance program outside of kite surfing such as swimming, cycling, running or aerobics, according to the website. Kite surfers can also build endurance by pushing through the strain and pain and extending each session by 15 minutes, according to thekitelife.com. Increasing physical fitness also benefits kite surfers by reducing their risk of injury, according to the website.
Weight Loss
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The simple fact is that lighter kite surfers have the advantage in picking up wind and being agile in the water, according to thekitelife.com. Larger kite surfers often need bigger kites and more expensive lightweight boards, according to the website. Losing some pounds will save the kite surfer money since he will not need special equipment and will result in a better and longer ride, according to thekitelife.com.
Safety
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Kite surfing is an exhilarating but dangerous sport, which makes safety training critical. Kite surfers should learn to check weather reports and understand how weather will impact the ride, according to kitesurfingnow.com. Kite surfers should check and know how to use the safety features of their equipment, especially the safety release system which allows a rider to quickly dismantle the kite, since non-operational safety functions are a leading cause of kite surfing accidents, according to kitesurfingnow.com. Kite surfers should also wear a life vest, wear head and eye protection and should not ride alone.
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- Photo Credit kite surfing 4 image by Harvey Hudson from Fotolia.com
