Homemade Kite Board

Making your own kiteboard lets you personalize your ride.

Kiteboarding is an extreme sport that mixes windsurfing, surfing and wakeboarding. A kiteboarder holds onto a large kite that pulls him across the ocean and into the air. Skilled players can perform stunts in the air. Building your own kiteboard can help you create the kiteboard you want and can also save you money. It requires a solid understanding of woodworking and wood tools, so make sure you have some carpentry knowledge before attempting this craft.

Things You'll Need

• 10-foot square of 3/4-inch plywood
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Jigsaw
• Wood varnish
• Paint brush
• Wind surfing foot straps
• Electric drill
• 1-inch screws, 8
• Wakeboarding heel straps
• 3/4-inch screws, 4
• 6 feet of kite lines
• 1-inch metal ring

Instructions

1. Measure the length of your chest and the width of your shoulders. Draw a rectangle on your plywood that meets these measurements. Make your lines as straight as possible with 90-degree angles at the corners. Cut your board out of the wood using your jigsaw.

2. Sand the edges of the board to remove any splinters. Sand the edges to a rounded shape. Start with coarser sandpaper and then use finer sandpaper to make it smoother.

3. Apply a coat of varnish to your kiteboard on every surface. Wait an hour for the varnish to dry and apply another coat. Apply three coats in this way. Wait 24 hours for the coats to dry before working on the board.

4. Stand on the board in a comfortable position to determine your stance width. Place your wind surfing foot straps at these positions, centering them on the spots. Keep your heel 1 to 2 inches from the edges of the board. Screw these into position with your 1-inch screws, using two for each strap.

5. Attach your heel straps directly behind your foot straps using four of your 1/2-inch screws. Secure them with two screws for each strap. Place your feet in the straps to make sure they are comfortable.

6. Screw two 3/4-inch screws at the front of your board directly in the center. Tie your kite line to these screws using a tight lark's head knot. Tie the end of the rope to your metal ring. Attach the metal ring to your kite line to use your kiteboard.

References

• I Kiteboarding: What is Kiteboarding?
• Kite Surfing School: Building Kiteboard May 7, 2007
• Kiteboarding Mag: How To Guides