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KITE SURFING

KITE SURFING | This extreme sport is best experienced in Redcar and Hawaii

Kite surfing is one of the fastest growing sports in Britain. Redcar on the Teesside coast is the hottest place to do it outside of Hawaii. Find out why.

Think of kite surfing and you imagine golden beaches and turquoise seas in Hawaii with tanned surfers crashing against the foamy waves.

Time to think again - Redcar in the North East is fast becoming the new kite surfing capital to rival Hawaii.

The seas may be grey and the weather might be freezing cold, but Redcar is one of the finest places to kite surf on the planet!

Surfing on the Redcar Riviera

Kite surfing is a combination of power kite flying, windsurfing, paragliding and wakeboarding. The sport needs a good grounding in the use of power kite flying skills.

On the crest of a wave

Although the sport started in France and was popularised in Hawaii, Teesside is developing as one of the top locations in the world for this extreme sport.

Redcar has everything for the kite surfer, whether novice or experienced boarder.

Its combination of good open beaches, excellent windy weather and minimal boat traffic makes it an ideal location.

Beginners guide

So how does a prospective kite surfer get started? You'll need a wet suit, a board and a harness. The board itself looks like a mixture between a surf board and a kite.

The basic kit will set you back around 拢750 with second hand versions being less expensive at about 拢450.

Happy landings

You'll need good upper body strength, strong swimming skills, and lessons from a qualified instructor to get started.

With the help of an instructor, try small jumps at first to perfect your timing. Experienced surfers elongate their bodies just before take off.

Your should be looking at the water in front of you for a take off spot, whilst glancing at the kite out of the corner of your eye. When landing, the board should be pointing downwind.

Only when you've mastered this, should you attempt jumping in high winds or other complex moves.

Serious surfing

Serious surfers check out the weather daily - winds over 10 miles per hour are a must for a successful kite surfing excursion. They avoid thunderstorms, fog and poor visibility.

Safe sailing

Surfers practice their moves for hours, and more complex tricks include inverted spins, mule kicks, and tail grabs.

World champion kite surfers like Mark Shinn have strength, good balance, athleticism, and motivation. The best surfers work the waves, do large impressive jumps mixed with low level tricky transitions, and land everything without a glitch!

Safety first

Kite surfing is an extreme sport and can be dangerous for both surfers and others such as land yachters who may clash with other beach users.

Experienced surfers claim that they are very aware of the dangers, and that the sport focuses the mind and reminds you of your mortality.

Beginners are advised to get proper training from a certified instructor.

You should also carefully check your kit, follow instructions, and wear a helmet for extra protection.

Never surf in congested waters, know the rules of the sea, and select a safe launching area.

The UK is still relatively free of legislation banning the sport, but some areas have banned the sport after serious accidents.

Surfing UK

If you're one of the growing numbers getting hooked on the sport, you're living in the right place.

You can enjoy the peaceful beaches and waves of Redcar whilst Teesside's alternative to Hawaii is still relatively undiscovered.

It may not have Maui's grass skirted girls or scorching sunshine, but it does have peace, quiet and windy weather!

Kite surfing isn't all plain sailing, but it's great and challenging fun.

For further information on kite surfing courses -
Surf Store in Bishopton - 01740 631199