This new sport of Kiteboarding has caught the eye of many local sailors, snowboarders, skiers, and skateboarders. Kiteboarding offers the thrill of riding the wind, on land, water, snow and ice, and can include really huge air time off even the flattest terrain. Once in the air, if you want to spin, just look over your shoulder. The power of these silent wonders can easily feed anyone's adrenaline fix.

Kitesurfing...On the water
Some like it hot...
Boaters gawk as kiters boost 30-40ft off the water, spinning around and around. These kites can give the pull of a 200hp Evenrude... straight up, and can bring you back down like a feather.The only questions are: How much power do want and how high do you want to go?

And some, not so hot...
There is nothing quite like the feeling of riding into a sunset with just a small board attached to your feet, a kite some 100ft in the air and the entire lake to yourself. The only sound, your board slicing through the water. You feel weightless as you rest your body in the harness dangling from the kite's power. What was that problem at work again....?

There are no lift tickets or admission fees and all the equipment fits in the trunk of a car or on your back! Kitesurfing is the sport for Minnesota.

 

In the winter...Snowkiting
Kiteboarding in the winter is a sport in itself. Whether you choose a lake or an open field, kiteboarding or snowkiting on snow or ice is awesome. You can do power jibes, GS downwinders, boost huge air, or just rip back and forth. And there's no lift ticket!!! You can ride just about anything, short or long skis, skates, or snowboard. Wanna spin? Gee just look over your shoulder...the tough part is stopping the merry go round : )

 

 

On land
Kiting on land is usually done in a small low to the ground buggy, though there are land boards that are like large skateboards. In Europe there are numerous buggy races throughout the year.

Safety
Sharing the Lake

Overview of the Kitesurfing
Kite School
ZuluSports Articles

 

Lessons
Without proper instruction, kiting can be extremely dangerous to the kiter and innocent bystanders. It is highly recommended to take lessons or fly with experienced kiters.

Lakawa School of Kiteboarding
Whether your goal is to kitesurf, kiteski, or kitesnowboard, Lakawa can help you get into the sport in a confident, safe manner. Our certified instructors offer everything from kite purchase advice to full day instruction.

The best way to jump start your learning curve into kiteboarding on the water is to head to Hatteras or South Padre for a week or more. Both offer flat water, large open launches, steady winds and great instruction. Here are some links to check out:


Airpadrekiteboarding on South Padre Island Texas

Real Kiteboarding in Hatteras

Looking for Gear? Looking for a Gear and Instruction Package?
The process of finding the right gear, can be daunting. There is a lot of great gear out there, but not all of it makes sense for all levels of riding and in our locations. We just don't have the big beaches they have on the coasts. LAKAWA can help you determine what equipment is best for you and lead you to some great deals locally. Contact us for further info.

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Kiteboarding Companies:
Slingshot Kiteboarding
Best Kiteboarding
Cabrinha Kiteboarding
Ozone Kites
Liquid Force
North Kiteboarding
Peter Lynn Kites
Globerider Kites
Wipika Kiteboarding
Flexifoil Kites
Naish Kiteboarding
RRD Designs
Flysurfer Kites
Takoon Kiteboarding
Airush Kiteboarding
EH Kiteboarding
Ocean Rodeo Kiteboarding
Wind-X Kites

Accessories
Switchblade (Snowboard Ice Rider) by Todd Hanson
Harnesses: Dakine, Prolimit, Mystic
North Shore Inc.

Other Great resources
kitesurfingschool.org/
Kitecommunity.com
Snowkiting.com

Other Online Chat forums:
Kiteforum.com
Snowkiting.com
MNkiting.com
NWkite

Other Midwest sites:
NSkiteboarding, Watertown MN
MNkiting, Sandstone MN
Kite Riders, Madison WI
MNkiteboy

Professional Sports Photography
John Pederson Photography, Capturing the Instant

Ben Berndt Photography

 

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