Joanna James
What better way to celebrate being in a tropical paradise than to fly away into the sunset; kite surfing gives just that experience with very little prerequisites.
Unlike with many other water sports, the amount of equipment that is required for kitesurfing is minimal. Unlike with more intense activities like diving, there is no need to carry 101 devices to make sure that your safety is assured. When it comes to kitesurfing all that is required are a regular surfboard, a kite to serve as the sail, and plenty of core muscles from the surfer. Being a blend of wakeboarding and windsurfing, there is no major science to be learnt here. The kite will be the sail that propels the forward movement, much like in parasailing, but the surfer's feet are to be firmly planted on the surfboard, balancing the body.
As you make your way through the likes of Naladhu Maldives private islands or even the busier parts of the main islands like Hulhumale, you are likely to see kitesurfers dotting the horizon. Although this was not the case about a decade ago, the actual activity of kitesurfing has been around since the 1400s. The original idea for the sport is said to come from the Chinese who utilized kites as a means of expediting the process of getting their canoes over rivers.
Unlike with most sports which are streamlined for one efficient way of being carried out, kitesurfing allows room for flexibility and individuality. There are many styles and methods of kitesurfing. This makes kitesurfing one of the more versatile water sports in Maldives islands and a very popular one at that. These different styles include freestyle, where kiteboarding is dependent upon capturing the most efficient torrent of wind; and wave-riding, which is more similar to surfing.
When it comes to weather and external factors, kitesurfing is not a fussy activity. All it requires is a large body of water and a strong, steady wind of about 11 mph. Both these conditions are easily met in the Maldives. Sea is not hard to miss in the archipelago, in fact, finding a stretch of land where the sea is not visible from would be a more difficult task. Winds are always buffeting those at sea in the Maldives, from one monsoonal wind to another. Conditions are perfect for kitesurfing in the Maldives.
Kites, one of the two most important elements of the activity, come in all shapes and sizes. There are foil kites, then there are flat kites. Some kites are a mere 7 sq ft while some others go up to over 200 sq ft. Some kites come inflated, while some require wind to start their process. Keep in mind, though, that with larger kites come larger amount of power; as a beginner, it's best to start small and work the way up to bigger kites once more control is learnt.
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