Joanna James
Feel the wind blowing in your hair, make swift bounces off the water and glide your way through with the help of a kite. Kitesurfing is fun and safe; however, to get the most out, one must master the art.
Armed with the board and the kite, step into shallow waters which are free of rocks and reefs. Allow your forehand to control the kite while the board is dropped on to the waters and controlled with one foot. While maintaining your balance, gradually prop yourself on to the board completely, shove your feet into the foot loops and mind the kite in the direction of the wind. Once you have steadied yourself and bent your knees just a tad, the kite can lead you towards the sea for you to commence the rest of the antics.
A gybe or jibe as the Americans prefer to spell it is a fancy word for a change of direction or a turn. The Chicken version of this gybe is fairly common and after a while, it becomes second nature to the surfer. It is particularly useful in instances where you have limited time and space to make the turn. The gybe starts with the surfer reducing speed by weighing more towards the tail of the board and slowly adjusting the kite's position. Once the speed has dropped enough for the turn to be done, manoeuvre the board by adjusting your stance and drag the kite with you. Beginners are advised to try this on waters that are not too volatile in order to figure out the basics, which is one reason water sports in Maldives islands are so popular.
What looks like a jump in the water to an unknowing bystander is named a loop in the world of kitesurfing. For a great back loop, speed is essential, hence one must attempt this trick only if sufficient speed has been gained. If not, the first thing would be to move the kite and gain momentum. Then move your kite to be at 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock from your body, drag the bar as close to you as possible, kick in to mid-air with your board, move your shoulders in the direction of the loop, bend your knees and pull the bar further down to increase the tension and enjoy the short leap. The board should be cleared off the water for well over a second before crashing back into the water for the rest of your course.
If you started to think of a sandwich while reading this caption, you are probably not alone. However, this has everything to do with a back loop transition and little or nothing to do with food. As its name implies, the beach bounce brings the surfer back to the coastline for a turn. It is a technique that experts prefer than amateurs as losing balance could mean that one falls hard on the board and the sand. Even if the sand is as soft and pristine as those in Naladhu Private Island Maldives, it is best that a chance is not taken. In terms of technicalities, the beach bounce is a loop where the surfer braces himself/herself against the edge of the coast before spinning around and returning to the sea.
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