How Does Kitesurfing Work?

Kitesurfing uses wind power to pull a rider through the water on a small surfboard or a kiteboard (similar to a wakeboard.) A kitesurfer or kiteboarder rides the board (with or without foot-straps) combined with the power of a large controllable kite to propel the rider and the board across the water. The sport is becoming increasingly more safe due to innovations in kite design, safety release systems, and instruction methods. International Kiteboarding Organization – IKO, has emerged as the major kite association which is committed to provide specific training to professional instructors. Its goal is to give the future students of IKO-certified instructors most efficient and safe kiteboarding lessons possible. IKO is for kiteboarding what PADI is for diving.