Kiteboarding Thailand - Kitesurf Schools - News related Articles - The Nation
Catch a breeze
Kite surfers are sittin'on top of the world – especially in Pattaya and Hua Hin, where the windy water sport has become all the rage.
Agentle wind cuts through the dead heat of a Thai summer's day on Hua Hin beach. Standing near the shore, the visitor gazes on a horizon line speckled with kites: red, blue and green arcs over the water, catching the wind with people harnessed to them.
People?
Not your average kite flyers – these people are hitching the ride of their lives on the wind as they take part in the world's fastest growing sport: Kite surfing.
A hybrid of wakeboarding, wind surfing, and even skateboarding (stylistically speaking), kite surfing offers the perfect escape at beaches in the resort towns of Hua Hin and Pattaya, which instructors claim have the best conditions for the sport in all of Thailand.
The demand for kite surfing among foreigners has begun to spark Thai interest in the sport. As a result, training schools are doing brisk business providing novices with lessons and their first ‘kite flight' over the water.
“It's becoming a trend in Thailand because it's more fun than wakeboarding, or the other water sports I've tried,” says Warasiri Yan-thong, 35, a student of kite boarding instructor Phatis Waiwong in Pattaya.
“Anything can happen because you have the wind, board, cables and balance all working together and this is why it's the most exciting sport!”
The sport itself starts with a “launch”, which involves raising the kite that will haul you around the water. At times, this can be a two-man job. The average kite is huge, at 16 to 17 square metres in size. Being adept at kite-flying is a skill that doesn't hurt when kite surfing. Kite control is 80 per cent of the sport, according to the website for Kite Boarding Asia, a school in Hua Hin. Luckily, it's not hard to find another kite surfer to help you with your launch. However, once your kite is up, kite surfing is a one-man show.
Previous experience as a surfer or skateboarder is also a great asset in learning the sport. Kite boarders stand upright in a style similar to surfing, and the more experienced go on to complete gybes, jumps and tricks that reference both surfing and skateboarding in style. The cost for your own equipment ranges from Bt20,000 to Bt40,000, including the board.
The thrill of kite surfing has caught the attention of such young Thai celebrities as Monton “Jay” Jira, Joni Anwar and VJ Paulene.
“Kite surfing is the big sport for me right now. The freedom out there in the water makes it so exciting,” says “Jay” Jira.
Jay often goes out with his brother and his friends. “I think as more facilities arise for Thais and the cost goes down it will grow even more in popularity at places like Pattaya, where many Europeans are doing it now.”
Currently a beginners course, including equipment rental, costs about Bt10,000.
Kite surfing instructor Phatis Waiwong, 32, also sees the sport growing among Thais. “More Thais are participating, and as time goes by more and more will get turned on to this sport, which is the best in the world,” says Phatis.
The accolades, however, come with a warning for eager beginners. Phatis and other instructors say that jumping in without a training course is foolhardy.
“Kite-boarding can be quite dangerous,” says Phatis. “While the learning curve is quick, beginners should have supervised instruction learning to deal with the tide and being in deep water before setting out on their own.”
Once over the initial hurdles, people keep surfing for the exhilarating experience it offers.
“It's the most dynamic sport of all,” says Edward, 45, from England. “The way you can suddenly just get picked up by the wind, and whisked away.”
“Pure excitement,” echoes Pan, a student in Pattaya.
The sport has a lot more male participants than female. While the reason is unclear, Pan says it's similar to the early days of surfing as a sport.
“I don't think it is something women can't do, if they're fit,” she says. “Women shouldn't be intimidated to just try it – once you get the hang of it, there is nothing more fun!”
Where to Kite Surf
Hua Hin: Kite Boarding Asia, 143/8 Soi Na Ranong, Hua Hin, Thailand. A beginner's course with all equipment costs Bt10,000 For details, call (06) 801 0239 or visit kiteboardingasia.com.
Pattaya: Phatis Waiwong is the instructor. Those interested in learning to kite surf must must be able to swim and should be in good fitness and health. A beginner's course, including equipment, costs Bt10,000. For details, call (01) 340 2180
Also in Pattaya, there's the Blue Lagoon Watersport Club.
Connelly Lamar
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