learn to kitesurf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhFiUfaen-M

http://www.ksmaui.com/

http://www.hanglos.net/kitespot/158981/kitesurfspot-maui-kanaha-beach-park.html

Ive always wanted to do something like this, and i have friends that do it, but ive always been to scared to try, one day i will get up to it! Everyone i have talked to says its amazing, but i live in Texas, sooo its not that close to the water. How long did it take you guys to learn?
It looks so easy when other people do it, but im sure its not, and i bet the adrenaline rush is amazing, looks like fun!

I was on Dewey Beach in Delaware and there were kitesurfers/kiteboarders out and I was enthralled. It seemed fun and serene. I am very comfortable with sports in the water, but I am afraid of heights. For those who have done this before, can I just surf on the surface of the water, or are the tricks an integral part of kitesurfing?

Going to take an introduction lesson real soon. Kitesurfing has always amazed me… I want to learn this sport, it seems just too cool not to learn.

I’ve been driving over to Treasure Island a few days a week now (in spite of horrifying gas prices) to soak up some sun and surf. Often as I lay in my beach chair lazily reading a book, I find myself memorized by the kitesurfers on the horizon. I have decided that I absolutely must learn to do this.

And the entire time I was there, I kept thinking whether or not I should make an investment in kitesurfing equipment. I will eventually, but I’m trying to not make any unnecessary purchases costing a triple digit dollar amount (or more), for this month at least (it’s a part of another goal).

Soon, I’ll be doing this though. And from the sight of it, I’ll need to build up my arm muscles as well, especially when there’s a strong wind.

And get some REALLY good health insurance! Seriously.
When you get to the hospital just make up something similar, but normal, that happened to you. “Basically I fell off of a 15 foot ladder”, worked quite nicely and conveyed what happened in an approximate sense. Being slammed into the ground from 15 feet up like a toy doll tied in the middle of a jumprope was a little more accurate. No fractured hip, but the muscles in my hip were all damaged :’(

Have learned, must practice. I’m too far away from the water :’(

But one thing frightens me.

If the wind blows me away from shore, how in the world will I surf back to shore?

When I feel crazy enough, I’ll consider trying this.

I started learning this and did really well, better than the two guys on my course :-D. After a break of a couple of years, I started again last spring/summer, took some bad advice and got brutally picked up and dumped. I now have a fear of the kite which I feel is stopping me from progressing (or even wanting to fly the kite without another holding my harness!). I am determined to master it this year. I WANT TO FLY!!!