MAGAZINE
November 2009
Have you tried this?
If you’re up for an adventure this Summer, why not check out a sport that is a bit more extreme than back yard cricket or even surfing. New Zealand is the perfect place to learn to paraglide or kite surf, here’s a few tips to get you started.
Paragliding
What can be better than flying? You’re your own pilot when you paraglide. The harness is also your seat, which a spring hook connects securely to the carrying belts of the paraglider. This allows you to glide noiselessly through the summer air. Up in the fresh air with the wind on your face and no glass or metal in your way – paragliding is truly the closest thing to flying like a bird.
It’s a good idea to wear warm, wind-proof clothing as well as firm shoes to protect your ankles, gloves and, of course, a helmet. Start on the side of a mountain or on a high dune or steep cliffs. To fly as a pilot, you’ll need to do a short course, but luckily there’s plenty of great spots in New Zealand to do it. Most places also offer tandem flights to get your feet off the ground and decide if it suits you before you sign up for the full course!
Kite surfing or kite boarding
Kite surfing – also called kite boarding – might intrigue water sports aficionados. In this extreme sport, you stand on a board that gets pulled over the water at high speeds by a kite. A kite surfboard is similar to a wakeboard or snowboard, but unlike a surfboard, it has very little lift and can be steered in both directions.
Boards and kites are available in various models, depending on skill level and preferences. There’s also plenty of different riding styles, you can try wake style, wave riding, freestyle, jumping, and cruising. There are quite a lot of hazards with kite surfing, luckily most of these can be avoided by building you awareness with a short course that teaches you skills like kite launching, flying, landing, usage of the bar, lines and safety devices. Not to mention how to read weather and wind conditions as well as the local environment (riffs, sandbanks, currents).
The typical protective gear consists of a helmet, an impact vest and a wetsuit. The best and most enjoyable way to learn this thrilling sport is through a kite surfing school. A quick search on the internet will find you one near you so you can get started, you’ll be hooked in no time!