TURKS AND CAICOS - Whether you're a pro or just tempted to see what all the hype is about, the perfect place for kiteboarding is the island of Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Stretching along Providenciales’ southeast coast, Long Bay’s two-and-a-half-mile secluded beach boasts constant trade winds and miles of shallow waters that provide ideal conditions for beginner kiteboarders. On the north shore, Grace Bay’s reefs present a challenge for even hardcore wakey dudes.

For those unfamiliar with the sport, kiteboarding involves a large curved kite powered by wind that pulls the rider, balancing on a small kiteboard, through the water. Sound easy? Well, if you’re a sailor and a surfer, you just may find yourself ripping (kiteboarding very well) on your first try. The rest of us, however, will join you after a few lessons from the friendly folks at KiteProvo (www.kiteprovo.com). Mike Haas and Terri Tapper are both PASA* and IKO** certified kiteboard instructors. Together they have ten years experience explaining lines and safety devices, kite launching, flying, landing, and bar usage.

Students first focus on wind theory using a trainer kite on the beach. Long Bay’s consistent cross-onshore winds provide optimum conditions for learning to manipulate wind power. Depending on the wind, kiteboarders change kite size like sailors change sail size. Stronger winds call for a smaller kite (just as they call for a smaller sail) to prevent the wind from overpowering.

Students then move to the water to get comfortable with the board with its two footpads and straps. The brilliant turquoise waters of Long Bay are shallow as far as the horizon, with no currents, no shore break, no sea urchins, and no crowds, so students can focus on boarding without distraction.

The only connection between the kite and the board is the kiteboarder who must control kite and board simultaneously. Students coordinate controlling the kite in the sky with steering the board on the water, until suddenly, they’re carving—making smooth, solid arcing turns! But there’s more to kiteboarding than the thrill of skimming across the surface of the water.

One of the biggest attractions of kiteboarding is controlled flying. The kiteboarder builds tension on the lines by accelerating along the edge of the board, Flying happens when the momentum of the kiteboarder pulls the kite. Then, just as he goes over a wave, the kiteboarder snaps the kite so that it‘s overhead. As the kite begins to lift, the board edge is released, and the rider becomes airborne.

Like hotdog skiers, kiteboarders enjoy doing maneuvers and tricks while jumping. Kiteboarders can make huge jumps over fifteen feet. Once airborne, they can perform twisting maneuvers, grab tricks (borrowed from skateboarding), spins, kiteloops, and they can remove the board from their feet. Advanced kiteboarders choose Grace Bay on Providenciales’ north shore where they can ride the swells to chop hop or kitesurf reef waves reaching from six to ten feet high.

You’re probably wondering how fast kiteboarders can go. According to Wikipedia, “Alexandre Caizergues (F-One) set a new world kiteboard speed record of 50.98 knots (94.4kph), just 0.38 knots shy of the current outright speed sailing record set by sailboat l’Hydroptère in October 2009.”¹

While visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands, marvel at our turquoise waters, our white-sand beaches, and our extensive reefs, but don’t miss this perfect opportunity to experience the thrill of kiteboarding. Kiteboarding doesn’t get any better than this.

*PASA - Professional Air Sports Association ** IKO International Kiteboarding Organization ¹http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%BCderitz_Speed_Challenge