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KITESURFING: 7 MUST DO CHECKUPS BEFORE KITESURFING

 

Ready to hit the breeze, play around with the waves… well haven’t you forgotten something? Yes it’s high time to check your stuffs and gears to avoid any unnecessary, frustrating mishaps while you’re soaring along, 30ft from the terrain bed.

 

1. KITE – The holy grail of your kitesurfing rig. Make sure that there are no tears or unraveled stitches. Even a small tear can result in a catastrophe while maneuvering at 20 knots of wind. Repair the kite whenever necessary, and upgrade the lining tapes regularly before kitesurfing sessions.

 

2. BOARD – Ahh… remember the day you were about to pull off your insane tricks and suddenly your foot strap gets blown off, ruining your epic session. This happens to even some of the best in the business. So make sure that all the foot strap screws as well as the fin screws are properly jacked. Using a damaged board may lead to fatal accidents.

 

3. PUMP - Your kitesurfing pump must also be in working order and well greased before the start of the kitesurfing session. There is nothing shoddier than having to pump up your kite with a pump that seems to be filled with sand. Moreover check for leaks and cracks to avoid unnecessary dilemmas.

 

4. CONTROL BAR – This is one of the most neglected parts of your rig. Usually kitesurfers attend to problems related to the bar once the chicken loop is vulnerable to tear or when the bar is almost unusable. Regular checks and proper rinsing however help to extend its longevity.

 

5. LINES – This is one of the most vulnerable component of your setup. Make sure that there are no knots in your lines, as knots reduce the strength of a line drastically. If your lines show signs of wear and tear, it is best to go for a replacement.

 

6. HARNESS – You may wear a waist harness, seat or impact vest while kitesurfing. Like all gears, the harness also is subjected to rigorous torture, and hence must be checked thoroughly before going out for a kitesurfing session.

 

7. KITESURFER – Are you really ready to handle the conditions? Are you feeling low or is something eating you from inside? If thoughts like this come to you as you leave for an outing, its best to bypass the current session. Even with minor doubts or lack of confidence, it is advisable to skip the kite for a day or two.

 

So now that you are ready, its time to buckle up and fly with the birds!!!