Waiheke Board Riders
Enjoyable Water Board Sports
There are many sports to be discovered for those who really enjoy being in the water, whether for fun or competitively. Readers will find much to learn in this blog, with in-depth articles covering all the water board sports. These include surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, water skiing, kiteboarding and bodysurfing. Useful guides will discuss the necessary equipment, the best areas to learn, and where to find instructors if required. What to wear will also be a primary concern, as the water can often be colder than expected. All aspects of safety are covered with advice on what to do in an emergency.
Beginners guide to kitesurfing
6 Sep 2021
Kitesurfing is the globe's fastest-growing extreme sport for a reason. It is electrifying, loads of fun, and to top it off, easy to learn.
With that being said, kitesurfing can be a little slow at first. However, most people progress from the "rookie" stage to the "fun" stage in quite a short period of time. In this article, we'll take you through the basics such as: what's needed to start, price estimation, fitness requirements, learning times, and recommendations for bad weather days.
Costs and equipment
The equipment needed to start your kitesurfing journey can be pretty pricey. The essential kit required generally includes lines, harnesses, boards, bars, and suitable swimwear. First-hand, these will set you back around 4,000 NZD, which is a considerable amount. There is good news, though; if you go the second-hand route, this amount can be approximately halved, coming in at a reasonable 2,000 NZD.
These prices may seem daunting at first, but the upsides of starting your kitesurfing journey far outweigh the initial price speedbump. The amount of fun, family time, and social benefits kitesurfing reward will have you wondering why you didn't start sooner.
Fitness and learning times
It's often thought that a seemingly unattainable level of fitness and strength is required to kitesurf; this could not be further from the truth. It’s true that a reasonable amount of fitness and strength is needed to begin your kitesurfing journey, but you will be surprised by how little is actually required.
This can be seen by the sheer number of young kids, sometimes not even in their teens, having much fun and success in kitesurfing.
There is a misconception that you need massive arms to properly kitesurf, this is once again false. Your harness takes in and distributes a lot of the force when kitesurfing, and you will be pleasantly surprised to realize that your core takes the brunt of the work.
How long does it take to get up and running? You'll be glad to hear, not long at all, as kitesurfing is much easier than it looks. With a couple of hours of lessons under (three to five usually), you should be good to go. Practice is key with kitesurfing, so the more the better.
Bad weather day?
What about if you want to kitesurf but the weather is less than desirable? We can highly recommend a favourite past-time of countless kitesurfers, and that is to play online slots.
Conclusion
Kitesurfing is an activity that everyone can do and reap the rewards. The initial investment can be steep, but going the second-hand route can greatly reduce costs. It's thankfully much easier than it seems and once again, is something for all ages.
Water Skiing Safely
11 Jun 2021
Water skiing can be rough when you're already on the water. You'll find that it's challenging to balance yourself on a ski. To safely water ski, learn lessons from experienced water skiers. Their safety tips include keeping your knees bent and arms straight as you're holding on to the rope.
Kitesurfing and Its Commandments
6 May 2021
Kitesurfing is terrific fun. However, it can also be risky. So before you engage in the sport, mind its commandments and never forget about your safety. Always wear a life jacket and helmet. Plus, choose the right wetsuit so you can move better and faster.
Choosing Stand-Up Paddleboards
31 Mar 2021
Stand-up paddleboarding is on its way to becoming everyone's favorite sport. To choose the best paddleboard, base your decision on your skill level and the body of water where you'll go. If you're a beginner who wants to explore rivers, oceans, and flat-water lakes, go with a beginner-level board, an all-round board.