November 9, 2010

Go Ride a Kite!



It was quite blustery here over the weekend.  When I drove over the Ringling Bridge, I noticed there were more kiteboarders and windsurfers in Sarasota Bay than I'd ever seen before.  So, of course, I stopped for a few photos.  It was amazing how fast they were cruising across the bay! These pics are of Jarrett Heiting who told me he's been kiteboarding for 5 years.  That sport must take a lot of coordination and upper body strength, but he made it look effortless.

9 comments:

B SQUARED said...

I wish it had been around when I was in my prime.

Halcyon said...

It can be very dangerous too. I have heard of inexperienced surfers being pulled out too far with the wind and not being able to get back. :(

But it does look like a lot of fun! Must be a very free feeling to ride the waves and the air!

Barb said...

Looks exciting - don't know if I'd have the courage to try it! Nice photos!

tinyskillet said...

My niece kite boards, and when she was visiting she was looking for a place to go. My husband used to jet ski out there every weekend!

Leslie D. said...

Amazing! Love watching them out here on the bay where I live too. Can't believe how fast and furious they go literally flying/hopping over waves.

James Mark said...

Wow! Great action photos. Another sport I'll never try!

Randy said...

Looks like fun but like James I will never try it. Nice shots!

T. Becque said...

Yeah...no, I don't think it's for me. I'd be afraid I'd pop right out of the water!

Unknown said...

It's really a great sport for all ages! A local named Dieter is a great kiter and is in his late 60's! Not a lot of upper body strength needed because of the harness around the waist. Also, we ride only with on-shore winds so if a malfunction occurs we can drift back to safety.