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Kailua resident Erik Horn prepares to enter the water to go kiteboarding at Kailua Beach Park, July 14, 2014. Kiteboarding is a recreational water sport with various styles and terrain. Many people come ot Kailua Beach Park to kiteboard. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Kristen Wong)

Photo by Kristen Wong

'Just go where the wind blows': Make kiteboarding a summer pastime

18 Jul 2014 | Kristen Wong Marine Corps Base Hawaii

KAILUA, Hawaii — On some afternoons, people driving by Kailua Beach Park may notice several colored crescent kites riding the tradewinds.

Look carefully below, and you’ll see the kites carrying a surfer, kicking up the cool ocean water on a colorful board. This activity is known as kiteboarding.

“(Kiteboarding) combines all the elements of surfing, sailing (and) being in the water,” said Kailua resident David Mitchell. “It’s a fantastic way to spend the day.”

Kiteboarding is not permitted aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii, per the base orders. However, a popular launching site for local kiteboarders is just a five-minute drive from the base. Visitors and residents frequent an area of Kailua Beach Park, just behind Kalapawai Market.

“(Kailua Beach is) one of the best spots on earth to learn,” Mitchell said. “It’s a great, large, sand-bottom beach (and) we always have consistent tradewinds.”

It’s Monday afternoon, and Mitchell, a Radford High School teacher, has just helped Kailua resident Tiffany Nunan with her kite as she returned to the shore. The two don’t know each other, but it’s not uncommon for kiteboarders to support each other.

Kiteboarder Cornel Amler notes that it is part of the kiteboarding culture in Kailua. That same day, he also helped a fellow kiteboarder, Kailua resident Erik Horn with his kite, whom he did not know personally.

“(Kailua’s kiteboarders are) a good community,” Amler said. “You meet nice people.”

Nunan, who grew up on the island of Maui, said Kailua has better winds.

“It’s easier to kite in lighter wind,” Nunan said. “You can still play on the water with a kite.”

The hobby is said to have originated in 12th century China, with the invention of the kite. Today, people partake in this activity over various types of terrain such as snow or water. Kiteboarding over water is known as kitesurfing, though some use the two terms interchangeably.

Kiteboarding took off in Hawaii with water sport legends such as Laird Hamilton, who divides his time between Malibu, Calif., and the Hawaiian island of Kauai; and Robby Naish, a champion kiteboarder who grew up in Kailua, Hawaii.

According to his official Facebook page, Naish, a 24-time world windsurfing champion, also earned kiteboarding world titles in the 1990s.

In order to go kiteboarding, Mitchell suggests four things: lessons, gear, wind and patience.

“(The gear is) an investment,” Mitchell said. “(But) once you learn it, you’re set for life.”

According to “The Complete Guide to Kiteboarding” by Joe Jershon, kiteboarding gear includes a board, harness, helmet, rashguard or wetsuit, a bar/line that connects kite with rider, among other accessories.

There are different styles of kites, boards and harnesses people can choose from. Jershon said kites come in different styles, and vary in length. Some kites are as long as 20 meters.

Kiteboarding styles vary as well, such as wake-style kiteboarding, which involves tricks, and huge air-style kiteboarding, which incorporates jumps into the air.

“It feels good when you learn how to jump and you don’t go face down in the water,” Amler said with a smile.

Amler, a native of San Francisco, has been kiteboarding for five years, and comes to Hawaii in the summer to vacation.

Kiteboarding can be dangerous and injure inexperienced riders. Lessons from a professional who is certified by the Professional Air Sports Association can help promote safety.

When kiteboarding for the first time in an unfamiliar location, Amler recommends watching others launch their kites first. He also encourages riders to be aware of the direction their board is pointed when they are out on the water.

“Be aware of others in the water (and) be respectful,” Amler said.

Both Mitchell and Nunan also commented on the view of marine life kiteboarders can also enjoy while riding the waves.

“It’s beautiful out there, especially the moment when you’re by yourself and you see turtles and sharks,” Nunan said. “It’s just amazing.”


Marine Corps Base Hawaii