Kiteboarding, or kitesurfing, is one of the most exhilarating extreme water sports. Kiteboarding combines many athletic disciplines from kite flying, wakeboarding, surfing and even parachute jumping. Imagine being able to pull off all your favorite wakeboard moves all with one large kite and no boat. Ride for hours at a time with only the sound of the wind at your ears and no stopping to get on a lift or get on a boat. Can you visualize jumping 30 feet straight off of flat water with no ramp or kicker? Ski or snowboard (kite skiing or snow kiting) across miles of snow-covered fields with only the assistance of a kiteboarding kite and a harness. Kiteboarding is challenging to learn, but it does not require much physical strength. The harness takes most of the load away from your arms, allowing kite boarders to ride for hours non-stop. Most people in good physical condition can learn to kiteboard, even kids. The most challenging part of the learning curve is controlling the kite. The good thing is, most of these vital steps to kiteboarding can be learned on a smaller-sized "trainer kite" or "power kite" which allows you to understand the basic steps while only dealing with a fraction of the power. For most adults, you will want to get a 3 meter or larger trainer kite. Over the past few years, many advances in kiteboarding have been made. Multiple safety releases, the ability to massively take the power out of your kite, and almost instant water relaunch have radically decreased the learning curve. What used to take people months to learn now only takes days. Even though kiteboarding gear has made kiting so much easier to learn, lessons are still mandatory. Without the proper instruction things can turn ugly real quick, which is why taking kite surfing lessons is so vital. Kiteboarding lessons will cost money upfront though the good thing is, wind is free. 70% of the world is covered in water so there are endless places to ride your kite board. And if you're a skier or snowboarder, strap your skis/board on your feet and you can be snow kiting along snow-covered fields all season long without the hefty price of lift tickets.

1. Experience of a Lifetime - Kiteboarding is one of those amazing things you see, but always wonder what it would really be like. Here is a great opportunity to experience the thrill of kite boarding. Don't just dream about it- jump into a lesson and feel the power.

2. Try before you buy - Many people are curious about the thrills of kiteboarding, but are reluctant to spend $1500 - $3000 on a kiteboarding gear package. By taking a lesson, you get a great concept of the sport with a small initial investment. We provide all the gear needed to get you in the water and see if the sport is a good fit for you.

3. Save time and money - Get the right kiteboarding gear the first time and spend those first few hours learning on our kites, not your own. All kites, boards and riding areas are not the same. Learn about kite size, rider weight and the area you plan to ride prior to making a purchase. Since we are the largest F-ONE dealer in the Dominican Republic, we have unbeatable prices and even better after-the-sale service.

4. Safety - Learn to kite board safely! Would you try to learn to fly an airplane by yourself? Our classes are IKO certified and stress safety above all else. We will get you in the water with confidence and the knowledge that you are safe and ready to go.

Yes, if you are healthy and keen enough to persist and learn. Kiteboarding is like skiing where technique is a lot more important that brute strength.

No. Around 8 hours of lessons should get you going with basic skills and another 5-10 hours of riding should see you going upwind.

Kiteboarding is one of the most liberating and mind opening sports. It is very enjoyable and addictive. If you are someone who wants to challenge themselves and get closer to living a pure life we recommend trying kiteboarding.

You experience the freedom of surfing without having to paddle out or wait for waves. You can fly like a glider without a hard landing. You get the speed of wakeboarding without needing a boat. You can travel long distances powered only by the wind. You can experience the thrill of carving and turning a board without traveling to the snow or risking gravel rash.

There is really no difference. The terms are used interchangeably. However, some people may consider kitesurfing to be kiting in surf (wave riding).

Yes. You fly the kite to the front of the wind window in your direction of travel (like reefing a mainsail in), edge your board to create a "keel", and steer with your feet to create a "rudder". kite boarders are actually classified as sailing vessels.

When learning, its normal to go upwind easily in one direction (your "natural stance") but struggle to go upwind in the other direction (your "unnatural stance". Try getting your board speed and kite speed up first by going downwind slightly after your water start, then edge your board and bring your kite forward to go upwind.

No, Never. If you get yanked hard the board will come at you hard and could easily knock you unconscious or injure you. Learn to body drag upwind so you can retrieve your board if you lose it.

Yes, if you are an experienced rider and depending on your personal preference. Some kiters prefer not to use a board leash in surf, others do. It is safer not to use a board leash. However, your board may be carried a long way in the surf if you come off it and you don't have a board leash.

You don't kite in offshore winds for two main reasons. Firstly, if you crash your kite and can't relaunch it, you and/or your gear will get blown out to sea. Secondly, wind coming off land is often lumpy and gusty which can make kiteboarding difficult or even dangerous. The exception is when there is a boat handy to rescue you.

No. Generally, you should always aim to kite board with a buddy or at least with some other kiters on the beach or the water. If things go pear shaped - which could be due to an equipment failure - it's great to have some help.

Yes, a little. Any board sports will help you with board control. 90% of the learning is handling the kite, focusing on mastering kite flying will make kite boarding easier.

You can buy a complete set of secondhand gear (board, kite + bar, harness), depending on condition, anywhere from $600 to $2000 USD. Please note that if you are buying a second hand kite, make sure that the kite you are buying is less than 4 years old. Every year there are improvements in the safety of kites - by buying a relatively recent kite you will keep yourself safe. Never be tempted into buying a cheap old kite if you are a beginner - they are cheap for a reason and can be very dangerous. A complete set of new gear (kite/bar/harness/board/straps/pump) can cost anywhere between $1500 to $3000 USD.

Your gear should last at least 3 to 5 years, barring major accidents such as kite tears. A lot of kite tears can be repaired however. You can patch small holes and tears yourself.

Firstly, you mostly kite with an onshore wind - so if anything goes wrong you will be blown back onto shore. Secondly, even though the wind is blowing in one direction, you are generally kiting at an angle to the wind. This means it is near impossible to be blown out to sea.

Your kite catches the wind, and deflects the wind slightly towards you. This causes a change in velocity for your kite (and consequently you) pulling you slightly in the direction of the wind.

No. Most kite boarders use leading edge inflatable kites. The leading edge spanning the length of the kite, and several struts spanning the width of the kite are inflated before launching. If the kite falls into the water whilst kiting, it will nicely float on top of the water, enabling you to relaunch it. Having said this, never attempt kiteboarding if you cannot swim. As a beginner, you will spend a lot of time in the water, and basic swimming skills are necessary.

No. We have been doing this 10 years and never even seen a shark. We have seen whales, manatees, turtles, flying fishes yet 0 sharks. Sharks exist, I'm sure they are around but a kiter does not generally spend a lot of time in the water - it's mostly on the water. I'm generally either too happy in perfect conditions, or thinking about the wind if it is blowing, no time to even think about sharks. My advice - don't worry about it, you are far more likely to die by a coconut falling on your head or lightning.

Kiteboarding is a similar discipline to windsurfing, but the key differences are: kites are more dynamic than a sail, gear is much lighter and easier to carry and rig, techniques for riding and changing direction are quite different. Bottom line is there is much more in common than there are differences, so it's good to respect each other and help each other out.

Yes, definitely! Lineups for a surfing break may combine kiteboarders, windsurfers and even surfers. However, its best to kite well away from surfers. If there is a lineup for the waves everyone needs to take their turn and respect others.

No. But it does help to be fit. With good technique, you can kiteboard without needing great strength. However, you will burn approximately 900 calories (3,765 joules) per hour during an average kite boarding session, and get an intense abs/arms/back and leg workout, so kiteboarding is a great way to get fit!

• With the bar right out, your arms are fully stretched and the kite is still pulling you hard • If you fly the kite high (you shouldn't when overpowered) it lifts you off your edge or off the water • You can't reach the depower rope • The kite canopy is luffing (flapping) • If you start the power stroke (dive the kite from 12), the kite moves quickly and yanks you too hard so that you lose control of your board and go over your toes. • There are whitecaps everywhere (but if you have the right kite size you won't be overpowered).

• You can't generate enough power with full dive to get out of the water • When moving, forward motion with your board slows you down and you must bring the kite up and you end up sinking back into the water • When moving, sining the kite hard but you still go downwind. If you edge to go upwind you lose speed and sink back into the water.