Good Winds. Good for Kiteboarders

For travelers who frequent Croft Rd. in Springfield OH, the majestic view of C.J. Brown Dam and Reservoir is just an ordinary sight to behold. But for trekkers and tourists who happen to see the beauty of the dam, the view is just exhilarating and worthy of souvenir photos. But the Monday that fell on September 28, usual passersby and tourists alike were at awe of the colorful attractions that were seen at the already-beautiful C.J. Brown Dam and Reservoir.

The colorful group of eight kites appeared at first glance as parachutes or parasailing enthusiasts. Well in fact, colorful kites are part of the parasailing sport which Mike Gravey and his friends are fond of. Along with seven of his friends, they enjoyed the water and winds of Ohio. Gravey said that their Springfield experience proved to be a challenge. This is because of the wind condition that gusts up to 37 miles per hour with temperature in the low 60s. This weather report is from meteorologist Don Hughes of the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

Aside from Springfield, Grave also weathered the winds of Lake Erie, Cape Hatteras and the beaches of Mexico. He even said, along with friend, Jeff Hill, that they can enjoy the sport at any given beach with good winds. The men's love for sport is also very evident when they once snowkited on an open-field after convincing the farmer of what they were about to do.

Kiteboarding is a new sport which is a combination of surfing, wakeboarding and windsurfing. For you to enjoy this sport, you will need a kiteboard, a harness, control bars, flying lines and a kite. Other necessary equipment also needed are a wet suit, helmet, signaling devices, floatation device, board leash and an impact vest. As what Jeff Hill said, aside from fun and excitement, safety is the key just like in any other sports. And with new designs and improvements on the gears, kiteboarding has become a fun and safe sport over the years.

Another aspect that Gravey pointed out is the environmental condition. His advice to kiteboarders is to carefully assess wind situations and also the water as it will be one of the determinants of how you truly enjoy the sport.

Are you ready to take off? Just bear in mind to equip yourself properly, train with professionals and have a buddy help you take off your kites. And for beginners, it is not bad to start off with a kiteboarding sale and practice using a used kiteboard. As long as you have a durable board, a sturdy kite and complete gear, you are sure to take on the water and the air.