Top 4 Kitesurfing Styles You Can Enjoy at Boracay

Photo credit: jerrykite.com

Boracay Island in the Philippines is one of the best places in the world to go kitesurfing. Kitesurfing, also known as kiteboarding, is a surface aqua sport which is a unique blending of wakeboarding, surfing, gymnastics, windsurfing, and paragliding. It is an extreme hobby where the kite-surfer utilizes the strength of the wind with a large manageable power kite to be driven across the water on a kiteboard.

Depending on the skill and preference of the kite surfer, foot bands or bindings may be used. Just like any sport, certain rules are followed and, like swimming, there are various styles of kiteboarding:

Freestyle

With this style, the kite and board are used to get big air jumps so that a variety of tricks can be done while airborne. This is used for competitive events and no prescribed format is observed. Smaller twin tip boards and kites with good boost and hang-time are used.

Jumping or Air-style

Image Source: inmotionkitesurfing.com

Jumping is similar to free-ride except that is entails jumping high using kite loops. During strong winds, shorter lines with smaller kites are highly suggested. C-kites and twin-top boards are commonly used in this style.

Free-ride

Image Source: pacificwatersports.com.au

This is the most popular style of kitesurfing as it allows the surfer anything that he wants to do. Most boards on sale today were designed for this style since it is suited for learning new techniques or simply having fun. For a full kitesurfing experience, twin-tip boards and kites with a good re-launch and a wide wind range should be used.

Wave-skate

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Wake-skaters use a strapless twin-tip board which looks so much like a skateboard.

The best time to go kitesurfing in Boracay is from November to April each year. This is when the waters are flat on shore and generally not deep. The island also holds various schools on kitesurfing for beginners, advanced, and professionals. The island is considered a safe learning ground for kitesurfing as its waters are protected by a reef.

Boracay is just an hour from Manila, Clark, or Cebu by plane. Being a world famous tourist destination, it has numerous boracay hotels and resorts that offer facilities for kitesurfing among the many sports offered in the island. Their hotel personnel would be more than ready to assist you with your inquiries and requests.

For the last seven years. Boracay has hosted many kitesurfing events including the annual Boracay Big Air Challenge of the Boracay International Funboard Cup, Kiteboard Tour Asia, and the All Chicks Kite Camp.