Kiteboarding: Why riding the wind attracts the rich and powerful

Kitesurfing, simply put, is an extreme sport wherein "by using a large, powerful kite for propulsion, and standing or sitting on some form of transportation [usually a board similar to ones used in wakeboarding], the kitesurfer is able to reach high speeds and perform amazing and exhilarating stunts" (WiseGeek.com). It is a sport like no other, and it attracts a plethora of people, including the rich and famous.

Imgage Source: miamikiteboarding.com

Why the rich and famous?

Kiteboarding is an expensive sport, with boards ranging from $499 to $1,200, and kites ranging from $499 to $1,500. A typical kiteboarding gear is worth around $1,500 to $3,000. Kiteboarding lesson costs are also factored in, as the sport is very difficult to learn without help from a pro.

Another reason is that kitesurfing requires extensive traveling, as kiteboarding locations are usually in exotic, remote locales around the world.  Offshore Odysseys lists the following as the best locations for the sport: the Marshall Islands, Cargados Shoals in Mauritius, Pohnpei and Kosrae in Micronesia, Anakao in Madagascar, and Raivavae in French Polynesia. These places are so remote that most are only accessible by yacht.

Image Source: surfertoday.com

But the best reason why kiteboarding attracts the rich and powerful is that it gives them a taste of the things that only they are familiar with—risk, high stakes, and flux.

For technology tycoons, like Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, and noted business leaders and investors, like Sir Richard Branson and Alex von Furstenberg, kitesurfing is a sport for those who are willing to take risks and challenge the elements.

Image Source: wsj.com

Alex von Furstenberg is the founder and chief investment officer of Ranger Global Advisors, a family office focused on opportunistic value-based investing. The firm’s website offers more information about him.

Riding the wind and waves: Learning to kitesurf

Image Source: TeamExtreme.com

During the summer, people love going to the beach and doing water activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, or surfing. Today, one water sport that is popular among many people is kitesurfing.

In concept, kitesurfing is simple: you use a kite to propel yourself and move around the water. You can do tricks and reach speeds that would otherwise be unattainable with other watersports. Kitesurfing, however, is not as easy as it sounds. In fact, it is a very difficult and dangerous sport, and taking lessons is highly recommended should you want to kitesurf.

Image Source: ExtremeSports4u.com

To learn the basics of kitesurfing, you have to master how to fly a kite first. Again, this is not as easy as it sounds, as the traction kites used for kitesurfing are very powerful and quite dangerous for a beginner. The best way to master flying a traction kite would be to fly it on land. After you learn how to control the kite safely, you can familiarize yourself with how the kite pulls by letting it drag you across the beach or shoreline. This way, you can learn how to properly move with the kite and maintain your balance.

Once you have mastered flying the kite, it is time to learn how to fly over water. This would be the best time for you to get help from kitesurfing trainers.

Image Source: Roques.com

Kitesurfing may be more difficult to do than the average watersport, but with proper training and dedication, anybody can learn how to kitesurf. In fact, many notable businessmen like Richard Branson and Alex von Furstenberg are into kitesurfing; it’s no longer just for pros like Damien LeRoy.

Read this article for more information about kitesurfing. Follow this Twitter page for more on Alex von Furstenberg.