History (sort of)
Extreme Windsurfing at Lakes bay has been a leader in the mid Atlantic area in kitesurfing from the very
beginning. We not only sell & service all major brands of kites and kite boards. We were one of the first
kite schools on the East Coast. We teach it, do it sell it. Basically we are IT in area kitesurfing.
Kites first appeared on Lakes Bay the summer of '98 a young Swedish guy named Sven Robeston mingled with
the windsurfers, with his frame kites and water-skis basically made him more of a hazard than a pioneer.
Many windsurfers would hear the flapping of his kite and the whistle of his lines and panic causing several
near accidents. One evening Jon Seavers and I watched while Sven was dragged around (mostly underwater) and
Jon asked me "if this was the future?"
That question was emphatically answered the following spring (1999) when the first true kitesurfer, Alf Imperato
(then the technical Editor of Windsurfing Magazine) came up from a winter in Florida with tales of amazing
jumps and lightwind ripping. Luckily Alf had several attentive girlfriends who would pick him up when he was
blown to far downwind. This particular day was the first day several of the area's pioneers "tried IT"
Charlie Bowman, Rich Hall & Dan Johnson began their career body dragging that cold day in May on Alf's kite.
Kitesurfing interested simmered until the new Millenium. Kitesurfing Exploded during the 2000 season. Our
first trained instructor Dan Johnson started our school and convinced some of the area's finest watermen to
get into Kitesurfing. Over the past several season the sport has grown and Extreme has been leading the way
in our area. Improving our school, running contest, doing media events as well as traveling locally as well
as worldwide spreading the news. Our finest contribution is our extensive school. We have dedicated instructor,
specialized equipment; Zodiac boat all dedicated to teaching Kitesurfing safely and correctly to ensure each
student has a solid foundation.
Kitesurfing, What is IT?
Kitesurfing is the MOST extreme sport today. Kitesurfing uses huge (7 to 23 meters in area) inflatable
(as opposed to framed or Ram air) kites to generate enormous power which is transferred through the kitesurfer
on a myriad of vehicles. Everything from buggies to roller-skates, surfboards to snowboards. This is one of
the most unique draws to this sport its versatility. On Lakes bay we use primarily Directional boards
(hybrid surfboards) Wakeboards (similar to water-skiing wakeboards) and the most popular is currently Twin
tip boards which are a combination of Directional & wake boards. Other than boards & kites the only other
parts to the kit are lines and bars. Lines are from 40 to 10 meters long made of various polymers with tensile
strengths exceeding 600-lb. test. You can pull a car with these lines and the forces of kitesurfing break these
lines regularly. Kitesurfing is POWERFUL. Bars are made of Carbon or aluminum and are smaller but similar in
construction to windsurfing booms.
Kitesurfing is all about jumps & hang time. Yes they are fast you can take them in the surf. True wave riding
is somewhat elusive. There are a bunch of transitions (flatwater tricks) that look cool, but it is all about
how high and how long you get in the air. It started with little hops. Then jumping progressed to jumping over
fishing boats (an impressive but illegal activity) now it is not how high but what you do while you are up there. Twists spins ect. The sky is the limit so to speak!
Most kitesurfers at this time are coming from the ranks of windsurfers. Although windsurfing has made HUGE
strides in lightwind performance, it is pale in comparison to what kitesurfing is doing. So a lot of windsurfers
have picked up kitesurfing as a lightwind alternative to windsurfing. Understanding the wind and its interaction
with a foil (not that unlike a windsurfer sail) is helpful. But open minded enthusiasms, athleticism and a real
desire to "boost some BIG air" are not overshadowed. So surfing, kiting & wakeboarding feed enthusiast to the
growing sport of kitesurfing.
Finally, I would like to say that getting started correctly (taking lessons) is the best way too not only learn
faster but also avoid serious injury. We encourage all folks buying a kite for the first time to take lessons.
You can't just buy a plane and go fly it around endangering both yourself, others in the air as well as folks on
the ground. Why should kitesurfing be any different?
Safe Kitesurfing Guidelines
These guidelines are on the FKA & AKA websites and I think they are the most complete available at this time.
These guidelines are intended to improve kitesurfer safety as well as bystander safety. Riders must accept that
even if they follow these guides' accidents & injuries will happen. Kitesurfing is an extreme sport please be
careful.
General Safety Guidelines
1) Readily help all kitesurfers launching & landing. This is where most accidents occur. Riders be aware you
are totally responsible for your safety, the safety of your crew (Launch/landing) and all bystanders and their
property.
2) All kitesurfers especially beginning should seek professional instruction. To learn the safe way. Beginners
should avoid crowded areas.
3) Know your limitations as well as your equipment's limits. ALWAYS MAINTAIN ENERGY RESERVES JUST IN CASE.
NO MATTER WHAT YOUR ABILITY LEVEL. Hydrate often.
4) Don't Kitesurf alone or further from shore than you can swim yourself and your equipment in.
5) Make sure you have proper safety equipment. Kite depowering safety leash, impact vest, board leash and
hook knife.
6) Watch the weather don't kite in questionable conditions. Avoid offshore and onshore launching conditions
Equipment Checklist
1) Check kite for leaky bladders repair all leaks BEFORE flying
2) Make sure launch area is free of obstacles. Bystanders, other kiters natural or man made obstacles
3) Check all lines, leaders, and knots. Make sure flying lines are equal in length. Watch for twist or knots.
Rule of thumb replace line ever six months.
4) Avoid solo launching if possible. If not make sure you know how (take a lesson or do it with a trainer)
conditions are right and that the kite is secured in prelaunch. Several severe accidents occurred at this point.
5) Avoid hooking snap shackle onshore.
6) Announce your intention to launch and do it quickly. To avoid involuntary lifting avoid flying your kite
directly overhead. Fly your kite in the lower neutral zones.
7) Be aware of water hazards and other water users (Windsurfers, fishermen ect...) BEFORE you launch either
the kite or the board.
8) Right of way when in doubt yield to all other craft. Before jumping or maneuvering be aware of your surroundings. You have no right of way in the air or launching or landing jumps or maneuvers. Basically stay clear of other "you never know for sure what someone else will do in certain circumstances."
Landing
1) Approach shore slowly quick stops often lead to involuntary lofting.
2) Keep kite low while landing
3) Arrange assisted landing AVOID USING NON KITER/BYSTANDERS FOR ASSISTENCE. This is just asking for trouble.
4) Pay attention to your kite. Avoid distractions get your kite down quickly and safely. Then answer
bystander's questions or other kiter's chat.
5) Finally properly anchor your kite. Disconnect and wrap up your lines
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