Weather conditions are perfect almost all year round to kitesurf in Miami. The warm and clear water, inviting climate, and decent wind conditions allow us to ride on a regular basis. But who could have guessed that in Miami, the local kitesurfing community has grown so much in the last 5 years that we would face crucial problems of space? Meanwhile, the growing popularity of beaches and the growing population in the Miami area inevitably has also led to kitesurfing bans, selective restrictions, and growing enforcement of safety guidelines, which are rooted in questions of liability. Who pays when something goes wrong? In plain English, this means increasing constraints on the ‘freedom to ride’ as a result of safety concerns and liability. ‘Where to ride’ will involve some local knowledge.

Although known for being an extreme sport, Kitesurfing is pretty accessible to any water-confident person. But, it is a dangerous sport to learn without guidance. The kite alone, levitating at the end of the 30 meter line, represents an immense danger to the uncertain kiter controlling it, let alone the bystanders or swimmers that might be in the way should things go wrong. Definitely, the kite’s pulling-power is part of the thrill of kitesurfing; but to be skilled in the sport means learning how to control your kite, judge the weather, and develop the reflexes that keep you and others safe. But even then, nobody’s perfect and no gear is infallible; so even experienced riders get lofted, crash their kites, get hurt, or worse. These two opposing forces, where to ride versus crowds and liability concerns, are being taken seriously by kiters and authorities alike.

It is important that every person interested in kiting learn through a certified school. Ideally, every experienced kiter should take at least one session with a certified kitesurfing instructor just to get “checked out.” Getting checked out means getting a certification card, which you now need in many popular kitesurfing spots worldwide, including Miami. Make sure to go to an International Kite Organization (IKO) or a Professional Air Sports Association (PASA) certification school. IKO is accepted worldwide, while PASA is a US organization. Some of the best spots require that you are at least IKO Level 3.

But don’t worry. Some kitesurfing schools in Miami are now providing opportunities that can take you to places where you can ride no matter what level. Services such as a water-taxi, which takes you to offshore sandbars to learn how to kitesurf or to just ride are available; another service involves a “downwinder” guide picking you up after you have flown your kite downwind and taking you to your starting place so that you can continue kiting downwind. Miami may be evolving its rules for kitesurfing, but the good news is that Miami kitesurfers are finding ways to adapt.

Article provided by: Christophe Ribot, www.miamikiteboarding.com