| Now is the Time - Ignore the Credit Crunch and Get | | | | there are countless other reasons for hopping on a |
| Kitesurfing! | | | | plane for your lessons. |
| Kitesurfing is one of the sports du-jour - a | | | | One of the most important - I think - is the mob |
| heavy-weight in the realm of extreme activities - yet | | | | mentality (a positive one!). Kitesurfing is an extremely |
| widely held as a hobby exclusive to those with money | | | | sociable activity, and one which people are passionate |
| to burn (Richard Branson being one of its more well | | | | about. Its addictive nature leaves willing victims living, |
| known fans). Though this view may be consolidated | | | | breathing, thinking, dreaming kiting - and so, naturally, |
| by the recession, I believe that now is precisely the | | | | they want to talk about it. Head off to a renowned |
| right time to get into kitesurfing - and all it requires is a | | | | kitesurfing holiday spot - think the chilled out Dominican |
| glance towards the trusty piggy bank rather than a | | | | Republic or siesta-filled Tarifa, Southern Spain - and as |
| full-on bank raid. | | | | a beginner you are immediately exposed to kiters |
| Learning this sport on a budget is entirely possible. Yes, | | | | through an entire spectrum of abilities, with one thing in |
| kitesurfing instruction isn't cheap, but done in the right | | | | common - the kiting 'bug'. Believe me, its catching. And |
| way, you can really maximise the worth of each and | | | | this is one thing you do want to catch. |
| every teaching hour you pay for. Over a length of | | | | The kiting bug is a fantastic thing. When so many |
| time, good quality instruction is an investment - not just | | | | people don't have a hobby - let alone one they get |
| in a sport, but a in way of life, a gold-card to a new | | | | fired up about - you realize the feeling from kitesurfing |
| social network, and the key to hour after hour of | | | | is a precious one. When all else is falling apart - the |
| supremely satisfying exhilaration. | | | | economy being a major 'crumbler' at this point in time - |
| The best - and cheapest - way to learn to kitesurf is | | | | what could be more valuable than something that |
| through group lessons abroad. Rolling a holiday and | | | | takes all of that away, that erases the mundane |
| kitesurfing crash course into one is the perfect way in | | | | humdrum have-I-paid-that bill, can-I-pay-that bill feeling |
| to the sport - an intensive burst in a place with good | | | | so ingrained in us all? |
| consistent winds, and learner-friendly flatwater. Though | | | | So I may have strayed off the more practical side of |
| it may seem non-sensical to equate travelling beyond | | | | my point here, but a good kiting session provides an |
| the UK to wallet-friendly learning, it does actually make | | | | instant, unrivaled boost - one that you can enjoy over |
| sense when considering what an untamed beast the | | | | and over again, no matter what the rest of the world |
| wind can be in this country (though statistically very | | | | throws your way. I urge you to follow my advice, get |
| windy, our fair Isle doesn't lean towards the more | | | | learning, make new friends, love your new sport, and |
| desirable side of consistency). | | | | remember (though exercise the usual caution when |
| It's not only opting for a reliably windy spot that makes | | | | doing so) - eBay throws up some real bargains in the |
| going abroad the sensible option. Of course, this is a | | | | kiting department! |
| major plus - kitesurfing has a steep learning curve, so | | | | Man, wind and water, equipped with kite and board, are |
| by the end of a week or two's stint with a kite school | | | | an unstoppable force. Put simply - priceless. |
| in good winds you'll be making enviable progress - but | | | | |