Kiteboarding?

[St.Stephen]

Anyone know anything about kiteboarding around sowal? Rental, instruction, etc....????

 

[beachmouse]

If you're on the west side of 30-A, might be worth the trip to XL Kites on 98 in Ft. Walton Beach

http://www.xlkites.com/

Pretty common to see them on the bay side at that little bit of Gulf Islands Seashore on Okaloosa Island.

 

[Jdarg]

There is a guy in Grayton that kiteboards - in the sand. Rapunzel and I watched him get yanked all over the place practically on his butt. He kept going for a solid hour- must have abs and shoulders of steel. I have seen the same guy do this on another occasion. Maybe he is learning the kite part first before he moves to the water part?

 

[TNJed]

There is a guy in Grayton that kiteboards - in the sand. Rapunzel and I watched him get yanked all over the place practically on his butt. He kept going for a solid hour- must have abs and shoulders of steel. I have seen the same guy do this on another occasion. Maybe he is learning the kite part first before he moves to the water part?

Maybe he read the shark thread.

 

[Jdarg]

Maybe he read the shark thread.

^5!

It was like watching a tennis match. He went back and forth and back and forth. A few times the kite/sail thing looked like it was going to get away from him and thump us good.

 

[SGB]

It seems that the place I've seen kiteboarding the most around here is on the bay side of Okaloosa Island. They are in calm, shallow water.

 

[Smiling JOe]

There is a guy in Grayton that kiteboards - in the sand. Rapunzel and I watched him get yanked all over the place practically on his butt. He kept going for a solid hour- must have abs and shoulders of steel. I have seen the same guy do this on another occasion. Maybe he is learning the kite part first before he moves to the water part?

That would be Scott, and he was getting dragged around the sand last year too. I did see him go on the water once, but usually, he just practices on the sand. I guess he is smart to do so, but it looks like it would get very old, very quickly. There is another kite surfer who goes off from Grayton.

No rentals or instruction in the 30A area.

 

[Hop]

it looks like a blast...i had a buddy who got tossed and landed on his head...no spinal cord injury but could have been...

 

[Kurt]

it looks like a blast...i had a buddy who got tossed and landed on his head...no spinal cord injury but could have been...

I was going to mention that because he was at the bay spot mentioned above - very shallow.

 

[alpharettab]

You should also consider Liquid Surf & Sail in Fort Walton Beach. I rented a windsurfer and rig yesterday, and can personally vouch for the quality of equipment and service. I enjoyed high end equipment at a great price. They also offer kiteboarding rentals and instruction.

http://www.liquidsurfandsail.com

I've also heard good things about XL Kites as recommended above.

By the way, the bay side of Gulf Islands National Seashore on Okaloosa Island is fantastic. It has strong winds, flat water, and it's chest deep for those times when you need to get started again. For windsurfing or kite boarding it compares well with the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Have a great trip!