{"id":1416,"date":"2014-06-04T14:00:29","date_gmt":"2014-06-04T14:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/?p=1416"},"modified":"2017-06-14T15:29:19","modified_gmt":"2017-06-14T15:29:19","slug":"kiteboarding-in-tampa-bay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/kiteboarding-in-tampa-bay\/","title":{"rendered":"Kiteboarding in Tampa Bay"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>STORY BY MIKE CAMUNAS<\/p>\n<div\n\tclass=\"ngg-galleryoverview\"\n\tid=\"ngg-gallery-6e52856c9584810742db5638b1c8f329-1\">\n\n    \t\t<!-- Thumbnails -->\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-0\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/a0135503.jpg\"\n               title=\"\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/a0135503.jpg\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0135503.jpg\"\n               data-image-id=\"701\"\n               data-title=\"a0135503\"\n               data-description=\"\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"6e52856c9584810742db5638b1c8f329\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"a0135503\"\n                    alt=\"a0135503\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0135503.jpg\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-1\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/a0135529.jpg\"\n               title=\"\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/a0135529.jpg\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0135529.jpg\"\n               data-image-id=\"702\"\n               data-title=\"a0135529\"\n               data-description=\"\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"6e52856c9584810742db5638b1c8f329\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"a0135529\"\n                    alt=\"a0135529\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0135529.jpg\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-2\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/a0135559.jpg\"\n               title=\"\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/a0135559.jpg\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0135559.jpg\"\n               data-image-id=\"703\"\n               data-title=\"a0135559\"\n               data-description=\"\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"6e52856c9584810742db5638b1c8f329\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"a0135559\"\n                    alt=\"a0135559\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0135559.jpg\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-3\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/a0135607.jpg\"\n               title=\"\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/a0135607.jpg\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0135607.jpg\"\n               data-image-id=\"704\"\n               data-title=\"a0135607\"\n               data-description=\"\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"6e52856c9584810742db5638b1c8f329\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"a0135607\"\n                    alt=\"a0135607\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0135607.jpg\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-4\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/a0135662.jpg\"\n               title=\"\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/a0135662.jpg\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0135662.jpg\"\n               data-image-id=\"705\"\n               data-title=\"a0135662\"\n               data-description=\"\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"6e52856c9584810742db5638b1c8f329\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"a0135662\"\n                    alt=\"a0135662\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0135662.jpg\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-5\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/a0135664.jpg\"\n               title=\"\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/a0135664.jpg\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0135664.jpg\"\n               data-image-id=\"706\"\n               data-title=\"a0135664\"\n               data-description=\"\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"6e52856c9584810742db5638b1c8f329\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"a0135664\"\n                    alt=\"a0135664\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0135664.jpg\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-6\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/a0135684.jpg\"\n               title=\"\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/a0135684.jpg\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0135684.jpg\"\n               data-image-id=\"707\"\n               data-title=\"a0135684\"\n               data-description=\"\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"6e52856c9584810742db5638b1c8f329\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"a0135684\"\n                    alt=\"a0135684\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0135684.jpg\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-7\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/a0135713.jpg\"\n               title=\"\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/a0135713.jpg\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0135713.jpg\"\n               data-image-id=\"708\"\n               data-title=\"a0135713\"\n               data-description=\"\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"6e52856c9584810742db5638b1c8f329\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"a0135713\"\n                    alt=\"a0135713\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0135713.jpg\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-8\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/a0135714.jpg\"\n               title=\"\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/a0135714.jpg\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0135714.jpg\"\n               data-image-id=\"709\"\n               data-title=\"a0135714\"\n               data-description=\"\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"6e52856c9584810742db5638b1c8f329\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"a0135714\"\n                    alt=\"a0135714\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/kitesurfing\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0135714.jpg\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\n\t\t<!-- Pagination -->\n\t<div class='ngg-clear'><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\n<p>Where there\u2019s wind, there\u2019s a way. For kiteboarders, it\u2019s about grabbing a strong breeze, holding on tight and reaching out to touch the sky. They can be found up and down the coastal beaches, whirling up into the sky with the greatest of ease, jumping and flipping to their heart\u2019s content. And in Tampa Bay, it\u2019s no different.<\/p>\n<p>Kiteboarders take on a risk with this growing sport, but it\u2019s more than an extreme activity. It\u2019s a water-sports hobby that can be mastered, just like surfing or wakeboarding.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe bay or the gulf may not give out the best waves, but it can get windy,\u201d says Steve Sadler, owner and operator of Kiteboarding Tampa Bay. \u201cThere are plenty of beaches and areas to kiteboard. You\u2019ve just got to know where to go and what you\u2019re doing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Here are some basics of kitesurfing, from equipment and lesson costs to the pure enjoyment of this water sport.<\/p>\n<p><strong>First and Foremost<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kiteboarding takes work and its takes lots of practice. In fact, you\u2019re more than likely going to need lessons. That\u2019s where Sadler comes in. Sadler is a level-two instructor who&nbsp;owns and operates Kiteboarding Tampa Bay and provides anything from lessons to tips and equipment for those water-sports adventurers. He\u2019s been instructing for more than nine years, but he\u2019s also known as the safety guy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m always happy to point out my students,\u201d Sadler says. \u201cI\u2019m proud that I taught them the right way to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Sadler adds there are many ins and outs of learning this sport. He offers packages that include gear for beginners, and most people end up taking eight to 12 hours of lessons over a two- to three-day period. During the lessons, Sadler will go over the basics, from riding the board to standing up on the board to what to do if you\u2019re dragged through the water.<\/p>\n<p>Sadler points out that it may take time to master kiteboarding. \u201cIt is something anyone can learn, while some pick it up faster than others,\u201d Sadler says.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Effective Equipment<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The basics you\u2019re going to need are, simply put, a board and a kite. Sadler says most boards are around $500, while kites usually start at $1,500 and go up from there. You\u2019ll also have to throw in the harness and ropes, which are about $150 or so.<\/p>\n<p>The boards can be strapless and don\u2019t attach to the feet, but the standard board is a twin-tip board. Kites come in roughly four to five&nbsp;different shapes, but the most common is a bow kite, and all kites inflate so they don\u2019t sink. Kites usually come with a harness and bar, which the rider uses to steer.<\/p>\n<p>Sadler also tells beginners&nbsp;to buy semi-used equipment when you&#8217;re&nbsp;starting out and then work your way up as you improve. Sadler also recommends purchasing flotation devices and a helmet.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Weather Willing<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The weather plays a big factor, but obviously the wind is the most important.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou learn about warm and cold fronts and how they affect the coast out there,\u201d Sadler says. \u201cSometimes some tropical storm activity will do, but just because it\u2019s windy doesn\u2019t mean its good to kite.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ideally, Sadler says, as you learn to watch weather and wind meters, that 10 to 20 mph hour is good conditions, but you don\u2019t want to go over 30 mph. And for doing jumps, Sadler says higher winds are ideal, especially in Tampa Bay, where the waves wouldn\u2019t be as big as on a different coast.<\/p>\n<p>Incidentally, winter is the best time to kite because it\u2019s generally windier, and the wet heat of summer doesn\u2019t allow for as much wind. Sadler adds that another great time to get out is when a cold front hits the area.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Charitable Works<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For Sadler, it\u2019s not all fun and games, even though he uses fun and games to raise money. As one of the founders of Action Sports Foundation, Sadler helps raise money and hosts events as a 501(c)3 charity that does beach cleanups. He also teaches disabled veterans and challenged athletes how to water ski, kiteboard and participate in other water sports activities. Just recently, Sadler hosted a paddleboard race as a way to help others get out and have an active lifestyle.<\/p>\n<p><strong>More information<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For more information, Steve Sadler can be reached at 813.389.3683, <a href=\"mailto:lessons@kiteboardingtampabay.com\">lessons@kiteboardingtampabay.com<\/a> or online at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.kiteboardingtampabay.com\/\">kiteboardingtampabay.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>STORY BY MIKE CAMUNAS Where there\u2019s wind, there\u2019s a way. For kiteboarders, it\u2019s about grabbing a strong breeze, holding on tight and reaching out to touch the sky. They can be found up and down the coastal beaches, whirling up into the sky with the greatest of ease, jumping and flipping to their heart\u2019s content. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1417,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,1771],"tags":[1733,1735,1736,1734],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1416"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1416"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1416\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1417"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1416"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1416"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1416"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}