Name:Name: Chrystalla Skari Chrystalla SkariClassClass: G’3: G’3Subject: Subject: Project 1 Project 1

Unit 2, Extreme SportsUnit 2, Extreme SportsKitesurfingKitesurfing

TeacheTeacher: Eudhokia Anastassiour: Eudhokia AnastassiouYear: Year: 2010-20112010-2011

Definition of Extreme SportsDefinition of Extreme Sports

The definition of extreme The definition of extreme sports is not very clear. sports is not very clear. Generally speaking, Generally speaking, extreme sports are activities extreme sports are activities that are associated with that are associated with ‘the’ adrenaline rush that is ‘the’ adrenaline rush that is felt by the participant. felt by the participant. These activities are often These activities are often dangerous and any mistake dangerous and any mistake could result in injury or even could result in injury or even death. Extreme sports are death. Extreme sports are usually, done by individuals usually, done by individuals rather than teams. rather than teams.

Kitesurfing Kitesurfing Kite surfing, also known as kite boarding, is Kite surfing, also known as kite boarding, is an adventurous sport that an adventurous sport that can really get your can really get your adrenaline adrenaline high. high. Many people also feel that Many people also feel that kite surfing is the most extreme kite surfing is the most extreme water sport water sport around. around.

So, what exactly is kite surfing? Kite surfing is So, what exactly is kite surfing? Kite surfing is like a combination of wakeboarding, like a combination of wakeboarding, widesurfing widesurfing surfing, and paragliding, all mixed surfing, and paragliding, all mixed upup. . When kite surfing, you use an inflatable When kite surfing, you use an inflatable kite to propel you across the water, while you kite to propel you across the water, while you maneuver on top of a small board, which is maneuver on top of a small board, which is somewhat like a surfboard. Many sports somewhat like a surfboard. Many sports enthusiasts like kite boarding more so thaenthusiasts like kite boarding more so thatt its its relative wind surfing, because you will not relative wind surfing, because you will not have a sail in your face and it is much easier have a sail in your face and it is much easier to gain speed and do jumps. Although kite to gain speed and do jumps. Although kite surfing is primarily done in the water, it is also surfing is primarily done in the water, it is also done on land and on snowdone on land and on snow. .

KitesurfingKitesurfingSo as we have already metioned So as we have already metioned kite surfing is a sport that takes kite surfing is a sport that takes place on the surface of the water, place on the surface of the water, on top of boards that are similar in on top of boards that are similar in design to wakeboards, with the design to wakeboards, with the surfer propelled by a harnesses surfer propelled by a harnesses the power of the wind. The the power of the wind. The popularity of kite surfing has popularity of kite surfing has grown, although it is rather difficult grown, although it is rather difficult to master, and can be dangerous to master, and can be dangerous if proper care is not taken. kite if proper care is not taken. kite surfing uses the same equipment surfing uses the same equipment as kite boarding, but is generally as kite boarding, but is generally given more to riding on top of given more to riding on top of waves, rather than on smaller waves, rather than on smaller lakes or other placid bodies of lakes or other placid bodies of water. water.

KitesurfingKitesurfing

Kitesurfing as a Kitesurfing as a recreational sport began recreational sport began in the 1980s, but didn't in the 1980s, but didn't gain popularity until the gain popularity until the turn of the millennium. turn of the millennium. Before 2000 there were Before 2000 there were less than a thousand kite less than a thousand kite surfers worldwide. In surfers worldwide. In 2005 that number had 2005 that number had increased increased to nearly to nearly 100,000. Kitesurfing is 100,000. Kitesurfing is also commonly known as also commonly known as kiteboarding, and in some kiteboarding, and in some European countries as European countries as flysurfing. flysurfing.

Equipment Equipment

First you will need to First you will need to select a board. When select a board. When selecting a board, you will selecting a board, you will want to consider your want to consider your weight, age, your weight, age, your approximate wind approximate wind speeds, and the activities speeds, and the activities that you will want to do. that you will want to do. As a beginner, you will As a beginner, you will want a board that is easy want a board that is easy to steer. After you have to steer. After you have chosen a board, you will chosen a board, you will have two options, to have two options, to partake in lessons or to partake in lessons or to be self-taught. be self-taught.

EquipmentEquipmentA new kitesurfing kit be bought for A new kitesurfing kit be bought for $1,000-$2,500 (US dollars). $1,000-$2,500 (US dollars). Lessons range from $200-4500 for Lessons range from $200-4500 for a two to three hour session, and a two to three hour session, and usually a few lessons are required usually a few lessons are required before sufficient competence is before sufficient competence is achieved to begin surfing on one’s achieved to begin surfing on one’s own. own. With the rising popularity of With the rising popularity of kitesurfing, most major seaside kitesurfing, most major seaside cities offer classes and have cities offer classes and have kitesurfing cliubs, and many kitesurfing cliubs, and many tropical destinations are following tropical destinations are following suit. For a strong person with the suit. For a strong person with the right dedication, kitesurfing can right dedication, kitesurfing can prove to be a very fun, incredibly prove to be a very fun, incredibly exciting sport, with no limit to the exciting sport, with no limit to the complexity of tricks and new complexity of tricks and new moves one can discover. moves one can discover.

Danger and safety Danger and safety Power kites can be dangerous. Power kites can be dangerous. Because of strong forces that can Because of strong forces that can be generated by sudden wind be generated by sudden wind gusts, people can be lofted, gusts, people can be lofted, carried off, dashed against water, carried off, dashed against water, buildings, terrain or power lines, buildings, terrain or power lines, resulting in what's termed a resulting in what's termed a "kitemare" (a "kitemare" (a combination combination of kite of kite and nightmare).and nightmare).Most kiteboarding fatalities are the Most kiteboarding fatalities are the result of being lofted or dragged result of being lofted or dragged out of control, resulting in a out of control, resulting in a collision with hard objects collision with hard objects including sand. It is possible to be including sand. It is possible to be seriously injured simply by hitting seriously injured simply by hitting the water surface at speed or from the water surface at speed or from a height. a height.

Speed recordsSpeed records

French French kitesurfer kitesurfer Sebastien Cattelan Sebastien Cattelan became the first sailor to became the first sailor to break the 50 knots barrier break the 50 knots barrier by reaching 50.26 knots by reaching 50.26 knots on 3 October 2008 at the on 3 October 2008 at the LüderitzLüderitz ChalChallengelenge in in Namibia. On 4 October, Namibia. On 4 October, Alex Caizergues (also of Alex Caizergues (also of France) broke this record France) broke this record with a 50.57 knots runwith a 50.57 knots run

Conclusion Conclusion

Kitesurfing or Kiteboarding is a surface water sportKitesurfing or Kiteboarding is a surface water sport that that uses the wind to pull a rider through the water on a small uses the wind to pull a rider through the water on a small surfboardsurfboard or a kiteboard or a kiteboard.. There are a number of There are a number of different styles of kiteboarding, including freestyle or different styles of kiteboarding, including freestyle or wake-style and wave-riding which is focused on big wake-style and wave-riding which is focused on big waves using a board designed for wave riding.waves using a board designed for wave riding.A kitesurfer or kiteboarder uses a board with or without A kitesurfer or kiteboarder uses a board with or without foot-straps or bindings, combined with the power of a foot-straps or bindings, combined with the power of a large controllable kite to propel the rider and the board large controllable kite to propel the rider and the board across the water.Kitesurfing has become more popular across the water.Kitesurfing has become more popular than windsurfingthan windsurfing as a watersport because it is easier to as a watersport because it is easier to learn the basics and because it is much easier to learn the basics and because it is much easier to transport the necessary equipmenttransport the necessary equipment..

ConclusionConclusion

It is a rather dangerous sport if you are not It is a rather dangerous sport if you are not careful enough. careful enough.

It is getting more and more popular these days. It is getting more and more popular these days.

I think that I would like to try it one day, of I think that I would like to try it one day, of course after I have received the right training. course after I have received the right training.

BibliographyBibliography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitesurfinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitesurfing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extreme_sporthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extreme_sport

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-kite-surfing.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-kite-surfing.htm

http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/kitesurfing_szov.htmhttp://www.essortment.com/hobbies/kitesurfing_szov.htm