"Kiteboarding or kitesurfing is a sport that involves using wind power with a large power kite to pull a rider across a water, land, or snow surface."
Use of a kite to propel oneself on the water, requires knowledge of wind patterns and kitesurfing techniques.
"It combines the aspects of paragliding, surfing, windsurfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, and wakeboarding."
"Kiteboarding is among the less expensive and more convenient sailing sports."
"The sport received a wider audience in the late 1990s and became mainstream at the turn of the century."
"It has freestyle, wave-riding, and racing competitions."
"The sport held the speed sailing record, reaching 55.65 kn (103.06 km/h) before being eclipsed by the 65.45 kn (121.21 km/h) Vestas Sailrocket."
"Worldwide, there are 1.5 million kitesurfers."
"The industry sells around 100,000 to 150,000 kites per year."
"Most power kites are leading edge inflatable kites or foil kites."
"About 20 m (66 ft) of flying lines to a control bar and a harness."
"The kitesurfer rides on either a bidirectional board (a 'twin-tip', similar to a wakeboard), a directional surfboard, or a foilboard."
"They often wear a wetsuit in mild to cold waters."
"The safety record has improved with better equipment and instruction."
"After some concepts that emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s and some designs were successfully tested..."
"...it combines the aspects of paragliding, surfing, windsurfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, and wakeboarding."
"The sport received a wider audience in the late 1990s and became mainstream at the turn of the century."
"The sport held the speed sailing record, reaching 55.65 kn (103.06 km/h)..."
"The industry sells around 100,000 to 150,000 kites per year."
"The kitesurfer rides on either a bidirectional board (a 'twin-tip', similar to a wakeboard), a directional surfboard, or a foilboard."
"The safety record has improved with better equipment and instruction."