Riding a wheeled board with a land kite providing the traction is a similar sport to kite surfing. All it really takes to get into kite boarding over land is some open space, a traction kite and a landboard of just about any kind. Oh, and some basic power kite flying skills of course! The idea is to get the kite overhead first. Then, when you are on your board and ready to roll, the kite is brought down to generate some sideways pull like a sail. With the kite moving in the same direction as the board, you are on your way.

As we know, there are many kite boarders use ‘mountain boards’ which are basically over-sized skateboards. The wheels are pump-up rather than hard as on traditional roller skates or skate-boards. Since so many people are into these sports, there are many manufacturers all trying to get a piece of the action. That means more different kite board designs than you can poke a stick at!

Even so, it’s possible to make some very general statements about all these boards. Here’s a few reasons to consider the most expensive boards, if you can afford them.

* these boards are easier to use since they allow turning while traveling at lower speeds
* most of them have ‘active suspension’, which is handy for doing jumps or going over rough ground
* composite construction is more expensive, but results in much lighter boards - important for kiting

Anyway, the best place to do land kite boarding is any large flat area with constant wind and no obstructions. However, with some care, any open space can be used. You just don’t want yourself or the kite to crash into anything. In particular, things to avoid include power cables, buildings and other people.

Here’s a summary of the types of areas kite boarders can be seen at.

* parks
* sports fields
* farmers’ fields
* large outdoor parking lots
* hard-packed sandy beaches
* school grounds
* dry lake beds

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