Roll Call - Older Kooks & Seasoned Age Kiteboarders

[NCWater]

I am new to kiteboarding at age 50 and was wondering about the older gents that were kiteboarding. I have always been very fit and athletic, but of course, my extended family has thrown in the idle comment or two about "aren't you a little old for something this extreme?". My answer has been heck no, and I have no interest in just sitting around. However, I am cognizant that I have limitations and have to be aware of things like knees, conditions beyond my abilities, adopting a more conservative riding style, etc. I would be interested to hear from some of the more seasoned guys and gals. But I definitely have been stricken with the kiteboarding fever!

[Toby]

no worries...oldest guy we had kiting was 86 !
So, you are kinda young!

Enjoy!!!

[edt]

in terms of limits, at 50 you can do wakestyle, airstyle strapless, megaloops, whatever you want. Start off wearing straps, boots can let you catch an edge. You don't have to be that fit to kiteboard, it's like skateboarding in that way, except skateboarding is a lot harder on the body because concrete hurts more when you crash, in kiteboarding you just splash in the water. Kiteboarding is a lot less extreme than wakeboarding, in wakeboarding you are going faster and slam harder. Wakeboading is also a lot harder on the knees.

Airstyle is especially gentle on the body. It looks extreme to hit a big air and do a board off but really all you do is go up and land gentle as a feather, if you bomb you just throw the board behind you and splash.

It's your choice, airstyle, wakestyle, strapless, surfboard, waves, butter, your age is not a restriction.

as a beginner you will want to limit the top speed you go out in. If it is nuking, stay safe, don't ride. But that has nothing to do with being 50 it's all about being a beginner. Strong wind is what is dangerous to a newbie (30+ knots) not any particular style and not any particular age.

[NYKiter]

I'm 48 and I prefer strapless to avoid ACL ruptures.
I also do not jump....I've been told I'm missing the best part but ...uh hu...not worth it...
I also ride a mako that smooths out the nasty chop.
Some of our guys are in their late 60s and they are GOOD.
Great advice by edt. I tend to stay away from 30+ winds...sometimes is ok...

Good luck!!

[Kamikuza]

I'm 48 and I prefer strapless to avoid ACL ruptures.
I also do not jump....I've been told I'm missing the best part but ...uh hu...not worth it...
I also ride a mako that smooths out the nasty chop.
Some of our guys are in their late 60s and they are GOOD.
Great advice by edt. I tend to stay away from 30+ winds...sometimes is ok...

Good luck!!

Yeah, you're missing the best part Jumps don't punish me at all. I've been smacked harder and more painfully just falling over sideways off my strapless board!

[NYKiter]

I know, I'm focused on the waves...I suppose I will get into it but the whole eating shit part to master them is troubling...

[bay surfer]

Stay away from small kites, and learn to not to F16!

[dyyylan]

Another old guy here.... just turned 26. my competition days are over

[NCWater]

Stay away from small kites, and learn to not to F16!

Bay Surfer - in your view, what's a small kite? I do have a 9m Switchblade kite (and I'm a 198 pound guy), but at my level of experience, I don't plan to go out in anything greater than 25 to 28 mph.

[Bille]

I am new to kiteboarding at age 50 ...
...
But I definitely have been stricken with the kiteboarding fever!

You're a Youngster at age 50 .

I'll be 61 this coming Halloween ; & Love this sport !!
Don't do a bunch of tricks ; maybe an occasional back-roll and an 8ft jump.

Thing is : "just being out on the water is a WAY better Rush than
getting Drunk & watching TV" !!

More Fun than hitting a Gym too ; couple three hours on the water every week
and you can eat most anything Ya want, and Ya won't gain weight.

Bille