Kite Surfing, Paddle Boarding and Wind Surfing
by Paul Huntington
These are relatively newcomers to water sports. Each opens new avenues for enjoying the water.
Kite Surfing
Kite Surfing uses a large parasail type “kite” to pull the rider along through the surf, open ocean or any open water area. Depending on wind speed, the kite boarder can move along at a very fast clip, even launching himself several feet in the air. Make sure you get checked out on how to operate the kite and gear.
Some good places to get the gear and a lesson or two would be the following vendors:
Good Breeze Kiteboarding
160 E Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL
(321) 252-5483 • goodbreezekiteboarding.com
321 Kiteboarding
235 West Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL
(321) 302-5663 • 321kiteboarding.com
Paddle Boarding
Paddle Boarding is a large surf type board where the rider stands up and uses a long paddle to propel themselves through the water. This sport can be exercised in any open water and it is just that, great exercise for one’s core.
This type of boarding allows a rider to enter a wave with greater ease while already standing up. Traditional surfers are not particularly happy about Paddle Boarders sitting outside in a popular surfing spot, due to the fact of their advantage of catching waves early. Two Paddle Boarders at a break can dominate the area, not allowing traditional surfers to catch the waves.
In California, it is against the law for Paddle Boarders to be in certain surfing areas. This may spill over into Florida someday. So if your this type of sport enthusiast, bear in mind that your advantage shouldn’t mean you become a “wave hog”. Be nice, and better still move to an area where there are fewer surfers in the water and give the others a break.
Paddle Board rentals and sales can be found at most reputable surf shops listed below.
Wind Surfing
Sail boarding has been around a long time. However, of late on the East Coast, Kite Surfing seems to have taken its place. There are still a few enthusiast around, and on a good windy day you may find them cutting through the water along the several of area’s causeways.
Check out some of the surf shops below for info and equipment.
Ron Jon Surf Shop
4151 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL
(321) 799-8820 • ronjonsurfshop.com
Cocoa Beach Surf Company
4001 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL
(321) 868-8966 • cocoabeachsurf.com
Core Surf
7008 N Atlantic Ave, Cape Canaveral, FL
(321) 613-2982 • thecoresurfshop.com
Longboard House
101 5th Ave, Indialantic, FL
(321) 951-8001 • longboardhouse.com
Balsa Bill Surf Shop
1773 Florida A1A, Satellite Beach, FL
(321) 779-8580 • balsabill.com
Neilson Surfboards
3501 south A1A, Cocoa Beach, FL
(321) 868-3800 • tomneilsonshapes.com
Spectrum Surf Shop
130 5th Ave, Indialantic, FL
(321) 768-7873
Quiet Flight Surf Shop
109 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL
(321) 783-1530 • quietflight.com