The former president of population health and risk services for Valence Health, Dr. Nathan Gunn is an avid kiteboarder in his free time. Although Dr. Nathan Gunn pursues this hobby primarily in the Bay Area, the former Valence Health executive was first introduced to it approximately 10 years ago as a vacationer in Costa Rica.
Perhaps best described as a hybrid between kite flying and wakeboarding or surfing, kiteboarding, also known as kitesurfing, features a flat board attached to the participant’s feet via bindings and a harness around the waist attached to a steerable kite. The kite also attaches to a handlebar, which the kiteboarder uses to steer the kite.
The kite moves with enough power to lift the boarder 50 to 60 feet in the air, if the boarder has developed enough skill. The wearable harness bears the brunt of the resultant force, so the boarder’s arms are free to direct the kite in ways that let him or her perform tricks and maneuvers. This also means that the sport is accessible to athletes with no more than average strength or fitness.
The sport does have a significant learning curve, in that it requires a diverse skill set simply to stand on the board and direct the kite. Competent instruction helps the boarder prepare to practice independently while ensuring the development of technique that supports safe riding.
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