Since the 1990s kiteboarding has been getting more popular in the South Florida area. Tampa is becoming a very well-known kiteboarding destination, and for most popular water-based sports, particularly among vacationers because Tampa Bay is a large natural harbor with warm year round water temperatures and significant ocean-borne winds. Many factors contribute to making Tampa City one the best locations in south Florida to go kitesurfing such as the weather, the locations and topography suited for professionals and amateur riders, the many shops around Tampa and the city environment. Some really good reasons you should go kitesurfing to Tampa with your family and friends and have the time of your life.
Image courtesy of lou.stanley at Flickr.com
In first place we have the weather. For any kite surfer or kite boarder knowing the weather is extremely important, and in Tampa good, sunny, warm to hot weather is guaranteed almost all year round and the best winds can be found from November to April; the average wind conditions are between 20-30 knots which is more of a smooth ride and a good place for medium level riders; the water temperature is average, allowing riders to wear board shorts and short wetsuits; they type of surfing water is most of the times flat but it also has some chops and waves that make it a bit more interesting at times. As the weather is almost perfect, the night life in the city is also benefited and can offer amazing places to have some fun and relax for the next kiteboarding day.
Tampa’s topography and spots offer kite surfers a large area to practice the sport with a variety of levels for all kinds of riders. First, the large bay has more than 400 square miles of open water and there are a large number of sandbars along the shores that make launching simple. Many launch points also have relatively few sunbathers, which minimizes launch interference. And second, the harbor has a shape that effectively channels winds from the Atlantic needed to power the kites.
As for the spots, Tampa has many spots to visit that can be used by people with any level of expertise. There are many schools around the area that have classes and can help tourists get into the sport. Some of the best spots for kitesurfing in Tampa have easy launch parts for novices like the East Beach and Pass-a-Grille, Blue Flag Beach and Upham Beach. There are also a number of spots for more advanced riders like Big Beach and John's Pass with conditions that are more suitable for intermediate and advanced level riders due to the stronger currents. Some areas that are not really good to launch are Skyway Backside, Indian Rocks Beach, Cypress and Picnic Island, not because of the winds, but more due to the crowds and rocks. Tampa's famous spots include Fort Desoto Park with the North, Big and East beaches; skyway if you are and advanced rider and nearby traffic and trees are not a problem; Treasure Island with good wide open spaces for newer riders and small waves to enjoy and surf hard winds; Gulf Beaches which is a great place for a down winder; Honeymoon and Caladesi Island with winds from any direction but they get a bit crowded in the weekends; and Clearwater Beach.
Tampa’s topography and spots offer kite surfers a large area to practice the sport with a variety of levels for all kinds of riders. First, the large bay has more than 400 square miles of open water and there are a large number of sandbars along the shores that make launching simple. Many launch points also have relatively few sunbathers, which minimizes launch interference. And second, the harbor has a shape that effectively channels winds from the Atlantic needed to power the kites.
As for the spots, Tampa has many spots to visit that can be used by people with any level of expertise. There are many schools around the area that have classes and can help tourists get into the sport. Some of the best spots for kitesurfing in Tampa have easy launch parts for novices like the East Beach and Pass-a-Grille, Blue Flag Beach and Upham Beach. There are also a number of spots for more advanced riders like Big Beach and John's Pass with conditions that are more suitable for intermediate and advanced level riders due to the stronger currents. Some areas that are not really good to launch are Skyway Backside, Indian Rocks Beach, Cypress and Picnic Island, not because of the winds, but more due to the crowds and rocks. Tampa's famous spots include Fort Desoto Park with the North, Big and East beaches; skyway if you are and advanced rider and nearby traffic and trees are not a problem; Treasure Island with good wide open spaces for newer riders and small waves to enjoy and surf hard winds; Gulf Beaches which is a great place for a down winder; Honeymoon and Caladesi Island with winds from any direction but they get a bit crowded in the weekends; and Clearwater Beach.
Image courtesy of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater at Flickr.com
The kitesurfing culture has brought many shops, many clinics and many instruction centers to the Tampa area with really affordable prices ranging from $100 to $200 for trainer kites, while full-sized kites range from $500 to $1,800 based on the manufacturer. There are many committed institutions like Watersports West who actively promotes the sport of kitesurfing through instructional clinics and informative online newsletters. They give a free "introduction to kiteboarding" seminar every Tuesday evening or by appointment in an effort to build a stronger and safer community of kite surfers. Their school focuses on strategies to pick the proper launch locations, forecast and plan for various conditions, and also learn the basics of all board assembly systems, harnesses and equipment; and Kite Boarding Tampa Bay which is an affordable, full-service kitesurfing school with lesson plans based on IKO- and PASA-certified training programs and with an emphasis on safety.
The city life in Tampa City is really incredible with things to do for the family and party animals alike. Parents can take the kids to Game Works, and then the Marble Slab for some Ice Cream and ride on the trolley to the Aquarium, Channelside and downtown. For the clubbers, Howard Avenue south of Kennedy Blvd is full of local nightlife bars and restaurants. Some local favorites are Hyde Park Cafe, Mangroves and Whiskey Park for dancing.
The city life in Tampa City is really incredible with things to do for the family and party animals alike. Parents can take the kids to Game Works, and then the Marble Slab for some Ice Cream and ride on the trolley to the Aquarium, Channelside and downtown. For the clubbers, Howard Avenue south of Kennedy Blvd is full of local nightlife bars and restaurants. Some local favorites are Hyde Park Cafe, Mangroves and Whiskey Park for dancing.
Image courtesy of Matthew Paulson at Flickr.com
Some of many reasons to go check out the Tampa kite surfing atmosphere and visit all the incredible spots to kitesurf while you enjoy the city nightlife with friends or family.