If you are visiting the Crystal Coast and happen to be staying in the Beaufort area, we encourage you to try your hand at kiteboarding. Beaufort inlet is an amazing place to view the true beauty that encompasses our coast. Kiteboarding in and around the inlet area is also amazing for people who know how to stay up wind, but it’s not the best place for beginners.
Here’s why:
Strong tidal currents
One thing that affects the sport of kiteboarding is water movement. If you are in an area with a lot of current, it can make it challenging to hold the power in the kite. Holding and maintaining power is crucial for several aspects of the sport such as body dragging, the power stroke, and riding on a board. If there is current that is pushing you in the same direction of the wind, it can slacken the lines in the kite if it is not sheeted properly. You can expect that while you are learning you will not always be flying the kite properly, so this could make it more of a challenge to learn.
Boat traffic
Due to its stunning beauty and many things to do, Beaufort Inlet is quite a busy place. On a busy day, you will have to contend with a lot of boat traffic. As an advanced kiteboarder this is not too big of a deal. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the boat traffic even if you are proficient. Many boaters do not understand that you cannot travel in as many directions as they can, so it’s best to leave a lot of room for error. Technically, the kite has the right of way because it is sail power, but if a powerboat does not know that, then it does not matter. It’s best to always assume they do not see you and keep your distance. This will keep you safe while you are out enjoying the scenery served up by Beaufort Inlet.
Blown Island is the best place to learn in the area!
It’s best to eliminate as many distractions as possible while you are learning. There are enough things going on when you are learning how to fly the kite. If you head out to an area where you can minimize distractions, it will help you to concentrate on the most important thing, your lesson. Our location is unbeatable for beginners. Except for a couple of local fisherman, we have no boat traffic at all. The water is too shallow to navigate, which means we have the entire sound to ourselves. We are far enough away from each any ocean inlet that we do not have any major current. We do still have water movement because it’s tidal, but it’s mostly unnoticeable. This serene environment will help you to become a proficient and confident kiteboarder.
We did not write this to steer people away from kiteboarding in Beaufort. We believe that area is one of the “Gems” of the Crystal Coast. There are endless areas for kiting fun and we hope any experienced kiters will go and check it out. Sand dollar shoal, Shackleford Banks, and Cape Lookout are just a few of the epic spots you can check out in the Beaufort area. Our aim is to spread knowledge about this area to keep everyone safe, while having fun.
