Video by Matt Thames, Eclipse Kiteboarding Team Rider

SolShine from Matt Thames on Vimeo.

“I’ve never lost the magical feeling since first learning to kite. What amazes me the most is how many different types of people can get together at the beach and instantly become friends. It’s as if the feeling we share is a common ground to base an entire sport upon.

It’s hard to compare a sport to kiteboarding. Imagine driving the boat and water skiing at the same time, Or you could say its like flying a parachute with a board strapped to your feet. Kiteboarding has a nostalgia that brings all types of people together.

One of the unique aspects of kiting is the ability to go just about anywhere. Snowkiting is becoming very popular, using the power of the wind to pull the rider thru miles of backcountry that would normally never be accesable. The ability to use a kite to ride uphill, making speed turns the entire way to the highest mountian peaks gives many skiers and snowboarders a ski-lift that fits inside a backpack.

Kiteboarding is becoming the worlds fastest growing sport. And it is easy to see why. It is recommended to take lessons from a certified instructor. Would you jump out of a plane without first learning to skydive? Once you have the building blocks of kiting, The realms of possibilty are only limited to your imagination.

As the kite boarding family grows strong, I feel honored to do my part to keep the magic alive.”
Matt Thames, Eclipse Kiteboarding Team Rider & Co-Founder of the Southern Oregon Kite Addicts

- Check out Matt’s Photos here