How and when was kitesurfing born?
Kitesurfing was born in the 1980s, when some surfers and kite enthusiasts began to experiment with the use of the kite as a means of towing the surfboard.
By using the kite, kitesurfers could navigate calmer waters and with weaker winds than those required for traditional surfing.
These pioneers began to develop the first equipment and techniques to practice this new sport, which at the beginning was still very rudimentary.
As time went by, kitesurfing began to evolve, becoming more and more popular, attracting the attention of water sports enthusiasts.
As technology advanced and the sport grew in popularity, smaller, more aerodynamic kites were developed, allowing for greater maneuverability and safety.
Today kitesurfing is a very popular and competitive sport all over the world.
Who invented kitesurfing?
- The first developers of kitesurfing are: Gijsbertus Adrianus Panhuise, known as Gijs, a Dutch engineer who created the first delta-shaped kite to tow a surfboard in 1978;
- Ian Day, an Australian surfer who created a delta-shaped kite with a bar control system in 1979;
- Dominique and Bruno Legaignoux, French brothers who created a C-shaped kite with a bar control system in 1985;
- Manfred Ruhmer, an Austrian who created a delta-shaped kite with a bar control system in 1986.