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Kite Boarding on the Banana River Lagoon near Cocoa Beach, Florida

During the winter months you will often see one of the coolest things ever as you drive along the main causeway, State Road 520, carrying you into Cocoa Beach. Looking to your left or right you will see kites over the water traveling along side you.

These are kite surfers. Chances are you have heard all the buzz regarding the latest in extreme sports "kitesurfing". This sport has taken over the water recreation ares of many popular beaches, inlets, lakes and even rivers. Since kiteboarding relies heavily on favorable, consistent wind conditions, specific geographic locations tend to become popular and sought out by experienced kiteboarders. Kitesurfing started on the east coast of the United States during the very end of the 1990's. However, this is not the only place where you can do kitesurfing today, but here in Brevard County we are one of those areas on the East Coast of Florida that is very popular for kitesurfing.

This is a fun, engergic and extreme sport. The guys and a few girls I've seen love it when we have good winds in the winter anywhere from 10 to 35+ knots. You will see them with all their gear laid out alongside the road, putting on wetsuits and harnessing themselves to the kites. It looks like so much fun but there is a lot to learn before stepping out into the water to take off. The wind conditions play a huge part along with the type of kite and board you use. Many details must come together to successfully launch your kite and be able to glide through the water. Personally I have never tried my hand at this sport but would love to sometime.

Until this day, I've never seen tandem kite boarding. This was obviously a father son deal here this day and both looked like they were having fun.

Kite Boarding is a sport for the dedicated. Look for them on windy days on the lagoon along the causeways in the Banana River Lagoon.

Here in Cocoa Beach the Banana River is a very popular place for kiteboarders. Across from the Cape Canaveral Hospital will be see groups of people gathering together for a great time on those windy (sometimes chilly) days when everyone else rather be off the water. It always thrills me to see how fast these guys are speeding through the water as I drive along side them on the causeway. The jumps I have seen some of them do half scare me that they are going to fly across the causeway to the otherside of the river. I'm sure they could make it if it weren't for all the power lines.

So if you are a kiteboarder may I'll see you alongside the road one day or if you just want to stop and watch all the fun we still might run into each other.