HOW TO KITESURF WITH HARRY D
‘…EVERY TIME YOU GET COCKY YOU SWIFTLY GET PUT BACK IN YOUR BOX.’
Where did you lean to do it?Tarifa - the most Southern tip of Spain. It is known as the kitesurfing capital of Europe due its very consistent winds which channel through the Strait of Gibraltar in between the Spanish and Moroccan mountains.
How long did it take you to learn?
For me, being an absolute beginner - two weeks, probably 20 hours in total!
Scariest moment?
Once I had “got it” the learning curve is pretty quick as every time you get cocky you swiftly get put back in your box. I went out on a big kite in high winds and realised that I was overpowered. I ended up getting dragged across the bay nearly decapitating everyone else. Unfortunately one of whom was the world champion who was in Tarifa this summer. He wasn’t too happy but all was fine after a Rum and Soda in the beach bar.
Hardest Part?
Learning. I nearly gave up after week 1. You get dragged around by this thing that you have no idea how to control. The kite is very sensitive and when you are scared naturally you are less sensitive with the kite which always ends badly. But you have to battle through the learning process as it is so worth it.
Fondest Memory?
Kitesurfing into sunset. It was also a full moon and was very cool but annoyingly I didn’t get any footage. And of course some Tidal drinks after 3 or 4 hours in the water. They have never tasted so good.
‘All was fine after a Rum and Soda in the beach bar.’
