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One of the hottest new trends to hit the Gulf is kiteboarding, an easy-to-learn beach water sport that’s perfect for the calm, clear conditions in Panama City Beach.

Also known as “kitesurfing”, participants in the environmentally-friendly sport use wind power to sail through the water on a small surfboard. It’s also been described as a cross between windsurfing, surfing and wakeboarding, and has grown exponentially in popularity over the last four years among beach water sports, according to Wayne Griswold, the manager of Panama City Beach’s Emerald Coast Kiteboarding.

Individuals of all ages can and do become active kiteboarders, he added. Local “kiters” in Panama City Beach include children as young as 10 and adults as old as 71. Once people start kiting, they generally get hooked and stay with the sport, Griswold added.

The sport’s popularity is thanks in part to the relatively easy learning curve. Beginners can learn how to stand on a board within a few hours, and start-up costs to purchase gear are also low compared to many other beach water sports. The sport is also popular with the eco-conscious. No fuel or engine is required, and once the equipment is purchased there are basically no additional costs.  

Panama City Beach is an ideal location for the sport, thanks to clear waters, wide open beaches, sandy bottoms, smaller waves and the ability to kite year round. Some of the best locations for kiters in the area include the pristine, flat waters near Shell Island, as well as St. Andrews State Park. The local conditions are one of the reasons kiteboarding remains one of the most popular Panama City Beach water sport.

Visit Emerald Coast Kiteboarding to learn more about the sport. For information about other Panama City Beach water sports, check out VisitPanamaCityBeach.com.