Tandem Kiteboarding - it's finally here!
At least that’s how the sales pitch will go! Could 2014 be the year that tandem kiteboarding becomes the norm for giving someone the gift of kiteboarding? Axis kiteboarding thinks so, and they’ve proved it by releasing the worlds first production twintip board, designed for tandem kiteboarding – they call it the Vanguard Tandem 142cm. And it’s actually just a Vanguard with an extra set of straps bolted on.
But it’s not the board that’s the big news here, it’s the idea! There’s been a group of guys trying to work it out for ages on facebook, and they got real close with some long twintips and ingenious tandem harness ideas. It will take a few years to get really good quality setups, and the other kite brands will have to get on board in making some big kites that will take the strain of 140-160kgs of rider at the bar end. Also taking some time, if for instructors to work out how to take people for joy rides with the system. Getting up and riding is certain to prove difficult, especially if the joy rider isn’t used to hurtling along the water as any decent speed. We also wonder how the guy in the back is supposed to breathe when doing a waterstart! All these challenges are sure to get worked out over the next few months. But what do you think of the idea?
And what would you pay for such a thing? Tandem Paragliding rides are around the $250 mark for a 20 minute ride. Is kiteboarding a worthwhile sport to be charging that much? When you consider a standard lesson is around $100 an hour, would customers be willing to pay paragliding prices for kiteboarding thrill? Look at Skydiving as another alternative. High thrills, expensive equipment and ludicrous insurance costs, sounds a lot like kiteboarding!
Next time you're in your local kite shop, have a chat to them about trying this tandem thing out. There's lots of brands thinking about it, they just need the push from riders who want to try it!
Peregian Beach, QLD
