History of kite-surfing

Kite sufing

Period: Jan 1, 1950 to Jan 1, 2050

Creation

1977

Kite surfing, also known as kiteboarding, was invented in the late 1970s. The exact date and creator for this invention are often debated, but it is generally attributed to the dutch inventor Gijsbertus Adrianus Panhuise, who got the first patent for this sport.

First design

1978

The american Dave Culp, designed the first inflatable attack border. This helped to have a base that is more stable and to have better control over the kite.

Hybrid tests

1980

In the early 1980s, the swiss Andreas Kuhn did some tests on a hybrid table that mixed skiing and paragliding.

First demostrations in front of public

1985

The Legaignoux brothers, Dominiquie and Bruno, did a demostration of navigation on inflatable skis, controled by a kite. This took place in the Brest International Speed Week.

The Legaignoux patent

1987

Two years later, the Legaignoux brothers got the patent for their creation, as it wasnt exactly a table, you were standing on two inflatable skis.

Against the wind

1992

The american kitesurfer Cory Roeseler is the first person to achieve the movement against the wind with his kitesurf in this new discipline.

First time on magazines

1996

In the magazine from the clothing brand Oxbow, Laird Hamilton was shown practising a strange sport, kitesurfing. Her purpose was, with some other athletes like Manu Bertin, introduce this new aquatic sport to the world.

First kites and tables for sale

1997

The company Neil Pryde with the company Wipika, were the first to sell kites with four lines. On the other hand, kitesurf tables were produced and selled by the business F One.

Competition

1998

First recognized competition takes place in Maui, this wakes up the interest on the sport from a lot of people. The winner was Flash Austin, one of the greatest in kitesurf's history.