Do I need watershoes for a kite safari
The beaches of our kite spots are generally nice, and the same can be said about the sand in the water – but I noticed more and more experienced riders coming back from our kite safari with little cuts on their feet. And a small cut, especially the first day of a kite safari, can be really annoying. So let’s dive in with some quick and short answers, cause it’s windy and I want to go back in the water.
Mandatory for beginners – if you plan to walk a lot with your kites at 12, then you need watershoes. But what about intermediates? If you are intermediate, bring your watershoes (just in case you decide to use them). Advanced riders don’t want to ride with watershoes. I do not ride with watershoes. I need to feel the board at all times, so watershoes, that eliminate that extra sensitivity that I need, I can’t wear. So I do not expect advanced kiters to wear any watershoes (but they can).
WHY WATERSHOES ARE NEEDED
Imagine a sandy beach, with small little stones in it. When you walk on it, it’s no problem – you see where you are going. But when you go in the water, with your kite, it is another story. The kite will throw you off balance sometimes, and suddenly you need to step on the beach under the water. You may be lucky, you may be not. If you are full beginner or waterstarter, you will for sure walk a lot with the kites in your hand. And then you need shoes, period.
Intermediates is another story – if you can go in the water, start kiting, and come back with a bit of care on the beach, then yeah, do not bring watershoes. If you plan on crashing, stepping around, etc etc, then bring them. My suggestion is to bring them, use them the first day, then decide.
Advanced I personally do not recommend, unless you have watershoes designed for watersports activity. That’s probably the only case.
MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
When I kite, I hardly step on the water when I crash – even when it’s shallow, I body drag EVERYWHERE. That’s how I save my feet.
I love kitesurfing, travelling, and making short walks with my dog. I organize kite cruises in Egypt since 2014, you may find me in some windy beach pretty much all year round when I’m not on the boat, may it be Egypt, Cape Verde, Mauritius or Greece. I drink red wine and play (badly) the guitar. You can contact me at +201009410388 (whatsapp or calls) or just email me at info@sickdogsurf.com
Hope to see you on board one of these days!