by Andy Gratwick (Author)
The essential and fully updated reference for all aspiring and improving kiteboarders, explaining the theory, how to get started, all the way through to competing and instructing.
Your complete practical guide to this fast-paced and addictive sport. Kiteboarding has gone from strength to strength over the last few years, and interest is only set to increase within its inclusion in the 2024 Paris Olympics. In this book, Andy Gratwick (Head of Training for British Kitesports) gets you started with the kite and takes you through to flying it on the water, jumping, tricks and racing, as well as covering weather, wind and tide theory, and helping you select the right kit. Sections cover: - The origins of kiteboarding and massive rise in popularity in recent years- How a kite flies and basic weather principles as well as background on tides and currents, waves, and wind vs tide
- Getting started on land - LEI rigging, assembly, launching and flying, body-dragging
- How to master your board skills - turns, stopping, rules of the road
- Going upwind, riding toeside, turning and transition
- Moving fast and riding waves; learning to tack and gybe
- Details on all kiteboarding disciplines from speed kiting to kiting on land
- How to improve your performance and enjoy incredible airtime! For this second edition there's a new chapter devoted to all things foiling, as well as new text on latest kit, more effective techniques, tips on higher jumps, and new photography throughout. Packed with step-by-step photo sequences explaining the basic moves all the way through to more advanced tricks, and including information on competitions and becoming an instructor, this is a book no kiter will want to be without.
Author Biography
Andy Gratwick is Head of Training for British Kitesports Association and the first ISAF technical expert for kiteboarding in the world. He has written the training and exam syllabus for national kiteboarding authorities in the UK and Australia, as well as working with ISAF on the standards and rules for the 2024 Olympics. He is also an RYA Yachtmaster; trainer and examiner for kitesurfing, snow and land kiting; and BSUPA Head Coach for SUP in the UK. Easyriders, his kiteboarding and stand up paddle school, is based in Sandbanks, Poole.
An Epic Adventure
Built for Adventure. Rooted in Community.
Epic was created from a simple belief: life is meant to be experienced, not watched from the sidelines.
What started as a passion for wind, water, nature, and exploration has grown into a community built around adventure, learning, and connection.
Through Epic Adventures, Epic Gardens, and Epic Adventure Scouts, we bring people together to explore the outdoors, develop new skills, and reconnect with the natural world.
Whether you’re riding wind and waves, learning how food grows, or guiding the next generation of explorers, Epic exists to help people live fully and intentionally.
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Our Mission
To inspire people to live healthier, more adventurous, and more connected lives through nature, movement, and community.
We believe adventure isn’t just about adrenaline — it’s about growth, confidence, and discovering what you’re capable of.
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The Epic Ecosystem
Epic Adventures
Guided outdoor experiences designed to push limits and unlock unforgettable moments.
From kiteboarding downwinders to coastal adventures and retreats, Epic Adventures is about getting outside and living the story.
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Epic Gardens
A farm-to-community movement focused on growing food, sharing knowledge, and reconnecting people to the land.
Epic Gardens celebrates local agriculture, sustainability, and real food grown with intention.
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Epic Adventure Scouts
A youth leadership and outdoor skills program designed to help the next generation build confidence, character, and resilience.
Through hands-on learning, entrepreneurship, and nature-based skills, we help young explorers develop the mindset and tools to thrive.
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Why Epic Exists
In a world that often pulls people indoors and online, Epic is about bringing people back to what matters:
• Adventure
• Nature
• Community
• Growth
• Freedom
We believe the most powerful experiences happen outside, together, and in motion.
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Epic isn’t just a brand — it’s a community of explorers, builders, and lifelong learners.
Whether you’re joining an adventure, supporting local food, or helping shape the next generation, you’re part of something bigger.
Welcome to Epic.
