Kitesurfing — playing with water or with fire?

Kitesurfing is a relatively new water sport that converts wind energy into vertical and horizontal force using a large controllable kite. In optimal conditions, speeds of up to 65 km/h and heights of 20 m are reached.1,2 Impact at these speeds or from this height can lead to severe injuries or death,1 and such accidents have reinforced the image of kitesurfing as a highly dangerous and even reckless sport. Nonetheless, kitesurfing is rapidly gaining popularity and is among the fastest growing water sports worldwide.1