Global Kiter Foundation (GKF)

20.01.2012 Share

It is a well known fact that sports is good for us. It teaches us that it takes hard work and sweat to become good at something. It pushes us to strive for perfection and to seek out new challenges.

But there is a lot more to it than the lessons it teaches us. Sports brings us all together in a unique way. Whenever we are at a sport venue, be it the beach, the mountains, or a tennis match, the atmosphere is positive and happy.

When we practice our favorite sport, we tend to forget about everything else. And that is good for our mental health! Experts believe that exercise releases chemicals in our brains that make us feel good. Exercise can boost our self-esteem and help us concentrate, sleep, and chase the tension, frustration, and stress away.

It's also a great way to improve our social lives and have fun!

It is all these things (and a lot more) that we realize is happening with the GKF Wind that Works workshops. According to Sport and Development Organization, sport has an effect on everyone- it plays a "key role in the lives and communities of people with disabilities, the same as it can for people without a disability."

Kitesurfing is a sport that many feel is not very accessible- be it because they think its physically demanding, or only for certain types of adventure character. This is a myth! GKF is here to show this engaging and empowering sport is open to everyone, regardless of age and ability.

We have had excellent feedback from our workshops. Here are a few extra benefits we wanted to add to the list, relating specifically to kiteboarding:

• Its an outdoor activity. Just breathing the sea breeze makes you feel better! Not to mention the vitamin D we get from the sun- even if it's a bit cloudy!  
• It builds physical strength and helps with coordination, balance and mobility
• It builds independence: sooner or later, we all become independent riders and achieve the confidence and skill level to ride on our own
• It reminds us to be considerate of other people (respect the right of way rules on the water, help a kiter in need, share equipment if necessary) and not act selfshily, which is always good for the soul!

And the best part about all of this is probably the social outlet. We’re not talking about sharing your photos on ikitebecause, or "hanging out" on the new Google+ platform. We are talking regular old-school face to face meeting, and making new friends outside your regular circle.

So there you go! Life is always busy these days- there never seems enough time to check all the boxes to maintain a balanced lifestyle. But give kitesurfing a go: it mixes it all very nicely and will give you a new healthy, outdoors passion that will give you a fresh look on life!