Sports that combine several other activities to create something new are generally awesome. Kitesurfing is one of those pastimes, taking the phrase ‘go fly a kite’ to a whole other level. ‘It’s a fun, action-packed sport, using the wind, a kite and kiteboard to surf over the water, be it the ocean, lakes or lagoons. Kitesurfers can pick up really fast speeds when the winds are strong and perform freestyle jumps and tricks,’ says John from Edge Riders Qatar. The group is one of the biggest organised kitesurfing groups in the country, offering lessons and equipment to anyone looking to try it.

In May, the kitesurfers are coming out in force for beachside demonstrations by top kitesurfers like Cesar Portas, who is coming to Doha especially to show off his skills with a kiteboard. The show organisers of the North Kitesurf Demo event say it will be a great introduction to the sport – or just a chance to bring the kitesurfing community in Qatar out of hiding. Tickets for the event are limited, primarily for those already involved in kitesurfing, so our advice is to get one quickly if you want to attend.

‘In Qatar, it is currently mostly expats that kitesurf, but interest in the sport is definitely growing within the local Qatari community,’ John says. ‘Anyone can try kitesurfing. Internationally the sport is huge – there are so many different types of nationalities and people involved. It does tend to attract those who are adventurous, sporty, nature lovers and so on, but many people try it out who have never done anything like it before. Each person can take from the sport their own personal feeling of enjoyment and exhilaration, for some it may be the adrenaline rush from the jumps and tricks, for others it’s simply the pure sense of freedom, that’s the beauty of it.’

Apparently, despite the tricks, turns, spills and chills that remind us more of Cirque Du Soleil than surfing, or that scene with the kites from Mary Poppins, it’s actually not that hard to pick up. ‘Everyone starts as a beginner, so you’re not alone when you are learning. A few people may have wakeboarded before or snowboarded, and they will have some experience with balancing, but either way it takes a little dedication to learn initially and to correctly coordinate the kite and use of the board,’ says John. ‘Lessons are required to understand the basics and of course the safety apects, which are paramount to the enjoyment of this sport.’

Once up and running, kitesurfers can set up anywhere. ‘It’s essential to take lessons first, though, be it locally or elsewhere before you start on your own,’ says John. ‘You’ll usually need a few days of initial instruction before it’s safe enough to practise without an instructor – always make sure there’s other experienced kitesurfers with you when you first go out alone, and as a general rule.’

Whether taking part or watching, kitesurfing is certainly fun to see performed properly. And riders like Portas, who have been kitesurfing for years, create incredibly complex tricks with the greatest of ease (or so it appears from the beach). ‘Cesar is a professional kitesurfer. He is Spanish, born in Barcelona, where he initially learned to kite,’ John explains. ‘He is a PKRA north freestyle kitesurfer – he tours around the world constantly, exploring new kite locations and competing for titles. If you enjoy watersports or like extreme sports, it’s definitely worth trying. It’s great exercise and a good way to experience nature – the ocean, the wind, and running with the natural elements’.

It’s one of the oldest extreme sports too: people have been doing some variation on kitesurfing since the 1800s, before it really kicked off in the 1970s and 1980s. It’s also one of the ‘safer’ extreme sports – as advances in technology progress, the accident rate is improving. But they still happen, and no wonder – in October 2010, Rob Douglas set the outright record for speed on water, reaching 56 knots.

Qatar is apparently prime kitesurfing real estate, as organisers of the demonstration want to prove. ‘Qatar and the Gulf region have many fantastic locations for kitesurfing – with perfect wind and beautiful beaches,’ John says. ‘We go out to the west coast, up to the beaches on the north-east coast, wherever the wind blows. There are some beautiful beaches and quite often perfect wind, all complimented with lovely sunshine weather. It’s a really nice, growing community, and everyone is welcoming. It’s a good way to meet new people.’

For more information on kitesurfing, check out the Qatar Kitesurfing group on Facebook, or for lessons head to www.edgeridersqatar.com. The North Kitesurf Demo event hits the beach May 13-19. A kite demo from Cesar Portas will take place May 13, with a wrap part May 14. See website for details