Talk about big air.
Strong winds have seen kite surfers breaking Noosa’s height limits, soaring over the sand and water, much to the delight of locals and tourists alike.
Ryan Parsons, of Brisbane, who has been kitesurfing for almost 10 years, was among the most impressive.
He reckons he was getting about 15 metres off the water.
One observer openly wondered whether the youngster needed a pilot’s licence.
The 19-year-old did continual circuits past friend Nienke Verhoef, who was entrusted with a GoPro to record the action.
Despite what many may think, Ryan says you don’t need strong arms or upper body strength to do kitesurfing.
All the power from the wind goes through the harness, he said.
20 Coast youngsters to watch in 2021
From full-time footy to mowing lawns: ‘You had to laugh’
Ryan has competed in a series of events including Brisbane Big Air and the Australian national titles.
He has his sights set on the international stage, hoping to compete in South Africa next year, if COVID-19 doesn’t get in his way.
Ryan has an assortment of tricks under his harness including “popping from the blind (side) followed by a late mega loop”.
Powered by a 10 metre kite, he’s also pretty good with late back rolls.
Kite surfing combines aspects of sailing, surfing, windsurfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, wakeboarding and paragliding.
According to Ryan, the key is having good balance – and obviously the ability to read the wind and react quickly.
Popular spots for kitesurfing on the Sunshine Coast include Noosa River, along Kawana’s open beaches, from Sunshine Beach to Peregian, as well as around Caloundra.