Kenya's coastline offers water sports lovers a place to shine

Challenging sport

Although it is a challenging sport, you don't need to have a strong body to master the skills to fly a giant kite while riding a board on the sea, according to Nzaphila.

"When we begin the kiting, everybody thinks it is about strength. They may think handling the kite uses just their muscles. It is a misconception," he said.

"For kitesurfing, we don't use strength. It's about technique, so it doesn't matter how strong you are. The technique is like yoga. You have to relax your mind and your body."

He said the most difficult part to learn in kitesurfing is kite control. In comparison, riding the board is much easier. "Once you feel the kite, it becomes much easier to do the water study," he said.

After obtaining some basic skills, the trainee has to keep practicing for perfection, Nzaphila said, adding that he practiced kitesurfing for four years before he became a coach.

Among the numerous beaches in Kenya, the ones in Diani are the best for kitesurfing, he said.

"Here there are fewer people and the beaches are not crowded, so there is a big space for learning," he said. "The wind is constant and but not very strong, and there are no rocks near the beaches."

However, accelerated global warming in recent years also has had an impact on the sport, said Nzaphila.

"Sometimes the weather can be unpredictable. During the peak season, there can be no wind sometimes," he said. "Cyclones from other places such as South Africa and Madagascar can also cause disruptions."

For Nzaphila, kitesurfing not only brings him employment but has also become a big part of his life.

"This is my life now because I like to exercise. I like to have good vibes and be social. So for me, it's like I'm getting everything," he said.