Wales is windy and a great place for watersports. Growing up on the Isle of Wight I learned to sail dinghies as a child and owned a Laser singlehander and an 18' catamaran during my PhD years. Unfortunately the Aberystwyth harbour development in the 90's effectiely ended the possibility of winter harbour racing in the winter. The University slipway an winch also became unservicable and I gave up dinghy sailing for some years.
Some years later I discovered kite buggying when I was offered a second hand Peter Lynn buggy and kite. Shortly after I bought a Mountain Board because the buggy always felt awkward with the sideways forces, plus my legs are a bit too long to be comfortable. I was already using a couple of second hand LEI (inflatable) water kites with bar and harness because handles were far too tiring for a long session on the mountain board and the depower limited.
The mountain board is great fun, but obviously can be painful in a spill so I never wanted to get into jumping tricks (in my late 30's at the time). One day someone (don't remember who now) offered a "go" on a kiteboard one light wind day and I found that I could stay up on the board with only a few tries. That first day I didn't manage to gybe without sinking the board but could tell it wasn't going far off. By the next week I was the proud owner of a bunch more kit - a s/h "shapes" board, new waist harness, reel leash, new gloves etc.
Couple of stills from my GoPro
I'll finish this page sometime when I have time...