JEDDAH: Kiteboarding, which was developed in the 1970s and began to grow in popularity in the late 1990s, is particularly well-suited to the conditions around the coasts of Saudi Arabia.
The sport, also known as kitesurfing, first appeared in the Kingdom around 2008, when expat aficionados began to recognize the opportunities and perfect environment the country offers them. Though they initially faced some challenges from authorities over safety concerns, these were resolved and enthusiasts were able to practice the sport safely in lagoons.
Samia Bagdady first encountered kiteboarding during a summer holiday with her family in France. She enjoyed it but did not pursue the interest seriously until several years later when, after…