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Air Padre Kite Repair Services You can ship us your damaged kite to get it fixed.

Air Padre Picks up Shinn Air Padre is now offering the new Shinn Boards for 2013

April 20th 2013 Swap Meet Buy, Sell, Trade Kiteboarding and other Used Equipment Apr. 20th

Air PadreSwap Meet Buy, Sell, Trade Kiteboarding and other Used Equipment Nov 10th / 11th

Product Review | Core Riot XR2 Air Padre has reviewed this amazing kite and Dubbed it LEGIT

2013 Slingshot Kites and Boards Now Available Air Padre is now offering the newest Slingshot gear for the 2013 line-up

Kiteboarding in 2016 Olympics! 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro will host Kiteboard Course Racing.

2012 Season Opener Sale! New Items Added Into Our Store that Will Get You Riding for Less!

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A Paraplegic Kiteboarding Story

A kiteboarder's return to Sport after being paralyzed

We just returned from South Padre Island from our annual kite boarding trip and wanted to express my gratitude to Air Padre for all their help over the years.

I started kiting in 1996 after returning from Maui and made my first trek to South Padre Island 10 years ago. I pursued kiting with a passion until 2005 when, while downhill mountain biking, I was involved in a serious accident which resulted in damage to my spinal cord leaving me paralyzed from the waist down.

I continued to return to South Padre with my friends after my accident, however found it difficult to just hang out and watch. I began flying a kite again, using it to pull me in my wheelchair. I tried kiting with a kite-boat, much like a kayak designed for kiting, I found on the net with limited success. My dad and I then designed and built a bucket in which I could sit in that we mounted on my wakeboard. Over the past few summers, behind our boat, I developed my boarding skills.

This year when we returned to South Padre, I felt I was ready to give kiting a try again. With a light wind kite board rental from Air Padre, my bucket and assistance from my friends and some fabulous people we met on the north flats I was able to return to kiting. It was an emotional and amazing time for me to be able to kite again.

Thanks to all who helped me return to the water with a kite in hand, especially Air Padre and Shane who I have kited with since the beginning!
- Rex

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