“We need more women involved in the sport,” he says as he unstraps his padded impact vest after an afternoon of kiteboarding. “But most girls in Hong Kong prefer shopping in malls and wouldn't think of taking it up because they’re worried about the sun or getting injured. I hope that changes,” Ng adds.

“We go away from the shore to avoid the people,” says Ng, referring to the clam diggers scattered along the 1km-long beach. “For us the biggest problem is scuba divers, but we know this beach well and are aware of where they might be.

“Touch wood, I’ve never had an injury. Most injuries here are caused by people cutting their feet on shells.”

Ng says safety is paramount. “We always give way because we have the speed.” On an average day Ng hits 20km/h but on a foil – a surfboard with a hydrofoil that extends below the board into the water – he gets closer to 50km/h. As for height he can top six metres.

This February in Cape Town, South Africa, Dane Nick Jacobsen set the world record for the highest kite jump at 28.6 metres, with an airtime of 8.5 seconds. French kiteboarder Alex Caizergues holds the speed record at 50.57 knots (93.65km/h).

Kiteboarding is a relatively new activity. It entered the mainstream when two French brothers, Bruno and Dominique Legaignoux, developed kites for kiteboarding in the late 1970s and early 1980s and patented an inflatable kite design in 1984. Its roots can be traced as far back as 13th-century China. Kitesailing – as it was once known – involved using kites to propel canoes and rafts.

It was announced in 2012 that kitesurfing was to be included as a sport in the 2016 Rio Olympics, replacing windsurfing. However, in a shock move the decision was overturned. It’s now a non-Olympic sport until 2020 at the earliest.

The tourism industry has also caught the wave, with travel companies offering packages to kiteboarding-friendly destinations from Ireland to Egypt and Fiji. Asia also has its fair share of popular hot spots.

“I plan vacations around kitesurfing and Hong Kong is a great launch pad to visit Asian destinations such as Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Okinawa in Japan. Thailand and the Philippines are also good,” says Ng. “If you have great wind and waves and a long stretch of water with white sand – well that’s pretty perfect.

Davy Tang owns the Hong Kong Kiteboarding School and has spent most of the day teaching beginners on the sand. He was once a big fan of windsurfing and sailing, but that all changed in 2005 when he discovered kiteboarding while on holiday in Bali.

“I was hooked straight away – no more windsurfing,” he says, adding that kiteboarding allows him to attempt a wider range of tricks than windsurfing.

“We started with just a few people who had learned the sport while visiting other countries. We practised in Lung Kwu Tan in Tuen Mun and Sai Kung, places where we had all windsurfed. In 2008 we started kiteboarding here in Shui Hau, where it’s windy, steady and a safe beach.

“Even some students from Macau and mainland China join us here.”

Tang says some experienced riders head to beaches such as Lung Kwu Tan, Sai Kung or Stanley. “But those places are for experienced riders only, there are no lessons and self learning can be dangerous.”

Tang says kiteboarding provides a full-body workout. “It’s good for everyone, whether you’re seven or 70.”

He also travels to kiteboard. “Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan ... and China. That has some good kite beaches – good wind, good food and good people.

“Hong Kong is a good place for the sport but not great like some places, but at least we can do what we love.”

For Ng, kiteboarding is not just a sport but a lifestyle: “I like the beach, I like water sports and I like speed – so kiteboarding is the perfect package.”

For details on kiteboarding lessons and directions to kiteboarding beaches and other information visit

https://www.facebook.com/HongkongKiteboardingSchool/