Power kites are powerful enough to pull the rider like a boat in wakeboarding and to lift their users to diving heights.
An uncontrolled kite can be dangerous, especially in difficult environments.
A rider can lose control from falling or from sudden wind gusts, which can occur in the presence of strong winds from squalls or storms (“collard”).
It is possible to be seriously injured after being lofted, dragged, carried off, blown downwind or dashed, resulting in a collision with hard objects including sand, buildings, terrain or power lines or even by hitting the water surface with sufficient speed or height (“kitemare”, a portmanteau of kite and nightmare).
Adequate quality professional kiteboarding training, careful development of experience and consistent use of good judgement and safety gear should result in fewer problems in kiteboarding.