Meet the Airtime Team:

Airtime is owned and run by kitesurfers, when we hire new staff – we make sure they can kite, and if they can’t – we teach them! If you phone our shop, drop us an email, or even come in to the shop for a chat – you can be sure that we do our homework. We work closely with the manufacturers and each product we sell has either been tested by us, or one of our close network of friends (including IKO qualified instructors and Pro Riders)

Lucan - 3 x Extreme Leaning National Champion

Streetboard Genius, Strapless Kitesurfer, iPhone loving Guinness Drinker (Wannabe Model)

Lucan learnt how to skate before he could walk, ollie before he could run, and kitesurf before he could grow a proper beard..

Having been with Airtime from Day One, Lucan knows the business inside out, and provides expert advice on our full range of skateboarding and kitesurfing equipment.

When he's not relaxing on YouTube, you can usually find Lucan supping Guinness at the local, out skating, or if the wind is up - he'll be at Hill Head with a Kahoona and a Luke Young Custom kiteboard!

Ross - Kitesurfing Instructor, Southampton Kitesurfing Centre

Kitesurfer, Snow-kiter, Motivational Speaker.. Don't talk about it, DO IT!

Ross started the Southampton Kitesurfing Centre kite school in 2008 after qualifying as an IKO kiteboarding instructor. His passion for kitesurf is reflected in the quick progress of his students (95% of which think his hair looks a bit like lego hair!)

When Ross isn't instructing or kitesurfing, he can usually be found working on his website, making music, or trying to convince Lucan and Rick to clean up their cans of Relentless!

If you're interested in learning to kitesurf or taking kiteboarding lessons, Ross is the man to talk to! The best way to contact him is via the Southampton Kitesurfing Centre website or, as he is often at the beach, his mobile 07863 811 644.

Kate – Kitesurfing instructor, Southampton Kitesurfing Centre

Kitesurfer, Streetboarder and overly enthusiastic sushi chef

This is Kate first year as an instructor with the Southampton kitesurfing centre
and she is loving it. Kate is always the first person in the water even if they is
only 7 knots she will still go out and give it ago.


You can normally find Kate trying to get her first 360 on her streetboard in
the Airtime Shop or down at the beach trying to kite in no wind. Kate is also
any expert in Monkey noises!

Where it all started, not at the beach, or the pub.. But at our shop:

Airtime Sports began life in a small retail unit just 50 metres from the shorefront in Lee-on-the-Solent, halfway between Southampton and Portsmouth. Fast forward to today, and we’re still there!

We think that the best way of testing which kite, board or skating gear works best for you is for you to try it – that is why we offer every customer the chance to try before they buy. Taking a trip to Airtime will allow you to stand on, play with, touch, feel and even smell all of our kites, boards, harnesses, skating and surfing gear

Try Before You Buy:

We know our online reviews are pretty good, we know we’re pretty damn good at what we do – but sometimes you need to give it a go yourself! We can only offer our amazingly awesome ‘try before you buy’ service in-store, so drop in and we’ll let you try on every harness, wetsuit and t-shirt in the shop! If the wind is good then we will often head down to the shore to fly some kites.

Code of conduct for kitesurfing at Hillhead and Salterns Park

This code of conduct has been develop to help kitesurfers and the public at Salterns Park and Hillhead to stay safe. Please respect it, abide by it and communicate it to anyone you see who is not acting in accordance with it.

Kitesurfing code of conduct for riding at Salterns Park, Hillhead our local beach

Ensure you have third party liability insurance.

Help anyone in need of assistance.

Keep away from the childrens play area.

Do not fly your kite over the beach while kitesurfing.

Do not walk along the promenade with your kite in the air, or walk on the beach with your

kite over the promenade or the car park.

Do not do any tricks within 50m of the beach

Tell the coastguard you are safe if yo lose your board on the water

Rights of way

When crossing, upwind riders should fly their kite high, downwind riders should fly theirs low.

The rider coming into the beach from the water gives way to the rider leaving the beach.

A rider on the port tack (kite on the left side) gives way to a rider on the starboard tack (kite on the right side) – kite on the right, has right of way.

Always look around before turning or performing a trick

Stay away from swimmers and swimming areas

Give way to all other water users

Equipment

Regularly check you safety release systems.

Check for wear and tear on all your equipment

Always use a kite leash and effective safety system

Carry a knife that can cut your heaviest line

Setting Up, Launching and Landing

Please set up towards the middle/far end of the park away from the childrens play area.

Do not launch close to non-kiters or if the launch area is crowded with people.

Put a weight on your kite when left on the land.

Snake or wind up your lines when leaving your kite unattended.

Look out for riders returning to shore and be ready to help land their kite safely.

Please do not empty stones from your weight bag onto the grass.

Conditions

Check local weather conditions before riding.

Do not go out in an offshore wind.

Only go out around high tide if you can confidently ride upwind both ways.

Wait until mid to low tide if you are learning or are a beginner.

If the beach and shoreline are busy wait until they have cleared before going out.

Do not spend time flying the kite on land

If in doubt, dont go out

If you need any more information about kitesurfing at Hillhead or if you would like advice on your equipment and safety please contact us This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Tel 02392 553 607. Someone from Airtime Sports can normally be found at beach on windy days and will aways be more than happy to help