One wild watersport

The long, skinny shape of Cat Island sits near the center of a 3,000-strong string of islands in the western Atlantic. During winter, this locale in the central Bahamas is tickled by trade winds, creating ideal conditions for kiteboarding. Also called kitesurfing, this rising sport combines techniques seen in waterskiing, surfing, and snowboarding. Strapped to a sleek board and sturdy line, kiters harness wind power to cut waves and catch air—sometimes soaring high above the sea for hang times of a minute or more.