Anyone who loves high adrenaline water sports will be perfectly at home in the Florida Keys.  Whether you’re hooked on wind, wave or horsepower, there’s a sport for you – and if you don’t know how to do it yet, there’ll be teacher ready to show you how.

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Kite boarding has grown phenomenally in popularity in recent years, but learning the ropes in the cold British climate is not fun.  Instead, head to the Keys where you can take a course from a professional trainer in warm, knee-deep water which is ideal for launching and riding, with reliable winds that can keep you going for miles.

Kiteboarding requires a waist harness, a kite attached by four lines, a steering bar and a board.  In the clear, shallow waters of the Keys backcountry, students learn to pump up and fly the kite, steer the bar and attempt jumps, spins and other manoeuvres on the board.  The exhilaration is incredible.

A two-day course with The Kite House in Key West, founded by kite boarding Guiness World Record holder Paul Menta, costs from $500 for the “Going Tribal” course for two friends, sharing tuition.  www.thekitehouse.com.  Other local training companies include Otherside Boardsports www.othersdieboardsports.com and Seven Sports www.sevensports.com both based in the Middle Keys on Islamorda. Flights and accommodation have to be arranged separately.

If wave and muscle power are more your thing, then try paddle surfing with the same outfits – great for days when the winds are too high or non-existent for kite boarding.  Paddle surfing is the perfect sport for just for fun but also a great core physical workout, as you stand on a 12 to 14 foot long board while you paddle.  This upright position gives not only a better view of your surroundings, but also enables you to paddle longer and more easily than when sitting in a kayak.

From wind, wave and muscle power to horse power – Key West is the venue for what is probably the fastest and most exciting power boat race in the world.  November 8 to 15, 2009 will see the 29th Annual Key West World Championships, where up to 100 boats compete in a variety of classes.  People come from all over the world to participate or just watch the action, as the massive speed boats tear through the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  Just watching will get your adrenaline pumping, so imagine what it must be like for the boat crews!

The Championships usually begin with a powerboat parade on the opening Sunday and races are scheduled through the following week. Several admission packages are available for spectators, including VIP packages, but there’s no doubt that wherever you go on the island you will be drawn into the excitement of the World Championship of Powerboat Racing!

For more information go to www.superboat.com or www.fla-keys.com

WHAT’S NEW

New flights to Key West from Orlando with low cost carrier Air Tran

December 2009 sees the start of a new low cost air service from Orlando to Key West, perfect for Brits heading to the Sunshine State who want to explore beyond the theme parks to find the peace and tranquillity of the Florida Keys.

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The Keys will now become an easy twin centre option, with the 70 minute flight on a Boeing 737-700 aircraft replacing a six hour drive from Orlando. Departures from Orlando International are scheduled for Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings at 11.30am, with return flights departing Key West at 1.30pm.  The arrival back into Orlando at 2.40pm is perfect for connecting to transatlantic flights back to the UK Europe.

Flights between Key West and Orlando are to start from £72.00 ($119.00) per person, each way, plus taxes and fees.

For more information and to book a flight, visit www.airtran.com