Body surfing is the most elemental power kiting water sport. It requires only a big steerable kite (just a bit more than you like to handle is about right), a lot of wind, long lines, and a safe run of water. The pilot drags in the water going pretty much straight downwind. Average speeds are about 4 mph (6.5kph) with bursts to around 8mph (13 kph). During bursts of speed, the flier's body planes on the water not touching the water above the flier's navel. The upward pull of the kite lines assist in keeping the flier planing. To maintain power the flier steers the kite in loops, figure-eights or ground passes about the center of the wind. While surfing the flier can do the basic belly slide or do rolls, power assisted surfing on breaking waves, or jumps off waves. As this is a downwind sport, the flier's fun is limited by how far he or she is willing to walk upwind after going for a surf. It is easy to cover a lot of distance very quickly.
This sport requires a lot of wind to make it fun--15 mph (25 kph) is a good wind speed. The flier is moving almost straight downwind, so every bit of speed the flier experiences decreases the apparent wind speed on the kite and with it the force pulling on the flier. It also requires a long clear area downwind. A flier can easily cover a 1/2 mile (0.8 km) before tiring.
Most body surfers use two line kites. With quadline kites, the steering lines can get pulled by the water as they cut through wave tops and interfere with the control of the kite. Lines used with body surfing are generally 150 ft (45 m) or longer. The extra line length is more forgiving of flying errors.
For safety reasons body surfing is only done when the wind is parallel to shore or slightly onshore. Similarly the water must be clear of submerged or non-submerged hazards such as jetties, piers, reefs, rock piles, swimmers, surfers, and boats to name but a few. Even shallow water of less than a few feet (1m) can be a hazard because the body--especially the feet--can drag on the bottom. Shoes or wet suit booties are advised. Wetsuits themselves can also provide valuable protection.
The high load experienced by the flier makes harnesses desireable, but they can present some hazards. The harness must attach near the shoulders so as to pull the flier head first instead of feet first or waist first. As with any ground-based power flying, the harness must have a dead-man feature that will release the flier from the kite should the flier become overpowered or incapacitiated.