Learning to Kitesurf with High Flyers - Beginner's Package
Will I be strong or fit enough to Kitesurf?
Well, although when kitesurfing you are controlling a large, powerful kite, and can make incredible jumps and tricks using the power of the wind, you don't need a corresponding amount of strength. In fact, because you are hooked into a harness you take all of the pull around your waist and not on your arms. This means that literally anyone can kitesurf (I have taught people from the ages of 9 all the way up to 60). A feel for the kite and the wind, and an ability to fly it safely is all important - not brute strength. This isn't to say that kitesurfing can't be very dangerous if you don't learn it properly. That is why having proper lessons, and learning at the right pace so that you become safe and independent are so vital. Having a certain level of swimming ability and not being too scared of the water are, however, important.
Will I be on the board straight away?
Woah, hold your horses (or even your kite). Everyone learns at a different pace - and I have only once had someone who was on the board first day, but generally in a couple of days you should be starting to try.
So what is involved in learning to kitesurf?
Stage 1 - Introduction to the Kite:
- Flying small kites on the beach and learning about the Wind Window, Neutral Zone and Power Zone
- Learning how to pump, rig, carry, secure an inflatable kite, and it's safety systems
- How to launch and land safely
- Flying the kite in the neutral zone
- Flying the kite one handed
- Feeling where the power zone is and having some fun feeling the pull on the beach (by now you'll understand why we learn to fly it competently first!)
Stage 2 - Body-dragging in the water
I teach with radio helmets so am in constant contact with you
- Go fly! Now we're in the water, and moving the kite through the power zone, and feel the awesome power of the kite, by downwind body-dragging
- Go on, do it again and again - you'll love it! And it improves your kite control
- Crosswind body-dragging. Keeping the kite in one side of the window in order to pull you that way, then please come back!
Stage 3 - Boardstart
- Theory on the beach
- Practice on the beach
- Practice in the water
Stage 4 - Practice
- Starting first time every time
- Riding. Kite in correct position, edging and leaning to control the power, balance on the board
- Riding the other direction. Quite a vital skill! One side will be better than the other
- Turning
- Just enjoying being on the board and becoming a happy kitesurfer!
Kite chat
Each night we'll be mulling over the highs and lows of the day. Over an aprés-kite beverage we'll talk about how you got on, watch the action from the day, take the mick a bit, and talk about more kiting related topics. Or if you're kited out for the night, relax at home and watch a movie, the football or sample the atmosphere in town.
- Have you had basic lessons?
- Kitesurf a little?
- Don't kite as much as you would like, and not improving much?
- Can kite ok but just want some wind?
- Want to jump better, do back-loops, front-loops etc
Then come on a High Flyers holiday, kite all week, and really kick on to the next level. Either if you are trying on the board or are a kiter looking to work on your jumps then this is the trip for you. Regular tips and pointers, video analysis, riding along with us and advice on how to perform new moves are all part of the Progression package. Bring your own kit or use ours, its up to you.