Preparing for your Kitesurfing Lessons

Nobody ever said getting started with your kiteboarding career was easy, but there are certain steps you can take to shorten the learning curve. Don't forget, you're probably paying a pretty penny for your lessons, so you'll want to optimize every second with the instructor. There are several things you can do to get ahead of the pack, even before your first lesson.


Get a Training Kite:

The first step on the path towards learning to kiteboard is mastering the control of the kite itself, and this is actually the first thing your instructor will teach you. Why not learn it on your own time? Training kites are smaller, more manageable rigs that are perfect for learning.

The first thing you'll learn is how to find your wind window. Look downwind (with the wind hitting you in the face), throw your arms up into a cross, and move them towards each other. When you can spot each hand in your peripheral vision, you've found the bottom edge of the window. Now sweep them up into an arc, over your head, but far enough forward so that you can still see them. You've just drawn the top of your window! Obviously, this takes a bit of practice (especially on the fly), but you'll get it down soon enough!

You'll also want to learn to steer the kite. Practice pulling back on the bar, guiding it left and right accordingly. Get it going back and forth without crashing, and you're a significant way down the path to complete control.

These are the basics, but you'll also want to try to get started on building your power stroke (the move that gets you up on the board), as well as board starts (the proper positioning for your legs as you rise up from the water).

As you train, throw in new elements that you'll face once you strap on a board. Begin moving with the kite to simulate how it will react once you get some speed going. You can even jump on a skateboard or a pair of rollerblades (provided you have proper protection equipment, of course!). You'll also want to slowly move up wind speed.

Mastering the kite takes a lifetime; a good start would be about 5-10 solid hours of training before the lesson. Head out to a wide open space today to get started!

Now that we've talked about your training kite, it's time to talk about training yourself. There's a reason all the guys in the kiteboarding mags look ripped: they need to be. This is an intensive sport, so you'll want to be in the best shape possible. Concentrate on building your core up, because this is where much of your kite control comes from. You'll also want to get in the pool for some laps, because you're going to be doing a lot of swimming, especially in the beginning.

Finally, we've arrived on the day before your lesson. Here's a tip: chill. You don't want to be tired or hung-over when you're paying someone upwards of 100 dollars an hour. Get a good night of rest, and get ready to shred! It's time to get started!