1 - Power kiting is a sport
and is not for everyone! Many who show up at our door have a mis-understanding that kiteboarding is a ride and we can just take them out for an afternoon of fun. Even worse, are those who feel they only need to watch someone do it a few times before trying it. If you want to pursue the sport, there are definitive training steps you will need to be coached and guided on.
Kiting is such a
fusion of other sports,
you'll find a lot of similar feelings, no matter what your background. What it really takes to learn passion and desire. Be careful, once you're hooked, you'll become a
wind chaser for life!
2- You're going to crash
Your safety should always be the number one factor when pursuing any sport, including kiteboarding. Understanding that you're going to crash kites and you're going to fall will keep you in a positive mental state. There is a learning curve, and most must first fall before they can get on their feet. Keep your learning aptitude strong and you'll do well.
3- Girls learn faster
We've found women and girls have a faster learning curve than most guys. In our studies, we've nailed it down to finesse, center of gravity, and study skills. Overall, girls have more finesse and balance. Since kiting is more about "Zen" than strength, they do well by not muscling the gear around. Their natural lower center of gravity increases their ability to sustain rides. And, when we teach them something....they listen and absorb what's being taught (sorry guys).
Fuse your skills with other sports!
In just a few years, kite flyers, wakeboarders, surfers, skaters, skiers, snowboarders, sailors and paragliders have fused in their skills with kiteboarding. If your athletic background harvests in one of these areas, you'll find kiteboarding offers a lot skill familiarity, as well at some incredibly new feellings. Here's a few tips for those crossing over from:
- wind sports: Windsurfers and sailors will love that they have a big sail on a small boat. The small gear size will have you stoked about transport and rigging. Your wind knowledge is a key strength. You'll likely need to unlearn riding big boards and holding on to booms.
- Boarders: Surfers will love riding more waves in one kiting session than entire season surfing.
Wakeboarders will love the hangtime as they control their own boat with an 80' pole.
Snowboarders / skiers will stoke that they already have their board, can ride up mountains and avoid crowded lift lines (plus you can ride in summers on ground or water).
Skaters will eat up the rails, sliders, and wakeskates, where falling from an ollie won't tear up any joints. All boarder types will all need to really work on wind basics along with kite control skills and launching.
You absolutely DO NOT NEED to have a background in any of these sports. In fact, we often find students without strong board sport experience have less to unlearn. However, those with pro-riding skills often have stronger learning aptitudes and the desire to push forward. Some of the best kiters never stepped foot on a board or boat. It really comes down to passion, desire and commitment levels.
how do you know if you're a kite candidate?
what it takes to get going . . .
athletic ability While power kiting is not a physically intensive sport once proper skills are learned, you do need to be in good shape, especially in the water. Those with more of a cross-trainer look on life do best. Various board skills definitely help. Those with kite backgrounds excel faster. . . and women, well, they are the quickest learners (according to stats). Once basics are learned, it's more about Zen than anything. Kiting is an anaerobic exercise, offering you hours of sustained exercise with deep breathing. For training, focus on yoga and carido exercises.
Learning Aptitude Crashing is part of the learning process and will happen at all levels. However, learning both physical and mental CRASH CONTROL is an essential part to progressing quickly. If, when you fall, you get right back to your feet and give it another shot, you'll do well.
Body Weight While kites are getting smaller and more effecient there are minimum weights limits we recommend for safety reasons. 50# for land based power kiting. 85# for water based kiteboarding.
Age Doesn't Matter Air has had the pleasure of teaching students as young as eight and as nearly young as 73. If you have the passion,
Proper Instruction Would you step into the cockpit of a plane and try to take off without flight lessons? The most common cause for injury is ignorance. Matching the wrong gear with the wrong skill level and wrong riding conditions can get scary fast!
Good Conditions From correct wind speed / direction / gust factors to water conditions and hazards, studying local current and future weather patterns are key. Matching them with safe flying areas and proper gear is critical to a quick leanring curve.
The Right Gear Staying upwind is second nature. You’re actively jumping, landing and working on specific tricks. Your kite rarely crashes and have mastered basic techniques. You are now addicted and have become an avid wind chaser.
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