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Kite Zen: A thAIRaputic addiction

To learn the basics, you don't have be on or near water, but you must first master kite ZEN!

If you're reading this then most likely you or someone you know is seriously considering learning how to kiteboard (see what is kiteboarding?). If you've read air's article on kiter progression, then you're familiar with the term "kite control." And, how critical mastering it is during the early training stages. While kite control really is quite basic, mastering kite zen is what we believe makes kiters great.

So what is kite zen? It’s quite difficult to explain or illustrate, but in power kiting, you’re using a kite big enough to tow and lift you while riding some type of vehicle across some type of surface. Ultimately, you’re becoming a single wing pilot. In order to sustain your ride, several critical things must all happen at once:

Your body must relax letting the kite tow you.

Your eyes are focused on the horizon absorbing upcoming conditions.

Your mind is focused on what your kite is doing. Piloting must be second nature.

Your lower body reacts & balances the board beneath you, feeling the earth, water, and air.

Your intution is calculating conditions, always on the watch for changes.

Kite What?
Why Zen?
thAIRaputic Effects

What is Kite Zen?

Those who reach kite zen before taking air's "board balance" class, have a 90% greater chance of getting up and riding short distances by the end of that class. Those who aren't zen'd, have a
5% success rate.

Kite zen is more than the ability to steer a kite with your eyes closed. Kite zen is about melding yourself with kite, board, and environment. Whilst being able to “feel” your way through riding and jumping.

With it, you're learning curve will be short, fun, and safe. Without it, things can get scary, really fast. Those deciding to leap over kite control basics and jump right onto a board and full size kite, almost always injure themselves (bad), damage their gear, and mentally block any forward progression.

It's all about Thairapy
It sounds crazy, but it's the most addictive element in kiteboarding. You have to have it to ride, and it's what you feel when you're done. When kiteboarding, Zen is about:

relaxation Because you're being towed while wearing a harness, taking a relaxed stance of hips forward and shoulders back is essential. If you get tense, you'll loose the organic balance and fluidity needed to ride.

focus Your eyes need to always be keyed on what's coming up. Environmentally aware is critical, and can be tough to learn as it requires excellent "horizontal blind" kite control. Look at your kite or board and you'll lose focus...and crash.

mindful While your body is relaxed, your eyes focused, your mind needs to taking everything in and have total control over that big piece of cloth flying 80' up. Lose kite concentration and you'll lose kite control.

fluid balance Even though power kites typically support 20-50% of you body weight while riding, and 100% while jumping, having a strong balance sense while moving / floating is critical. Especially when something you can't see, changes suddenly (i.e., wind lulls & gusts).

feel Feeling the earth below you, whether it be water, snow, or ground affects your balance, and kite control. Keeping your subconscious on feeling your board and it's terrain will sustain your ride.

airapy Ok, kind of an odd term, but we believe it. Did you know ancient asian cultures once used wind (AKA Fung) as a healing power to rejuvenate & enlighten. Well, they were'nt quite kiteboarding, but we still practice it today...just on a different level. Just wait till you get zen'd for the first time!

The Thairaputic Effects of Kite Zen
It's so powerful, that no matter what's on your mind, kiting will energize your body, cleanse your head, and put you on the fringe of addiction. This is why kiters often get grumpy during times when weather condtions are unfavorbale. It's impossible to describe the incredible utopic feelings you'll have after a kiting session. The cool thing is, it's natural, it's healthy, and it's an awesome thairapy!

Ready to start?
Then contact air's accredited kiteboarding school to help you master kite zen! In the meantime, read about getting your trainer kite and practicing your zen techniques (seeStarting thAIRapy: The Trainer Kite Myth).