As a new kitesurfing enthusiast, you probably are asking yourself: “Can I teach myself to kitesurf? Can I learn kitesurfing on my own?” Here is a short answer for you. Technically speaking – YES, this is possible. Thousands of pioneers of this sport (including myself) taught ourselves to kitesurf. We did it because not much schooling was available back in the days and we had an enormously crazy drive to harness the power of the wind with the kite. So, is it doable? YES. Is it recommended? NO No no! As International Kitesurfing Organization – IKO puts it nicely: ”Having a professional kiteboarding Instructor by your side will help you learn the theoretical and practical aspects of this extreme sport. This is something people may overlook sometimes… Kitesurfing is an EXTREME SPORT which is why it is recommended to learn it properly with a trained professional”.
What’s YOUR Reason to learn kitesurfing by yourself?
Let me ask you a question. Why do you want to learn to kitesurf solo?
– Do you want to save money?
– Your ego is inflated and you are ashamed to ask for directions?
– You are one tough DIY-er all the time and you don’t want to break the record?
– You are hyperactive and figure everything out as you go?
– You are one hot head and much rather touch-n-go than listen to some theoretical stuff?
– You have an ADD and can’t listen for more than 45 sec?
– A little bit of everything?
Look, I am like that myself. So if you feel like a Conquistador, assuming ALL the risk and ready to face all the consequences, then go for it! But let me paint the full picture of what it takes to learn this breathtaking sport of Kitesurfing (you see, I even used capital K to stress my respect for it) on your own. I certainly went through all of it and will be sharing my personal experience combined with observations of other daredevils.
A Disclaimer
This post is NOT a crash course on kitesurfing. I am NOT trying to teach you the entire art of Kitesurfing on one page. This post is intended to merely outline the extreme aspects of this beautiful yet potentially dangerous activity called Kitesurfing. Are we clear? Let’s roll then!
Learn the Theoretical Stuff About Kitesurfing First
Yes, I know, the boring stuff, but will you fly a helicopter or even drive a car without some schooling in a classroom? I hope not! As hands-on as you might be, let me ask you a few questions. Do you know the theory of the wind? The stuff like
– Wind gradient
– Relationship between kite size and wind speed
– Power zone in Kitesurfing
– Wind window
– Sheeting in and out
– What direction do we ride in, in the relation to the wind direction
– What wind direction is safe/preferred/dangerous
– Dangers of the OFF-shore wind
– Types of on-shore wind
– preference of on-shore, off-shore, cross-shore winds
– Riptides
– The extent of tidal effects in your kitesurfing area
– Tide schedule
This is one long list, isn’t it? I am going to dive even deeper with you now.
Wind gradient
You see, the air is moving at a different speed depending on the altitude. Do you know where it is the fastest, at 10 o’clock or at 2? (Tricky question here). Even though the wind gradient is not that dramatic at the altitude where kitesurfing kites are flying, yet it’s good to know what you are up against and position your kite properly, especially in the wind conditions that are marginal for a given kite size. Take a look at the chart next to this paragraph. If it does not make much sense to you right now you need to fill in this blank. Sailors are big on wind gradient. HERE is a useful video where I explain the Wind Gradient (among other things). And HERE is what Wiki has to say about it.
The size of your kite
How big is your kite? Is it suitable for the current wind situation on the beach, your board size, board type, your weight, and wave height? You see, there is a formula. Selecting the size of your kite is not random. And when you see everyone riding certain kite sizes (the number is usually printed on the wingtips for the observers) and you feel confident pumping up the same size, what you do not see is their boards and you do know their weight. Need to do some math here (sadly). You also need to include the “projected area” to the “canopy size” ratio as well. HERE is the link to DAY 2 of our TRAINING COURSE where we explain it all in detail. Check it out.
If you already checked out after reading all this it’s a sure sign that that you need to learn all this before heading out onto the water and start playing with the real (read: powerful) gear. Moving on!
Wind window and power zone
The “Wind Window” is one essential point of reference. Do you drive your kite from 3 to 11 or from 1 to 9 to do the water start? You need to know this when on the water.
Your kite will generate a different pull depending on its position in relation to the power zone, so, where is the power zone? What happens there? How powerful is it? What do we use it for? Do we use it to ride? To water-start? To jump? You see, there is a lot, and we are not even halfway through!
Aside from the power zone, how do you control the amount of power that you kite generates? Can you name all the options? (There are five, just so you know).
When you are setting up your kite on the beach, how do you attach your backlines? There are two or three options available. How do you choose one over another? What is the difference? How do you connect your front lines and how long are your lines? How the length of kite-lines affects your riding experience? Would it be much different if the lines are 20 meters? 25 m? How about 30 m? Would you like to use line extensions?
Local Knowledge
You need to know where to go kitesurfing as your local authorities may ban kitesurfing from some beaches. You don’t want to get a ticket for the unauthorized launching of a non-motorized small vessel (that is your board) or for flying your kite in a restricted area, be it a national preserve, nesting ground, or an airfield space.
On the same note, RIP TIDES and CURRENTS created by TIDAL WAVES, as well as by strong winds, can be very powerful, and often times we can’t outswim them. Do you know much about those tides and currents in your area? We are talking about your safety here. Not every kitesurfer would be even aware of this, but kitesurfing schools and kiteboarding instructors with experience should, and they should spend some time with you doing this orientation. HERE is more info for you on WHERE TO KITESURF.
Your Kitesurfing Equipment
Now let’s talk about your equipment and specifically about its features. How well do you know your gear? Things like
– 5 ways to depower your kite
– how to sheet in and sheet out
– 3 levels of safety in kites
– how to release your chicken loop in under one second (almost like a military drill)
– how to release your safety leash
– where is a line knife and does it float
– how much air do you put in YOUR kite
– what aspect ratio you kite has
– is your kite capable of auto-zenith
That was a quick run-through, now let’s dive a bit deeper in some of these questions.
The size of your kite
Every kite is designed for a specific wind range. Newer kites can be flown in broader WIND RANGES than ever before, which is very convenient, but you need to know how to set up your kite depending on the present wind speed. Heads-up: every kite model has its variation of the five adjustments of power. You should also factor in the SIZE OF YOUR BOARD. The bigger the board – the smaller the kite. YOUR WEIGHT will play a major role in selecting your kite size. Your WETSUIT will add a few extra kilos to the mix.
Safety systems in kitesurfing
Every kite has at least three safety systems. You can learn about them from YouTube or from the user manual your kite came with, but the question is: “WHEN DO WE USE THEM?” Do we use them one after another in a sequence or at random? How often do we use them? What situations call for what level of safety release? Are they reversible? Can you reset your kite on the water and ride back onshore after you engaged one or the other safety system? You really need to know this before heading out on the water. Inspect and test them at the beginning of every kitesurfing session. (Now I am back into the teaching mode). Moving on!
Air pressure in your kite
Let’s talk about inflating your kite. This one is a simple and straightforward question, yet you need to know exactly how much air needs to go into the kite model and size that you have. No, this is not the same PSI/Pa/Bar across the board. If the number is not printed on the kite, sticker, or the bag do some research to find out. Nothing is as irritating as the kite that does not maintain its shape, especially when you need to re-launch it from the water. HERE is more info on INFLATING YOUR KITE
The aspect ratio of your kite
Kites turn at different speeds and radiuses. Put differently, every kite requires a different amount of input from you to make a turn. Do you pull hard or gently? How long to need to pull? What is the delay? Is your kite swift or slow in the turns? Does it fly far out at the edge of the wind window or is it sitting deep inside, closer to the power zone? Can you park it or does it have a temperament of a mustang and needs your constant attention? All these depend on a number of factors one of them is the “aspect ratio” of the canopy of your kite.
Yout flight deck
In Kitesurfing, we steer our kites using a CONTROL BAR. This bar seems like there is not much special on it but in reality, there are 16 controls on it. Let me say this once more: SIXTEEN controls. Some are more obvious than others yet you need to know all of them, know what they do to the kite, and (this should go without saying) able to use them. Yes, there is a lot going on on the control bar, this is why we often call it a “FLIGHT DECK“. This one complex thing, believe me.
Auto-zenith in kiteboarding
You may have seen someone keeping their kite at twelve o’clock without even touching the control bar. This feature is called auto-zenith. Your kite most likely not going to have it as there are very few on the market that do. Do not try to mimic this and remember to steer your kite all the time, especially in the beginning, especially on land.
Safety Gear for Kitesurfers
Here is a short list of what kitesurfers use. Everyone picks their own set depending on personal preferences and past experience:
– impact vest
– life vest
– helmet
– wetsuit to fight hypothermia
– safety leash
– board safety leash
– booties
– gloves
– spotter
Go ahead, build your own set. Pick whatever makes you feel safe on the water.
Are you a good swimmer?
Do you need an extra BUOYANCY? Will a wetsuit be enough to keep you afloat? Do you need a life vest? Kitesurfers often use impact vests on the advanced level when they jump and catch big air to protect their ribcage and spinal cord. You may get airborne unintentionally early on. Not all impact vests can serve as a flotation device. Does yours?
Fighting hypothermia while kitesurfing
Wetsuits is the topic in and of itself. Long, short, long john, one-piece or two, thickness, stitching type, size, adjustments, front zipper or back, hooded or not? Are there smoothskin panels and how many? See the image. This is something that makes kitesurfing wetsuits stand out as we spent most of our time exposed to the wind while riding. So, even though we can use any kind of wetsuits, the ones with the smoothskin will minimize the wind-chill effect as the water rolls off those panels keeping you dry even if you just got out from the water. A pretty cool feature to have.
Variety of uses for your safety leash
What is the primary purpose of the safety leash? What else can you use it for? You see, when you find yourself in a self-rescue situation (BTW, you need to know what SELF-RESCUE is as well) you will be using all of your gear differently than it was designed to be used. It’s a good idea to take a class just for that and learn and practice a few times because when you are out there all by yourself you will need this knowledge and skill to be there with you so you can use it. Rarely do self-taught riders invest their time in practicing on this topic until after an accident. This usually is a costly mistake and leads to losing some gear. Think about it.
Signals in kitesurfing
When on the water, do you know the signals kitesurfers use to communicate? We have a few and we actually use them because we ride on windy days and you can’t hear far when it’s windy out there. Also, who has the right of way, the upwind rider, or the downwind rider? Right foot forward or the left? What about other vessels? How do we pass on the water? How do you position your kite when close to the upcoming traffic?
Your spotter
Last but not least when it comes to your safety: do have a spotter? This is a golden rule in kitesurfing. Have someone to keep an eye on you and you do the same for them, especially in the beginning while you are still figuring out what’s what in kitesurfing. This could get a bit tricky, especially when you are asking a stranger to exchange a favor. You can bring a friend to the beach with you but usually, after about half an hour they get bored and jump on their cellphone or start talking to the girls on the beach, leaving you alone. When you hire an instructor they will be looking at you, be by your side, and help you when you get in trouble. Better yet, they will prevent that trouble from happening. Even if it’s something as simple as getting your board and handing it to you after you crash and wipe out. As much as kitesurfing seems like a solo sport we do need a hand every now and then, so, hire it.
Pricing on Kitesurfing Classes
I am glad you are still here, now let’s talk about saving money. This is the main topic that’s holding many new kiteboarders from hiring a professional instructor. And it seems pretty logical:
No instructor = No expense = Savings
Right? Well, let’s look at this from all different angles to cover all 360. The instructor will save you your time. Think about the hours you will spend on research, combine them, multiply by your own hourly rate, and see if there is any saving. And what if you missed a thing or two while doing your own research? Here is the reality check: you don’t know what you don’t know. Put differently, if you did not learn a thing or two if you missed it or it did not register you will not even know what you are missing until it is too late. And even if you learned EVERYTHING you may simply forget something. I know that I always forget to hookup my safety leash and I lost one of my kites one day because of that. Your instructor will point it out for you. He or she will walk you through the whole process a few times while you learn. This is priceless, in my humble opinion.
Another advantage of hiring an instructor. They will give you their kite to abuse, and abuse it you will, dropping it time and time again. This is actually normal to drop your kite while you still learning, no offense here. And at the end of your session, you will simply return it, even if it’s damaged. You don’t want to damage your new kite, do you? Actually, many new kitesurfers opt to buy used kites in the beginning as they are cheaper and you would not regret losing it as much, but buying used gear is tricky as you do not know what to pay attention to, to make sure you are not getting a lemon deal to begin with.
And one more point. How would you know what kind of equipment you will like? You can read a ton of reviews and watch all the videos on YouTube listening to other people’s opinions but it’s all soo very individual! It’s all about personal preference! What if you buy something and end up not liking it? Kiteboarding Instructors will give you a number of kites and boards and other equipment to play with, so, you can try different options and build your own opinion and taste for kitesurfing gear. It’s a lot easier to make buying choices once you have your own preferences.
Hitting the Plateau
Here is one interesting reality check. Every self-taught kitesurfing enthusiast hits a ceiling in their progression. Be it a water-start, an upwind ride, or the height of your jump, you will feel that you are not doing is as good as that “other” rider on the beach, but you seem to have exhausted all of your options and can’t figure out the reason why you are not progressing much further. You are doing something wrong but you can’t figure out what it is exactly. A little confession: this happens to all of us, whether you are an enthusiast or a pro athlete. And when we hit that plateau of our own we seek help from outside. We hire a coach, an instructor, a trainer. This will probably happen to you also, so, you might as well do it sooner than later and make it your starting point, an entry point into kitesurfing. Just set aside some budget and just go for it.
Finding a Good Kitesurfing Instructor
Let’s face it, people are different. Kitesurfing instructors are not all the same either. Some are more skilled than others, some are better at showing their HO-TOs, some are better at talking, some are not good at all. IKO – International Kitesurfing Organization, the body that issues certificates for kitesurfing instructors only checks one’s ability to ride and perform certain maneuvers and tricks. They do not test one’s ability to teach and to pass one’s knowledge to their students. As in any other profession, there is a small percentage of strong professionals among kitesurfing instructors and you better find a good one for yourself. Do some extra research, read reviews, hang out on the beach where they train, and observe to see fist had which trainer would click with you, who’s teaching style is to your liking and ask (even demand) that specific person when booking your class.
More Serious Factors
Here are my last five cents. I am actually glad that you are still reading because Kitesurfing is one extreme activity. Not only it’s very complex (it’s actually two sports in one) but it is also very dangerous. People may get hurt practicing Kiteboarding. I do not want to scare you away, more people die every year from coconuts falling on them than from kitesurfing, but I want you to be fully aware of ALL possible outcomes. Watch THIS for educational reasons.
The Verdict
Scientists have found that people are willing to spend ANY amount of money on two things: HEALTH and EDUCATION. Kitesurfing classes ARE educational. Spending a few hours with a kitesurfing guru will propel you to the next level very quickly. It’s going to save you time and you will be a lot safer. I wish KITESURFING INSTRUCTORS were available when I started, would have saved me MONTHS of calendar time. So, go ahead, find your local kitesurfing school and take a few lessons with them.
Get out there, have fun and be safe!
I’ll see you on the water!
