How to learn kitesurfing

Understand Safety Mechanisms

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Kitesurfing is an extreme sport. When you start learning this highly addictive sport, you need to be aware that there are certain risks you will be exposed to. However with a good an experienced instructor you understand quickly which are the important points to keep in mind to ensure maximum safety.

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1. Judge the wind conditions

In kitesurfing we depend on many factors. One of the most significant is the wind. Your instructor will explain you how to assess the right wind direction for kitesurfing and explain you how the wind window looks like. This is an extremely critical detail because it decides on how much power the kite has.

 

2. Chose the right area

When you come to the beach pick a zone where there are no other beginners closely and you have enough space to set up your equipment and practise – if there is the space. If you chose very busy beaches you have an additional risk factor for your classes. Kitesurfing lines are up to 25 meters – this means you need to make sure that in the whole window around yourself nobody stands and there are no obstacles that could damage your equipment.

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3. Get used to the three safety steps that will help you when you lose control over your kite: leave the bar, release the chicken loop and release the leash. This will be covered in detail with your instructor on the beach.

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Kite control on the beach: sitting, standing and walking

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After you understood the mechanisms of the bar and the harness you will get to know the anatomy of a kite. Now it gets really exciting: you will fly a kite for the very first time! Although this training kite will have a minor size don't underestimate the power it will generate! As soon as your kite hits the power zone, it might pull you suddenly forward! In order to avoid accidents you will sit at the beginning of this step. Like this you are able to handle more pulling power from the kite and can adjust better when your kite hits the power zone without wanting it.

 

As soon as you are comfortable flying small eights in the sky you will perform the same only on each side separately. You will be showing your instructor that you are able to keep the kite in one position only and move the kite to the position the instructor asks you to do. After mastering this you will be more capable to control the power of the kite - sitting and standing - and can start to control the kite with one hand only and even when you walk. Step by step we will gain more stability and control over the kite. Towards the at the end of this step you will be able to walk from side to side, grab your board from the beach and walk towards the water without crashing the kite or suddenly getting pulled forward.

Body dragging

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After mastering the kite control, you will be ready to go into the water! You will have the opportunity to test your skills and experience the full potential of the wind. With your instructor, you will learn how to use the kite power to body-drag in the water from left to right going downwind. During this process you will practise to relaunch your kite whenever it falls into the water.

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While you are still on the beach your instructor will teach you the steps on how to recover your board when you lose it. When you enter the water you will practise these steps so that you feel safe when you actually have to manage both in the water: control your kite and your board at the same time.

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It will be way more complex to control the kite and the board in the same time. That´s why your instructor will make sure you are mastering these steps before he lets you enter deep water with a board.

Waterstart

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The waterstart is one of the most challenging and pivotal skills to master in kitesurfing. It marks the moment when you transition from learning to kitesurf to actually riding the board and unlocking a world of possibilities. It can involve face planting, dipping your rear end into the water, shake-sliding, supermanning downwind, and of course, riding! Once you’ve mastered the waterstart, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an accomplished kiteboarder.

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To be honest, the waterstart can be quite tricky to learn when you’re starting out in kitesurfing. You have to control the kite up in the sky while getting your feet into the straps down below. You’re drifting downwind as the current pulls you to the left. The sun is making it difficult to see, and you might have accidentally swallowed some saltwater. On top of that, there might be other kiters in your vicinity. Before you know it, you’re spinning around, your kite crashes into the water, and you’ve lost track of your board. It’s a familiar scenario, isn’t it?

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We understand that learning to kitesurf can be overwhelming and challenging. We’ve been there ourselves! Our experienced kite instructors will be there with you every step of the way. They’ll hold your board, guide you with the bar, or lend a helping hand to support and direct you until you succeed. Mastering the waterstart in kiteboarding requires time, practice, and a good sense of feel. With the right instructor by your side, you’ll quickly learn how to get up on the board and start riding like a pro.

Riding in both directions

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As you progress and start spending more time on the board, you will learn how to ride for longer distances and durations. This stage is essential in your learning journey, and from here on things get easier.

 

In order to come back to the beach, it's crucial to practise riding in both directions. Only then you will be able to proceed to the next step. Your instructor will help you understand the mistakes that keep you away from proceeding faster and guide you through this step to the next.

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Riding upwind

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At this level, your instructor will guide you on various aspects such as controlling your speed, riding upwind, switching to toe-side, and honing essential safety skills like self-launching and performing a self-rescue in deep water. 

 

Once you become an independent rider, you should be able to ride on your own and might consider purchasing your own gear if you haven’t done so already. However, it's common to take a surveillance in order to feel safe in deep water while you practice.