I compile some tutorials, videos and theory for learning kitesurfing
What skills do you need to get started?
Most beginners are completely new to boardsports, watersports and kite-flying, so lessons start from scratch. “Many have never flown a kite or done another watersport in their life. Some have never even put on a wetsuit,” says Kirsty Jones. For safety reasons, you should be comfortable swimming in open water
How fit do you need to be?
You don’t need to be super-fit to kitesurf. And the kit is lightweight, so you don’t need lots of muscle strength either. However, a general level of fitness will help you progress faster, give you more stamina on the water and help you avoid injuries.
Any kitesurfer who respects the sport will agree that beginner lessons are essential.
A standard beginner’s course is broken down into three core elements:
- Flying a kite on shallow water: launching, landing and kite control
- Flying a kite in the water: body dragging, control and re-launching
- Getting up and riding on a board
Within these elements, you will also learn about:
- Assessing an area for safe kiting conditions
- Understanding the wind direction, strength and gusts
- Understanding tides, currents and hazards
- Choosing the right equipment for the conditions
- Setting-up, tuning and packing down your equipment
- Safety procedures and what to do in an emergency
- Board-starts (getting up on the board)
- Continuous riding and speed control
- How to stay upwind
- Rules and rights of way on the wate
How many lessons do you need before you’re up and riding?
“Most people need around 10-12 hours, to get up and riding along. Some need more – or if a student has prior board-riding experience [like wakeboarding or windsurfing], plus the right one-to-one coaching, they could potentially be independent in two days ,”
https://explorawatersports.com/news/kite-theory/
Beginner kit list:
- Kite – the size you’ll need depends on the wind strength
- Bar and lines
- Board
- A harness
- Safety leash and safety knife
- Floatation vest
- Helmet – one that’s specifically designed for kitesurfing
UNDERSTANDING THE KITESURFING STAGES
HOW TO BECOME A KITESURFER
- On the beach, flying a 2 line kite, understanding the wind, wind window, theory and safety.
On shallow water, flying a 4 line kite, understanding how to set up a kite, launch and land successfully, understand how to handle the kite and move in and out of the power zone.
2. HEAD INTO THE WATER AND BODY DRAGGING
Understanding how to propel yourself through the water. This is called body dragging, you will be able to soft body drag and power body dragging upwind.
3. BRING THE ELEMENTS TOGETHER (KITE AND BOARD)
At this stage you will be learn to water start with the board and the kite, experiencing your first ride, extending your ride downwind
4. BUILD ON YOUR POSTURE AND STANCE
Improving your posture and stance to enable you to ride upwind, perfecting your transition turns, switch turns and looking at your first pops to jumps.
kitesurf Nicaragua 