Lessons

It is essential to have lessons to learn to kiteboard.  The consequences of getting things wrong can be far worse than most other sports.  Lessons from a qualified instructor will teach you the correct way to avoid these situations and, in a worst case scenario, how to get out of them without harming yourself or others.

We use Kite Sessions for our lessons, a dedicated kiteboard school which has been established for 5 years (a long time in kiteboarding terms!).   Nick Donnelly has had great success turning raw beginners into kiteboarders!

Learning to Kiteboard

The process of learning to kiteboard consists of a few distinct steps.  Successfully completing each step makes each successive step much easier.

Flying a kite – It sounds simple, but kite flying skills are the most important element in kiteboarding.  Fly a training kite or stunt kite enough that it becomes automatic.  Practise flying one handed, and holding the kite steady without looking at it.  The better you are at flying a kite, the more you will get out of lessons and the faster you will learn to kiteboard.

First Lesson – This is where you learn all about the actual kiteboarding kite, including all the safety elements and self rescue techniques.  After this lesson you should be able to safely buy your own kite and harness and practice the things you have learnt.

Practice – Water relaunch of your kite and upwind body dragging are the main things to focus on here.  Being good at these two skills will make life easier full stop.  At the same time you’ll be familiarising yourself with all the other techniques you’ve learnt.

Board skills – Any boardriding skills will help, but kiteboarding is essentially wakeboarding or skurfing with a kite instead of a boat.  Being able to wakeboard will help massively, so go wakeboarding, either behind a boat or at the Cable Park.  Learn to get up and cut both regular and goofy.

Kiteboarding – Put together all you’ve been practising!  A second lesson is the easiest way to get onto a board.  It’s at this point that you’ll really appreciate all the practice you did!

www.kitesessions.com.au