Feeling confident with kitesurfing is different for every student. There are some people that are able to pick up the board and feel confident after 1 to 2 lessons where some people require several hours of lessons to get up on the board confidently, inflate the kite and feel safe on the water.
Most kite surfing lessons take place in two to three-hour blocks. Most instructors would recommend taking 6 to 12 hours of lessons to get the basics of kitesurfing and to feel confident with the kite in your hands.
There are many challenges when it comes to kitesurfing. You need to be able to control your body, the kite and stay on the board at the same time. Once you get more relaxed on your kite and get a feel for the movements, you can start to enjoy the experience a lot more. Forming the muscle memory, getting your balance and managing your reaction time can all be important with kitesurfing.
It is important to consider a professional lesson if you’ve never used a kite surfing board before. There’s many different sensations involved in kite surfing and piloting a kite can be an amazing experience if you’re able to develop the timing and coordination that’s required for safety on the water. A professional instructor can guide you through all of the safety mechanisms with your kite and help you in the event of an emergency.
As well as developing your balance and your strength, practice was kite surfing will help you to develop your kite control. Being able to turn more easily and anticipate the wind and its movements can come with experience. If you’re planning on going out for a lesson when the wind is lighter or stronger you might want to consider working with a qualified instructor for your early sessions too. Sometimes the challenge can be in inflating your kite or maintaining control of the kite.
Make sure that you’re coming into any type of kite boarding lesson or attempted kite boarding with an open mind. Remember that you are taking part in a hobby and it is something that even the pros are constantly learning. Gear changes all the time and there are new techniques and riding styles that you can master once you get the basics. Get out and practice whenever you can and remember to stay safe on the water.
This post was written by Aaron McClearnon, Owner of Elite Watersports. At Elite Watersports, We strive to provide exceptional service and genuine interactions with those interested in kitesurfing lessons. We hold dear our passion for being out on the water and maintain this as our foundation for all business practices.
