Browse > Home / Uncategorized / You Might Be a Kiter

You Might Be a Kiter


It’s all about flying a kite

OK….if you’re wanting to try, here’s a little motivation for you… My kids started kiting at 6 years old. Average kiteboarder’s age is 38 in the year 2005. In 2004, a 10-year-old kid won in the PKRA Women’s World championships. I’ve met many kiters 60-70+ in age. A small Nordic girl was the first person to set the kiteboarding speed record. We kite often with a mother of 2 who is in her 50s. Basically, power kiting can be enjoyed by many and has few pre-requisites.

However, with that said, we must first reveal three facts often overlooked by new comers:

1 – Power kiting is a sport and is not for everyone! Many who show up at our door have a mis-understanding that kiteboarding is a ride and we can just take them out for an afternoon of fun. You will never learn when all you do is watch someone do it a few times before you try it yourself. To persue this sport, there are specified training steps that you need to learn and be guided on.

2- You’re going to crash Your safety should always be the number one factor when pursuing any sport, including kiteboarding. One should be in a positive mental state as this sport can get you to fall or crash your kites. The best way to learn is by falling; it is the first step before being able to get on your feet. Keep your learning aptitude strong and you’ll do well

3- Girls learn faster We’ve found women and girls have a faster learning curve than most guys. Based in our studies, we have nailed it down to the finesse, the center of gravity and study skills. Compared to males, females have more finesse and balance. Since kiting is more about “Zen” than strength, they do well by not muscling the gear around. The natural lower center of gravity is the main factor in increasing the ability to sustain rides. And when we teach them something….they listen well and absorb what was being taught (sorry guys).

You need to fuse your skills with other sports!
In just a few years, kite flyers, wakeboarders, surfers, skaters, skiers, snowboarders, sailors and paragliders have fused in their skills with kiteboarding. If you harvest in one of these areas in your background, you’ll find out that kiteboarding offers a lot of skill familiarity as well as learning few new things. Here’s a few tips for those crossing over from:

wind sports: Windsurfers and sailors will love that they have a big sail on a small boat. Smaller gear size will have you stoked about transport and rigging. Your key strength is your wind knowledge. You’ll likely need to unlearn riding big boards and holding on to booms.

Boarders: Surfers prefer to ride more waves in one kiting session than surfing the entire season. Wakeboarders will love the hangtime as they control their own boat with an 80′ pole. Snowboarders / skiers will put their fuel on that they already have their board, can ride up mountains and avoid the crowded lift lines (plus you can ride in summers on ground or water). Skaters will eat up the rails, sliders, and wakeskates, where falling from an ollie won’t tear up any joints. All boarder types will need to really work on the wind basics along with kite control skills and launching.

You absolutely DO NOT NEED to have a background in any of these sports. Often, we find students who have no strong board experience have a lot less to unlearn. However, those with pro-riding skills often have stronger learning aptitudes and the desire to push forward. Some of these best kiters never stepped foot on a board or boat. This sport requires some passion, desire and commitment.

  • No related posts

    • · Filed Under Uncategorized 

    Comments

    Got something to say?