The main focus on learning how to kiteboard is kite control. The better your kite control is the easier it is to learn how to kiteboard. Our main focus in lessons is to create good fundamentals so that you progress quick and safe. We break kite control down into two components, balancing tension and steering.
When you learn how to steer the correct way, you can progress quicker at any stage. You’ll learn the basics more efficiently. At a more advanced level you’ll know how to send the kite quicker to jump higher. Learning how to downloop will be easy when you know the key points to flying a kite.
How To Steer A Kiteboarding Kite
There are two main parts to steering a kiteboarding kite. You want to pull one side in while pushing the other side out. The harder you pull, the faster the kite moves. The quicker the kite moves, the more power it generates. Another key point is to be smooth. You rarely have to pull too hard to get the kite to respond.
When learning, we start off with controlling the kite in the neutral zones. We can see a crash happen before it happens so we’ll attempt to coach you out of it before you crash. We teach you how to keep the kite in the neutral zones and how to create power in a controlled way.
Trainer Kites
A trainer kite will help with learning how to steer left or right. Even with a trainer kite you want to focus on pulling one side in and pushing the other side out. Be smooth and try to avoid pulling too hard. A kiteboarding kite is much bigger and doesn’t require as much movement as a trainer kite does.
The part to kite control that you do not learn from a trainer kite is balancing tension. Balancing tension is a critical component to kite control.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is to steer a kite like a wheel. One hand will rotate over the other hand in a driving motion. This does not put tension on one line vs the other so nothing happens. If anything, one may pull in all the way on the bar to try and get the kite to react. This stalls the kite and makes it fall backwards on itself.
Another mistake is to drive the kite with your body. This can be detrimental when trying to get up on the board because you’re shifting your weight to unnecessary places. Instead, focus on using your hands on the bar to control the kite.
Kite Control
Kite control is a combination of steering and balancing tension in the bar. Once these two components link up, you will progress quick. This part is like riding a bike or a unicycle. At first it may feel unnatural until it clicks. One thing that makes our school unique is that when it clicks you retain it. We focus on creating the muscle memory needed for you to retain kite control.
Have questions or stuck on a certain step? Send us a message!
