One of the most important things about learning how to kiteboard is to use finesse not strength. No matter the level, the kite will do all the work. The better one’s kite control is, the quicker and easier they will progress. Women tend to have more finesse.
Finesse Not Strength
One of the goals for a first lesson is to develop the muscle memory needed to control the kite. The grip is an important part to developing muscle memory. One’s grip on the control bar should always be relaxed. Such little tension is needed that it is possible to control the kite with just a few fingers. A common mistake guys will make is that they’ll try to “muscle” the kite by pulling too hard. Pulling the bar in creates more power. This makes it very difficult to learn how to kiteboard. It is important to maintain a relaxed grip and balance the “sweet spot” along the bar.
Will I Blow Away?
No! Nobody is blowing away when they take kiteboarding lessons from us. The videos one might see on YouTube of somebody getting blown up high are 1. with very old equipment and 2. caused from an updraft. We teach on all the latest Cabrinha kitesurfing equipment. The aerodynamic range and the control bar’s safety systems have come a long way since the inception of the sport. Since Florida is flat, wind blows laterally. When the kite is overhead, wind goes underneath and overtop. The wind does not come from the ground and blow straight up!
Is Kiteboarding A Workout?
An experienced kiteboarder should not excerpt much energy to ride back and forth. The energy a kiteboarder may excerpt is to jump or tack into the wind. The more aggressive one tacks into the wind, the more energy they will excerpt in their legs and abs. Kiteboarding can be a great workout or it can be relaxing. The rider has complete control of how much or how little energy they want to excerpt.
Does Size Matter?
Size does and doesn’t matter. Being on the right equipment matters and as a kiteboarding school we have all the equipment for any sized person. Large or small, we have harnesses and kites to accommodate anyone. We also have the experience to know the size kite to put a person on based upon the wind speed. We often see on social media groups people recommending a 12m kite. Well, what is the weight of the person? What is the wind speed? These variables matter and we have the equipment and expertise to work with a variety of different people.
