It’s all about flying a kite

OK….if you’re thinking about trying it, here’s a little motivation: My kids started kiting at 6-years-old. Average kiteboarder’s age is 38 in the year 2005. In 2004, the PKRA Women’s World chamo was only a 10-year-old kid. I’ve met many kiters 60-70+ in age. A tiny Nordic girl set the first kiteboarding speed record. We often go kiting with a mother of two who is in her 50s. Basically, power kiting can be appreciated by many and it has a few prerequisites.

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 of those that showed up at our door misunderstood kiteboarding as just a ride for an afternoon of fun. Even worse, are those who feel they only need to watch someone do it a few times before trying it. To persue this sport, there are specified training steps that you need to learn and be guided on.

2- If you persue any sports including kiteboarding, safety should always be the number one factor. Understanding that you’re going to crash kites and you’re going to fall will keep you in a positive mental state. 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 focused on one’s “Zen” than one’s strength, it does well by not muscling the gear around. The natural lower center of gravity increases their ablity to sustain rides. And when we impart them something….they listen and absorb what’s being taught (sorry guys).

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 your athletic background harvests in one of these areas, you’ll find kiteboarding offers a lot skill familiarity, as well at some incredibly new feellings. 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. The small gear size will have you stoked about transport and rigging. Keep in mind that one’s key strength is in his wind knowledge in this type of sport. You’ll likely need to unlearn riding big boards and holding on to booms.

Boarders: Surfers will love riding more waves in one kiting session than entire season surfing. Wakeboarders will love the hangtime as they control their own boat with an 80′ pole. Snowboarders or skiers will add fuel to that they already have their board, ride up mountains and avoid 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. Pro-riders often have stronger learning aptitudes and the desire to push forward. Some of these professional kiters have never stepped foot on a board or boat. It really comes down to passion, desire and commitment levels.