GROUND LESSON   (Group lesson – max. 2 students per class - 2 hours)

Video: http://www.youtube.com/v/68SVQBzvjTs

Ground school is a theory class prepared to help students with little or no experience to understand the principles of kiteboarding. The length of the class is about 2 hours, and must be taken prior to any flying lesson. Learning to kite on your own can be a frustrating, dangerous, painful, and an expensive experience. Taking this lesson with our qualified instructors is a requirement for beginners. This class is designed to help beginners get to the water faster with no incidents. Moreover, it will keep students and those around them safe!

1-Introduction

• Teacher introduction
• Student introduction
• Experience in kiteboarding and other board sports
• Experience in flying kites
• Goals and expectations
• PASA (Professional Air Sports Association)

2- Elements for kiteboarding

• Kite
• Control bar
• Board

3-Wind awareness/ Weather conditions/Safety

4-Wind window

• launching area, landing area, edge of window, neutral and power zone.

(We will use 3d models, a drafting board, and videos to help you understand)

The diagrams above help describe 'The Wind Window', this is where the kite will fly.

When you stand with your back to the wind, hold your arms straight out to each side, left arm to the left, right arm to the right, the 180 degrees in front of you is the Wind Window. The Wind Window also extends to straight above your head. The kite will only fly to the edge of the window, if you try to fly the kite past the edge of the wind it will 'luff' or fall from the sky. The kite must always be launched from near the edge of the window (the Low Power zone) , either the left side or the right, and then brought to the position above your head slowly. This is called the 'Zenith' or 'Neutral' position. The neutral position extends from the left hand side, up and over your head, to the right hand side (always with your back to the wind). Launching and landing your kite from these positions is most important, as this is the safe (neutral) part of  the "Wind Window". Once you have brought the kite up to the 'Zenith' position you can practice moving the kite in a small figure eight above your head, this is how you generate power with the kite. When you are comfortable with the controls of your kite you can start to make the figure eights larger, moving the kite further into the wind, this is when you'll start to feel what kind of power your dealing with. Leaning back against the kite and doing controlled 'figure eights' you should be able slide downwind with the kite. Knowing how to perform controlled body drags or slides are important for good kite flying technique. The sooner you understand the Wind Window, the quicker you'll be mobile with your kite.

5-Power strokes

• low power
• medium power
• high power

6-Speed control (kite/board/body position)

7-Inflatable kite/control bar

• control and safety systems
• 4 line system vs 2 line system
• line connection, commos mistakes

 LAND LESSON-LEVEL 1   ( Private lessons - 1 to 3 hours)

1-Flying a trainer kite

Hands on to learn and understand the Wind Window at designated kite flying area. Students will be introduced to a trainer kite. Set up, launch, fly, and land the kite. This lesson will allow students to apply  discussed topics on the theory class. Students will develop essential flying skills to later fly a power kite. Instructors will emphasize on flight control. Focus on arms, hands and body position is important to build up flying skills. To develop confidence, control, and skills, a sequence of exercises will be given. As students progress in their abilities, instructors will gradually introduce them to bigger and more powerful kites. This process will depend on individual’s ability to digest the theory and apply the proper technique in order to fly safely. Our instructors are trained and will do their best to speed the process and to eliminate noticeable fear and/or lack of understanding.

(Beginner Package end here-total of 5 hours)

LAND LESSON-LEVEL 2   ( Private lessons - 1 to 3 hours)

1-Inflatable kite assembly

• set up location
• identifying wind direction
• opening the kite in windy conditions
• inflating the kite
• easy way to carry the kite
• control bar position /lines set up/safety systems
• line connection
• line inspection/crossed lines/common mistakes

2-Learning how to launch and land a power kite safely.

3-Custom release/safety leash/manual control bar release

4-Flying power kites

• Sheating
• flying at low power zone
• flying on neutral zone
• relaxed and conscious flight vs tensioned and unconscious fight
• focus on kite movements, smooth motions
• exploring the wind window

0. low power stroke
0. medium power stroke
0. high power stroke

5-Water start simulation

• kite position- left/right water start
• body position
• board position
• leg movement- left/right water start
• power strokes
• stand up using the kite
• maintaining steady power
• one hand control

6-Riding exercise simulation

• down wind
• up wind

 WATER LESSON -Level I  (Private lessons-2 to 3 hours)

• re-launching
• safety system review-custom release/safety leash/manual release
• power strokes
• self-rescue
• body dragging- down wind/up wind

(Full Kiteboard course-Weekend Special Package end here-total of 11 hours)

WATER LESSON -Level II

• body position review
• kite position- left/right water start
• board position- left/right water start
• leg movement-left/right water start
• power strokes
• standing on the board
• riding down wind

Basic kiteboard course Summary

• Slow board-------fast kite
• Fast kite ----------slow board
• Ride safely, don’t ride in dangerous areas
• Be aware of approaching clouds and lightning strikes
• Respect to be respected, ride away from swimmers, surfers, fishing poles and boats.
• Protect the freedom to fly and promote kiteboarding as a fascinating sport
• Respect nature, protect your reputation, make friends and enjoy life

INTERMEDIATE LESSON   (recommended-private lessons only)

• Board recovery
• maintaining steady power and speed
• transitions
• riding up wind
• Small jumps/hops

 ADVANCED LESSON  (recommended- private lessons only)

• Riding unhooked
• Toe side
• Wave riding
• Wave jumping
• Jumping with the power of the kite (huge airs)
• Tricks

 Ready  to book your lesson? Contact us: