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. In 2005, average kiteboarder’s age is 38. In 2004, a 10-year-old kid won in the PKRA Women’s World championships. I’ve met several kiters from ages 60 to 70. A tiny Nordic girl was the first one 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 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. In persuing this sport, there are definitive training steps that you will need to be taught and guided on.
2- If you’re going to crash, safety should always be the number one factor when persuing any sport, including kiteboarding. 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 more about “Zen” than strength, they do well by not muscling the gear around. The natural lower center of gravity increases their ablity to sustain rides. And, when we teach 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 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. The small gear size will have you stoked about transport and rigging. Your wind knowledge is a key strength. You will likely have the 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 appreciate the hangtime as they control their own boat with an 80-inch pole. Snowboarders / skiers will stoke that they already have their board, can ride up mountains and avoid crowded lift lines (plus you can ride in summers on ground or water). Skaters eats up the rails, sliders and wakeskates, and falling from an ollie won’t tear up any joints. All boarder types have the need to really work on the wind basics along with their kite control skills and launching.
There is no 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 the best kiters never stepped foot on a board or boat. It really comes down to passion, desire and commitment levels.
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