Instructional Tips

Skills to Practice

Time To Practice Kite Skills !

Now that the kite boarding season is fast approaching, It’s time to pull that gear out and develop the fundamental skills that maximize safety and success, and minimize on frustration and risk.

These skills can be practiced in much lighter wind than you think.  You can perform land practice with most kites in 5- 10mph winds.  Make sure you make good choices and practice in Slow winds,  with Soft terrain and plenty of Open Space and with Shoes and a Helmet.  

First Rule: Understand how your kites safetey system functions and make sure the control bar is designed to work with your kite.

Second Rule: Seek out and obtain professional, experienced instruction when ever possible.   www.KiteBoardLesson.com  or  www.KiteSurfLesson.com

  1.    Practice using the kites safety system to perform “Self Landings”
  2.    Practice various methods of  “Self Launch” that work for your kite.
  3.    Practice Flying your kite with one hand , then the other hand.
  4.    Practice Flying by Feel , rather than rely solely on Sight.
  5.    Practice Saving your kite from all falls or crashes.
  6.    Practice Walking cross wind while flying your kite.
  7.    Practice “Touch Downs” in launch/landing area with the kite.
  8.    Practice 3 methods of “Relaunching” your kite.

 

Some Common kiteboarding terms defined:

  •    Emergency De-power = Kill Kite = Intentionally Disable Flight
  •    Self Land = Kill kite without damage to kite or others and be re-launch ready if you desire.
  •    Self Launch = safely perform an Initial launch of your kite without the aid of others.
  •    Re-Launch = safely make kite take off after it has fallen or crashed.
  •    Take Off = When you intentionally permit a kite to fly.
  •    Touch Down = When kite is resting in the landing zone and bar is fully sheeted out.
  •    Landing = When you intentionally disable flight.
  •    Suicide Launch = When Flight is initiated aggressively or without control.
  •    Sheet Out = lower kites power by moving bar away or by shortening the front lines with a trim strap.
  •    Release Kite = Eject from the kite when all other safety options have failed and your life is in danger.
  •    Self Rescue = Getting back to shore with kite attached to you, but not actually flying.  (Swim, Tow, Sail, Drift, Etc.)

 

 

 

Remember:  The more skilled you are with your kite, the safer you can be and the quicker you will get good in this sport.