{"id":427,"date":"2015-08-04T18:13:44","date_gmt":"2015-08-04T16:13:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.whenitswindy.com\/wp\/?page_id=427"},"modified":"2015-08-04T18:13:44","modified_gmt":"2015-08-04T16:13:44","slug":"learn-2-kite","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.whenitswindy.com\/wp\/?page_id=427","title":{"rendered":"Learn 2 Kite"},"content":{"rendered":"
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How to : Learn to Kite<\/h1>\n<\/header>\n

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So you want to learn to kite?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Good choice!\u00a0Most people\u00a0will be\u00a0able to take part in\u00a0some form of kitesport. Provided the body is willing and the mind is somewhat determined.<\/p>\n

Do\u00a0I need previous experience with kites, wakeboarding, paragliding, sailing or\u00a0 windsurfing?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The simple answer to this one is no.\u00a0 However experience with any of the above and many other sports can help things progress a little faster as some skills sets are shared.<\/p>\n

\"El<\/a>
Ripping it up in Holbox<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Am I too young or too\u00a0old to learn to kite?<\/strong><\/p>\n

You might be surprised but\u00a0you are\u00a0probably not! Kite sports can be suitable\u00a0for children as young as\u00a06-8 years of age, all the way up to older kids that might even be retired.\u00a0 My girlfriend\u00a0Cathy\u2019s\u00a0oldest student to date is 82 and mine 74, both of which managed to kitesurf<\/strong> during lessons and have continued to do so independently afterwards.\u00a0 For kids\u00a0from 6 to 12 we can start with some basic powerkiting<\/strong> and work from there dependant on size and maturity. 12 and up we can start looking at any of the kite sports including Buggy, Landboard, Kitesurf or Snowkiting<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Do I need to be very strong?<\/strong><\/p>\n

No, you just need to use the right size kite for the wind conditions and your bodyweight. Also once your learn to use a harness the power of the kite will go through the harness and not through your arms. Actually controlling the kite can be very sensitive and requires a gentle touch.<\/p>\n

Which sport is for me?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Powerkiting <\/strong>\u00a0is the best and easiest one to start with as it will develop many of the basic skills needed for any of the other more advanced sports. It doesn\u2019t take long before you can tame the wind and experience its power. Also great if you have no access to large expanses of windswept water sand or snow. A couple of exposed football fields are often all the space you need.<\/p>\n

Kite Landboarding \/ Buggying <\/strong>are both\u00a0adrenalin fuelled alternatives to kitesurfing for those who don\u2019t wish to get their feet wet. Speed freak, freestyler, cruiser or racer this sport will work for you. Pads and Helmets are a must though as the ground is much harder than your body. Landlocked kiters love this sport but it truly comes to life on a huge hard sandy beach with clean onshore breezes.<\/p>\n

Snowkite (kite-ski or kite-snowboard) <\/strong>If your lakes are frozen and the fields are covered in snow and you like to try something a little different, give this a try. Learn to blast around on the flats then even\u00a0progress to climbing hills\u2026 Yes that\u2019s right you can eventually ski or snowboard uphill!!!! Who needs a chairlift?<\/p>\n

Kitesurf <\/strong>If you want to head out onto the water, carve some waves, pop some wakestyle tricks, boost huge air with massive hangtime or just cruise around this will be your choice. Kitesurfing is possible in an immense number of locations worldwide and the equipment is quite small, giving you the\u00a0freedom to travel to exotic islands with turquoise waters or just do it down your local spot with your friends.<\/p>\n

Better still give them all a try, the number of combinations of kites and different boards\/skis\/buggies\/surfaces will keep you interested for years to come.<\/p>\n

Avoiding the Dreaded Kitemare!<\/strong><\/p>\n

One problem that needs to be considered is that flying powerful\u00a0kites\u00a0can be potentially dangerous if done incorrectly, in the wrong environment or in the wrong weather conditions. However the same can be said of driving a car or going skiing.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve heard stories of people being dragged up the beach, out of control behind a huge kite. These\u00a0fairly rare events\u00a0we call \u201cKitemares\u201d.<\/strong> Usually they can be avoided given the correct skills and knowledge.\u00a0 So whether it is kitesurfing, buggying, landboarding, snowkiting\u00a0<\/strong>or even powerkiting<\/strong> that you would like to try, I would strongly advise getting started with some lessons from a qualified, experienced and friendly\u00a0instructor.<\/p>\n

There are several organisations around the world that certify both instructors and kiteboarders. Below are listed a few of the larger organisations.<\/p>\n