What makes a good kitesurf lesson?
So, you might be asking yourself -"what do I need to start kitesurfing?". In this article we break down the things that you need to have in place before starting to learn this exciting new sport
The instructor
The instructors should have attained an official certification to teach kite surfing. Avoid learning with friends or relatives who don’t have any teaching experience. Being a good kitesurfer doesn’t mean you know how to teach other people. Majority of the time, your friends would not have the appropriate gear to teach you in a safe way. Using their own kites might not be suitable for beginners, please be aware.
Teaching kitesurfing/kiteboarding requires experience and skills. Only good certifications and some proven skills will make a difference. Not only the instructor needs to know how to ride, but also know how to handle with the student’s reactions and behavior. It is essential to explain things the right way and know the different steps to take on to ensure the student is safe and become an independent rider.
The instructor should always maintain in good shape to teach and be ready to rescue you in case of emergency. Try to take lessons in your mother tongue language so you fully understand all the instructions given. That would also make a difference in case of an emergency.
In case of an accident, the instructor should know how to give first assistance to the students. He should have access to a phone and first aid kit within minutes.
The weather conditions
Weather conditions plays a big part when it comes to a kitesurf lesson. The wind should be strong enough. 10 knots minimum however the kites tend to be more efficient and brands now make light wind kites a lot more beginner friendly. The wind strength limit varies according to the weight and level of the student but should never exceed 30 knots to stay on the safe side.
Never go kitesurfing when there is a storm approaching. Even though it is common sense but sometimes a kitesurfer motivation is stronger than the ability to read the weather forecast. It is important that the instructor should be aware of the weather changes and always check the forecast before the lessons.
The equipment
Kitesurfing schools should always use good conditioned gears to teach.
The bar : For safety reasons, the kite bars should have the quick release system in good condition and ready to be used in case of an emergency. In order for the kite to operate properly, the bar needs to be in good condition. Having a quick release system in poor condition could potentially lead to an accident.
The lines : With time the lines get stretched and have to be adjusted. Once in a while the school team need to check the lines, to ensure they all are the same length.
The safety equipment : It is important to be used at all times in any kind of environment. The students should always wear a helmet, floatation vest, harness, safety leash, wetsuit (if the water temperature requires one), booties and sunglasses.
The kite: It must be suitable for beginners, the kites must be easy to relaunch from the water and should consistently have a good depower ability. Schools need to ban C-shaped 5 lines kites for the lessons and use easy 4 lines kites.
The board : It is important that the boards are suitable for beginners. Schools should be using big boards with a good flotation ratio with a flat shape, as it would be easier for the student to get up.
Using a good gear adapted to your level makes a difference !
The spot
It is very important to choose a good and safe spot for your kiteboarding lessons. Learning on a flat-water lagoon with consistent winds will definitely help you to learn quicker. It would be harder to learn in open ocean areas, as the waves and current would make it difficult to learn at the beginning. Schools should reduce risks of accident by teaching in areas with no obstacles. The students need enough space to practice and should not have to worry about anything else other than the kite. Please look at the spot where the kitesurfing school is located before you book your lessons.