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Call us now at 1-800-622-4655 x1 or fill out the form above for more info. Click any lesson name or call us to book! Also check out the Kiteboarding FAQs and Using a Trainer for more info on this adrenaline-pumping sport!  Welcome to the first and largest Kiteboarding School and Kite board shop in the Midwest. We at MACkite are thrilled to teach you, your family, and your friends one of the greatest new sports on earth. Whether it's a 1-day lesson or a 2-day camp that you're looking for, we have it all. We are here year long to provide you with the best opportunity to learn this incredible sport. However, we strongly suggest that you reserve early, since we cannot always guarantee a spot will be open. In order to receive your instructional DVD and pamphlet ahead of time, you must reserve the lesson at least 2 weeks in advance. Camps are two days long and are available on Thursday/Friday and Saturday/Sunday.
All lessons take place at our Pere Marquette beach site in Muskegon, MI unless other arrangements have been made with the students. Our school is set up with brand new 2008 Cabrinha Convert kites to allow you to learn the sport as quickly and safely as possible. These revolutionary bow kites will dramatically reduce your learning time. Not only are they much safer because you can easily de-power the kite by simply pushing the control bar away from your body, but they are also much easier to relaunch once the kite hits the water. All the gear you will need is provided, from trainer kites, harnesses, and wetsuits to kites, boards, and demo gear. The kiteboard day lesson and 2-day camp start at 10:00 am and run for 5 hours. Are you interested in getting gear when you are finished with your camp or lesson? We will give you 10% of your camp or lesson price toward the price of a package. This is a cumulative offer, so the more lessons you take, the more you will save. For example, if you take one 2-day camp you get $52 towards gear. If you take 2 camps you get $105 and so on... For each day lesson $30 will go towards a kite or board purchase. Also, check out our incredible deals on gear that we offer every day. There is a reason we sell more gear than anyone in the Midwest. Great prices, great service and gear that is in stock and ready to go home with you. Beginner Lessons Deluxe 2-Day Camp $625 New This Year!!!After years of teaching people to kiteboard, we have found a common thread among those that progress most quickly. It simply is that "they have done their homework". This has inspired us to offer the new Deluxe Package. When you book your lesson, you will get a Slingshot B2 trainer kite and instructional DVD that are yours to keep. This will allow you to view the video and get practice time on the trainer kite before your lesson. Then we can breeze through some of the basics and get you out on the water much more quickly. These camps are available Thursday/Friday and Saturday/Sunday. The Deluxe package has an added cash value of $155 over the regular 2-Day Camp and should greatly increase your lesson progress as well. The trainer is also a great kite to share with your family and friends to give them a sense of its power. 2-Day Camp $525 per student - The fastest way to learn to ride!
The best way to turn new students into kiteboarders is with direct immersion into the sport through our 2-day camps. These camps are held Thursday/Friday and Saturday/Sunday throughout the spring, summer and fall. This is the ideal way to become a safe and self-sufficient kiteboarder. We will cover all the aspects of kiteboarding as we build your knowledge and skill set needed to get you riding. With the 2-day camp, you will be spending more time in the water than with the day lesson. If time allows and you are doing exceptionally well, we'll even send you on a down winder (we'll follow and coach you from our Sea Doo as you start at one beach and end up miles down the lakeshore). Classes start at 10:00am and run for approximately 5 hours per day or until the students drop in the sand from exhaustion.We urge everyone to get in 4-10 hours of flying a trainer prior to the day of your lesson. We have trainers for rental or a wide selection of trainers for purchase, or get one included with your Deluxe 2-Day Camp. Lodging options Day Lesson $299 per studentWe will get you through all the kite knowledge and start building your skills. If you are a seasoned waterman and kite flyer, it is very possible that you will be attempting to get rides on a board by the end of the day. This class is excellent for anyone who wants to really see if this sport is right for them. Classes start at 10:00am and run for approximately 5 hours per day, or until the students are exhausted. Trainer flying is almost a must for anyone thinking of just a day lesson. You do not want to spend a lot of time and energy learning to fly a kite during a day lesson. You will get much further if you can fly a trainer without looking at it, as well as having done some body dragging prior to the lesson. As long as you practice these things before the lesson, a day lesson can be a great start to kiteboarding. Day Lessons are held daily Monday through Wednesday starting mid-May through late October. Some last minute weekend lessons may be available based upon instructor availability. Call the store to book your lessons in advance at 1-800-622-4655. Advanced Lessons Private Lesson $399 for one day or $749 for 2 consecutive daysSpoil yourself with your own private instructor. Take advantage of one-on-one coaching and you will be amazed at how far you will go. This is the ideal option if you've already had a lesson before and know some of the basics. Our instructor can tailor your lesson to your experience and skill level. "Ticket 2 Ride" $199So you can get up and ride but have yet to have that breakthrough session? Then the "Ticket 2 Ride" lesson is just what you need. The "Ticket 2 Ride" lesson is for the rider that is starting to work on transitions and first jumps. You will be amazed at how fast you progress when you do not have to worry about staying upwind. We will drop you off in the water and follow you on a 2 hour downwind run all the time coaching you from our Sea Doo. If you have never been on a downwinder, you are in for a treat. Come and experience the Michigan Lakeshore in a way only a few can, all while having the experience and safety of instructor support. All riders must have their own equipment and be comfortable with riding in both directions as well as with relaunching their kite. Reservations are available Monday through Wednesday. IKO Rider Certification Only $10In February, MACkite kiteboarding manager and head instructor Scott Guy received his IKO Instructor level 1 certification. This now allows MACkite to provide you with IKO Rider Certification. This certification will allow you to ride the (unfortunately) growing number of restricted riding areas as well as to buy rider insurance. Beginning in May, riders will be able to prove their skills as an independent rider and receive certification. The cost is $10 and will be available at Pere Marquette Beach in Muskegon, MI. MACkite will try to accommodate all requests, but please understand that this is subject to instructor availability. Please review the requirements for the different levels of riders by visiting the IKO website. What To expect from a lesson Knowledge & skills. Since becoming a PASA certified school in 2000 and adding an IKO instructor in 2008, we have taught over 750 students to kiteboard. During that time we have learned many things and answered thousands of questions. The most common question is "What will I learn during a camp?" Here is a basic answer consisting of 2 areas of kiteboarding: Knowledge and Skill Knowledge: Gear -Types of kites, boards, harnesses and wetsuits.- Setup, breakdown, maintenance- How to chose, manage and safely use your gearRiding Rules - Safety: buffer zones, weather, hazards, emergency situations- Launch sites, wind window and conditions, water conditions- Kiting Etiquette - being a safe, responsible kiter.-Signals -standard hand and voice signalsAll Knowledge components will be covered completely in a camp or full day lesson. How far along you will get in your lesson will depend on you and your skills (read Making the Most of Your Lesson). If you're in a 2-day camp, you will have an extra day (compared to the day lesson) to learn and progress further in this sport. Skills: Kite skills -gear setup, breakdown, basic maintenance-two and one handed flying, figure 8's, water start patterns, depower, quick release, safety-assisted launching and landing your kite-solo launching and landing your kite.-water launching your kite-body dragging in the water, upwind body dragging-self-rescue techniquesRiding skills -water starts-transitions-upwind ridingAll of the above skills will be needed to become a self-sufficient kiteboarder. You will need to start with the first skills and move through the list. If you've done your homework by watching the instructional DVD and spent a good amount of time with a trainer kite, you should be able to progress faster through the lesson. If not, you may be spending more time on land going over basic kite skills, rather than in the water. Our instructors will do their best to assist you in your quick progression. Many skills can be learned prior to taking a camp or lesson by spending time flying a trainer kite for several hours - see our helpful section: Using a trainer. Items to bring to a camp or lesson: - Water - Dehydration can come on quickly.- Sun Screen, lots of it.- Towel- An extra set of clothes.(the lakeshore can get cooler instantly so bring warm clothes) - A big floppy hat to keep the sun off your face and body - Don't forget the energy bars or granola bars to keep the energy up - Your own gear if you have it.(If time allows at the end of the lesson, we will go over it with you to make sure you are safe and ready to ride)- Video Camera or cameraAnother important thing to remember is we are in the Eastern Time Zone. So if you are driving from Chicago we will be an hour ahead of you (when it's 8:00 am there, it is 9:00 am here). Make the most of your camp or lesson The more homework (reading our booklets, watching the DVD, or flying a trainer kite) that you do will greatly increase your success during the lessons. This sport is fairly complex to learn in 1 or 2 days. That is why we urge you to buy or rent a trainer kite to get familiar with flying a kite with a control bar. If you come to the lesson eager and willing to learn, your lesson will be great. Nothing goes farther than a positive and willing attitude. We want you to feel the stoke and excitement that this sport can offer. After all, that is why we all love this sport. Take some time before your lesson to learn the real basics and you will be much more successful. Come to one of our FREE Tuesday night demos and learn a few things about the gear. Our demos will not take the place of a lesson; that is not what they are intended for. It is a time you can ask a few questions and fly a trainer or two for a little while. This free kite demo is held at the south end of Grand Haven State Park every Tuesday between Memorial Day and Labor Day from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. We'll be there to answer any of your questions and show you how to fly a trainer kite. Also sign up for our E-Newsletter in the left menu bar of any page on our site. We will let you know when we will be having gear demos specifically for kiteboarding gear along with upcoming kiteboard events. Check out our FAQ page for more information and also the Using a Trainer page for more information on what you can do prior to your camp. Why our lessons are such a great value
We have a minimum weight requirement of 80 lbs for our lessons. If you're under 18 years old, we will need a parent or legal guardian to co-sign the waiver. You will need to be able to run and swim (You will be wearing flotation devices.) We highly recommend spending time with a trainer kite prior to the lesson. See our First Steps page. Reservations Call 1-800-622-4655 Ext 1 to book your spot now. Open 7 days a week! We require payment in full at the time of your reservation, so please have a credit card handy. No Wind? We will go over everything else that you need to know for kiteboarding such as wind directions and safety, kite setup, and the basics of launching and landing kite as well as self rescue. You may also spend the remainder of the lesson building your board skills behind our SeaDoo. We will give you an in store credit for any unused portion of your lesson. Cancellation Policy You may cancel your lesson or camp up to 10 days prior to the camp with a full refund. Any lessons not cancelled at least 10 days in advance will be charged $100. Please remember that we have only so many spaces available and that a cancellation forces us to lose a spot. Thank you for being considerate in this matter. If you have any more questions, feel free to call or email us at any time. Remember, if you don't start this year, you will still be just watching next year, wishing you were on the water with us. To book a lesson call 1-800-622-4655 - Cheers from the crew at MACkite! |
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