Learning to Kiteboard

Memoirs of a Kiteboarder

Yesterday morning, I had the chance to take my 2nd ever kiteboarding lesson. As a new member of MACkite’s team, I felt it would be a crime to not at least attempt the adrenaline-pumping, whirlwind sport. I’ve had my go at board sports over the years: wakeboarding, surfing, snowboarding, but I had never before challenged the beast of kiteboarding. After being securely hooked into my Dakine Chameleon harness. I could see the appeal. My eyes glazed over the roaring waters of Lake Michigan, where expert kiters could be spotted far and wide, their colorful kites dancing high above them. My immediate thought was I want to ride like them. Local legend, Mark Hoeksema, could be seen some 100 yards off shore, traipsing through the waves as though it were as simple as taking a relaxing stroll along the beach. Rygo gently broke the news to me that Hoeksema has been kiteboarding since before I could walk, and his skills have taken years to perfect. I quickly realized Kiteboarding was not as easy as the pros made it look.

Harness around waist, helmet on head, and determination in high gear, I began my endeavor towards tackling the sport that is kiteboarding, with Rygo acting as my fearless leader and coach. He was an excellent teacher, both patient and understanding. He would walk and guide us through every drill and exercise, being sure that we mastered the task at hand before moving on.

We started with the kite basics, learning about safety features and the general setup. We then moved into the actual kite-flying itself. This involved flying the kite back and forth in a figure 8 pattern, and eventually learning how to direct the kite through the power zone, butt-dragging and even mimicking standing up on a board.

After taking the lesson, I decided to compile a list of the Do’s and Don'ts essential to a newbie’s success.

Do’s

Do #1: The most important “Do” out there is to listen to your instructor. Chances are they know a whole lot more about the sport than you do. By listening closely to your instructor not only will you stay safe, but you’ll be able to progress much quicker.

Do #2: Be prepared for the weather. Make sure you dress accordingly. I recommend wearing layers, that way you can always shed when you start getting warm. You also have to take into account the wind speed. This may fluctuate throughout a lesson, so be aware of potential activity changes.

Do #3: Come with a positive attitude. Your progress will depend on your level of stoke and eagerness. If you’re excited to be there, you’ll pick up the sport much quicker.

Do #4: Watch your Kite School DVD and practice flying your trainer kite before coming to the lesson. If you come with a general idea of what you're doing, your lesson will be much more productive. Already having some kite skills under your belt is a huge advantage.

Don'ts

Don’t #1: Don’t be overconfident. I made this mistake several times yesterday. I would try to fly the kite as though I were a pro, which never ended well. Keep your movements small, and again, listen to what your instructor tells you.

Don’t #2: Don’t get frustrated. You’ll be terrible at flying the kite your first time. I crashed the kite 20+ times yesterday, and fell flat on my face a few times as well. And yes, I got a mouthful of sand every time. As much as I love our beautiful beaches here on Lake Michigan, I would rather not dine on them as a mid-morning snack. Despite this, I managed to stay optimistic, which was worth it once the kite-flying really started to click.

Don’t #3: Don’t expect to be a pro after one lesson! It takes hours and days of practice before you’ll really be able to ride. Keep that in mind.

Don't Forget the 30 Hour Rule

A wise man (shout out to Steve Negen) once told me that when it comes to kiteboarding, you should expect 30 hours of work before becoming proficient in the sport. This includes:

-10 hours of kite flying

-10 hours of board skills (i.e. wakeboarding, snowboarding, etc.)

-10 hours of kite flying and board skills put together

I had an amazing time at my kiteboarding lesson, and learned a ton in the process. I can't wait to get back out there and do it again!

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