I think that we really need to change how new
participants commonly look at getting into the sport of kitesurfing. This is
for their safety, their speed of learning and significantly for the rest of
us, in a way to avoid incidents and possible kitesurfing bans.
In the past, lots of us got a traction kite, often not a great first choice
either, spent time in the "school of hard knocks" and figured it out, more or
less. We really didn't have a lot of choice a few years ago as instructors
were extremely rare. We all had our share of incidents, injuries, kite
damage, that we could talk about. Today, it really isn't necessary or
appropriate for new riders to go through that.
They should get ADEQUATE lessons from a good instructor. They will get to
try a variety of gear that they don't have to buy and should speed their
development in the sport dramatically. They will also be learning this
sometimes dangerous sport in a much safer way. Importantly for the rest of
us, they should have a much lower chance of causing an incident that might
lead to bans. Sure it costs, as do flying, hang gliding lessons, sky diving
lessons, etc. Have folks figured out how to do these other sports on their
own in the past, yes, but good thing that they don't anymore!
Next, at the same time as the lessons or just after, they should get a
trainer kite and an intro to kitesurfing video, e.g., "Get'n School'd" or the
like. They should really work with the trainer and watch the video(s) until
the basic lessons on technique thoroughly sink in. They should spend all
their time with the trainer while on land and near hard objects as opposed to
learning control technique with a full sized traction kite that could drag
them into trouble. If they still like the sport and want to go on, then they
should tackle the question of what kite(s) to purchase. This list and other
resources can provide lots of help in answering that question when your
friend is ready.
All too often guys go right to the last step, getting a kite, rigging up,
going out and flying this full sized traction kite on land and waiting for
something bad to happen or not! The problem is that there are a lot more of
us out there these days. Our learning curve incidents, that we all make,
aren't so acceptable anymore. We need to approach kitesurfing in a safer,
more responsible way:
First lessons,
Then trainer kite and videos,
Then worry about what kite(s) to buy
My two cents, hope more folks approach this sport this way,
Rick Iossi
<< A freind wants to get into KS , what is the best gear to start of
with?? kite/board, size???
Hes about 95kg never flown kites but can snowboard,waterski.
any ideas steve? or other KS instructors??
Cheers Macca >>