Lessons for the Switch to Water?

proletariat · Since 22 Feb 2013 102 Posts Denver, CO Stoked

Hiya,
I've been landboarding, snowkiting and buggying in garbage inland winds on various types of depowers (LEIs, Foils, Arcs, etc) for about 2.5 years now and I want to get into the water side of things by next summer. I've windsurfed a tiny bit and did quite a bit of surfing on the south shore of HI (and the north shore occasionally, when I wasn't getting chased off by the locs.) My question is this:

I have a bunch of accomplished kiteboarder buddies that have offered to teach me the water side of things. Most of them have been doing it for years and I trust them, but none of them are instructors and I keep hearing everyone say "TAKE A LESSON." Is that still true in my case?

The things I'm positive I need a little instruction on are 1) water relaunch, 2) self-rescue and 3) etiquette. I can't think of anything else that I couldn't learn from my buddies, but I could use some advice. What do you guys think? Lesson or just go for it?

Thanks.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Just watch a few youtube videos..... you'll be fine.
How hard can it be if 6 year old children and 75 year old grandmas do it?

BeerKite · Since 29 Mar 2011 471 Posts Obsessed

It sounds like you have a leg up on most newbies. The bro lessons rarely work out in my experience. Ie; the wind is good and they really want to go out and your left with half a lesson and fully powered kite. Having had a lot of students in this exact situation it's about 50/50 weather or not they get it right away or they just have a lot of bad habits that have to be fixed. I would say at the very least, take one lesson to go over all safety aspects. Most (good) instructors will be able to asses your skills and help you progress quickly. I just saw a dude the other day all bloody and battered at the sand bar. Don't be that guy. My 2 cents.

proletariat · Since 22 Feb 2013 102 Posts Denver, CO Stoked

That's some good feedback, F-One. Thanks. I hadn't considered the "good-winds" factor, but you're totally right. My friends, while extremely helpful and nice, are certainly not paragons of selfless philanthropy. Plus I'd hate to do that to them.

So next question -- Intermediate, Beginner or Custom?

henjj · Since 09 Dec 2010 25 Posts Spokane

It sounds like you have some pretty good experience with flying kites and with riding boards. Where are you going to be kiting on water at? From Powerkiteforum.com I see you are from Colorado. If its on a lake with out much traffic and you have a good place to launch and a good place to land if you get pulled down wind, then don't be afraid to give it a shot on your own with your buddies. When you get separated from your board try and figure out how to body drag upwind and when you get to the opposite shore down wind, practice doing a self-rescue before you get to shore.

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 615 Posts Addicted

do you have more money or time to waste?

if you have more money and do not mind spending it, get a lesson.

if you have more time, get a lesson or spend your time waiting on the beach, in the water or at the ER.

either way, have fun Very Happy

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

walk away its a trap Twisted Evil

astanton · Since 18 Jul 2013 13 Posts

I went the "friend as instructor" route. He's a very accomplished kiter, safety conscious, and doesn't have the "you're a dude, you can handle it" mentality. I knew he would be honest about my skills and ability to progress to the next step. I think I'm fairly athletic, had some board skills, but no kite skills. With all of that, my experience has been awesome! Quick, but safe progression. I also talked to a lot of people with differing opinions, watched a lot of youtube (and read the varying critiques of each) and generally researched as much as I could. I'm still a beginner and I've had to have help locating my board in the swells a couple of times, but I'm up wind most of the time, and am in pretty good control most of the time. I think there are probably a lot of variables to consider. And lots of good advice on this forum. My $.02...for what it's worth...

DownStream · Since 18 Apr 2007 381 Posts Obsessed

kite lessons arent just for learning .... they maximize your session: get transported to the best spot, ride without having to stay upwind, ride the best gear for the conditions, its like hiring an "instructor" at the hill so you can skip the lift line and be taking to the best terrain.

(and no matter what your riding level there are probably insights and tricks you will benefit from)

at least thats how we do it.

eabmoto · Since 10 May 2012 123 Posts seattle Stoked

If you're comfortable flying big kites, your friends can show and tell you enough to get you going in the water. You can learn to Water relaunch and self rescue in 30 min with your buddies and then you're ready to start dragging yourself around. You may or may not get it quicker with lessons but if you feel safe with the kites already, I think youre past the biggest hurdle.