Beginner with Rebel kite question

mikie · Since 06 Nov 2011 21 Posts

Heading to Punta chame, Panama in two weeks to take my lessons. Taking down my two Rebel kites. So I have one simple question, is there any special tips that will help the learning process? Thanks

forrest · Fri Dec 16, 11 10:05 am

-If your abs aren't strong, start your crunches NOW!
-Watch as many beginner videos as you can, you'll absorb more knowledge during the lesson.
-Body dragging is the most challenging thing to learn in kiteboarding, but it's absolutely essential, so do your time!
-Don't be in too much of a rush to get on the board, you'll have plenty of time to do it this coming spring, summer, and fall.

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

I am a newb as well, getting ready for lessons early this spring, and I have been watching my Progression Beginner DVD over and over; its great!

I am always in pretty damn good shape, but trying to be even better this winter!

I also got a longboard (wheels) to get my board control leg muscles in shape. You do anything new and it will find muscles you never use and make them really sore, trying to minimize that effect.

D-Krep It Kiter · Since 18 Jul 2011 417 Posts Obsessed

I started in July of last season with a couple of Fuses and finished being to stay upwind and doing clumsy toe-side to heel-side turns. So, having just gone through the process, a few things I'd recommend:

-all the stuff Forrest said

-the "Progression" DVDs are great... they really break it down for you.

-sounds like you're both going to take lessons... I would strongly recommend you take a jet-ski assisted lesson over a land based lesson. I know people will disagree, but I've done both and the jet-ski lesson was far superior.

-watch for gaps in your learning progression... being told how to do something and doing it are two totally different things. So for instance, being on shore, holding a bar hooked up to nothing, and being told "if something goes wrong, release your primary" is not the same as actually doing it when you are hooked up to a kite.

-this may sound simplistic, or obvious, but one thing I feel is important with safety and hitting your primary release is that kiting is all about anticipation. You need to develop the skill of know what your kite is going to do a second from now... if you wait until you are really in trouble to release the kite, it will be too late.

-practice releasing your kite (primary) and self-rescue. I did practice releasing my kite, but did not practice self-rescue. The wind dropped, I got sucked into the "black hole" at the sandbar, and my kite went down in the light wind. With a barge coming, I had to quickly decide what to do, and elected to try and self-rescue... it all went hideously wrong... I ended up with one of my lines tangled around me and I couldn't get the kite in the self-rescue position.. I ended up just swimming the kite out of the way of the barge, and then Brian came out and got me with the ski. I came very close to cutting my lines free, but I could see that I was out of the way of the barge so I elected to save my kite... it was closer than I'd ever like to be again.

-a little to add to what Forrest said.. make sure you can body drag upwind, with, and without your board... you should be able to do this easily before you try to get up on your board, especially if you're going to hit the Gorge in the spring when the current is stronger.

-Finally, get a kitebuddy... yeah yeah, all the homophobes are going to chime in now, but whatever. I hooked..., er, I mean, met up with a guy here on this site that was at the same level I was, and we helped each other out as we payed our beginner/kook dues. Make no mistake we didn't "teach" each other... we just took turns during quiet times at the Sandbar launching, landing, and helping retrieve the board if necessary. One of us would always be on the shore watching the other. Having someone there watching you and helping you out when you inevitably end up at the end of the sandbar was great. Its not a substitute for lessons, but if you feel ready to head out on your own, try and co-ordinate with someone who can keep an eye on you.

On that note, if you're going out this spring in the Gorge, feel free to hit me up with a pm, I'm more than willing to help you any way I can, even if its just to give you a launch and make sure you come back with your board!

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 615 Posts Addicted

the best beginner tip ever:
be quiet and listen really carefully
if the instructor tells you to do something, don't argue or ask why, just do it NOW and ask any questions later

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 615 Posts Addicted

the best beginner tip ever:
be quiet and listen really carefully
if the instructor tells you to do something, don't argue or ask why, just do it NOW and ask any questions later

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 537 Posts Oregon Addicted

Bring booties for the rays....they will get you but they are small.

if there isnt any wind head up to Coronado there are a couple good surf spots there.

Enjoy Punta Chame its super chill and quite. not much else to do unless the little resort is complete, it was under construction last time I was down there.

Itzick is well connected so have him hook you up with some fun stuff in and around the city. The wind usually doesnt blow until mid-late afternoon so plan on some slow mornings.

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 537 Posts Oregon Addicted

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

I aint going any where near Hood River until I can stay upwind. Even then everything I have read makes it sound unbearably crowded.

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

actually you will have no problem going upwind with the river current, most likely you'll find it challenging to go downwind!

Good to know Shocked

Thanks

mikie · Since 06 Nov 2011 21 Posts

Thanks for the answers, I live in Alaska and we have a very small community of kite boarders with no Rebel flyers. Merry Christmas to all. Very Happy

jackZ · Since 13 Apr 2008 355 Posts Devon Alberta ca. Obsessed

Hi Mikie ,
You guys have some good kiters in your area and south of you in the Yukon I was kiting with people from there ( Whitehorse ) . I met a fella on Maui just recently , he was from Alaska and had a name I thought I'd never forget but have , I believe Jedediah or such , sorry . He said he instructed survival and was a kiter . At first I thought he was from Texas , cause everything he spoke of was bigger and better , lol , don't get me wrong he was a nice fella .
Regardless , watching others and listening to their advice , lessons and practice will get you going .
Lessons have been suggested to everyone getting into the sport .
Lessons will save you making many mistakes that could cost you your equipment or worse .
I don't care what you fly . The kite will not make you a kiter !
Here in Alberta CA. we have guys paying big money for foils ( the expensive ones from germany ) and I get the impression they think have bought the skills with it when talking to some . Then I watch them struggle for years , literally !!! Crazy !
Take lessons from a certified instructor , they will help you , guaranteed !
IKO has instructors everywhere , almost . I am one too and can tell you , it's worthwhile .

Using the safety systems is usually the farthest from our minds when getting up on a board and cruising out ! It's when it's time for a transition and the return reach to shore and you fall and the kite spins to the water and bowties cause you didn't do things right and you also didn't do the first thing , Let go of the bar ! These incidents can be markedly reduced by taking lessons from the right source .
Letting go of the bar is the first step if you feel out of control , second is to release the kite to the safety leash , eg . if you let go of the bar and a line is wrapped around the bar and it starts to spin . After the safety has been used it's most likely time for a self rescue . Did anyone teach you that yet ? Get to your downed kite wrapping lines and using the kite to get you safely to shore ? if trained properly you will be comfortable to use the safety as you will have used it several times already .
Practice , practice to build muscle memory after the proper instruction and then it will click for you and your on your own an independent kiter . This is the point where you will be getting into bigger airs and doing tricks and hitting kickers , like some of those natural snow bank kickers you get up there !
Have an awesome trip !
Oh yes , it has been stated about going down wind vs upwind . Everyone is trying to go back to where they came from , always . Once they have this skill or during there will be the desire to do a downwinder , so I don't have to work at going upwind . BUT , keep in mind , you have to keep tension in the lines . It's easy to catch up to the kite , doing a downwinder , and the lines slacken and the kite can fall to the water on top of it's lines . There is technique required to go downwind too and some are very uncomfortable at first because they have only been working at going upwind . No muscle memory developed yet for this skill .
It all takes time and practise with instruction .
JackZ

flybykite · Since 07 Dec 2011 10 Posts Saltspring Island, BC

I started kiteboarding this summer and apparently picked it up quickly. Upwind in 3 days time. But one thing I did notice was my lower back, legs, abs were punishingly sore a lot. I since joined the gym and go every day for 45 minute workout and that has helped my kiting immaculately! I leave at the end of this month for 60 days kiting in Mui Ne with 4 of my Rebels and a few friends. Cool

Hope you have a wicked fun time and just wait for the biggest ear to ear grin of your life when you realize you can stay upwind Very Happy

Happy travels