kite-beach-cabarete
Essential Kite Boarding Knowledge & SkillsKite Surfing is one of the newest and most exciting water sports in the world and can bring many years of exhilaration and fun to anyone willing to learn.

However, like any “extreme sport” there are some risks involved while learning and practising Kite Surfing. That’s why Jon Dodds our in-house IKO Examiner and Training Master has personally devised The Kite Club Steps.

The Kite Club Steps ensure students have the Essential Knowledge and the Essential Skills needed to practice Kite Surfing safely during their lessons and after they leave the School. These steps also cover all the IKO Standards letting your IKO Instructor certify you with the IKO Kite Boarders Card.

Every Kite Surfer’s first priority should be their personal safety and the safety of the people around them. Therefore, please listen carefully to all that your Instructor says, and give proper consideration to all the Essential Skills and Knowledge you’ll need to become a ripping Kite Surfer!

BOOK NOW
Lessons Essential Knowledge Essential Skills
Step 1 Kite Flying & Safety
  • – Wind Direction
  • – Wind Strength
  • – Up / Down wind
  • – Observing the Skies
  • – Choosing a Location
  • – The Beach
  • – Awareness of your Area
  • – Other Beach and Water Users
  • – Types of Kites
  • – Kite Terminology
  • – How a Kite Flies
  • – Handling a Kite
  • – Kite set-up and check
  • – 4 line Bars
  • – Bar Terminology
  • – Safety Systems
  • – Front & Back Line Function
  • – Line Lengths
  • – Basic Wind Window Theory
  • – Used Area
  • – Neutral Zone
  • – Power Zone
  • – Clock Positions

 
  • – Kite set up and checking
  • – Basic piloting skills
  • – Pilot in the Neutral Zone
  • – Release bar & recover kite
  • – Launching with an assistant
  • – Landing with an assistant
  • – Power zone discovery
  • – Twist and untwist the lines
  • – Release bar & recover bar
  • – Harness piloting
  • – Use quick release
  • – Unhook and release bar
  • – One hand piloting at 12
  • – One hand piloting at edge
  • – Walking up wind with kite
  • – Kite Pack Down
  • – Self assessment
Step 2 Body Dragging & Water Safety
  • – Wind Stability
  • – Wind Effects
  • – Low Pressure Systems
  • – Fronts
  • – Basic Water Safety
  • – Prevailing Winds
  • – Other Kite Boarders
  • – Kite Sizes
  • – Aspect Ratios
  • – Power Adjustment Strap
  • – Using the Chicken Loop
  • – Wind Window’s:
  • – relation to Wind
  • – relation to Lines
  • – relation to Kite
  • – Water re-launch simulation
  • – Self Rescue simulation
  • – Boat rescue simulation
  • – Entering the water
  • – Body drag Underpowered
  • – Exit the water at set point
  • – Kite Water re-launching
  • – Power control unhooked.
  • – Maintain power unhooked
  • – Using the harness in the water
  • – Power to left & right
  • – Body dragging with long lines
  • – Body dragging one hand
  • – Upwind body drag
  • – Laying on back kite at 12
  • – Water start sequence (no board)
Step 3 Up and Riding on the Board
  • – Types of Boards
  • – Terminology
  • – Board Sizes
  • – Theory support to Water-start
  • – Water-start Simulation on Beach (no Kite)
  • – Tying the leash alone
  • – Entering water with Board
  • – Recovering the Board (leash)
  • – Get into Water-start Position
  • – Maintain Body Position
  • – Use Kite power to Stand up
  • – Return to Beach with Board
  • – Consistent water-starts
  • – Short rides underpowered
  • – Riding Both Directions
Step 4 Power Control, Up Wind & Independent Riding
  • – The Dynamic Wind Window
  • – Apparent Wind
  • – Theory support to go upwind
  • – Home / New Location
  • – Local Rules
  • – Priority Rules
  • – Kite Etiquette
  • – Buying your First Kite
  • – Buying your First Board
  • – Recovering the board (no Leash)
  • – Maintaining Power in Kite
  • – Stance
  • – Down Wind Rides
  • – Edging the Board
  • – Stopping with Control
  • – Parking the Kite
  • – Power & Direction Control
  • – Short Up wind Rides Powered
One Hour Essential Knowledge Any Aspect of Kite Surfing you may need to know. Includes:

  • – 5 line Bars & Kites
  • – Bow Kites
  • – Basic Aerodynamics Kites
  • – Lift & Drag
  • – Turning & Stalling
  • – Kite Maintenance
  • – Board maintenance
  • – And Much More
 N/A
One Hour Essential Skills N/A Extra Skills you may need to practice Either from steps 1,2,3,4 or any advanced training. Includes:

  • – Turning
  • – First jumps
  • – Downwind runs
  • – Riding toe side
  • – Wave Riding
  • – More hang time
  • – First Back Loop
  • – First Front Loop
  • – And Much More
Supervision & Equipment Rental  

Some people may need a bit more time to practice until they’re ready to move onto the next step. (especially between steps 3-4)

Your Instructor will advise you if you need to Practice with the Equipment under Supervision. When you’re ready you may resume your training and move onto the next step.

 

Please note: The amount of time spent on each level depends upon your own abilities and are estimations only. More or less time may be spent according to your Instructors advice.

Prices are per person and include all Kiteboarding Equipment, Instructors and Assistants. Price also includes Equipment, Personal Injury and Third Person Liability Insurance.