Kite Like a Pro!

As the head kite instructor at Kainetic, I’ve noticed a few simple things that can make a huge difference in how you look (and ride) on the water. Fix these 5 common mistakes, and you’ll be kiting like a pro in no time:

1.  Launching a Kite:

Don’t grab the bar until you’re in position to launch the kite. Hold your chicken loop and walk upwind first. Grab the bar only when you’re in position at the edge of the window. Grabbing early powers the kite up, makes it harder for the one holding the kite and usually causes a scene.

2.   Walking Upwind with kite:

Biggest pet peeve: people walking backward with their kite. Nothing screams more beginner than that. Walking upwind with your kite is the same as riding upwind—face forward and tack your way there. Front hand on your board and back hand towards the middle of the bar.

3.  Hand Position on the Bar:

Keep your hands close together—right next to each other, not stretched out at the end of the bar. This keeps you from oversteering and will allow you to control the kite with efficiency.

4.   Body Position while riding:

Stop “pooping in your pants”! Don’t stick your butt out like you’re sitting on a toilet. Lean back in your harness and trust the kite to hold you up. Front leg straight, back leg bent, shoulders and hips pointing forward—for a more dialed stance.

5.  Transitions (changing direction):

When learning to transition- most people move the kite first, then the board —and ultimately sink every time. Do the opposite: move your board first so your front leg becomes your back leg. The board will now be facing downwind- then send the kite across the window.

Try these out next session and let me know how it goes—would love to hear your feedback.

See you on the water! 🌊🪁