7 biggest mistakes beginner kiteboarders make
I thought I would share with you some of the most common mistakes I see kiteboarders (especially beginners) make early on. Many of us work 9-5 jobs, we’re constantly checking our apps for wind or scanning our inbox looking for an update to island. We wait all week, and we finally get wind. We rush to the beach and put our kite up and then everything goes wrong…….
Avoid these mistakes and you will have more time on the water while being safe. Of course, this is not in-lieu of lessons from a professional certified instructor. These tips are aimed at the kiters who have already taken lessons and are starting to venture out on their own.
- Spot Risk Assessment: Understand the risks that are inherent to the spot you are kiting. Many of the risks are not obvious or visible at first. If you are kiting at a new spot, ask a local to give you the rundown. Our community is more than willing to share the knowledge
Helpful hint: When you first arrive at a new spot, spend a few minutes launching and landing other kiters. It shows respect, you learn the spot and the risks. It’s also a great way to meet other kiters. You now have other kiters looking out for you because you helped them.
2.Twisted Bridal: Make sure the bridal is untangled before you attach the power lines. Many new kites come compressed from the manufacture which tangles the bridal. A tangle will cause the kite to fly incorrectly and can be quite dangerous. Double check your lines before you go to launch. It takes 30 seconds and will help avoid a kitemare!
- Downwind Kite Launch: Launching a kite out of position is very dangerous. You don’t need to grab the bar until you are in position to launch. Walk to the edge of kite window just holding your chicken loop. Once you see the canopy of the kite stiffen you can then proceed to grab the bar. Too often kiters launch with the kite downwind and overpowered, this can cause the kiter to get dragged on the beach. Not a great look when you are arriving at a new spot for the first time.
- Walking backwards with a kite in the air: If you need to walk up-wind on the beach with a kite in the air, then you should be facing the direction you are walking. Twist your hips forward and look to where you want to walk. Don’t be the kiter walking backwards with a kite in the air stumbling over the family picnicking because you didn’t see them. It’s dangerous to them, to you and everyone else around.
- Entering the water: Body drag or walk-up wind prior to your first tact. Give yourself plenty of space to go downwind. You can’t go straight upwind first; you need to create momentum before tacking upwind. Especially when you are learning.
- Have a plan: Know your exit points. Your first couple of tacts should be to get back to your starting point. If you can’t get back to your starting point you need to initiate plan b. Don’t wait until you are downwind and past the beach to determine there is a problem.
- Self-Rescue: Every kiter should know how to perform a self-rescue. Don’t make your first attempt to do a self-rescue while kiting offshore in the ocean. It won’t go well! Practice in the bay where the water is shallow, and you know it’s safe. We teach self-rescue for free (It’s that important). If you want to learn, ask one of our instructors for assistance while out at kite island. We’ll allow you to join in on a lesson for that portion or work with you individually.
Feel free to ask any questions!
Stay safe, kite responsible
See you on the water
-Team Kainetic
