[Golden Rules]   [Procedures]   [Flying]   [On the Water]  

Learning to Kiteboard

On this page we've collected together step-by-step procedures and other helpful points to keep in mind when learning to kiteboard. Please note that Traqua.com offers this information as a guide only, and we recommend that all kiteboarding beginners receive proper instruction from a registered kiteboarding trainer.

Remember, kiteboarding is fun - a sense of humour and approachable attitude are your best asset. It's a great sport, know your limits and please practice it safely.

Section 1: Golden Rules

Safety

• Always check the weather report before you go kiteboarding.
• Let people know where you are and how long you intend to be away.

Location

• Check local regulations in regards to kites and sailing.
• Choose plenty of space - no people, trees, power lines, rocks, swimming areas, buildings, freeway's, airports or anything! And leave plenty of space for take off and choose a down wind stop point just in case.
• Ideal wind directions are cross-shore winds and wind strength's about 8 to 15 knots.
• Avoid gusty / unstable, cross off and off shore winds. Match your kite size to the wind strength.

Equipment

• Check your gear before and after every session, replace any worn or damaged parts before going out.
• Always use your kite's safety systems - on a Wipika marine wing, the bar leash and quick release - to de-power the kite but retain equipment.
• When using a board, attach a surfleash as you enter the water and wear a helmet.
• Kites are not intended to endure repeated crashes on land, and neither are human bodies.

Section 2: Procedures

Pre-flight check

• Check the general condition of all your equipment.
• Inspect all seams, batten pressure, connections, as well as the functioning of safety systems.
• Check there are no tangles or knots in the bridle or lines, your harness is secure, foot straps are adjusted correctly and the board leash is in good condition.
• When not in use the kite must be blocked upside down, leading edge to the wind with a board or sand on top.

Carrying your kite

• The lines should be wound on to the bar as described under "winding".
• Carry the kite upside down holding the bar inside the leading edge and stay upwind of the kite.
• If there is not enough wind to hold it off the ground or there are obstacles, place the kite on top of your head.

Winding

• Hold the bar in your left hand and the knot where the safety leash joins to the green flying line in your right hand.
• Wind just the green line and do not let go of the knot in your right hand until you wind past it (winding/ranging lines out of sync makes sure the kite cannot power up).
• Do not wind on the safety leash, only the main flying line and leave the safety leash hanging free.
• Now the kite is disabled, take the green and red lines together and continue to wind both onto the bar.
• When you reach the end of the green line half hitch the lines together onto the bar and finish by winding on the remaining red line. For storage the safety leash can also be wound on or wrapped around the bar.
• When unwinding care must be taken to wind both lines out at the same rate.

Maintenance

• Never sink / recess the valve into battens, hold the valve erect as you pump to prevent bad valve positioning.
• Avoid exposing the pump, open valves or inner tubes to sand and salt water.
• Watch out for sharp objects or thorns when laying out the kite for inflation.
• Avoid leaving the kite flapping in the wind for extended periods.

Section 3: Flying

The wind/flight window

• When facing directly downwind the flight window is encompassed by your field of vision and extends away from you as far as the flying line length.
• The flight window expands in gusts and contracts in lulls.

Neutral

• When placed in the stable position right at the top of the flight window, gravity works against the kite's pull so the kite is now in "NEUTRAL".
• Place the kite in neutral every time you get ready to start, stop or rest.
• After a crash get the kite into neutral as quick as you can to avoid loose lines in the water.

Piloting

• Pulling on the right line turns the kite clockwise, and pulling on the left line turns the kite anti-clockwise.
• Speed is directly related to power, the kite will generate more power near the centre of the flight window.
• Piloting your kite is easier when you are relaxed and use your weight rather than your muscles.
• Keep the bar at arm's length and lean back against the pull.
• Ideally, learn to pilot your kite over a shallow enclosed body of water.
• Never use your kite to jump or glide over land.

Preparation for take off

• If you have an assistant, ask them to approach the kite from the front. Show them how to hold the kite by the leading edge and at an angle to the wind. They should never grab the trailing edge.
• If you are launching unassisted, fold one of the tips of the kite about the first cross batten and cover it with enough sand for the kite to stay put.
• Now move to tension the flying lines with the kite on the edge of the flight window. Pull gently on the bottom line to release the sand then the top line to take off.

Safety/release and recovery

• Pull on the safety leash until you have the knot where the leash joins the main line.
• Hold onto this knot firmly while you retrieve the bar (never wrap lines around your hand).
• When you are ready to go, drop the knot and grab onto the bar with both hands.

Landing

• Choose a clear area including a buffer zone downwind.
• If assisted, lower the kite to ground level and ask your assistant to catch it by the leading edge only.
• If unassisted, drop the bar and pull to the green knot, keep tension on the green line as you walk to your kite.
• Allow plenty of room in case the kite blows around the flight window.
• Stay upwind of the lines and never wrap the lines around your hand.
• When you reach the kite, block it upside down, sand or board on top and wind on the lines.

Section 4: On the Water

Body Dragging

• Choose a clear area, no obstacles, a steady breeze, calm water and no currents, reefs, hidden dangers etc.
• Always allow for drift so you don't get into trouble downwind.
• Let the kite tow you through the water, control speed and direction by manoeuvring the kite.
• Do not do this in your harness.

Water launching

• You first need to get the kite open to catch the wind, just pull on lines to experiment with response.
• To launch the kite must be on its side, keep tension on the bottom line to guide it towards the edge of the flight window before pulling on the top line to take off.
• If the kite is upside down on the water pulling on one line will get it on its side. Sometimes it can be quicker to pull the bar sharply towards you and then go towards the kite to roll the kite onto its back. Pulling on one line will then put the kite on its side.
• If the lines end up crossed, put the kite in neutral and spin your self around to uncross them.

Starting on a board

• Use a harness to balance the kite in neutral then position the board in front of you pointing across the wind.
• Get at least your front foot into the strap taking care not to unbalance the kite.
• Out of the harness, dive the kite through the power zone in the direction you wish to go.
• To keep moving just keep the kite in the power zone and try to travel across the wind.
• If there seems not enough power to pull you up, move the kite slightly back before diving it forward.
• If you get going OK but then the kite luffs, try to keep the kite away from the edge (turn it quicker).
• Do not go beyond a safe landing area on shore. Give yourself plenty of room to reach this landing area.

Stopping on a board

• Gently, steer the kite to neutral.
• Tail stall - place weight on the tail and point hard upwind until the kite reaches the edge of the window.
• Put your butt on the water and side-slide the board to a halt.
• Drop the bar to activate the primary safety release if absolutely necessary.
• Only use the emergency safety release in the event of real emergencies.
• Always give yourself plenty of room to manoeuvre and slow down before you get close to anything, the shore and other people included.