I have been flying a 1m slingshot training kite for about two weeks, and finally got my first lesson today. I am feeling a bit ambivalent about the whole thing at the moment.

All the important things got covered:

*Site Selection
*Wind Direction
*Safety Features (Chicken loop, kite leash, letting go etc)
*Power Window
*Rigging Kite
*Assisted Launch
*Assisted Landing
*Self Rescue
*Right of Way

The lesson was meant to be 2 hours, it ran over time, but I was sharing with another student (didn't find this out until I turned up - although I never checked before I went if it was to be private)

I was hoping to get into the water for a short bit of bodydragging, but that didn't eventuate.

At the end of the session, the instructor basically told us that the next step was to buy a LEI and practice what we had learnt, and maybe to do some bodydragging, and then come back for another lesson.

I think I was really hoping to get a bit more of a taste of what it is like before I go and drop large amounts of money on a kite, I think I would rather spend another $150 odd and get out in the water bodydragging and get a feel for the power of the kite and see if it is for me.

If I were to buy a kite, what do I do? It seems stupid to go and buy a brand new mid aspect kite to learn on, I am sure that won't be good value, and I will outgrow it pretty quickly.

I assume that brands won't be a major issue for me on my first kite given that I probably won't be exploring its full potential for some

I weigh about 120kg - what size kite should I be looking for? I am thinking something in the region of 14m - is that accurate?

Should I also pick up the harness and board at the same time, or wait until I have some more experience dragging around etc?

Any input would be welcome at the moment, I am feeling tired and a little letdown from my first day - I never expected to be on a board or anything, I am glad for all the safety info as I have been reading up on the various kiting incidents and fatalities, but I kind of just expected the first lesson to be a little more fun maybe.

SB

you would probably enjoy a few more lessons before buying any gear...

sounds a little more like a sales pitch than a lesson :/

maybe try some different schools out? im sure they all have different styles, teaching methods and equipment.

im no expert on lessons but some instructors will happily take you out body dragging and practicing on their boards and gear

quote:

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Originally posted by hosko

Thats dissapointing to hear that mate as i will be having my first lesson shortly and hope it doesnt happen to me also.....
Out of interest which instructor did you go to?
Sorry i can't be of much help regarding the points you brought up.

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Hosko
I have hit you back via email, I didn't really want to name names on the forum. I didn't think they were bad persay and don't want to slight them on the net. The instructor was very friendly, and very knowledgeable, and good at passing the information on - I was very confident in his instruction.

I am just feeling a little dissapointed by something I was thoroughly looking forward to and took a day off work to do, and a little bit perturbed by having to share the lesson - I assumed for that price I would be flying solo.

This happend to me too! I complained, and got better attention the second lesson, and was even happier the third lesson. But having seen some other schools in action I would suggest you try out some others if you weren't completely happy. I even made sure beforehand that the school I went to would be able to start above the "learning to fly a kite" level, but they still tried to teach me what I already knew. I know they have to make sure you are ready to move on, but they need to move you quickly or you leave feeling like you wasted big $$$. I'll shoot you my suggestions via email.

I had three lessons at pelican pt, an hour each lesson. was taught on my first one how to do the basics and also body drag a bit second explored it more and also get onto the board, and then third continuos riding on the board. after that it was brillent was up on my board at the beach and all it took was practice and now i can get up and planing on the first attempt.( but u got to be a good student an do every thing they tell ya.)
Recommend Peican pt for surethey'll get u going.

As for buying a kite, i bought mine after the second lesson and practiced body dragin and getin on my board, all the stuff i was taught

we've all been there guys - 3 days of lessons seems to be the magic number and you'll be ready to buy some kit. i had three and went back for another later due to lack of natural talent , but alot of guys get away with only a couple.

anyway safetyboy, you got a good 1st lesson, though yeah im suprised there was no bodydragging. you need 1 or 2 more. 2 weeks on a slingshot trainer counts for about squat when you size up to a real kite, as you'll find out when you start by yourself

IMO these kind of lessons might seem boring but the stuff you covered is more important than maybe you appreciate now. you have to do it some time, at least its out of the way.

thats fair enough mate - i reckon you'll be having fun as soon as you hit the water

enjoy!!

Was I diappointed in my first lesson? Abolutely no way. I had my first lesson last Saturday afternoon at Melville, and my instructor really knew his stuff. I flew a 3m foil kite for about half an hour or so to get a handle on the wind window and up/down/left/right etc and progressed onto the 6m inflatable fairly soon after that and practiced all the things mentioned above as well as a fair bit of body dragging. I didn't get to go on a board, but I felt we got through a lot in the 2 hours. Unfortunately, he's cancelled on me twice for mid week lessons, so I'm not feeding my new addiction as fast as I would like, but I'm hoping for a double lesson this weekend.

If you want to find a good instructor, even if you have had one lesson already, do what I did - go down to your nearest kiting area and just ask some kiters who are standing around. I got a few good referrals for the same instructor that way.