Get lessons. Sure you could probably teach yourself eventually. Getting up on a board is not that hard. However while you are learning you will be a danger to other beach users and fellow kitesurfers. We all have sympathy for newbies, but if you are kooking around endangering others you will receive no help or sympathy when you cant get your board back, or do a self rescue. Lessons may seem expensive, but lost gear and medical bills are more.
So how many lessons do you think someone should have to feel confident at Deep water pack up while cross shore wind is blowing kite out to sea Kite looping because weed is wrapped around lines. Pulley breaks causing uncontrollable death loops while 100mt off shore. List goes on and on There comes a point when you are teaching yourself as most scenarios that will get you hurt or killed cant be taught especially to a beginner. Lessons verbally tell you what to do in common kite mishaps and may make you body drag or a shallow water packdown but its only through experience that will help you when the real smelly poo hits the fan.
I am pro lessons but do be misguided that if you get lessons you will be able to do the right or even the safe thing when the time comes because chances are you will stuff up like everybody else.
Learn as much as you can then get a couple of lessons then have fun f##king up like everybody else.
Oh and out of all the kiters I know there maybe 1 that could swim 1klm if needed and that's defiantly not me.
I started kite surfing 2 years ago without lessons, since I like to learn by myself as a challenge just as I learnt wind surfing many years ago. After mastering a trainer kite i was ready for the beach. The first time there i made a complete ass of myself. Served me right for my hubris. Kite surfing is way too dangerous and complicated for self teaching and the few lessons you need is for what you must not do rather than what to do. If you don't want lessons don't do kitesurfing
I'm gunna piss everybody off...... But...... Lessons are not always neccesary.
I have never done a lesson, and I'm an intermediate kiter.
I did consider it when I was struggling with the first board starts and learning to edge, but persistence payed off.
Its the same old question "do I or don't I need lessons"....../ I think if you have to ask that question then you probably should go get some payed lessons. **note: I said 'payed' lessons, not your mates cousin who used to kite years ago.
Lessons aren't for everybody. Having 20+ years of world class competitive sailing and multiple national titles wins definitely helps. I wouldn't have taught myself if I didn't have that extensive sailing history, but doubt kiting would have interested me at all without it.
I will say again.....
If you have to ask the question, then you will prob need lessons!!
No lesson required if you have a "Death Wish". You may not kill yourself in the the process, but telling other learners how you didn't get lessons will encourage them to take the risk. Some have died or been seriously injured doing this self taught strategy.
Can you imagine going to a beach where no one took lesson and they were all still in the learning stages. Just how many ambulances would you need??? Besides trying to kill yourself everyone else around you would be trying to help kill you as well. Bit of a no brainer.
Anyone one who asks me about learning to kite, I always say lessons are necessary to learn the safety side of things.
I started kite surfing 2 years ago without lessons, since I like to learn by myself as a challenge just as I learnt wind surfing many years ago. After mastering a trainer kite i was ready for the beach. The first time there i made a complete ass of myself. Served me right for my hubris. Kite surfing is way too dangerous and complicated for self teaching and the few lessons you need is for what you must not do rather than what to do. If you don't want lessons don't do kitesurfing
