Do you think it's strong enought to get someone hooked who doesn't have any inclination at all to try kiting? It's my wife I'm talking about. She likes snow skiing but isn't passionate about any action sport.

So does anyone have any stories of people getting addicted to kiting who had no interest in action sports before?
Cheers

I would love to push my wife sometimes................in front of a bus....

Interesting topic.

As an instructor, when meeting any new student, I always love to ask as a first question ''what's your motivation to learn this sport ? '' Answers usually range somewhere along those lines:

1) it looks like fun, I see so many people kiting all the time, I thought I have to give this a go!
2) My friend(s)/boyfriend/girlfriend, etc. are kiters and convinced me to get lessons.
3) I'm pretty sure this is a sport for me because of my background in board sports and other wind sports. I've always loved being in the water.

This may seem obvious but if the answer is along the lines of 1) and 2) the motivation of the student is most likely to be extrinsic (external influence) and as a result the chances of this student following through and becoming a kiter are pretty slim.

On the other hand if the student's motivation is intrinsic (self-desire to learn without any external pressure or influence) chances are a lot higher that the student not only puts more effort and time into the learning process but also has a much better chance of becoming a kiter.

Perhaps this is not your intention at all, but just in case it is....for the sake of your relationship, teaching your wife is a terrible idea, even if you were a qualified and experienced instructor.

That being said, I have seen a small percentage of student who's primary motivation to learn the sport was extrinsic but eventually became competent kiters and addicted to the sport, bought gear, etc. They are usually students who either progress quickly (skilled) and/or have a higher than average level of perseverance, i.e. people who don't give up easily, even when things get harder.

Good Luck,

Christian

Having a wife that also kites is a huge bonus when it comes to spending a whole, precious wknd at the beach instead of filling it with other crap like grocery shopping!

cbulota said..

This may seem obvious but if the answer is along the lines of 1) and 2) the motivation of the student is most likely to be extrinsic (external influence) and as a result the chances of this student following through and becoming a kiter are pretty slim.

On the other hand if the student's motivation is intrinsic (self-desire to learn without any external pressure or influence) chances are a lot higher that the student not only puts more effort and time into the learning process but also has a much better chance of becoming a kiter.

So very true Christian. I've come across it in other sports I've taught too.

Freddofrog said...

btw why do you want to do this, honestly? Seems like a recipe for disaster

It's actually for altruistic reasons. My wife has gone through cancer and all the fun things associated with it. Surgery, chemo and more surgery. I think she needs a way to release tension and the stresses of life. Kiting clears my mind and relaxes me so I'm hoping it will do the same for her.

fingerbone said..
I would love to push my wife sometimes................in front of a bus....

Am still laughing,made my day.

Hybrid_Z said..
Pushing wives into doing things they don't want to do is always an excellent idea. There are no foreseeable issues likely to arise from this.

LMAO!!! Sooo true. I'm glad to hear it's not just me then...

Bugger that, I am glad my wife is NOT into it. She can go grocery shopping and look after the child while I go kiting. Also good for solo downwinders as she can drop me off.

^^^^^^agreed
She needs at least 1 year of training in launching and landing your kite for you, running your lines out,
and videoing your every session,
and moving the esky full of beers into the shade as the sun moves,
Then she may be ready to fly a trainer kite, but only if it doesn't wear her out too much to pleasure you later. lol

Good on ya bud, get her into it, she'll love it and then understand why you dont want to go to the markets/shoe shopping/drive in the mountains etc when the forecast is greening out.