after a lot of pressure from ppl to know who my instructor was i'v decided to not tell ne 1
sorry guys

now ill go eat an ORANGE

.... nether im going to try and force it through my eye

dude im not a crackhead i cant snort orange thats hardcore, ill give that ear idea a whirl gives me something to complain about other than the wind 4 once:P

Dear Kitehard,

Please inform me about the Maui method of teaching kitesurfing in 30 knots of gusty wind.
I'm very curious.

But please, don't tell me about super,super,short lines and kiddy kites.
That's not learning kitesurfing.
That's learning to fly kiddy kites with super short lines.

For kitesurfing, you need a real kitesurfing kite on normal lines, that will power the rider onto the plane.


Maui doesn't blow 30 knots everyday.
Just like WA doesn't blow 30 knots everyday.
But the schools would like to teach everyday(cha-ching).
Kitesurfing is a nature sport, it's dependant upon the weather.

And if the wind conditions are risky, it's irresponible to teach newbies on those days.
I'd say 30 knots is risky, anything over 20 knots is risky for newbies.


Here in Mandurah, we don't have a kiteshop or kiteschool.
A lot of the crew have taught themselves and then their mates.
The method we use is called mentoring.
It seems to work quite well and it's FREE.

Regards
'slave

personally i think learning to kite in 30 knots borders on lunacy.

so, i'm with slave on that one.

20+ knots is not learners wind in any ocean wind sport.

most experienced kiters have nerves when popping their kite up in those conditions.

There is only one criteria for teaching conditions.

SAFETY.

match equipment to conditions and comfort of the student.

Best winds
Tony L

PS: FO(abk) where have I seen the word fokiten before?

Was at St Kilda on Sat and saw a guy doing lessons looking like he wasn't too interested. He then did a lesson with a guy on a larger kite (maybe not a first lesson) and the guy had the kite in the air with the instructor not close at all and proceeded to loop the kite dragging himself towards the wall. The kite almost hit the wall, the guy then hooked in. Instructor maybe too busy strutting on the beach?

lol

this seems to be a re occuring problem in st kilda, gee i wonder if that guy knows my instructor

iv allready seen lessons at mordy, as long as mr orange dosnt rock up
maybe we need a beach with no mobile phoe coverage then we know mr orange wont show up lol

note to self: no land jumping
resedents crack it

Local Lads,

It's good with the long stretch of beach and there are parts of the beach that stay pritty empty in summer. It can be a bit of a struggle when you get them on the board cos of the small chop.

Hey Galah,

One of the schools I had the pleasure of working with (Action Sports Maui) used small 2-line kites on short lines yes, but with the wrist leash connected to the relaease on a wichard shackle on the bar end, so that when the bar is released by the student, the kite flying line is disconnected and the kite completely depowers.

The disconnected line is connected to a length of bungee to the opposing flying line, half the wingspan of the kite up from the bar which allows the restting of the disconnected line if necessary, however the lesson format was to body drag the distance prescribed then let go of the bar, roll the lines and self rescue back to the beach. This serves to reinforce valuable skills.

Most of the basics can be taught on short lines with small inflateable kites ie setting up, wind effects, launching assisted and solo, Landing assisted and solo, flying the kite in the window whilst standing in waist deep water is safe and then body dragging downwind. Water relaunch and self rescue can all be done safely in strong winds.

The main considerations of teaching in abnormally strong winds are that the student is comfortable and confident, the kites and equipment are specifically set up to cater for such conditions, No harnessses are used and only a 1:1 instructor student ratio is used. The location must also be safe and a boat or ski be there for fast intervention if necessary.

No school chooses to put there students at risk and no one likes teaching in really strong wind, especially not for a quick buck, as the repercussions of an injured student can be infinately more costly than the few dollars earned in a single lesson. If we had the choice we would teach in 15 knots all day everyday, but then how do students get used to local conditions if it consistently blows 20-25?

In my school I have operated for five and a half years without any injuries whatsoever and have instructed thousands of students both in Australia and Hawaii. Our students learn safely and enjoy their lessons. I seldom see my ex students creating havoc on the beaches.
At AKS we stop lessons as the gusts hit 25knots.

We use kites from 10m down to 4 metres and it always comes down to safety, not money, almost always to the disappointment of our students who wish to continue. Yes we stop lessons mid way if we feel the conditions are becoming unsafe and give time credits to the student to be redeemed upon their next lesson in better conditions.

I am pretty sure most "good" IKO schools work by similar ethics and principals, and if they dont, they should! Safety comes first, customer enjoyment and learnings come second and money a distant third. Few schools make much money, and thats not a huge issue, most of us work second jobs and we certainly didn't become instructors for the mythical riches.

It was to give back to the sport and allow ourselves to be closer to the sport we love by being on the beach. We made a lifestyle choice about choosing not to conform to a standard 40 hr week. We chose to share our passion with others and yep, we get paid to do it as a bonus. Anyone who teaches purely for the money usually burns out after 6 months, because it is a hard but rewarding job. There is more to rewards than just money.

After teaching for more than five years, to thousands of students, and teaching close to 180 instructors around the globe, having traveled, competed, been involved in associations, retail, product developement and more, I have learned a thing or two about teaching and kiteboarding. I reckon I have earned the right to decide whats safe for me, my school, my instructors and my students.

To those that feel learners don't need to take lessons, or who disagree with my thoughts, thats your opinion and you are very welcome to it.

Something to ponder "You dont know, what you dont know"

Sorry for the long post!

Good winds to all

Darren Marshall

Dear Kitehard,

I can understand why a kiteschool wants to teach at every opportunity,
even in fucn 30 knots. (Cha-Ching)

But for the life of me, I can't understand why an 'informed' newbie (given a choice) would opt to take a lesson in nuking winds.

As for learners not taking lessons, who suggested that ?
I suggested not 'paying' for lessons.
Mentoring from an experienced kitesurfing mate is FREE and a proven-up method of teaching.

And here's something more to ponder;
"I know an ad when I see an ad".

Regards
'slave

Hi Galah,

Don't be so naive.
It's not 30 knots always, continually, forever.
Ever heard of seasons, climate patterns etc.

I live in WA.
This place is more windy than Maui.
I stop kiting at 30 knots cause I'm starting to get overpowered in the waves.

'And they keep defending the teaching of newbies in maching conditions' !
Man.

South of knotuk car park to frankston, you can find a few open beaches for a good downwinder or body drag and all the guys are helpfull.The only problem i've seen people have is learning on the board in the chop but you will soon get over that.Intermediate not a problem.
From nnw to ssw