Hi everyone, this is my first post here and i have a few questions from someone that is seriously considering getting into the sport.

First up, yes i am going to get lessons i have no worries at all with doing it whatsoever, apart from the major safety aspect it will save hours of frustration.

Now with having said that what on earth is the go with paying what amounts to almost $90 per hour in some cases. Now if you say thats cos the gear is included then fair enough. but ive seen some "with your gear "at the same cost. Maybe im missing something here.
If its because of safety, well it doesnt cost that much to professionally learn to drive a car and there is potential to injure and kill more ppl including youreself doing that.

Also are the instructors qualified in the nationaly recognised Training and Assesment Qualification (cert IV TAA) other than the IKO which to my understanding is governed by the sport itself and not Government training guidlines.

I know these questions seem a bit over the top but hey, no harm in asking

cheers
teako

Fair enough, good point

Rattle, thinking about it a bit more it's all well and good if they are from a full time business and have to cover costs. However ive come across some with the IKO qual and looks like they do it after work or on weekends.
At the moment looking from the outside in it seems that because it is still classed as an extreme sport for lack of a better description its open slather for pricing.

even so $90 an hour for a couple of hours ,then got to drive there so there's travel expenses (fuel , rego, insurance )workplace insurance(public liability ect ) , advertising , kite gear ...multiple kites ,harnesses , helmets ,inpact vests boards ,radios /ect ,ect this gear has a fairly shot life when being smashed into the ground/water by students and has to be replaced/repaired quite often $$$,
I'm not an instructor, nor have the desire to ever be one ,but have mates who are...

If your too tight to spend a couple of hundred on lessons ,this probly is not the sport for you ,next thing you'll be asking whats wrong with buying $100 ,2001 model 2 line c kite off ebay!!!
Don't be a tight ass and spend some decent money and get some decent lessons ,trust me it can be very dangerous to yourself and others...

Just a comparison,

IKO istructor course is 800USD for a potential kiteboard instructor. (which I'm doing in Boracay, Phillipines on 5th Feb)



If you cant justify money for lessons then why bother. It's like me saying I can't justify $800USD for an instructors course. I'm going to get skills which I will need as you are.

Lessons provide you with the skills you need to progress. After 3-5 lessons you can practice yourself and progress through the sport depending on how much time and ability you have. Yeah these lessons cost, but what doesn't these days.

If your going to pooh your pants at the cost then maybe stick to a safe cheap alternative like world of warcraft or xbox.

JP out.

thanks , ill make sure i dont have a heart attack or poo my pants, great worthwhile advice there.

Also nowhere in my post did i say i would not get lessons because of the cost sooo im not sure where you got that from. Im in no way saying the lessons arent worth it and its actually cheaper than the sport i already do, including the lessons and all the gear. Its a legit question simple as that.

Kyteryder and beersy , both great points and thanks for the sensible suggestions. I have had a trainer for a while now 2.5 IMP so im at the point where im about to sell up my other gear and take the plunge.
Thanks again

Can I add that we often include lessons in a kite purchase, and we are not the only ones.

with the amount of people that want to buy a kite and have not had lessons. it is way safer for everyone, and better for our piece of mind if rather than discount gear we value add with lessons.

Going and asking someone on the beach for a lesson is really the same as going and asking a stranger to take responsibility for your safety. Not on.

Dude, Kite instructors make piss all money. $90/hr for 1on1 time with a qualified/accredited instructor of anything is a bargain. Think about it, instructor might get half of that, can only work while the wind blows (say 6 hours/day if he works with no breaks), maybe only gets fully booked 3-4 days a week, has 3 knobs not turn up in a week, and drives 30 mins to get there.

That guy is basically working for less than a weekly minimum wage. And he has to do it all with a smile and infinite patience.

I'd pay $90 with a smile thinking I'm getting a great deal.

As for the economy of it, getting your money paid for lessons back can save a few hundred bucks on your gear, and you are building a relationship with a shop. A shop who's help you will need at some point to fix/advise/open early/stay late/swing you a deal/or float you till payday on your new kite.

My $0.02