Hi. Been doing plenty of flat water and river mouths
Keen to get in the ocean -
Any tips or advice

I know I will get some 'grow a set' comments - thanks in advance for those. ;-)

You have to turn around a bit earlier, before reaching the other side compared to rivers etc. (sorry, couldnt resist it)

Dealing with shorebreaks and swell is a really big difference. Try and avoid shorebreaks if possible at the start. And when you are coming in on a wave, or ground swell, dont forget to keep good awareness of where the kite is.

My first couple of times in the waves resulted in wild over-excitement screaming down a wave. Closely followed by extreme fear as I dropped my kite in the wave and was completely cleaned up.

Have fun!

Try to wash some speed off if your heading out through waves, just enough so you dont jump too high. Nearly snapped my ankle doing that when learning in ocean, around 4ft of swell. Its ok if you use the kite to give you lift at same time, just make sure the kite cushions your landing..

And yes, grow a pair :)

Para U should rake in alot of comment on this one!!!
The rule - as long as you have power from the kite you have control. Cross on-shore - straight onshore and it can be a bugger to get off the beach.
1) The Hot zone is the wave zone
Choose a zone you are confident with i.e.no big dumping sets coming in - U are capable of pulling a U-ee - zig - zag along in the white water till you see your slot. Go out well beyond the break and have a cruise - try using the green water waves as ramps or if running with them practise your zig-zags.
2) Going across the hot zone on the way out and the way in
As mentioned in previous post going out into white water there is nearly always a lip - You need to help you board ride over it - weight on the back - remember that power as you often turn to go straight at the wave and edge hard up wind killing your power -
When you are coming in for the first few times ride in along the back of a wave and get used to positioning yourself. Do not overtake a breaking wave unless small.
3) Choosing your moment on when to start playing in / on the waves. If U R on a TT then make sure your bottom turn back towards the wave does not bury the nose - so run long then turn back.
4) At least enough wind to get a quick re-launch and hopefully not having to sine your kite too much. Until you get used to it, going out, U can find you loose an edge going over a wave with any speed, barrel towards the kite take a flier on the next lip and crash - keep your knees bent going into the wave - imagine trying to keep your head at a constant height - you absorb the lift from the wave by bending your knees - it is easier to keep your edge. = second nature before long.
Through all of this keep a firm image of where you kite is - as long as you have power you are ok - the trouble happens when you are in breaking waves with the kite down - if this happens - ditch the kite quick if you have no line tension.

Downwinders are great fun - my first few I stressed up going through the wave zone had a ball out to sea then stressed up coming back in thru' the waves.

On an empty beach the white wash zone can be plenty of fun for a down winder too - but any flags - you need to go out (or walk past).

Using a directional - requires a bit more effort but way to go in the longer term I reckon. Suggest watching your local crew.

Bugger growing a set - opening another chapter IMO

Cheers
AP

Hey Parafin

I am a newbie, and it took me a little while before I got how it worked, so not sure how helpful it is to you, but here is my 2c worth

As others also explained, putting more weight on your back foot results in lifting up the nose of the board. When the nose is out the water and you approach the wave (preferably not direct, e.g. on a 90 degree angle, but rather at a 45 degree angle) you won't be slammed by the force of the water dropping on your board as you feel like you 'slice through' the water, hopping over the wave instead. When 'hopping' over the waves it is also good idea to bend your knees a little to to absorb the shocks of differences in water level, as going over a lip may feel like u jump a little.

you will find it much easier to master the waves in a side shore or cross on shore wind, rather than an onshore wind, as the tide will most likely drag you down to shore and having a onshore wind will only make that worse.

Not sure of your experience level, but if your kite lands on the water, it is easier to water relaunch with your feet on the board, as it will create more resistance, leading to easier relaunch, which is definitely more important in the waves as compared to flat water.

Also, maybe when u try it out for the first time, make sure someone else is out there in case you get tired, as kiting in the waves is more tiring (in my opinion) than on flat water, or if your kite happens to get tangled in the drink it is always nice when there is someone to help ya out

However, if anyone disagrees with this let me know, as i am still trying to master this as well

most of all, HAVE FUN
Happy days elise

Thanks for all the advice guys. Just need some wind now.

I second the importance of board position. Have your nose out above a 45 degree angle and slide past the wave.

I also know people that body drag past the break and buckle in there.

Take your time, you'll get it.

One more tip I learnt the hard way - if there's a decent break and you drop your kite in the breaking zone and can't immediately relaunch it (before the next wave) then punch out.

If your kite is nose down and your lines are tight, you kite is making a U and the full force of the wave has nowhere to go but straight through it.

Rather a swim in than a kite in 2 pieces.