So after a few months of flittering about with my trainer kite I completed my first professional lesson this week. I progressed relatively well and LOVED LOVED the body-dragging - I think I spent more time airborne than actually in the water

After moving on to actually using the board I really struggled though. I did manage to get up and stable for a few seconds before being unceremoniously dumped face-first. Unfortunately i became increasingly frustrated and ended up just getting exhausted and confused after swallowing the majority of the ocean ha.

It was surprisingly overwhelming once I was hooked in and controlling this enormously powerful kite! I was shocked at how intense the experience was after months of watching the experienced kiters go about it and make it seem so easy. It was by far the most exciting and terrifying things I've ever done and I loved every minute!!

I had trouble co-ordinating all of the aspects at once: keeping the kite moving, getting enough speed to lift me up, keeping legs bent etc. As soon as I would get enough speed in the kite to lift me up I would stall the kite and face-plant once again. There seemed to be just so much going on and I know it takes practice before it just 'clicks'; but is there any advice you could offer a newbie that helped you to tie it all together?

How do I keep focus on keeping the kite powered and not get distracted by my board?

Or at least tell me this is normal cos I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself today and just need a kick of advice to refocus me before I book my next lesson for next week

Thanks all

Just keep getting out there.....be patient......As you say it's all about timing & the amount to dive the kite. If your trying it in Choppy conditions knocking you about, then this will be a hinderance with getting to grips with initial water starts. Try to find somewhere with relatively flattish water, lie back in the water with the board attached to your feet, kite at Zenith.....if your getting knocked about, wait until your settled & then just keep practising going through the drill the instructor told you.

When it clicks they'll be no stopping you.!!!! Then youv'e got to try it all over again in the other direction.

As you appear to have worked out, kiteboarding is 80% kite flying. Spend more time body dragging and learning to fly the kite so that it is an almost automatic skill. Once you've done that dealing with the board will be much easier.

The reason you are having trouble, other than being a noob, is that the kite is requiring too much of you attention. Just practise more and get better and it will get easy.

Hey mate I was out at Brighton today, total beginner also. Had a couple lessons but never had lessons board riding. Anyway I was having major trouble staying up on my board UNTIL I checked this little gem of a site out:

http://www.kiteboardingevolution.com/water-start.html

Sounds like your trying to get an edge and turn upwind to soon.

Try pointing your board further downwind and hold it for a bit longer, until your happy with your kite position and then start to turn your board and get an edge.

The speed you pick up going downwind will initially freak you out a bit, but after a few goes you'll get used to it.

Good luck, dont give up.

pointing board downwind on launch was big help - stopped my superman launches pretty quick, although i still surprise myself occasionally

The ohter tip is plant your weight solidly on your rear foot as you rise out of water and start to edge

and a truckload of practice