I am on the steep learning curve, have had 2 sessions since I got my kite last Friday. Very comfortable with rigging, launching, landing and basic kite control, but I am struggling with my waterstarts, I think I am getting in the right position, edging the board, dive the kite get dragged in what I think is right position but not popping up. Except for the odd time when I just launch! So I'm sure this is nothing new to everyone who has learned the sport, but some fundamental tips would be handy please? (I'm probably going to read this in a few weeks time and laugh at myself!). Please don't say "get lessons", obviously that is an option but I want to try to teach myself from here on if possible.

Also I am trying to start out learning on my surfboards (strapless), because I'm a surfer and have a few and ultimately think this is the style I will like. Is it harder water starting a board than a twintip? How much easier would it be to learn if I had straps? I don't want to spend the money on a twintip or straps if I can get away with it, but if it will get me up and going sooner it could be worth it.

You've set yourself a hard task learning on a strapless SB ,you'll learn much faster on a tt,I would look for a cheap bigger sized tt that you can resell easily and get the basics under control before you progress to the SB,not saying it's not possible but it will take way longer,so not really worth the frustration.

I concur with the above. Master the twintip, at least to the point of going up wind, then brake out the surfboard.

As for your water start issue: You might find concerntrating on keeping your elbows and knees together until the kite pulls you up a help.

Also, you might find you're pulling down the bar, causing you to launch into the air. Once the kite is in the powerzone (i.e. you've dove it down) gently pull on the bar and allow the power to pull you via your harness over the board.

I found it's better not to try and start first time off, but practice letting the kite pull you up a few times and then de power and restart. It will just click and you'll get going.

Good luck.

Good advice, thanks. I think I'm looking for a twintip. Question on best board type & size, I am 80 kg 6'1 and have a 10m BWS. Because I live northern beaches I'm going to be spending a lot of time learning in the surf as I can't be bothered going to botany. Is there a better More surf-specific shape (more rocker?), compromise on ease for beginner? Best size for me?

On the size thing I gather that for the better riders and/or stronger wind smaller size is preferred. Why is this and at what point of progression will I notice the difference and want a smaller board?

Yeah, I think that's one thing I'm doing wrong. I am thinking in terms of diving through the power zone then trying to correct at the right moment, which often results in a crashed kite, or worse, over-correct back through the zone and launch! Yes two sessions is nothing, but it's good to aim high right and the more I learn the faster I will progress. The info I've got so far on this thread will help me a lot in terms of what to try and what to think about next time:)

savagebee said...
Yeah, I think that's one thing I'm doing wrong. I am thinking in terms of diving through the power zone then trying to correct at the right moment, which often results in a crashed kite, or worse, over-correct back through the zone and launch! Yes two sessions is nothing, but it's good to aim high right and the more I learn the faster I will progress. The info I've got so far on this thread will help me a lot in terms of what to try and what to think about next time:)

You're doing well for 2 sessions mate.

My advice would be to build it up. Learn kite control, then water starts on a bay or lake if you can (and a twin tip) then move to somewhere with waves then move to the surfboard.

Of course you can skip a step or two if you'd like, but if you struggle, consider going back to make it easier on yourself.

I went straight from lessons to a strapped surfboard and had no dramas learning to waterstart, go upwind, ride waves etc.

The hard bit is jybing then switching your feet around. The turn you will get as your kite and board skills work out, but the feet switch is tough!

I'm getting there, but think maybe a TT at the start would have had me learning to do simple, sliding turns a lot quicker.

But whatever, you get there, and have a lot of fun along the way..

Session 3 after a big break due to other commitments and lack of wind. Palmie with 3 foot shore break, not the best for beginners, but I dragged out a few times and eventually I got it! Only problem was it was on my favored side (goofy) and the beach was approaching fast but I was up and edging in control before I had to jump off!
Anyway I'm super-stoked and now confident I will succeed with the strapless SB and looking forward to more progress.

3 sessions, self taught, you did a water start with a 3' shorey unstrapped on a SB? or did you get a TT? m8 move over Keahi !
you're a freak dude keep up the good work.
I did my first start on a SB and fluked a wave in a total side shore and ended up about a mile down the beach after a face plant floater, wave was only about 1'. It was also my first downwinder lol. It was a total fluke cause I couldn't even launch the thing again for weeks. Was buzzin' for days after but massive WOS :P
I found TTs were great for just pushing water around whilst learning what happened when ya throw the kite this way or that. Keep your legs bent - helps you work out your balance and lets you up easier, I think cause less to pull out of the water or not as high? Anyways helps heaps.

Just got back from a week at Namotu island (Fiji), my favourite place in the world! Had great waves and also a few days of good kiting wind. It was such a great place for me to develop my kiting as they will send a surf boat out with you to rescue if required so you have the freedom to "have a go". I was also very fortunate to be able to try out a couple of strapped directional boards belonging to Scottie (the owner of the resort) and have advice from one of the lifeguards and the chef who are keen kite surfers.

Being able to have multiple sessions in a short space of time was a huge advantage for learning. The first day I had some great experience struggling with re-launch in wind that was too light, then in the afternoon with better wind I was able to get up and going (strapless SB) on my favoured side, gybe (first time I tried and success!) and ride toe-side before going too fast, face-planting and splitting open my lip on the bar.
Next session I was able to start on my unfavoured side and went a long distance working downwind both stances and gybing to toe-side with lots of stacks, and was half-way to cloud-break before I had to get rescued in the boat.
Next session I tried a directional strapped board and spent a lot of time practicing starting, switch foot and getting upwind. By the end I was able to get back to the island on my own == able to stay up-wind - huge milestone.
Last session I am now fully happy with starting goofy or switch, able to stay upwind, gybe, ride toe-side. Basically I feel I am over the hump now and can actually do this - super stoked and looking forward to enjoying the sport!

I wanted to share this to give hope to others that may have been frustrtated like I was and to also give a huge thanks to everyone that has helped with advice on this forum. Here are some things I was advised and my own thoughts which I think may help others:-

1) Think in terms of moving the kite from 11 to 1, 2 or 3, not diving it.
2) Try smaller moves first to try to determine the best movement for the wind strength to have enough power but not too much.
3) Straps help for learning because you can re-set quickly if/when you fall back in backwards and you can more easily drag slowly against the board to get the feel.
4) Apart from point 3, I don't think it is any harder to start on a strapless, especially if you are a surfer and have the feel for where your feet should be and able to push the rail down with them to get set.
5) For high speed and choppy conditions a heavier board with straps make it much easier to stay on as a light strapless SB tends to bounce around out of control.
6) Think in terms of being pulled up on top of the board initially, NOT leaning against it. Point at the kite and then edge later.
7) I can't comment on how hard or easy the TT is as I haven't really used one properly yet, but I can say that a strapped board is quite easy to learn on, you just have to stop and turn it around to switch feet/direction.