Well, I am about 3 sessions ahead of you. Botany is the obvious learning area, but I'm on the northern beaches so have to settle for less. I have an 11m kite too (70kg) and no kiting friends so have to go out by myself. Here is my experience, anyone else, please let me know if I shouldn't be doing any of these things.

Try to avoid gusty conditions as it hard to co-ordinate the launch when the power varies. I got smashed heaps the other day, especialy on my right. Better to not have enough wind than be overpowered. On an 11m I found that 20kts and more were too much.

It is a bit nerve racking setting up and launching by yourself, but I've found that other kiters are pretty helpful and friendly. Ask for an assisted launch if there are any around. Check your lines are free of twists at least twice, and make sure when you walk around upwind that the lines don't catch on anything on the beach.

If there is enough room, after launch, move the kite around a bit to get a feel for the power.

I've been body dragging away from the shore and when in an area clear of others start trying to get up: in a NE, kite at 1:00, pull bar in and send kite across power zone, angle board downwind and then slowly turn across wind as you get up and planing. This is hard when starting as there are a lot of movements and timing and it is hard to break it down. Slowly you will stop being overwhelmed and start to analyse each step and realise where you went wrong each time. For me it is usually:

- Dove kite too far from power zone so not enough power to pull out of water
- Dove kite too deep into power zone so pulled out of water, off board and smashed face first into water. Best to let go of bar when this happens, or if aware enough, keep the kite at the edge of the window and start the body drag back to the board.
- board angled too much upwind, this means you usually get pulled off the board again.
- board and power OK - you get up but fail to keep the kite in the power zone, either too far forward or high and you sink again.
- Get planing but then put too much weight on the front foot and sink the board. Important to keep the front leg as straight as you can and weight on back leg.
- board and power and kite position OK - you get up and start planing. Woo hoo and then you start getting nervous about how far off shore you are getting so move the kite out of the power zone, sink and try the other side.

When worried about someone else coming your way on a potential collision course I move the kite up so you sink and then park it somewhere until the threat is passed.

When coming in to shore, stop 10-20m out and then body drag in when the shore is clear. Enjoy the feeling of adrenalin that you have had another session without yourself or anyone else getting hurt.

Great to read guys - kiting is a buzz.

As Gateman suggests, best to avoid launching on your own until you've got more experience .. but not always possible when you're gagging to kite & nobody is down the beach.

Handy skill is reading the wind speed from the water. That way when you're at the beach, you'll be able to tell the wind speed/right kite size from inside your car, without even feeling the wind.

Learn the visual indicators of the Beaufort scale - it's worked for years:
www.seabreeze.com.au/Members/Help/Beaufort.aspx

Enjoy ... won't be long before you're kiting without even looking at the kite...

Hi there,

Coming from a newbie perspective myself, first let me say that you should never be shy about getting on these forums and asking questions - I've learnt so much about the big and little things that have made my kiting progression so much more productive.

In regards to practicing down south - I've done pretty much all my lessons and subsequent solo sessions anywhere along the shores from Brighton le sands down to Dolls Point. Dolls is a little tougher for the noob as you have to deal with the tide a little more than further up closer to Brighton (I always was a little more intimidated by the pros at Dolls as well).

I've never had to self launch or land anywhere along the Brighton - Dolls strip as there has always been plenty of guys there to help and they always seem to be nice about helping noobs out with advice and tips as well.

if you have had your lessons and are close to getting some good distance on the board, i would ditch the training kite and just get out there and get some hours under your belt. I know it can be a little intimidating seeing all the good guys going at it, and i can tell you that I spent my fair share of time standing on the shore procrastinating about whether to mix in and look like a chump. Once I got it in my head that the guys around Brighton are not judging you and are very supportive if you need it, I got more confidence to get more and more hours under my belt to the point where I have now just about given the walk of shame the flick.

Happy to catch up with you if you are in the area and need a hand getting up and going if it helps.

Hey vstanman,

100% agree with DEECEE, the only way to get proficient is to get out there and get time on the water.

If there's anything above 10kts you'll generally find someone at 1st carpark L'sands, and folk in this sport are so approachable - no question is too basic to ask, and if there's other liters on the beach they're more than happy to help.

PM me for contact details - happy to meet-up next time you're heading out.