I'm currently on a Kite Republic progression weekend. 20 like minded people having an amazing time while getting instruction to improve on the water. (Novices through advanced.) They do individual ride days too.

I'm not aware of any other schools that run such conclusive progression sessions (some do ride days, don't know any that do weekends) so if you start with KR you can build a relationship with their team from the beginning.

FYI besides being a student and customer I have no affiliation with KR.

I joined a ride day with KR when I first moved to Melbourne. Yep. We went down to Inverloch.

Haven't seen beginners, or more advanced riders, pushed into so much trouble and dangerous situations by KR organisers in my 8 years riding before that day nor since! Beginners pushed out on the water with 10m kites when it was squalling from 10kn to a few 40kn rainy squalls (every 30 minutes. I mean, you could see them coming right at us!) that swept everyone off the water, and whoever wasn't attached to a kite, frantically and screaming, ran down the beach and tried to catch those poor blown away souls and hanging on to them and jumping on kites so they don't fly off again. I won't forget this one mom grabbing and pulling her sons, beginner, bar as if she knew better what was to be done in that situation. Well, the kite went up in the air again. Anyway...

"She'll be right, mate! Go ride! It's windy, woooooo! Let's go, let's go, let's go!"

I won't go into how an instructor took a kite off my girlfriend and went out for a 30 minute ride without permission.

At other occasions, when I happened to be on the same beach as KR, instructors/staff riding back in so their kites would brush against other riders kites. Get tangled into sailboats. KR's kites consistently being blown off of the beach into the trees, cars...

That's my experience with KR. Since then I've done my best to avoid the spots where KR was so I'm hoping they've improved and started taking safety and security more seriously.

I seriously don't get it why they're so popular.

I do find them "loud" and "super extrovert"-like, trying to spend as much time as possible hanging out together. Their location also helps heaps. I guess some people like that and flock together. Nothing wrong with that.

KR are great to go to ride days and camp weekends with. I have had no problem with them at all if any thing i find them a little over the top with safety but i guess running a kite boarding weekend with a large group of people you have to do all the right things. I highly recommend them for progression if you want to learn something new. Im not sure what happened in SURPHER's case maybe they burnt his sausage?? Not sure but it is nothing like i have ever encountered the 8 or so times i have been with them.

Definitely mate.
Get a trainer or ask the shops if you could hire it (most should), and give it a go on your own.
Practice as much as you can on it, like figure-eights, up and down, side to side, launch and land, edge of the window, know your 3, 9 and 12 oclock positions and everything in between, and get to know and feel the power-zone (the place in front of you downwind).
Learn everything about the "wind window" (youtube and google)
Have a friend with you to help not damage the kite when it crash lands or when you need it launched again.
Even a trainer kite in the wrong hands with above 20knot winds could be risky. Trainer kites are best in moderate winds below 15knots.
Above all have fun and stay safe.

Thanks DylanJamo ans Surpher.

Any idea where to pick up a cheap trainer? Dont want to blow too much cash on it.

@kitearmada do you rent them out if i went with you for lessons?

Hi Hurfi... sorry, have just seen this post. Hopefully by now you're well on your way to becoming a safe and independent kiter and you're having a blast! If you haven't got their yet and you're looking for a great option for getting started we'd love to help. We operate 12 months of the year (although it's a little chilly in winter - hence our Cook Island Tours) and have a fantastic and all inclusive kite club to make sure you're meeting a fantastic group of like minded kiters and safely learning a lot along the way.

Regarding trainer kites, while you're doing lessons with KR you have unlimited access to use them as much or as little as you'd like. Obviously the more you get out there and fly them (with a good purpose of course) the better, however a lot of people tend to do a little bit of this but are very keen to push on and move through the lessons. It's your choice and you take as much or little time as you'd like for this.

If you have made a start Hurfi, we hope you're having fun learning a new skill and we invite you to check out the upcoming KR CLUB activities at www.kiterepublic.com.au/product-category/kr-club/kr-events/

See you on the water soon!!! :)

@SURPHER - unfortunately as people don't put their names on this style of website it's very hard to tell if this is actually a true piece of feedback/criticism or a clever act of 'trolling' by one of our competitors. If you were to speak to any of our hundreds of members that have been on KR CLUB events, ride days or camp weekends over this season (or those prior) we are certain that you will get fantastic feedback in regards to safety, coordination, inclusiveness, clinic info etc. We work very hard to go above and beyond in these areas and we work very hard to make sure new kiteboarders are entering the sport in the safest and most supportive way. In saying that, if you are indeed an actual person and believe what you wrote to be somewhat true we can only improve these areas via our observations or more importantly by feedback from our members. To help us improve further it would be fantastic if you'd like to email us on [email protected] or call us at the shop on (03) 9537 0644 so we could discuss any issues that you feel could be improved upon.