LAKAWA School of Kiteboarding

Overview

We get asked quite a bit," so how do you learn to kiteboard?"

Here's the overview. Obviously this is oversimplistic.

First you'll need to learn how to fly a kite. The best way to do this is with a small trainer kite and some kite flying theory. You can learn to fly trainer kites without the theory, though when it comes time to control the big kites, you could be in trouble. The focus here is to fly the kite so that it generates a consistent pull, and then know how to increase the power of the kite, or how to decrease the power. You'll need these skills to adjust to the varying wind on the water while maintaining an edge with your board. An experienced instructor will go through all of this with you.

After you have the flying skills down while standing, we'll work with you to learn how to move through the wind with the trainer kite. Usually this involves running across the wind, leaning against the pull of the kite.

In the winter, we'd have you put on your skis or board and we'd work with you to learn how to use the kites power to move you across the wind. Staying with you the whole time on walkie talkie.

In the summer, there are a lot more details. We start by teaching you what to do if the kite goes down on the water. Your first run will be without a board. This is called a body drag. Bodydrags are a lot of fun. It's a bit like body surfing under the pull of a kite. When you are comfortable doing body drags and relaunching the kite we move to the board. We teach the technique for putting on the board, while the kite is in the air and you're floating in the water.

Here's where it all comes together... you use the kite to pull you up on the board, and start moving across the wind. You're off and riding. Or you may have gone up and over the board and went splash, either way you're set to recover and give it another go.

The first few times you head out on your own you most likely will do what we call downwinders. You start midway in the lake and end up at the downwind side of the lake. We've all done our share of these. They are common until you develop the skill to edge against and fully utilize the power in these big kites. You're still having loads of fun, you just either have to walk back or hitch a ride.

Then when you're ready and want to start jumping, ask any experienced rider to go through the steps of jumping with you. You already will have all the skills, you just need to use them in a slightly different manner. Soon you'll be going big and then...well, you decide. Want to spin? Look over your shoulder. Want to go inverted? Lean back.

If you make a commitment upfront and learn the basics, you'll shorten your learning curve and find your own ride within a very short period of time.