Newbie looking to shred

[NewEthan]

So I have done my home work and am looking forward to my first day of riding. I have 3 good launch spots on a little known lake north west of the twin cities and plan on riding tomorrow. I plan on spending some time on this lake with a good buddy of mine in a boat for rescue. I cant afford to take actual lesson even tho i have been advised by many people. If there is any one that is willing to spent some time with a newbie I am looking for some good people to learn from. I have been flying my trainer kite for 2 months and I am also a level 3 snowboard instructor at a major resort out west. Maybe we can come to some sort of compromise for lessons.(do you like beer?) Other wise wish me luck!!!

Pray for wind
Ethan

[NewEthan]

For the instructors that look at this post is it possible to ove to the kite boarding lesson 202 without other lessons. I also own my own gear.

[rookie]

You may need some luck!!
Being PSIA certified does NOT guard you against the dangers of kiting, including death. Please re-think your decisions of kiting without a lesson. If you do decide to fly tomorrow, Just remember when the shit hits the fan, It happens so fast that you may not have time to do whats right. So if I can give any advice rehearse your safety system over and over. Make sure you know how to detach from the kite. And when your in the water, you will not be able to see the safety system. Good luck.

[Eric P]

So, how did it go NewEthan? My guess is you got some wind for your attempts. One thing the really keep in mind when learning is, the bigger the lake the better. If you are trying this on a small unknown lake the wind could be really swirly, and hard to predict. There is probably a reason no one kites at your lake. Bigger lakes produce much better wind. The minimum distance you want to be from the far shore (where the wind is coming from) is 2 miles, more if you can find it, especially if you are learning. Otherwise the kite will end up surging over your head and then falling to the water and causing all kinds of hassles. Try a bigger lake, preferably with shallow water. Kiting from a boat requires a whole new set of skills needed.

Keep it safe, and make sure that if you do go out without lessons, that you are the only person you are endangering. Keep those lines far, far away from kids and families on the beach. Good luck and may the force be with you.

[NewEthan]

Thanks guys for your posts!!! I did get out on the water and I think you all know how the story goes.....Epic failure!!! After getting in the water and drug out 100 yards or so out in to the lake I pulled the plug and de-powered my kite, quickly swimming out to my kite and releasing all of the air. Needless to say the gnarly birds nest from my tangled lines took about a hour to fix. Soon after I went to a local high school and got some fly time reassure that I know how to fly my kite and dried it out. Got some light kite launches and ended my day. The lesson learned? I will be saving up the money for some professional lesions!!!

[JRN]

GOOD DECISION. We started back in the C-kite era, when few lessons were available, & everyone was trying to figure it out on their own. I can't count the hours spent launching, riding for a few feet, then trying to re-launch & ride again. Even if I had been paid minimun wage, it would have been more cost effective to take lessons, get checked out on gear , safety proceedures, launching & riding technique, etc. I finally took lessons on a trip to Padre, spent a winter getting dialed on the snow, and was able to ride & stay up-wind the following spring. Learn from my mistakes: Don't skimp on money for lessons or gear. Buy the best you can afford. The new stuff is really better, safer, & ALOT more user friendly. Every session, I see new riders who are making remarkable progress, thanks to good gear & GREAT INSTRUCTION!!

[rookie]

E- Sorry about today, Im sure the way you were stoked, you still enjoyed it! If we have some straight south or north winds for the St Croix, Ill give ya a hand over here. Gary 952-936-035six

[nickfastswim]

Just out of curiosity what kind of kite and size do you have? And have you done a body drag before or were you trying to get up on the board right away?
You should definitely learn how to body drag FIRST; that is upwind and downwind body dragging. It is a necessary skill to have for both board recovery and self-rescue.

[MK]

I've been watching this thread and glad you are ok. Not sure how to convince people to get lessons. I hope you consider LAKAWA for your lessons.

Mike

[NewEthan]

I have a 14m liquid force havoc. I did leave the board on land and started with a up wind body drag. I never made it to the down wind body drag. MK I dont know what got in to me. I tell people all the time if you want to learn to snowboard take lessons from a professional. I dont know why I thought kitting would be any different. Lucky I was smart and learned how to use my safety features and watch hours of kite boarding instructional videos. With out this knowledge and a rescue boat it could have gone much worse. I will be taking lessons in 2 weeks. Until then I look forward to spending a little more time flying my kite on land.

[johnz]

Ethan, I love your enthusiasm, and don't want to quell it, but please be careful flying a kite that big on land - I would really recommend flying something 1/2 or 1/3 that size in a field, if at all. One rouge 'gust' and you will go flying or get dragged pretty badly.

The best way to learn is in shallow water out away from any hard objects - Malmo is perfect for something like that.

Lessons, are the best, of course... I'm glad you will be signing up soon - there are really a lot of good instructors here in MN.

Be safe!