Hi all,

I'm (with some friends) looking into get started into kitesurfing but we are struggling at the moment to find lessons, we just want some basic lessons to get going and start practicing.

We are happy to pay an instructor or someone experienced to teach us the basics, what we can start practicing (i.e. body dragging, water start etc.) and safety things.

Does anyone know anybody or is willing to give us some lessons?

Cheers

Hi herrerogar,

Where are you located ?

Winter is off season for most of Australia i.e. a dangerous time to learn. best to wait until summer for safe and reliable winds

Christian

I'm located in Melbourne.

People told us already about summer being the best time to learn but that's why we want to learn the basics and take it easy now, to then start building up our skills in summer.

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herrerogar said..
I'm located in Melbourne.

People told us already about summer being the best time to learn but that's why we want to learn the basics and take it easy now, to then start building up our skills in summer.

And here in lies the problem. Winter winds are (or) can be unpredictable. They also pack more punch. Even the smallest mistakes could have a big impact. Right now with lockdowns and such it's hard to get away to go somewhere more safe and predictable such as far north Qld. The south east trades are steady, water warm, and somewhere where you could get some basic skills going.
Since that is probably not going to happen, just get out into your local beach or park and fly a trainer kite. This will help understand the wind window and where all the power is.

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herrerogar said..
I'm located in Melbourne.

People told us already about summer being the best time to learn but that's why we want to learn the basics and take it easy now, to then start building up our skills in summer.

I know it's not what you want to hear but this is a dangerous sport that needs to be learned in safe conditions right from the very start. Steady reliable winds are essential for your progression. Just be patient and spend some time learning from video tutorials in the meantime : www.kitebud.com.au/kitesurfing-online-courses/

Christian - Kitebud

YouTube is your friend, you can pretty much learn everything there. Kites have so many safety systems these day you don't really need lessons.

I thought you guys were in lock down
Cheers mick WA

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Gazuki said..
YouTube is your friend, you can pretty much learn everything there. Kites have so many safety systems these day you don't really need lessons.

Of course you need lessons. It doesn't matter how many safety features a kite and control bar have, you can easily put yourself into some major carnage. I see bad stuff happening often, even with the most experienced Kiters.
It only takes one momentary lapse in your attention. And Bang your GONE!!!!

Yes, I'm planning on taking lessons, that's for sure.

That's why I was wondering if there's anybody here who can help with that.

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herrerogar said..
Yes, I'm planning on taking lessons, that's for sure.

That's why I was wondering if there's anybody here who can help with that.

It's best to only take lessons from accredited (Kiteboarding Australia or IKO) kite schools operating with permits and insurance so you are well covered by in case of injury.

If the accredited kite schools in your area are closed due to dangerous winter winds that should give you a strong enough warning to avoid learning at this time of the year.

If you keep looking and asking you will eventually find some un-accredited instructor offering to teach you, without insurance or permits, in any weather. This is very risky and those lessons are often done using full-sized kite gear. Schools will have gear designed specifically for teaching i.e. very small kites, short lines, etc. which are essential for a safe and easy progression in the early stages.

You can of course ignore everyone's advice and go learn in stormy conditions with full-sized kite gear. Unfortunately getting a proper scare or injury in unsuitable conditions or using overpowered equipment is sometimes the only way for people to understand the real dangers of the sport and the importance of learning in a controlled and safe environment.

Just look at today's live wind readings in your area:



If that's not enough to convince not to learn in winter then I don't know what else to tell you... go for it ?

Christian

Hells yeah 9am boost city!

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Gazuki said..
YouTube is your friend, you can pretty much learn everything there. Kites have so many safety systems these day you don't really need lessons.

I assume you are taking the piss...and that is pretty dangerous to say something like that unless you include your joke or sarcasm. Could he learn on his own? Sure, given enough reading through tutorials etc. But if he wants to learn more safely, (which is what we all want because nobody likes to be kiting around idiots who have no clue) then patience would be the better virtue while waiting for better winds and qualified instructors.

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Gazuki said..
YouTube is your friend, you can pretty much learn everything there. Kites have so many safety systems these day you don't really need lessons.

Hahaha you sh1te stirrer .. Lol.

Actually christian, where does one get this IKO accredited instructors qual' in WA and what is the minimum age ?? In WA that is.

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cbulota said..

herrerogar said..
Yes, I'm planning on taking lessons, that's for sure.

That's why I was wondering if there's anybody here who can help with that.

It's best to only take lessons from accredited (Kiteboarding Australia or IKO) kite schools operating with permits and insurance so you are well covered by in case of injury.

If the accredited kite schools in your area are closed due to dangerous winter winds that should give you a strong enough warning to avoid learning at this time of the year.

If you keep looking and asking you will eventually find some un-accredited instructor offering to teach you, without insurance or permits, in any weather. This is very risky and those lessons are often done using full-sized kite gear. Schools will have gear designed specifically for teaching i.e. very small kites, short lines, etc. which are essential for a safe and easy progression in the early stages.

You can of course ignore everyone's advice and go learn in stormy conditions with full-sized kite gear. Unfortunately getting a proper scare or injury in unsuitable conditions or using overpowered equipment is sometimes the only way for people to understand the real dangers of the sport and the importance of learning in a controlled and safe environment.

Just look at today's live wind readings in your area:



If that's not enough to convince not to learn in winter then I don't know what else to tell you... go for it ?

Christian

Could be a good time of year to get a trainer kite and just learn some basic flying skills if you're itching to get amongst it. Could be pretty exciting, and not too dangerous in winter conditions.

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dafish said..

Gazuki said..
YouTube is your friend, you can pretty much learn everything there. Kites have so many safety systems these day you don't really need lessons.

I assume you are taking the piss...and that is pretty dangerous to say something like that unless you include your joke or sarcasm. Could he learn on his own? Sure, given enough reading through tutorials etc. But if he wants to learn more safely, (which is what we all want because nobody likes to be kiting around idiots who have no clue) then patience would be the better virtue while waiting for better winds and qualified instructors.

Self learning has its place, had one student ask me what a chicken loop was after 2-3 lessons WTF. Just had no idea and did no research (research these days = watch you tube video), had a crappy kite that he thought he was a bargain at $150 took 8-10 lessons to get up on board, and probably still is struggling because he couldn't understand why I was teaching him to bodydrag upwind.

Another student bought a kite perfect condition c.2006 model. Had to give them the bad news. But when it came to flying a kite, just took no interest, didn't even look at the kite or what they were doing, somehow expected it to all just happen without any control or input. Had to stop after one lesson, just too dangerous or I just lost patience. Of course no research, no idea about wind, not even taking time to watch kiters who would be regularly across the road from them.

Best student I had knew his stuff, was keen as mustard, followed instructions, had recent model kites, understood a bit about the wind, knew vaguely how to rig up, release etc, said he did a lot of research and was up on board and hooting in 3-4 lessons.

So simple conclusion is that those that are keen, do their research, practice flying between lessons will get there a lot quicker and cheaper!

PS. I take my hat off to instructors - its a tough job! I only did these lessons during 2020 lockdown as a favour for friends..

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eppo said..
Actually christian, where does one get this IKO accredited instructors qual' in WA and what is the minimum age ?? In WA that is.

cbulota said..

herrerogar said..
Yes, I'm planning on taking lessons, that's for sure.

That's why I was wondering if there's anybody here who can help with that.

It's best to only take lessons from accredited (Kiteboarding Australia or IKO) kite schools operating with permits and insurance so you are well covered by in case of injury.

If the accredited kite schools in your area are closed due to dangerous winter winds that should give you a strong enough warning to avoid learning at this time of the year.

If you keep looking and asking you will eventually find some un-accredited instructor offering to teach you, without insurance or permits, in any weather. This is very risky and those lessons are often done using full-sized kite gear. Schools will have gear designed specifically for teaching i.e. very small kites, short lines, etc. which are essential for a safe and easy progression in the early stages.

You can of course ignore everyone's advice and go learn in stormy conditions with full-sized kite gear. Unfortunately getting a proper scare or injury in unsuitable conditions or using overpowered equipment is sometimes the only way for people to understand the real dangers of the sport and the importance of learning in a controlled and safe environment.

Just look at today's live wind readings in your area:



If that's not enough to convince not to learn in winter then I don't know what else to tell you... go for it ?

Christian

I have it mate, trust me your well past your sell buy date stick to the wing dinging

You can get cheap trainer kites on eBay. I guess you could wait for one of days where it abosutely howls that you get in winter and just go to a car park with a skateboard. That would sort of teach you signing the kite. And it wouldn't be very dangerous as a trainer kite doesn't have a harness.

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THE PIN PULLER said..

eppo said..
Actually christian, where does one get this IKO accredited instructors qual' in WA and what is the minimum age ?? In WA that is.

cbulota said..

herrerogar said..
Yes, I'm planning on taking lessons, that's for sure.

That's why I was wondering if there's anybody here who can help with that.

It's best to only take lessons from accredited (Kiteboarding Australia or IKO) kite schools operating with permits and insurance so you are well covered by in case of injury.

If the accredited kite schools in your area are closed due to dangerous winter winds that should give you a strong enough warning to avoid learning at this time of the year.

If you keep looking and asking you will eventually find some un-accredited instructor offering to teach you, without insurance or permits, in any weather. This is very risky and those lessons are often done using full-sized kite gear. Schools will have gear designed specifically for teaching i.e. very small kites, short lines, etc. which are essential for a safe and easy progression in the early stages.

You can of course ignore everyone's advice and go learn in stormy conditions with full-sized kite gear. Unfortunately getting a proper scare or injury in unsuitable conditions or using overpowered equipment is sometimes the only way for people to understand the real dangers of the sport and the importance of learning in a controlled and safe environment.

Just look at today's live wind readings in your area:



If that's not enough to convince not to learn in winter then I don't know what else to tell you... go for it ?

Christian

I have it mate, trust me your well past your sell buy date stick to the wing dinging

Said minimum dude lol. For antman. Far out, after watching the muppets at most kite spots, teaching it would be well down the list of things to do. But damn its an entertaining way to have a drink or 10.

So to answer the original question, when summer comes most melburnians get their lessons in st Kilda. Don't, it's a crap spot to learn, you can get your lessons down on at Rosebud, I can't remember who does them but you can just ask SHQ. And if you're in the western suburbs probably go and see Murray Ceff in Geelong, I think his business is kitesurf Geelong, you might get better answers posting on the Victoria tab.

I saw someone giving lessons at Rosie on Saturday, it was sunny almost warm and 15-17 knots, couldn't be more perfect. Could have been Kite Armada a local guy down there who dabbles in lessons. I think the shops are struggling to find instructors atm (backpackers have bailed) and I didn't see any kitesurf shop trailers there. SHQ has not had a shop there for years, its now a "thunbs up" massage place.

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eppo said..

THE PIN PULLER said..

eppo said..
Actually christian, where does one get this IKO accredited instructors qual' in WA and what is the minimum age ?? In WA that is.

cbulota said..

herrerogar said..
Yes, I'm planning on taking lessons, that's for sure.

That's why I was wondering if there's anybody here who can help with that.

It's best to only take lessons from accredited (Kiteboarding Australia or IKO) kite schools operating with permits and insurance so you are well covered by in case of injury.

If the accredited kite schools in your area are closed due to dangerous winter winds that should give you a strong enough warning to avoid learning at this time of the year.

If you keep looking and asking you will eventually find some un-accredited instructor offering to teach you, without insurance or permits, in any weather. This is very risky and those lessons are often done using full-sized kite gear. Schools will have gear designed specifically for teaching i.e. very small kites, short lines, etc. which are essential for a safe and easy progression in the early stages.

You can of course ignore everyone's advice and go learn in stormy conditions with full-sized kite gear. Unfortunately getting a proper scare or injury in unsuitable conditions or using overpowered equipment is sometimes the only way for people to understand the real dangers of the sport and the importance of learning in a controlled and safe environment.

Just look at today's live wind readings in your area:



If that's not enough to convince not to learn in winter then I don't know what else to tell you... go for it ?

Christian

I have it mate, trust me your well past your sell buy date stick to the wing dinging

Said minimum dude lol. For antman. Far out, after watching the muppets at most kite spots, teaching it would be well down the list of things to do. But damn its an entertaining way to have a drink or 10.

Lol he's good enough not to have Iko man ?? far as u remember it's an annual thing but the numbers didn't add up for them to run it and that's why the schools struggle to get staff. I done iko and bksa before coming over bksa was well better Iko is a pass if u can go upwind and do front and back rolls ??

Yeh hes gonna be doing some work at WA Surff this summer. Reckon hes too young for now but worth asking. And yeh hes got the skill base covered and some lol. Hes already taught three friends from wo to go (under my supervision plus i sent them to a WA surf for a few lessons as well) so he knows a bit about it. Especially the frustrating parts. But best its official for insurance cover and all that jazz. Better than working at maccas.



ps you coming to exmouth this year ??

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eppo said..
But best its official for insurance cover and all that jazz. Better than working at maccas.

Never underestimate working at maccas. A kite instructor likes having his ego stroked for easy money . A teenage maccas worker learns so many skills in a high stress team environment for less money....When a potential new employer in a job interview sees the applicant has a maccas career he usually employs him first . For those 2 reasons mentioned worked in high stress environment for less money. What skills for future employment does a kite instructor have ? Oh I can do a really good f 16 !!!

Yep i cant argue with that actually About maccas. Known a few very successful people in their field start their working life there. I feel you may be too harsh on poor kite instructors though lol. For instance some of them are an integral
part of the shop business and learn that way.

Dont bother with anything until safer winds thats what everyone has said. On saying that who knows maybe theres a few days 'safer winds'.... As peahi said.. And don't listen to gazukis advice (sorry gazuki).. He said everyone have fun and go out on some stormy day the other month and that very same day a chap died in WA.RIP
Also get local melbourne knowledge#....
And ...
allthough they are brilliant...try to avoid maccas.. ... and go to a good vegetarian restaurant or have an ayurvedic curry.... Lol

And tell that guy who 'punched a horse' in that riot that he's a v naughty boy. Poor horsie....

And nothing wrong with a small trainer kite as said.. No harness. You won't get dragged.
Goodluck

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Zigs said..
You can get cheap trainer kites on eBay. I guess you could wait for one of days where it abosutely howls that you get in winter and just go to a car park with a skateboard. That would sort of teach you signing the kite. And it wouldn't be very dangerous as a trainer kite doesn't have a harness.

The howling wind/trainer kite/ skateboard/bitumen carpark combination sounds like a perfect recipe for a minimum of severe concussion and skinless kness and elbows... with or without a harness connection.