Had a search and couldn't find much info. I'm looking to get some lessons. I phoned the local school and he said minimum 6 hours (3 x 2). Would this be about right? I can already wakeboard, surf, windsurf etc and have a trainer kite. I've also done some body dragging with a mates kite, so have a basic understanding. I don't want to go out unprepared, so am just checking what ya reckon and how many lessons you had etc

Hi Zed,

I believe we spoke on the phone today. Here is an article to help you decide: www.kitebud.com.au/how-many-lessons-do-you-need-to-learn-kitesurfing/

It also depends what goals you want to reach by the end of your lessons ? For example, if your goal is to be able to ride upwind comfortably and do transitions, that is not achievable in 6 hours even for the most talented learner.

Learning to ride the board is a skill you can develop on your own after lessons, although it can take much more time / effort compared to learning those skills with a coach equipped with radio helmets and video analysis.

As the article mentions, lessons are required to learn all the safety aspects and all skills required to be independent / confident / competent handling a full size kite without necessarily being able to ride the board well.

A slow learner (20% of students) would require more than 12 hours of lessons to reach that level
An average learner (70-80% of students) would require 6 to 10 hours of lessons to reach that level
A fast learner (less than 10% of students) would require less than 6 hours to reach that level.

Lesson quality can vary a lot from school to school. Learning in shallow water would typically get you on the board quicker but without learning the proper skills to become independent and competent in deep waters.

This is discussed in details in this article: www.kitebud.com.au/how-good-were-your-lessons/

Hope this helps

Christian - KiteBud

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cbulota said..
Hi Zed,

I believe we spoke on the phone today. Here is an article to help you decide: www.kitebud.com.au/how-many-lessons-do-you-need-to-learn-kitesurfing/

It also depends what goals you want to reach by the end of your lessons ? For example, if your goal is to be able to ride upwind comfortably and do transitions, that is not achievable in 6 hours even for the most talented learner.

Learning to ride the board is a skill you can develop on your own after lessons, although it can take much more time / effort compared to learning those skills with a coach equipped with radio helmets and video analysis.

As the article mentions, lessons are required to learn all the safety aspects and all skills required to be independent / confident / competent handling a full size kite without necessarily being able to ride the board well.

A slow learner (20% of students) would require more than 12 hours of lessons to reach that level
An average learner (70-80% of students) would require 6 to 10 hours of lessons to reach that level
A fast learner (less than 10% of students) would require less than 6 hours to reach that level.

Lesson quality can vary a lot from school to school. Learning in shallow water would typically get you on the board quicker but without learning the proper skills to become independent and competent in deep waters.

This is discussed in details in this article: www.kitebud.com.au/how-good-were-your-lessons/

Hope this helps

Christian - KiteBud

Great thanks for that Christian, will be in touch.

Hey mate, everyone learns at differing speeds and some people are more naturally switched on than other's. I had 1x 3 hr lesson which was enough for me to learn safety aspects and body dragging. Even knocked over a few water starts.
After that I felt comfortable to learn myself and it was all sweet. I just made sure I practiced underpowered for the first few sessions and then once I hit some decent wind I was up and away.
That was me anyway. If you're a comfortable board rider the transition to flying the kite shouldn't be too hard. All the best.

P.s I must agree with Christian that once you get into deep water, it's a totally different feeling to being able to put your feet down and stabilise everything. Is in you can't relaunch your kite you need to know how to self rescue.

I swapped a kite for a mobile phone in 98 got ripped off the beach in off shore winds with a carabiner instead of the quick release. I did survive my 2 cents would be to always get lessons(NOT FROM YOUR MATES). ALWAYS RIG FOR THE LULLS.

Thats the IKO norm - 3x2 hour lessons (I think that's still current).

You'll probs learn quicker by the sounds of it - either you'll progress faster and check off your skills and not need the whole 6 hours, or you will get time to really learn the in's and out's in much better detail and be far better prepared for the future.

You only have to do your lessons once, but they will set the foundation for your entire lifetime of kitesurfing so it's worth doing properly.

Remember, it's not just about learning to get up and go..... you also need (and I mean NEED) to know how to recover your board, self-rescue (s h I t happens, and it does), pick suitable flying locations etc.

You will save yourself from a word of hurt/ gear loss etc if you follow the steps.

Enjoy, kitesurfing is frigging awesome!

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THE PIN PULLER said..
I swapped a kite for a mobile phone in 98 got ripped off the beach in off shore winds

lucky you didn't still have the kite or you would have gone a lot further

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The more lessons you have the faster and safer you will learn, I foil now and surf waves and I still take lessons, it's the best investment.

People think the latest kite will improve your kiting but it's a fallacy.

I recently took some wave kiting lessons and I learnt techniques I could never learn from utube or friends.

The teacher followed me then we had a chat on the beach then I followed him in the waves and I copied how he wanted me to kite.

Amazing improvement, I have now down cutbacks on the face of waves etc

Take more lessons as much as you can afford

Hi Zed. I too came from a background of wakeboarding, skatebaording, surfing and snow boarding.. Whilst this can help with the board control, your wakeboarding may create be a hindrance, as trying to retrain your brain to not pull on the bar to increase your power/tension in the line adds to the complexity. (its bloody frustrating)I learnt with Kitebud and decided to go with 8 hours of lessons, as well as purchase equipment so I can continue with my progression after leaning. I chose this because if I'm going to learn, then i wanted to do it right the first time and develop the right technique, rather than correct poor technique due to shortcutting lessons. Whilst I think I could have stopped at 6 hours, the extra 2 gave me the chance to iron out some standing issues, as well as ensuring I was able to body drag and rescue my board without issue.. which has been a blessing this season as I now try to perfect water starts and upwind riding. Best of luck and enjoy learning a new sport. Pete