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12 STEPS to learn kitesurfing.

KITEBOARDING IN TULUM

12 Step Program

How long it takes to learn to kitesurf? It depends on: the student skills, the wind conditions, and the sea conditions, among others. Approximately, it takes 3 to 4 hours to get to the board, and between 9 to 12 hours to become an independent kiteboarder.

We put together this 12 step program, so you can know exactly where you are in your learning process:

3 HOURS APPROX

AT THE BEACH

1 Kite & Wind Theory

This is an important part of the course, sometimes overlooked because people is not very much into theory. But completely necessary to set up the foundation of a good kitesurfer. It is a must to learn 3 basic things:

Where the wind comes from?

Wind directions in relation to shore and which one is better to kitesurf; and

The wind window theory

2 Kite & Lines Set Up

Pumping the kite and connecting the lines properly before launching are essential steps to fly the kite.

Seems easy, right? But if you don't pay attention to your kite lines the kite can fly wrong and result in an accident.

3 Bar & Safety Systems

Learning how to use the bar and its de-power system will help you to give more or less power to the kite.

It's crucial to understand and learn the 3 safety systems of the kite. Despite of the differences between kites and brands, more or less the security systems are the same.

Release the bar

The chicken loop quick release, to de-power the kite; and

The safety leash quick release, to detach the kite from the rider (just when necessary)

4 Self Rescue

This technique is what you do to bring yourself back to shore in case you had a problem with the equipment or the wind just dropped while you are out there. By holding the kite by both wingtips you form a sail that will pull you downwind into shore.

5 Kite Control

Mastering kite control in the sand is one of the most important steps, because kiteboarding is 80% kite control.

In this stage you need to control the kite flying with two hands and with just one hand, which will help you when going into the water holding the kite and the board at the same time.

2 HOURS APPROX

IN THE WATER

6 Body Drag Upwind

Body dragging is the process of using the kite to propel you through the water in a desired direction without the use of a board.

7 Power Strokes

Here you will learn how to give power to the kite to pull you out of the water. It is a necessary exercise to know what will you do to stand up on the board in the next step.

3 HOURS APPROX

IN THE WATER WITH BOARD

8 Water Start with assistance

After 3 or 4 hours of lessons, more or less, you will be ready for the board part. The most wanted step by all the students and maybe one of the most difficult. With a board on your feet you will use power strokes to get you up on the board and riding. An instructor will be in the water just behind you grabbing your harness to control your power and assisting you in those first attempts.

9 Water Start solo

Once you are confident enough to try water start by yourself, the instructor will guide you from the shore.

10 Ride Downwind

Mastering the water start will take you directly to ride downwind. This would be the time when you feel you are kiting for the first time. This would be the time when you realize you are stocked for life.

In this stage you will ride downwind alone and safe. During this process your instructor will guide you and assist you from the shore. After each downwind ride, you will have to walk back along the beach, which is called "the walk of shame". But don't worry, all of us did it at some point in our kitesurfing lives.

3 HOURS APPROX

STEPS TO INDEPENDENCE

11 Ride Upwind

Riding upwind is the key to becoming a kitesurfer. It is what separates beginners from advanced riders. It basically means you will ride against the wind, zigzagging along the water.

12 Transitions

Once you can ride both ways (downwind and upwind) you will learn transitions to change directions. The sliding transition is the first one you will perform without putting your butt into the water.