Wind Worrior
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Member #: 7504 Posts 4
Registered: 18-4-2008 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 18-4-2008 at 13:31 |
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A couple questions !
Hi All,
Great forum, been reading through alot of it over the last couple days !
I've decided I really want to get into Kite Surfing. I used todo alot of windsurfing before moving to the UK, so am hoping that
experience will help me out.
Now I have had a good look around at doing lessons, but to be completely honest none of them look like you getting value for money. I
was after a one day course, but have only found 1 that actually gets you onto a board, and that's only right at the end of the day.
Unfortunately I don't have the time to take off to do 2-3 days courses... and would quite honestly like to use the money towards
getting equipment..
I've got a m8 who has a Kite, so thought I could borrow that and teach myself.
What are all your thoughts on this, or do you think having lesson are Essential?
are there any restriction if you have not had a lesson - where you can go etc ?
Obviously if it is essential to get a lesson I will! But feel that if I was able to self teach myself windsurfing/wavesailing to a
pretty good level, I could do the same with Kiting ( Although I have not sail for a good 5+ years !!)
Thanks
WW
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Wind Worrior
Member
Member #: 7504 Posts 4
Registered: 18-4-2008 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 18-4-2008 at 13:33 |
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Just read what I wrote, sorry if it comes across as cocky, thats not what I intend at all !!
Any advice would be greatly appreaciated!
Cheers
WW
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justal
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| posted on 18-4-2008 at 15:16 |
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Plenty of people have taught themselves so it isn't out of the questions. When it was new there was no option and we didn't have safety
releases and such like then either.
Just be careful, start off with small kites and well within your capabilities and of course keep well away from other people and beach
users and big solid objects just in case anything does go wrong. If you take it easy and don't go mad and ask other kiters on the beach
if you are unsure of anything then there is no reason why you couldn't teach yourself.
You will benefit from advice from others, especially to make sure you have the kite, bar and lines and safety system set up properly
and know how to use them. Lessons will save some time and help with confidence in the initial stages, but they aren't essential.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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shem
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| posted on 18-4-2008 at 16:58 |
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No where would advertise as getting you onto a board in one day, as it would be seriously dangerous in 99.9 % of conditions. As much as
people learn at different rates, it would be pretty much impossible to get some body up on a board that had never flown a kite b4.
having said that, snow boarders and wake boarders normally do very well on the first day, as can windsurfers that have good wind
knowledge. Id personally estimate that most people need 20-30 hours of kite flying experience to get them riding. Why not have a half
day lesson in kite control, safety, etc, then go off and practice your kite flying skills, then go back for another half day lesson to
get you up and riding, a cheaper way around things. Reemeber also that if you buy a nice shinny kite abnd then destroy it in a couple
of sessions teaching your self to fly, your gonna waste a lot of time and money. A lot more than a couple of lessons would have
cost.
Either way have fun, and be carefull, and remember "Guns dont kill people, Kites do"!
Kite & SUP wales
Caravan decking wales
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Dandine
A Force-of-Nature *  
Member #: 2742 Posts 231
Registered: 29-10-2006 Member Is Offline Mood: Work is for losers
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| posted on 19-4-2008 at 07:12 |
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Just have the one lesson to get all the saftey out the way(thats the important bit). I never got up on the board on my lesson but there
are always dvd's and people on the beach to help.
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jon d hat
A Force-of-Nature ** 
Member #: 1437 Posts 410
Registered: 11-8-2005 Member Is Offline Mood: Not long to go..Morocco again!
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| posted on 19-4-2008 at 12:25 |
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Hey WW, I bought a foil kite and landboard to help me get my head around the general principles. 6 months on, I had a lesson. It was an
excellent investment as I was shown things that you just wouldn't consider. By the end of the day I couldn't kitesurf, however, I could
operate my equipment with a reasonable degree of competance and was equipped with the principles to teach myself and to be safe around
others.
Good luck
When you're close to the EDGE....Trust your INSTINCT....!
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Pluto
A Force-of-Nature * 
Member #: 598 Posts 281
Registered: 20-3-2004 Location: Shrewsbury Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 20-4-2008 at 22:18 |
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Some good subtle advice above - I'll be more blatent....
Get at least one days lesson. You'll learn loads, a lot quicker than teaching yourself, but be choosey about where you get it. Many
"schools" can be more like cattle markets moving students through the system and not really giving the highest level of personal
tuition and often pushing on with lessons when the conditions aren't really suitable. If you choose carefully there are some smaller
set ups who can offer a more personal service.
Good luck and enjoy the learning curve...
( - I'm sure you were up and riding before the end of day two Dan!)
www.kitesurfteacher.co.uk
IKO/BKSA Instructor
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dunk
A Force-of-Nature *** 
Member #: 570 Posts 606
Registered: 2-3-2004 Member Is Offline Mood: Spaced out
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| posted on 21-4-2008 at 13:19 |
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Dude,
Its not like learning to windsurf, a windsurf board with a sail on it won't hurl you into a wall or a innocent bystander on the beach
if you do the wrong thing.
Many years ago, I taught myself to windsurf, I too reached a high level. Too be honest I would of got there a lot quicker if I'd had a
lesson or two. Even when you think you know it all, there's still something to learn, in windsurfing and kitesurfing.
I agree with the above, get yourself at least on lesson. Its a different kind of power to windsurfing. You need to learn the safety and
to respect the power of a kite.
I'm sure Paul or Shem will sort you out.
Best of luck
Dunk
KITE / SAIL REPAIRS
http://www.jonnieeisler.com
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Wind Worrior
Member
Member #: 7504 Posts 4
Registered: 18-4-2008 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 21-4-2008 at 16:24 |
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Thanks for all your advice Chaps, much appreaciated !
I will be looking at getting a 1 day lesson soon. Best placve I can see at the moment is Transitions in Kent. Anyone delt with them
before?
My other option is to wait a while and make a trip out to Wales for a wekk or so....?
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Wind Worrior
Member
Member #: 7504 Posts 4
Registered: 18-4-2008 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 6-5-2008 at 14:42 |
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Hi Chaps,
Well it looks like I have to go up to West Wales for the Bank holiday end of May. So am thinking this would be a perfect time for me to
try a get a lesson. Anyone know of any good places to get lessons near New Quay/Aberaeron ??
Cheers
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jon d hat
A Force-of-Nature **
Member #: 1437 Posts 410
Registered: 11-8-2005 Member Is Offline Mood: Not long to go..Morocco again!
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| posted on 6-5-2008 at 21:46 |
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www.kitesurfteacher.co.uk
www.kitesurfwales.co.uk
When you're close to the EDGE....Trust your INSTINCT....!
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shem
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| posted on 7-5-2008 at 07:15 |
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ta john, as far as I know theres no one down that way, probably due to the amount of reefs and cliffs, which aint good! Im pretty sure
its either me and Paul up here or down to newgale for big blue.
Kite & SUP wales
Caravan decking wales
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Pluto
A Force-of-Nature *
Member #: 598 Posts 281
Registered: 20-3-2004 Location: Shrewsbury Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 8-5-2008 at 21:58 |
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Ta John. You're right there Shem. I really don't know why anyone would want to try and learn anywhere other than with us! - It's got
to be the best location but also with the highest quality tuition anywhere!
Sat turned out to be a really good day, speak soon...
www.kitesurfteacher.co.uk
IKO/BKSA Instructor
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Pixelwave Web Design.
justal@forces-of-nature.co.uk