Steps to Learning
Always learn from a professional. Bad habbits are hard to break, and a proper instructor will teach you the correct way first. These are the basic steps towards learning to Kiteboard.
Fly a kite on land.
Learn to fly your kite in light to moderate winds on land first. Traction kites for Kite Boarding can have either 2 lines or 4 lines. 4 line kites will give you greater control. Understanding how the kite works and how it's set up and packed down is also important. Familiarise yourself with handling and storing flying lines, as this will help in trouble-free flying.
Beach Dragging.
Use the power of your kite to drag you across the beach or shoreline. This is a good way to learn how to balance against the pull of the kite and experience how powerful these kites are. The idea is not to resist the pull, but control it and move with the kite. You will need to lean away from the pull, to maintain balance and forward movement.
Body drag.
To get used to flying over water, use the kite to pull you along in the water. This is good practice for when you come off your board. It's important to be able to control your kite when you have fallen off your board from the water.
Water starts.
You start by lying on your back in the water with your feet in the footstraps of your board. Have the board in front of you with the kite hovering high above you. Steer the kite into the power zone. You will be lifted out of the water and pulled forwards onto the board. You need to know how to water start with confidence as there will be times when you come off your board in deep water far from shore. Don't forget you'll need a leash to stop your board drifting away.
Maintain speed on the board.
When on the board, keep the kite ahead of yourself. It may be helpful to fly a "scooping" pattern to maintain pull. Kite Boarding relys on feeling the correct position relative to wind and water. As with any sailing activity, you will get to sense when things a "right" and you're spending more time on the board than off.
Stay upwind.
You must learn to be able to go upwind. This is important if you want to return to your starting point. Getting too far downwind without the ability to get back can result in a long swim, or the infamous walk of shame.
JUMP
Once you have learned the basics and can confidently control your kite and board, the possibilities for tricks and hang time are limitless. Pack a few kites, grab your board and travel. You'll soon discover the countless places to enjoy this new and exciting sport.