17 great questions and some equally great answers.
( #12 is being
re-done)
(1) "What's a Kitemare?"
(2) "What
is Kitesurfing? Kiteboarding? SnowKiting? Kite LandBoarding? KGB?" How long has Kiteboarding been
around?
(3) "Where
can I ride?" "Can I do this on a lake" "How much wind do you need?"
(4) How do I get started? Where should I begin?
(5) "Is Kiteboarding extreme?" "Is it really
dangerous?"
(6) "What about sharks?"
(7) "I'm only 10 years old!" "I'm over 55" years old!" "I don't have much upper body stength!",
"I only weigh 90 lbs!" "I weigh 240!" "Can "I" learn this
sport?"
(8) "Are there many women doing this?"
(9) "What's up with Trainer Kites?" "Do I really need one?
How much?"
(10) "Do I really need to take a
lesson?" "How do I find an
instructor?"
(11) "Dude...I've been.. like..
uh..Wakeboarding...uh... Snowboarding..and ..uh, Windsurfing.. Surfing,
and.. uh...Skimboarding, and Skateboarding for, you know, uh, like,
since I was a kid. I just need to buy a kite... Right?
(12)
(13) "What kind of gear do I need?" "What's the best kite to
get?" "Which Brand is the
best?" Should I get a 2 line, 4 line, or 5 line kite? "Foil or
inflatable?" "What size kite do I need?"
(14) "Where's the best place to buy a kite?" "Should I buy it New or
Used?" "How much will all of
this cost?"
(15) "Can I use my "wakeboard?" "What kind of board
should I use?"
(16) "Aside
from a kite and board, is there any other equipment that I'll need?"
(17) "Why
"this" website?" "Why
should I listen to you?"
A typical set-up for the Kiteboarding (water): Kite, Board, Harness:
$1,400.- $1,800. USD
A typical set-up for Landboarding ( Mountainboard + Kite ) $500 -
$600. USD
For the snow: $400-$1,000. ( Kite + Harness )
The price varies quite a bit depending on the type of kite (foil, inflatable),
Kite size (2 to 20 square meters), Brand, and model.
Boards can range from homemade budget to high tech and pricey.
More weight, less wind, more resistance = Bigger kite
Less weight and more wind, less resistance = Smaller kite.
There's no shortage of websites
related to kiteboarding offering a flashy
presentation with an extensive shopping cart but... there are very few that
actually give you the information you need.
This site, KITEMARE.com,
was designed with the beginner in mind. The goal
is to provide real info,
without the flash, or other BS. I agree, this website
is not the prettiest, but it contains the information you really need to get
started right.
All of our recommendations come from an kiteboarding instructors point of view.
Kiteboarding is the ultimate water sport. The speed of
waterskiing, the tricks
of wakeboarding, the carving
turns of surfing, the quiet freedom of sailing,
and more air-time than
motor-cross.
The first time I held onto a one of those monster kites I was instantly hooked …
and that was just
standing on the beach! Holding onto the power of a kite
that big while watching it
float 100 feet above my head was all it took.
Kiteboarding
has all the ingredients to maximize the fun-factor.
The gear is simple and
compact. The kite easily folds up to fit into a small back pack. The board
is
light weight and fits under one arm. An Carbon control bar with lines
completes the set up. Light or strong winds, flat
water or waves, Sand, dirt,
or grass, insane maneuvers, extreme jumps, or just cruising. All this combined
with a relatively short learning curve
(compared to surfing and windsurfing)
equal "Huge Fun"!!!.
WAKEBOARDERS... wanna rip...
withOUT a boat?
Choppy water is now fun.
The Air- time far exceeds what you can even do with a giant pilon and a
"double-up"
For the
price of one ski boat, you can buy kiteboarding gear for
yourself and 25 of your
friends! Gasoline is expensive and the wind is Free.
The board skills you've acquired behind a boat already make you "1/2" a
kiteboarder. Get a trainer kite, take a short lesson... and
prepare for lift
off.
WINDSURFERS... Tired of
sitting on the beach waiting for more wind?
That was me, windsurfing since
1983 and only really only having
fun when the wind was 20 knots or more. Even
on those days, the wind and
wave angles rarely aligned to produce good
conditions for big jumps or wave
riding. And the gear.... 2 masts, 3-5 sails,
boom, uphaul, boom bra, mast foot,
mast extensions, battens, A fin quiver, slalom
board, wave board, light wind
board,
WAY... to much gear. A major pain to travel with. Now consider
2
kites and one board. Fully ripping in 10-12 knots, big jumps on
FLAT water,
total 360 degree visibility and amazing "up-wind-ability".
I hate to say it, but after 17 years of
windsurfing I sold all my windsurfing
gear! Ok, I'll admit, I'd still like
to catch a session or two on a windsurfer,
just to be sure I can still throw a forward loop.
Overall,
kiteboarding kicks butt
over windsurfing. It funny to watch windsurfers
working hard to chop hop 1-2
feet on flat water when kiteboarders are boosting
10-20 feet aerials in the
same
conditions. Windsurfing is not Kiteboarding. The board skills are
very different.
Windsurfers ride with their board flat on the water while
"loading the fin".
When kiteboarding... you'll need to edge on your
heel-side rail.
The trimming of a sail is not the same as moving a kite to generate power.
If you come from a windsurfing background, heres a a bit of advice.....
Get out and practice riding a wakeboard
or snowboard learn the needed board/ edging
skills and practice with a trainer kite just like everyone else. Do these
2 things and you'll
gain a HUGE advantage
when learning to kite!
SNOWBOARDERS: Wanna ride
without a lift ticket? Find a big open field
covered in snow, a bit of wind, a kite and take off! On the mountain,
you rely on
gravity. With a kite, all you need is wind and snow, the options
are endless. Go big
on the flats, and even ride Up-hill.
SURFERS: "Surfing is the ultimate" no argument there!
but how much time do you actually spend "up and riding"
compared to
paddling, waiting, and fighting for your wave.
With a
kite,
the action is endless, no paddling out, no endless waiting,
or fighting for the peak. Just high speed ripping, boosting fat airs, and
YES, wave riding!
Kites allow you to easily position yourself in front of the lip, escape from a
closeout,
connect wave after wave, fly back out to the line-up, and and turn boring mushy
blown out days into an addiction.
Keep your surf board for those windless,
glassy sessions, but when the wind
pick up, and the waves get sloppy..... its
time to kite.
SKATEBOARDERS / MOUNTAINBOARDERS No worries.... were not leaving you out!
Mountain Boards AKA All-Terrain Boards with their big
inflated tires work great on
hard packed sand, dirt, and grass.
No need for hills or man made terrain. Just an open field, or beach. Grab your board,
add
the power of a kite, and Fly
Wake, surf, sand, dirt & snow....
kites are going off everywhere!
Be sure to check out our Landboarding page.
In the US, Cory R. , combined his
water-ski skills and kite flying skills into a sport called
kiteskiing.
(kite-Ski)
One the other side of the world, 2 brothers in France developed an inflatable kite
specifically
designed for use in the water. (Wipika)
In Hawaii, the ideas merged, innovated, and evolved into the sport we now call
"kiteboarding".
Imagine riding your bicycle at full speed into a fishing line that is tied
between two trees at neck level.
Got the picture? Some people
liken our kites a "4-blade cheese slicer". Kiteboarding is
dangerous like
like mountain biking
on the edge of a mountain trail, or surfing big waves over shallow reef.
If your idea of this sport is more in line with taking a ride on a little sailboat, you
may want to reconsider. Most kiters have experienced Getting dragged or
tossed by their kite,
or suddenly being lifted high into the air and then slammed onto the water.
The good news is that newer kite designs are much easier to depower and thus
safer.
The answer is a
"Kite-Leash". What's the use of learning a the sport if it gets
banned on our local beaches? A kite-leash is designed to allow you to
"let go of the control bar" causing the kite to "depower" and fall to the
water and at the same time keeping the kite attached to your wrist or waist. Unless you live on your own
private island, a kite-leash is a necessity. "Not" using a leash
would be like owning a Wave-runner/Jet ski... having the throttle get stuck... at full speed and not having an engine wrist
lanyard kill
switch.... and then.... getting tossed off by a wave!!! Now
picture the run-away water-craft headed full speed for a group of swimming and
beyond them... several families relaxing on the waters edge. Can you
picture the situation? Scary. An unleashed like can
kill.
Wear a kite-leash at ALL Times. Not "sometimes" , All the time!!!
Its pretty simple.
If you
want to put "yourself" at risk launch big airs over rock jetties... that's your business.
Just
don't put bystanders and our access to beaches at risk. In
short..... "ALWAYS WEAR A KITE-LEASH!!!" PERIOD.
**Just received this news story. The best I can tell, a kook, let go of
his unleashed kite which injured a 60 yr old man playing with his dogs. read
it
The more the better! There
are lots of ladies out there already into kiteboarding, and I would
love to see a lot more! :) In general I find that ladies learn faster than
men! ... sorry guys. Ladies are naturally very attentive, and cautious.
They pay close attention to the words of their instructor and it shows.
Where strength is lacking, a girls skill and finesse level the field. There
are also advantages from using skills acquired from other sports. Learn one
sport and next sport
is easier.
Sept 14-15th, 2002, we conducted our first "girl kite clinic" in Cocoa Beach,
FL. From Theory, to flying on the Beach, to Boat launching,
the program was a huge success! :) ...and we're making plans to do
it again.
*****Get a trainer
kite (today), practice, and then... get a Lesson!
THE FIRST STEP is to get VERY comfortable
flying a small, 2 to 4 line kite. A "Trainer"
kite like the one shown here is a perfect way to get started. This Ram air design is light,
compact, powerful,
and lots of fun!
Please note: This kite is NOT designed for water
use. It's designed to teach you
the "basic kite flying skills needed , on the beach, BEFORE you fly a full size "kitesurfing"
kite on the water.
Kite handling
skills are very similar to "stick-shift" skills. Its NOT
difficult, but it does take some time until the basic movement becomes
instinctive. If you react too slow with a "trainer kite" ... NO
Problem. If you make the same mistake on a BIG kite you WILL pay the
consequences!
Most everyone entering this sport seriously underestimates
the Torque a big kite can produce. I don't want you to bust a collar bone
on your first day out, but that isn't even my biggest concern! The real
concern is rookies putting innocent spectators at risk, and then we ALL lose if
that one accident gets our sport banned on your
local beach. It's already happened in a few places!
Kiteboarding "CAN" be VERY dangerous. One minute your standing on the beach and in the
blink of a eye you're being lifted off the ground and into a tree. One the
other hand.... If you take the time to learn the basic skills of kite flying and safety and use a kite leash, you will be
ripping in no time, going huge, and loving life! GOT IT? ....
GOOD! Kiteboarding can also be very safe! Get a trainer kite here or something similar from somebody
else. The Trainers all come complete with everything you
need,
ready to fly! Kite, lines, carry duffel, and control bar. Prices
on trainers
range from $100 to $200. Details on the Trainer
kite page
Although the 2m does the job, more
people choose the 2.8m ,3m, or 3.6m for their versatility, and power. The larger
trainers gives
you true feel of the power zone.
***Please don't even think about
skipping the vital step of using a trainer kite. Why? ... Because learning with a trainer kite will...
- Save you money on lessons.
- Save you on repair bills from attemping to learn on an inflatable kite.
- Save you on Emergency room bills. Broken ribs, collar bone, arms, etc.
- Save the spectators on the beach.
- Save our sport from needless bans.
- Save you time by learning faster.
Even a flying a trainer kite can never "guarantee" these things, but it goes a long
way to help you
better understand kites, make controling the kite instinctive and
thus help to prevent many mishaps.
After teaching numerous
lessons... I've found that students who arrive with some previous
"boarding" skills (wake or snow), AND.... who have spent several hours
flying
a trainer kite, learn to kiteboard in record time! Bottom line..... Learn to wakeboard
behind a boat or wave runner, or put away the skis and ride a snowboard.
Windsurfing and sailing skills are nice , but its the wakeboard or snowboard
skills combined with trainer kite skills make the real difference.
Wakeboard skills. - The Orlando
Watersports Complex Cable Park is a great place to train.
Discount lesson Coupon: Save $25 on your 1st lesson with any Team Kitemare
Instructor. (just ask when scheduling)
The fastest and best way to select gear
is with the assistance of other people already involved in the sport with
consideration for local wind and water conditions, weight, budget, and
preferences for various kite designs. KITEMARE is committed to helping you find
the best gear at the best price. Contact Kitemare and we'll be happy to offer recommendations based on your individual needs. Also
be sure to read "Kites" and "Boards"
page to help you select suitable
gear.
My personal mission
statement answers this question well:
"To
assist those without goals to set them,
and to assist those with goals to achieve them".
Whatever the goal, I'll do my best to help you achieve it. We are talking about
you,
not me. If you sincerely want to learn a new sport like kiteboarding, and
seek honest advice for getting started, than I would love to help. Working
previously as a windsurfing instructor I learned a valuable secret! If you
make a firm decision,
believe in your ability, the ability of your students, and
take responsibility for the outcome, you can create magic! While teaching
summers in Hood River " the gorge",
I was able to guarantee
"windsurfing jibes" in only "one" lesson. A decade later and
still holding a near 100% success record, … that’s "real magic".
Kiteboarding is not windsurfing, but the principles still apply. Put your
student, client, or customer first
by helping them to reach "their" goals, and
everybody wins!
At KITEMARE, all suggestions come from an "instructors"
perspective. The focus
is on help you to learn fast, kite safe, have fun,
and to get appropriate gear at the best price. If your looking for the greatest sales people to quickly
swipe your Credit card... they're out there, but not here. Still want to know more? You are
welcome to check out my complete Instructor Bio
and testimonial letters from satisfied students, and customers.
Excellent places to buy: Specialty Kiteboarding shops, online classifieds,
individuals, and direct from the manufacturer. Take into
consideration:
Kite size, aspect ratio, return policy, price, customer service, shipping costs,
tax,
brand, year, condition, what's
included, and most importantly, your skill level and
local conditions.
Price is a factor for most people, but finding the best gear for YOU is top
priority.
Have a question finding gear? Contact us
anytime. That's what we're here for!
We want to speak with you personally, to
be sure your getting the "Right Gear" at the "Right
Price!" Call anytime, ***Beware...A lot of shops sell gear but
don't have a clue because they don't actually ride! ??? At KITEMARE, we actually
kiteboard! (no kayakers or posers here) Real KiteBoarders, Real Experience, and
Real
Advice. Call today, if you reach the
recording, be SURE to leave a message,
so we can call your back! There is a
good chance we're assisting another customer, teaching a lesson, testing gear
to serve you better or just .... Riding!
The more the better!
New Complete Kites (kite,
bar, lines, leash, pump, bag) range from $900-$1,500.
depending on brand, size, and components. Naish, Wipika, Cabrinha, North,
etc.
As of February 2004, the price of Kiteboarding just got cheaper. A 40-50%
price drop, thanks to Best Kiteboarding. New
'04 / '05 New gear
for the price of used gear? Yup. :) Click the link to learn more.
Order
a Trainer kite
and the basics. A VERY
IMPORTANT 1st STEP.
Next... Get some board skills behind a boat, Cable
park, or on a mountain.
NEXT.. take a lesson in your local area or visit a kite school like "3-2-1",
read the rest of
this website to educate yourself for you next purchase.
FINALLY... GET GEARED UP. Call me, and we can figure out what kind of gear will fit
your needs... and budget.
Read the "kites" and "Boards" page to learn more about the
gear.
Ready... Set... Order
a Trainer kite
***** did I miss any important
FAQ's ??? Let me know so I can add them to make
this site as helpful as
possible. : )
Now....... off to the lessons page to
LEARN
to ride.
