The most effective and safe way to ensure independent kitesurfing practice is through a well-structured learning process.
By having a clear plan of the necessary skills to practice kitesurfing safely, we are better equipped to learn quickly.
The following outline describes the stages of kitesurfing learning. Our lessons are two hours long, a duration that is not exhausting but long enough to allow for meaningful learning. It is important to note that one stage does not necessarily correspond to just one lesson. Some stages may easily be completed in a single lesson, while others may require more than one lesson to be mastered.
1st Stage:
Preparation and equipment check
This should take no longer than 10 minutes. It’s essential to spend as much time as possible in the water, but the first step towards safe navigation is to properly prepare the equipment. There will not be an extensive introduction to equipment preparation and setup, as it will be a routine present in every session of the practitioner. Additionally, we know that introducing too many technical concepts before entering the water diminishes the effectiveness of learning those same concepts. A responsible practitioner will learn to prepare correctly over time, as they continue to have more sessions on the water.
2nd Stage:
Launching the Kite
A delicate procedure, where most problems can occur. It is when we launch the kite that we confirm whether all preparation was done correctly. For example, is the kite size appropriate? Were the lines properly separated? Is the wind as strong as predicted? Are we well aligned with the wind? Are we too close to any solid hazards? Is the chicken loop securely attached?
3rd Stage:
Controlling the Kite
This is the most important stage in the entire kitesurfing learning process. Good kite control is what will allow the future rider to face the following stages with confidence and a solid foundation. Perhaps 75% of the work is related to this phase. It can be intimidating at first to control a kite, but by spending more time with it, you’ll confirm that proper kite control comes down to a couple of very simple fundamentals. A good rider should be able to control the kite’s position and power at every moment. They should be able to predict its behavior in real-time and should cultivate smooth movements with the kite.
Our sincere advice: Focus all your energy on this stage. Good kite control will make the rest of the process very fast and natural.
4th Stage:
Bodydrag
It’s basically kitesurfing without the board. But it’s a very important skill. It allows a kitesurfer to reach their board when they lose it, and more importantly, to always return to land in any situation. It will also be essential to be able to bodydrag with just one hand, and maintain the line without drifting, in order to ultimately simulate board recovery in deep water.
5th Stage:
Waterstart
This term refers to the rider getting onto the board. It shouldn’t be with too little or too much force. Not too downwind, not too upwind. Correctly positioning the board and maintaining proper orientation are actually the most difficult steps. And once again, if kite control is good, this part should not be difficult.
6th Stage:
First Tack
If the waterstart is done with care, then riding will present no difficulty. Once the board starts sliding, covering 10m or 1 km requires the same amount of effort.
7th Stage:
Sailing Upwind
There is a significant difference, especially at the beginning, between riding, riding well, and sailing upwind. The latter requires proper board orientation, applying the right pressure on the board’s rail, adopting the correct body position, and never losing control of the kite’s position and power.
Lastly, even the most talented rider will not truly become independent if they do not respect the elements and adopt the correct, cautious gestures and attitudes. Do not underestimate the conditions, prepare the equipment properly, sail within your abilities, maintain necessary distances from other riders, hazardous objects, and the shore. All of this is part of the care that must always be present in the rider’s judgment.
At EVL, you will find the best conditions to learn kitesurfing, with experienced and certified instructors, a safe and ideal spot, top-of-the-line equipment, a fleet of support and rescue boats, communication walkie-talkies (student-instructor), and a school with 25 years of experience in teaching kitesurfing.
