From KitePassion Tarifa Kiteschool we want to teach you the entire learning process in this fantastic sport
Once you have made the most of the first day of the course on land by learning:
- The different security systems
- Universal signals
- Setting up of the kite
- Different exercises on land to control the kite’s motor 100%: the kite.
Once with all this, and if you are ready to go to the water, comes the most fun and affordable part of your kitesurfing course.
Now with all the necessary material, that is, neoprene, 50 Newtons buoyancy vest, helmet… You will go to the water with your instructor to feel the traction or drag of the kite but only with your body, without the board.
We also connect a radio – walkie to your helmet so that communication is more fluid and the class safer. The use of the radio is almost obligatory in our Kitesurf classes.
You will feel like a dolphin above the water. First of all, you will do one-handed bodydrag, to learn how to get in and out of the water.
Later, we will show you a circuit, in which you will enter the water. You will still bodydrag downwind or in the same direction of the wind. And you will return to the shore with the kite in the opposite position from the entrance.
The entire process of entering and exiting the water, moving the kite already in the Powerzone or power zone. Super fun.
Once you have it completely controlled without the board. We begin to perform the exercise with your board always holding the handle, which is easier since the board gives you extra buoyancy.
To take into account the moment of making the transition, since you will have to let go of the board to leave it in front of you floating in the water and change hands. Totally affordable and very necessary to follow your progression.
STEPS TO FOLLOW
Just as we have taught you in the sand. Walking with one hand on the kite and the other clear hand we head towards the water.
Once in the water and having reached sufficient depth in the sea, that is, we have to enter the water with the kite at 45° and we place ourselves perfectly aligned with our backs to the wind.
To take into account the three parameters of safety distances:
- Distance from the shore, so that in case of error we do not end up in the sand.
- Distance with respect to the bottom – ground. That is, we always have enough depth. Practicing kiting in places with little depth, such as lagoons, can be fatal for your ankles.
- Distance from obstacles or other kites. Always maintain a safe distance.
Two key points, once we are correctly positioned:
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The first is to not stop moving the kite in the power zone from 11 to 2 or from 1 to 10, when we move the kite in the power zone. Very important we do not stop moving the kite.
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Another fundamental point is the position of the body leaning forward, that is, we lean forward to slide over the water. Superman position.
The sensation of feeling how you are pulling a kite is simply spectacular and this exercise is essential, since it is useful for different reasons:
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Learn to recover the board
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Stop looking at the bar and start feeling the kite with your hands
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Return to the shore
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And above all, really feel the traction of the kitesurf and you will enjoy the kite like a child.
BODY DRAG UPWIND
In kitesurfing there is a maneuver without a board that is of vital importance and is called upwind bodydrag.
Once you have finished your training on land and are ready to go into the water to do the bodydrag (dragging your body with the kite without a board).
Therefore, the first objective once you enter the water is to learn to perform the bodydrag perfectly downwind, in the same direction of the wind.
However, upwind bodydrag is different in terms of the movement of the kite in the wind window and also in the positioning of the body when you are moving over the water.
Since the kite will move only on the right and left side of the window depending on the direction you are heading.
1.- First of all you have to enter the water piloting the kite with one hand. The placement of the hand, if possible, in the center of the bar and taking into account that if we walk to the right, the left hand goes on the bar and if, on the other hand, we go in the opposite direction, we drive with the right hand.
2.- Once in the water, if we enter the water with an easterly wind, we pilot the kite with our right hand and move the kite without stopping from 12 to 10 o’clock, we extend our body to the left and fully stretch our arm left that serves as our rudder. This position of the right hand in the center of the bar remains in this position throughout the entire maneuver and we make small, quick turns with the kite that generate traction.
The moment the kite generates traction we begin to gain space from the wind and rise in the opposite direction to where the wind is coming from.
This exercise will allow us to recover the board that is normally behind us and is very important to go and return to the same point doing body drag upwind.
With this exercise, once controlled with the board, we are prepared for the Bodydrag with the board.
BODYDRAG WITH BOARD
Once you reach a sufficient level on your bodydrag, you will be ready to hit the water with the board and perform the Waterstart.
Here the most difficult begins, but without having well learned how to drag your body with the kite, your first lengths with the board will be even more difficult.
As we mentioned before, the bodysuit with a board is easier, since the board gives you buoyancy.
When you grip the board, it should come from your hip (tail of the board). While the nose of the board should point at the kite. That way, lying on your side, you will have a blast doing this exercise.
Once you want to change direction, pass the board in front of you while slowly changing the kite to 12 o’clock. And with the kite in the Zenit, we change the kite window and hand to change direction. Returning in this way to the shore.
You are ready now to waterstart kitesurf!
More info: Juan Ignacio Fernández Candón 34 615683051
