Erik Holmgren wrote:Take a lesson. Don't learn from a person who isn't a kite instructor.
Its when people try to skate by without a lesson and learning all they need to know -self rescue, safety use, preflighting gear, emergency situations and how to react in them- and get hurt that kiters get a bad rep, lose access to spots, get injured, killed, or injure someone else.
This sport can kil you if you don't fully know what you're doing.... so learn it right.
Wise words from a true member of the kite communiy..... Take a lesson from a Kite instructor who has the training and gear to make you a kiter.. This is not the sport to Bro -Bra your way through a true training process....Would you learn to fly a plane from a random dude online????? Why learn to fly a kite that can kill you from one...
Buy a trainer kite learn to fly it then go see a instuctor and use your trainer kite skills..
Any random dude willing to SHow you the ropes is doing the kite communiyt a huge diservice. Pay the money for real lessons. This will get you kiting in just a few sessions while a untrained "anybody" will just prolong your process and cost you more money in the future, on damaged gear, hospital bills etc.... You pay money to use some ones gear while you are safley learning the saftey systems and rules of the road....Feel free to search or forum and see how the communiy feels about bro-bra lessons as well as self taught people....
This sport is super dangerous, it is not skiing or snowboarding thoose are super easy sports for pussys, this a real hardcore sport with hardcore punishment when you make a error...Instructors don't make any real money teaching lessons, they do how ever make safe kiters that are welcomed into the community.
You are not dealing with some "SKI SCHOOL" at a mountain that is just there to make money, you are dealing with a community of dudes that are trying to keep access to all of our kite spots by having a injury free group of well trained professionals. Please don't be the Kook who fuchs this up by trying to take short cuts that places us all in danger becuase the guy you asked for help on line doesn't teach you the true standards needed to kite safley. If you don't know the saftey systems and the proper rules as well as how to deal with emergancys via proper traing that is what you will be doing.....
Buying gear with out even knowing what gear you need may have already been your first mistake and is one you could have avioded by taking a lesson and getting educated from a instuctor about local winds, and location, as well as what kite sizes and types work best here. PLEASE do not fly your kites with out a lesson....this is just asking for trouble. It is just like trying to get into a helicopter and trying to take it for a JOY ride with out any lessons..... PLEASE be smart, fly only a trainer and take lessons!!!!
How would you feel if some dude showed up at your favorite climbing spot with outdated gear they bought on e-bay, bent beat up screws and crappy axes with dull picks, and strap on crampons over leather boots and said they were going to lead solo on a clove hitch with a base anchor becuase the guy they bought the gear from talked them though it via a e-mail when they got it.... Whould you let them climb on, or tell them to go get some real help before they got hurt.... this is what we are sugesting you do, get a true education from a true instructor that is reconized by our community....Thanks Bro I hope you understand, know one wants to take your money or cost you more to become a kiter, we just want safe members of our community...
Billy
2009-2010 snowkite national champion
2011 north amercain snowkite champinship winner.