How To Get into Snowkiting

There are four basic steps to an easy entrance into the awesome sport of snowkiting:

Fly a Trainer – Whether you purchase, rent, or borrow from a friend, it is essential to spend time flying a trainer kite.  Trainers are typically 2-line foil kites from 1.2M – 3M squared in size, with a bar for steering (as opposed to handles).  A trainer kite gives the basic hands-on knowledge of kite control and power zones of the wind window.  This kite control will vastly improve your success rate with a larger kite in the lesson, which cuts down on frustration and time and money spent in extra lessons.

Get a Lesson – We’ll say it again:  Get a Lesson!!  This is the other essential step.  Kiteboarding is a blast, but it can be dangerous.  Your risk of being injured or injuring someone else goes up ten-fold without proper instruction and knowledge of how to control a kite this size and full understanding of operating its safety systems effectively.  Look for lessons through a professional and established shop with PASA (Professional Air Sports Association) certified instruction.  This should guarantee that you’re getting all necessary information on safety, set-up, flying, control, and (again) safety.  Yes, learning about this sport is all about safety.  Getting a professional lesson will assure you that this area is fully covered, and it also ensures the equipment you’re using is well-kept, checked, and up-to-date.

Research – Search online, read a magazine, or call or drop by your local shop.  Familiarize yourself with different brands and kite options.  Everyone has an opinion on what is the greatest gear out there, but not all will be preferred for your riding style or goals.  Talk to your instructors and local riders.  Learn about the sport, how it’s changed recently, and don’t just go blind into the first “great deal” you see.  Many companies and websites will market and sell cheap gear just to make money.  Look through the products on kiteboarding.com.  We have written shop notes on products from our own experience, not just an advertisement that a company provides.   If you have any questions give us a call at 361-883-1473, or email info@kiteboarding.com, for honest advice about what gear will work best for you. 

Get Gear – If you’ve come this far, get some gear and go ride!  In the United States, most shops can’t rent kites without an instructor or shop rider present due to potential liability for damages and injury, especially if your riding ability is unknown to them, or if the shop knows you’re at a Beginner/novice level of kiting.  Kites change and advance every year, just like cars, so be cautious of buying cheap, old gear unless you can get good information on how its control and safety features work, how the kite differs from your lesson gear, and how comfortable you are learning on a kite that requires more control and attention to safety.  Also, many “cheap deals” for new gear will be for the kite only, without bar and lines, so know what you are getting.  Modern depowerable kites require a specialized bar that will cost anywhere from 300 to 400 dollars.  If you have any questions before you make a major investment give us a call to get our professional opinion on what gear works and lasts.  We have been repairing kites longer than anyone else, and if you don't see a particular brand for sale on kiteboarding.com there is a reason.  To check out some great package deals to get you started kiteboarding click here.