After speaking with different kiteboarders from around the auckland area I find there is a difference in opinion. What is the minimum you need to know and have actually done before your first outing onto the water alone(kitesurfing). I feel some of the people offering lessons like to discourage anyone from going onto the water until they have had at least 3-4 lessons - is this the general feeling with everyone out there?

I understand and agree that lessons are a very good idea but at what stage did everyone out there decide to go out and try it alone or with another beginner.

Theory of wind and safety, and understanding of wind speeds are obviously important but what skills are needed when going out alone for the first time?

Is a good knowledge of theory more important than good control if you are safe in your launching, landing and distance from dangerous objects. Basically I am asking if you know how to be safe but dont have the skills developed yet, is it wise to learn alone or do you need continue lessons to help refine kite control and learn to ride the board?

Thanks

better off getting to know a bit about the weather patterns and the good beaches before you try anything...


you don't need heaps of lessions.

if i was getting into kitesurfing now this is what i'd do.

i'd study all the windmeters in auckland so i can get general ideal of what effect certain weather has on the wind...

i'd also get a map and go check out as many beaches as possible, preferably ones close to where you live. if learning in summer avoid crowded areas at all costs, even if the conditions look good.

then i'd go and visit kiteworks and get a kiteboarding package that includes a kite, board, harness etc and a free lession... that should get ya started... the rest is time on the water.

Bit off topic, but where in Akl is good for all the westerlies we've been getting when you're learning? Live close to Shoal Bay, but with everyone slaying it for learning, not sure if that's the place to go. Also looks kinda crowded when there is souwest in the wind and the tide's up.

What about Meola Reef?

Yeah thanks-

At the moment I think I am at that stage - I have had a couple of lessons etc and am confident that I know what not to do to get into trouble but I just need some practice. However some instructors would prefer for me to continue paying 100 + dollars per lesson to babysit me while I could be trying it myself... as I feel I know the basics and would be safe.

In a perfect world you would be out in perfect smooth wind with not a soul in sight, and all the room downwind you could eat. But this is not how it works, and so you have to learn to deal with things hard and soft.

Lessons should give you an understanding of your limitations. So you can look at a location and know if it is safe. For instance, if you cannot reliably stay upwind then you will need to build up skills somewhere that matches your skills.

Personally I don't think it's necessary to be able to reliably go upwind before you go out on your own - as long as (IMPORTANT BIT) you know what happens when you go downwind, or when things turn to shite (like running into other people, or heading out to sea, or getting dragged backwards upsidedown wondering who turned the gravity off) - and are cool with handling that on your own ( this is what you learn in lessons)

It took me ages to get the hang of kiteboarding, and the best thing for me to do was to ask people in different locations if it is likely to be safe for someone like me who...cannot go upwind...or whatever my crippling inadequacy was at that stage. Take a big gulp of pride and ask things like....Do I have the right kite size for this wind? Are there too many people out for me to negotiate through? etc

I do think it's necessary to be able to handle the kite before you go out alone, though, as this should prevent the really nasty cock ups.

And if you don't think that people will give you the information (or they just plain don't) you need or you don't want to ask, then you may have to pay someone to come with you.

I should also say that I learnt at the beach in Christchurch, with plenty of room and smooth wind. I have no idea about the specific difficulties of learning in auckland - I don't know how good your access is to spots, and it may be that it's just too busy or gusty or whatever for 'suck it and see' method above. I'll leave that for other auckland people to elucidate on.

at this time of the year Auckland is not too gusty... just need to go to the right spots. some places are way too crowded at this time of year (not with kiters but with everyone else) and are best avoided.

don't worry about Meola reef.... come over to Pine Harbour.. it is the perfect learning spot. it works in any westerly direction and is smooth wind till 20 knots... above that it can get a tad gusty. high tide is great knee to waist deep water and the breach is not crowded ( a couple of people walking dogs is a typicial crowd setup here...). best time to kite here is in the afternoon/evening when the wind has nicely filled in... those summer westerly/sw days that aren't insane like in winter/spring.

this is a great spot that is much more beginner friendly then spots like pt chev and shoal bay.

a bit of a hike from shoal bay though

all you need is decent conditions and a decent beach... you're past the lesson stage.

BLOWN AWAY wrote:


I see where Pine harbour is on the map, what spot do you go to there :?: You can email me if it's secret :wink: Might head over there this evening, think the tide should be right Anything to be aware of? Probs if can't get upwind, etc?

don't worry it's not a secret spot.... on an epic day i try to entertain the birds there... it's pot luck if any one else is kiting there at the same time you are. besides us east siders are very laid back and most of us are just learners anyway.

we go to the beach just south of the marina. this spot is best at high tide but it still works at low tide. don't worry about not getting upwind, you'll only run out of water. just make sure you don't get too close to the enbankment but other than that if you stay in the bay you'll be sweet as.

another timely reminder to all newbys, get yourself a windmeter,perrin at kiteworks hasem 20 bucks, cheap but they work,you still get low/high density pressure but youll be a the right track.

Now is the best time to get on the water.
The wind is light and there are plenty of good beaches to practise on in the summer.

If you have had 2 or 3 lessons just go for it. Let the other surfers on the beach know you are going out for your first time. We all have days when we need a hand (ie lost our board or dropped our kite). I spent to much time body dragging when I started as this is what some one told me to do. Just go for it !!

Dont be intimidated by other surfers on the beach.. but at the same time try not to learn were every one is doing jumps.. this is normally the best spot to learn and the best spot for boosting.

Ask who ever is launching your kite to check your lines are set up correctly before you launch as this is one of the biggest mistakes with beginners.

We are off to Omeha today.. Its a good place to learn if the SE comes through.

Laters.

I write this to be constructive - not to criticize anyone

Everyone's biggest fear (learner on not) should be you and/or your kite hurting someone else -

(even if you left it sanded down on the beach and it blew(lines and all) into a passer by -it has happened - note:detatch lines as well as an extreme sanding down when left on beach in high winds)

not yourself - whether or not attached to your kite at the time (it could fly up the beach after your leash failed - or during the time you are running to your bar to self launch it blew away -) whatever - shit happens

You see - there are many many possible bad situations (not just potential ones - real life situations set example by unfortunate 3rd party souls) that could happen in kiting, and I don't think that many people learning (or even some people who can actually kiteboard already) have the first clue what they could be, OTHERWISE they would not be learning(?) on beaches with other human beings (non kiters/general public/other kiters/even small children) within striking distance of them.


People often make the analogy of the paragliding aspects of the sports safety which is very relevant; however, they may fail to address that there is a whole lot more to learn with regards to the safety of third parties involved when kiteboarding is the issue at hand.

You may agree that when kiters are learning, that they often learn by the example of others . These 'others' could simply be Jimbob launching his kite on a crowded beach, and a whole host of different situations
- this could be very unfortunate for kiteboarding.

Maybe I should become an instructor, anyone know of some very good insurance where I can instruct with a table tennis qualification?(This is sarcasm by the way) - or I could take a risk and rely on ACCs great understanding of the risk to 3rd parties of kiteboard instruction.

Be safe to yourself and others, and of course have fun.

No that you're gonna die if you're not super careful when you're learning, so take it easy. Also, please stay away from Meola. This is a spot for advanced kiters only, and under no circumstances should be used for learning. I guess the same goes for Orewa & Shoal Bay too...

Why Orewa and Shoal Bay?

I have seen many beginners being taught here by instructors...

Ummm... aaahh... well... just take my advice unless you like eating through a straw... specially if Soul Surfer's around to tag you while you learners stand there with your kites high up in the air for hours on end like some kind of crazy obstacle course...

If that was a meant to be a threat its making me crap my pants...

Have you forgot that you were at the same stage at one point?

The question I asked was genuine - can you give me a reason why beginners should not learn at these places? Is the reason that because you may have been kiting a few more years than the 'learners' you have more of a right to the water or are there recognised dangers?

Also, if you were a learner again in Akld and it was picking up to 15 knots on a Sunday afternoon in Summer - blowing easterlies... where would you go to?

Its a shame that you think that because you have a bit more experience with this sport that you can attempt to decide when and where new people can learn...

None of those places are suitable for learning... Shoal Bay is more suited to experienced kiters who can stay upwind... beginners can't stay upwind... nuff said.

As for Orewa... if it's anyhting remotely like as Crowded as Eastern Beach gets in a mid summers day then the question has allready been answered. The East coast beaches are crowded at this time of year and since most of us don't really want kiting banned at these beaches (cos on windy days they rock) we tend to discourage people from learning there when crowded... if Orewa doesn't get packed then it would be a good place to learn as the wind quality is good there.

You should not have to have kited these spots to deduce these facts prior to testing them out really, although talking to other kiters at a new spot is of course a very good idea.

Who taught you? how many quick release practices have you ever done out of interest.(heavy questions I know - just concerned that you are being looked after by your instructor)

Shoal bay can be dangerous if you are learning due to boats moored downwind - there is very little room for error here - especially if windsurfers and kiters are doing runs up and down the flat section on the inside of the bar. It can also be a very dangerous launch - the wind at the corner where people launch is often VERY distrurbed due to having to come over the hill/trees on the corner - the kite can fall out the sky - the next second power up.

Meola reef - under the often very shallow water it is as hard as concrete for most of this area unless you go really far out past the post -a thin layer of silt in places
there are many rocks covered in oysters(probably the sharpest in the world) often just lying under the waterline (have a walk around at low tide). The launch again like shoal bay can be very disturbed close in due to the wind coming off the land close in. Like point Chev this place is not famous for its constant wind variation either (ie can be very gusty). If you are going to get your kite sewn back up - it will be after a session here. The appeal of this place to most people is that it can get glassy flat windward side of the reef. Also digging up 5kg of silt here for self launch in not much fun, as is trying top get a grip on your feet as you walk to the water with your kite jerking you around (slippery as ice in places)

ak is not set up at all well for learning now that orewa has become often crowded (for easterlies - not that they exist any more though) road trips could be the answer - nz is not exactly short of uncrowded sandy beaches within a 2hour drive of ak- arrive at low tide and things may be on your side. This time of year is the worst for crowds but nz has got to be one of the best places to road trip in the world.

little error- leeward side of the reef that should have read

ok man we've been there done that and some of us know how the weather works in Auckland...

we discourage anyone from kiting in amoungst other people... it's dangerous to other water users and is a great bway to get kiting banned.... so it affects us more experienced kiters quite a lot... and hence we WILL say where to kite... cos i don't want a clueless beginner ruining it for the rest of us... I'm not meaning you in particular i'm meaning it as a general scenareo. Also i'm not just referring to beginners here either.... advanced kiters are even more to blame because they don't use leashes and purposely kite close to people... they should be setting an example by the way.


as for easterlies...... what easterlies? except for orewa there are no easterly sea breezes in Auckland... the thermals come from the north and that 90 degrees makes a huge difference in kiting spots you can use... I have a kiting spot just down the road from me which is perfect fro beginners, smooth northerly thermals, shallow flat water and FAR FAR FAR fewer people than the east coast beaches... if you want i can tell u the name of that beach.

Much better put than my feeble attempt! Yes - out there on Sunday, there's this huge Orewa beach with no-one down the North end, and what do the learners do? Launch at the Club where all the swimmers and other kiters are - then spend an hour or so either body dragging through the kiddies and grandmas, barely in control, or standing there with kites at 12 o'clock. Why not move to the uncrowded end? You'd learn sooo much faster, it would be safer for everyone, and you'd have so much more down-wind room before you became another Red Beach rock decoration.

Hey, at what stage do you guys consider yourself not a learner?

I still consider myself a learner, I learn something every session, otherwise I wouldn't go out any more.

At what stage do you feel comfortable standing on a beach and giving advice and judging who is good enough to launch a kite on your turf.

Cos even the most experienced riders still have epics, crashed kites, mid-air collisions, botched landings/launches, and even the best will get underpowered at times and end up downwind, and walking back upwind on the beach.

Everyone should have equal rights to whatever beach they feel like going to, no matter what level their kiting is, but it would be nice if everyone understood that their kite and lines will hit anything in their path atleast 30m downwind, and do their best to avoid this, ie if you feel theres a good chance you're likely to drop your kite or rig, then make sure the coast is clear.

I know a guy who was standing on the beach mouthing off full throttle on how to ride/launch wear your baggy pants etc to a poor newby setting up on the beach, -who then proceeded to flawlessly self-launch, did a styly jumping board start, then proceeded to tear up the ocean for the next 2 hours- (some visiting hotshot from ozzy). while mr kite expert sat back down on his ass to blither on about how kiting should be.

Let everyone do their thing, in a few months that 'learner' might be better than you, then he might have the right to forbid you to launch at a certain beach. Skill level is all relative to who is judging, and no one should have that right.

everyones making some real good points,i guess were abit protective about our shit,the thing is when the wind gets to 15 20 kts people fuc off home,perfect realy.

I agree. I will always be learning. But that's not the point. With the numebr of kiters & people on the beach right now, if you're going to kite a popular spot, you should have control of your kite, regardless of level of expertise. I'm just saying its not a great place for the first timer without a board, who just gets to stand there waiting for a clear spot to 'have a go' while everyone around them has to dodge them, then they really 'have a go' and get themsleves and everyone in a 60m wide swathe downwind cleaned up.

I reckon Orewa is hanging on by a fine thread at the moment. All it will take is one relayed message/incident, so when the first decent ne for what seems like a year turns up combined with a weekend and sun - think

This is all good stuff, we gotta be careful about the us and them creeping into all this - newby and experienced that is. At the end of the day we're all in this coz its the best damn thing you can do while breathing - and realistically we're all learners (except shaan of course).

For my 2 cents worth walk the beach a bit if you're at a new spot (or even a familar one), observe your surroundings and note stuff - dont just haul all your gear out and start pumping (I know its hard to resist the temptation). Also know your kite well before you hit the water, and fly it for a while on land each sesh before getting in the drink - find the window, note the wind patterns etc. All basic stuff I know but sometimes we get past it in the rush to get wet. Happy surfin all...

It is generally accepted that flying a full sized kitesurfing kite on land/beach is not really a very good idea

things like snowkiting/landboarding are great if you are that way inclined, but that doesn't mean that kiting on the beach with a kitesurfing kite is a good idea when you have water right next to you, or are in the middle of others trying to launch/relax on the beach.

Dude, I aint saying pull a loop or anything, just sweep it around up in the window a bit to get a feel for the conditions -make sure its all sweet.

Personally i'd much rather get a surprise on land (with the exception of being lofted 20m up into a tree of course) where i can quick release out of than be out with the waves and the rips and a board stuck to me feet and then realise "oh shit i really shouldn't have put the big one up in these conditions".

Everyone does shit their own why - I've found when I've rushed things I've generally got spanked, a few extra minutes double checking your lines, and making sure your kite is flying as expected before jumpin in the drink with all the swimmers and hot shit kiters doing 360s with jumpthroughs can be the difference between a good sesh and a pain in the arse.

Dont be in such a rush as to forget your safety checks is what i'm tryin to get at...and its directed at learners I guess more than those of you who sleep with their harnesses on....but then I reckon I'll always be a learner...

p.s. ...bring back blownaway...