10 Good advice for you who are considering booking a kitesurfing course.
Posted by RASMUS SPARREGAGER
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You say to yourself: “This year is the year I want to learn to kitesurf. You already see yourself on the water with the wind in your hair and it can actually only be too slow to get started. I know the feeling, but just breathe for 5 min. and read these 10 tips. It won't take you much longer and you will be much better prepared to begin your journey as a kitesurfer.
1. Do I need a kitesurfing course with a qualified instructor?
You think it is expensive and you may be inclined to think: "how much more can I really learn by following an instructor?" Price and quality are often linked and it's quite simple:
TAKE A KITE SURFING COURSE - and at the same time you choose a shortcut to get on the water even faster and even in a safe way . With an instructor, you get the right guidance and at the same time avoid having to stand hour after hour and practice, where you often just repeat the same mistakes and just lack the right guidance to develop. At the same time, it will save you a lot of money to start with a kitesurfing course with an instructor. Instead of buying equipment, destroying it in your zeal to train yourself, paying for repairs to broken equipment, etc.
Therefore, in short, take a kitesurfing course and get on the water safely .
2. What can I expect from a kitesurfing course?
Professional guidance by a certified instructor who goes through everything from AB and at your own pace. Don't be afraid to ask if you have any doubts. The instructor is there to help you and make sure you are dressed as well as possible to be a future independent kitesurfer. The Danish Sailing Union has made a guide of steps that you must go through before you have reached a level where you can call yourself a kitesurfer 1 .
You will go through the various steps outlined in the guide on the course. There are many different types of courses, just as there are prices. It is often cheaper to have many people together on a course, however, you must be aware that the more you are, the longer the waiting time. Therefore, I would always recommend that you start with a partner course. Here you and your friend, girlfriend, wife or husband etc. can learn in the most efficient way. If you later have very different progressions, it might make good sense to upgrade to a private course , so that you each get the most out of your kitesurfing course. Here you will be alone with an instructor, typically for 3 hours on the water. On a private course, the development is enormous, as there is no waiting time and the instructor only has to concentrate on you.
3. How long does it take to learn to kitesurf?
This is one of the most asked questions and the answer is not simple. It is very individual and some may have the prerequisites to learn it faster than others, for example if you have previously practiced a form of board sport such as wakeboarding, snowboarding or skateboarding, you will automatically have more flair for board control. However, you do not need to have any experience with the above to be successful in kitesurfing. I often tell my students that it takes between 10-20 hours to become an independent kitesurfer, but again it must be said that it can easily be more or less, as I said it is very individual when you feel safe and secure, to venture out on your own.
4. My friend kitesurfs, can't I just learn from him?
In theory, it sounds like a brilliant idea - you save a lot of money and your friend gets a new surf buddy, what could go wrong?
However, the reality is different, and unfortunately it can quickly turn into a bad experience for both you and your friend. When you are first strapped to a 12 m2 kite and being dragged away from the water and your friend has only just completed a kitesurfing course and maybe only got a handful of hours on the water since. The person is actually also quite nervous about his equipment and after an hour he has lost the patience to teach you from scratch, without skipping over where the fence is lowest.
However, it can be really good to take a friend out to "fly" with trainer kites, as you can always let it go if it pulls more than expected.
See what we have of kitesurfing courses here
5. Do I have to buy my own equipment before taking a kitesurfing course?
All kite schools ensure that you have the necessary equipment during your kitesurfing course. Our surf school has, among other things, a lot of different kites, boards and wetsuits, so that we can adapt to the different weather conditions in which we teach.
You therefore do not need to buy your own equipment until you have completed your kitesurfing course , and that way you will also find out more easily which kite and board suit your needs. If you are in doubt about something, always ask your instructor for help.
See our selection of kites and boards . We have, among other things, equipment from North , Liquid Force and Airush .
Are you curious to learn more about the different types of kites or would you like to hear what kind of kite packages we offer, click here video and watch as I go through just this.
6. Can I buy used equipment?
Yes, you can, but if you are starting out, it can be a bit of a jungle to find out what to look for. So if you want to buy used, get an experienced kitesurfer to help you so you don't end up buying the wrong equipment. The advantage of buying new equipment is that you are sure that there are no problems with the equipment.
Kitesurfing equipment can quickly seem expensive, and it is also a lot of money, just when you have to get started. However, it is equipment that you can have for many years and compared to, for example, skiing, you do not have to have a lift pass here and the good thing about kitesurfing is that you can enjoy it both spring, summer and autumn instead of a single week or two.
Many also kitesurf all winter. Here, however, it is also about having invested in the right neoprene equipment, see our selection here .
Read more about what you should pay attention to when buying your first kitesurfing equipment here .
7. What equipment do I need to have to get started after finishing the course?
- Wetsuit.
- Kite(s) - It is always a good idea to have more than one kite, as kite str. depends on the weather.
- Bar
- Trapeze
- Leash and a safety knife - a special small knife that can sit in the trapeze
- Helmet - buy a helmet made for water sports instead of using your bike helmet
- Neoprene shoes - can be nice if there are stones on the bottom and in the colder months
See also our guide kitesurfing for beginners
8. Do I need to be in good shape to kitesurf?
You don't need to be in great shape to learn to kitesurf, but like anything else, it helps if you're reasonably fit. Kitesurfing is basically not hard, as the pull from the kite comes through your trapezium. However, some form will definitely help you on your kitesurfing course and will help prevent injuries.
9. Tips and tricks for my first kitesurfing course?
Turn up with the big "yes hat" on and trust your instructor and trust his instructions. Try to be relaxed in your body and be patient. If you are completely tensed up in your body, it can quickly lead to you trying to rush through the various steps. Each step is part of the progression towards becoming an independent kitesurfer and requires training.
Enjoy being on the water. When I learned to kitesurf myself, my instructor said "Don't snooze - hang loose" which is an expression that you should show up and enjoy getting on the water. Kitesurfing is fun and if you get "hooked" on kiteboarding, you have a sport that you can do most of the year and that you can also go on holiday with and gain experiences and new social communities through.
10. Why should I take my kitesurfing course at Frozen Palm Tree?
Frozen Palm Tree is based in Amager, more precisely at Prags Blvd 43, Copenhagen S. You are always welcome to come down to our showroom and see our equipment or for a non-binding chat about a kitesurfing course.
We, at Frozen Palm Tree, are a team where the passion for water sports is the most important thing and we like to share our experience and enthusiasm for kitesurfing with others. Frozen Palm Tree is an extension of Amager kite school, which was established in 2009. We strive to give our customers the best possible experience with water sports. This applies regardless of whether it is through our courses or via the best equipment on the market.
Our instructors are all passionate and skilled kitesurfers themselves who surf frequently to improve their skills and become even better. Everyone has several years of teaching experience, so you are definitely in good hands. We also offer a wide selection of courses, so there is sure to be something that suits you. In addition, we still want to maintain the good relationship with you, even after the course has ended, which is why we have developed the Kite+ concept. If you buy equipment through us after completing the course, you automatically become part of Kite+'s Facebook group. Here you become part of a community consisting of former course participants and instructors . We aim to have 1-2 instructors out on Sydvestpynten twice a week, if the wind permits. We are available here to help you get on the water, help if you are still a little uncertain about launching or have some unresolved questions. It is always nice to meet former students and see their development in the sport.
Hope to see you on the water this spring.
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