We offer holidays for everyone; Beginners, Improvers and Advanced kiters
Beginners Package
Will I be strong or fit enough to Kitesurf?
Well, although when kitesurfing you are controlling a large, powerful kite, and can make incredible jumps and tricks using the power of the wind, you don't need a corresponding amount of strength. In fact, because you are hooked into a harness you take all of the pull around your waist and not on your arms. This means that literally anyone can kitesurf (I have taught people from the ages of 9 all the way up to 60). A feel for the kite and the wind, and an ability to fly it safely is all important - not brute strength. This isn't to say that kitesurfing can't be very dangerous if you don't learn it properly. That is why having proper lessons, and learning at the right pace so that you become safe and independent are so vital. Having a certain level of swimming ability and not being too scared of the water are, however, important.
Will I be on the board straight away?
Woah, hold your horses (or even your kite). Everyone learns at a different pace - so we only occassionally get people on the board on day 1, but generally in a couple of days you should be starting to try. Our philosophy is to teach you thouroughly how to fly the kite. It is the most important part of kitesurfing, and a little more time spent doing this at the beginning makes a world of difference to your ultimate pace of learning, confidence and enjoyment of this incredible sport. Remember, we do unlimited lessons, so you are not wasting time or money by practicing a bit more.
So what is involved in learning to kitesurf?
Stage 1 - Introduction to the Kite:
- Flying small kites on the beach and learning about the Wind Window, Neutral Zone and Power Zone
- Learning how to pump, rig, carry, secure an inflatable kite, and it's safety systems
- How to launch and land safely
- Flying the kite in the neutral zone
- Flying the kite one handed
- Feeling where the power zone is and having some fun feeling the pull on the beach (by now you'll understand why we learn to fly it competently first!)
Stage 2 - Body-dragging in the water
I teach with radio helmets so am in constant contact with you
- Go fly! Now we're in the water, and moving the kite through the power zone, and feel the awesome power of the kite, by downwind body-dragging
- Go on, do it again and again - you'll love it! And it improves your kite control
- Crosswind body-dragging. Keeping the kite in one side of the window in order to pull you that way, then please come back!
Stage 3 - Boardstart
- Theory on the beach
- Practice on the beach
- Practice in the water
Stage 4 - Practice
- Starting first time every time
- Riding. Kite in correct position, edging and leaning to control the power, balance on the board
- Riding the other direction. Quite a vital skill! One side will be better than the other
- Turning
- Just enjoying being on the board and becoming an independent and happy kitesurfer!
Evenings
Back at High Flyers House, over our home made aprés-kite cakes & a beverage we'll talk about how you got on, watch the action from the day etc. In the evenings sample the atmosphere in town, or if you're all kited out, relax at home and watch a movie or UK Freeview TV.
If you're worried about the expense of going out for meals each night we have a fully fitted kitchen so you are more than welcome to cook for yourselves in the apartment.
- Have you had basic lessons and are trying on the board?
- Kitesurf a little but still aren´t consistently boarding in control?
- You aren´t confident yet kiting alone
Then come on a High Flyers Improvers holiday. Get quality, patient instruction all week, to get you up and riding and getting to the real fun part of actually kitesurfing.
Want To Work On Specific Skills? - Progression Package
- Don't kite as much as you would like, and not improving much?
- Can kite ok but just want some wind?
- Want to ride toe-side, do carve turns, jump better, do back-loops, front-loops, unhooking, ride waves etc?
- You´re a kiter who doesn´t want the hassle of organising accommodation, transport etc. Come and join other kiters and let us do it all for you.
Regular tips and pointers, video analysis, riding along with us (follow the leader - watch & repeat out on the water, the best way of learning) and advice on how to perform new moves are all part of the Progression package. Bring your own kit or use ours, its up to you.
*** IF THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE TYPE OF HOLIDAY YOU ARE LOOKING FOR - BOOK NOW FOR MAY & JUNE AND GET 10% DISCOUNT AND A FREE KITEBOARDING INSTRUCTIONAL DVD ***