What To Bring on Your First Day of Kiteboarding Lessons

Kiteboarding is an incredible sport that can provide you with a leisurely cruise or incredible air. If you’ve just signed up for kiteboarding lessons, you may feel a mixture of excitement and anxiety in the days leading up to it. Read on to learn more about what to bring on your first day of kiteboarding lessons if you are bringing your own gear so that you are ready to begin learning!

At our Adventure Sports Kitesurfing School and Concession, we supply all students with premier Cabrinha gear while learning. Students often use this time to try out different types of kites and boards to find their own preference. If you want to come prepared with your own gear, stop by one of our shops before your lesson!

Kitesurfing Boards

The most challenging part of learning how to kiteboard is figuring out what size and model of equipment are right for you. To begin with, let’s consider what kind of board you should be looking for. For beginners, bigger is typically better. Large boards make it easier to get yourself up onto the board. Once you’re up and kiting, the larger board will be much easier for you to balance while you get comfortable and find your sea legs.

You should first consider your height and weight. Lighter and smaller kiters should look for boards that are between 136–144 cm in length, while taller and heavier kiters should consider boards that are 144–165 cm in length.

Another aspect is to consider the shape of the boards. Boards that are wide in the middle but taper toward the ends will displace less water and are a favorite among more advanced riders. Beginners should instead look at the boards that appear more like a consistent rectangle, as they displace more water and thus require less power and effort to get on.

Keep in mind that it’s essential for your board to suit you, and that is why it’s first on the list of what to bring on your first day of kiteboarding lessons, even if it seems obvious. If you would like to try out different styles of boards, we have many to choose from. During each lesson, try a different board so that you can slowly find your own preference.

Kiteboarding Kites

The next major piece of equipment is the kite itself. There are three kinds of kites you’ll choose between: bow kites, hybrid kites, and C-shaped kites.

Bow kites are the most popular model for beginners because you can de-power them fully. This feature makes them the safest option for beginners learning to get a handle on their kites that they might struggle to stop otherwise. These kites can also catch a larger range of wind and are typically the easiest to re-launch from the water. This is perfect for ensuring you can make all the necessary mistakes as you learn.

The terms hybrid kites and delta kites cover a wide variety of kites, and they’re more of an in-between of bow and C-shaped kites. While not quite as beginner-friendly as the bow kite, this is still a viable option to choose because it’s still easy to de-power or re-launch.

More advanced riders prefer C-shaped kites because they help them get more air and perform unhooked tricks. As a result, you should avoid these while you’re still learning.

Kiteboarding Harness

A harness is important for transferring the pull of the kite from your hands to your body. Without it, your kite will constantly escape your grasp! These harnesses also make it easier to create a balance zone that allows you to steer, turn, and control your kite with greater ease.

When it comes to harnesses, you’ll be able to choose from waist, seat, and boardshort harnesses. Unlike with boards and kites, there’s no hard recommendation for beginners. You’ll need to try on the different harnesses to figure out which feels the most comfortable for YOU and fits your riding style.

Seat harnesses hook lower and thus provide a lower center of gravity. This is the original harness and is popular among beginners and professionals alike. As a bonus, if back pain is a concern, the seat harness will be the most comfortable for you.

Waist and boardshorts harnesses provide a freer experience because your legs will have more room to maneuver. As a result, many people find these options more comfortable and less obtrusive to wear or swim around in.

Wetsuits and Helmets

Like learning to ride a bike, it’s possible to hurt yourself when you don’t know what you’re doing. A helmet will be provided for you, but in case you would like your own, check out our collection of water safety helmets. The helmet will protect your head should you ever fall somewhere shallow or collide with other kiters. Any sort of accident could occur, so a helmet is always a smart precaution.

The wetsuit will keep you insulated and help you retain your body heat should you practice on—and fall into—waters below 65 degrees. Being cold can slow you down and dull your motor skills, so a wetsuit will just ensure that your time on the water is safer and more enjoyable. Here in Miami, we recommend a 3/2 wetsuit for the cold front windy days.

Impact Vests

Kitesurfers debate the use of impact vests, but it’s generally good to have an impact vest on hand—especially when you’re new and expecting to fall often. While similar to a life preserver, impact vests are slimmer and more comfortable to wear. These items focus more on protecting your rib cage from bumps and bruises you may experience. Furthermore, the vests will provide you with a bit of extra float should you end up needing to tread water.

It’s important to mention that impact vests are not life-saving devices, however, because their buoyancy simply isn’t strong enough. The padding primarily helps you shrug off impacts and prevent injuries so that you can return to your board. Check out our Dakine Seeker Vests for the best high hook for kiting.

With the equipment discussed here today, you’ll be ready to tackle your first day of kiteboarding lessons with absolute confidence.