I am going to give kitesurfing a go, and have a lesson to start off with. Money is a concern and i would rather have only one lesson so if i like it which i am sure i will i can concentrate my money into buying gear and getting set up. Is one lesson enough to get you in the water body dragging and safe to pursue the sport safley alone? Which school would you recomend i live near birmingham. Thanks

Yeah, one lesson (a whole day) should be enough to get you up to speed on the safety aspects and to get you body draggin on the water... However, 'safe to pursue the sport safely alone' is another matter as it is unlikely to be safe if you are out there alone!! Much better to be out there with a buddy who can help you launch and land, and help out if anything goes wrong... Especially when you are starting out.

Give shem (http://www.kitesurfwales.co.uk) a go for a lesson at Borth and then get in with the guys at Borth, all of whom are willing to lend a hand and provide advice in order to keep you safe whilst on the water.

Al.

I agree with Al, much better to have a buddy with you.

Have you got a mate that wants to learn as well ?
If you have this works really well. You can share one set of kit and help each other launch, pass the board etc.

You will be doing down wind runs to start with so your mate can walk down the beach & help you land the kite. You both walk back up wind and repeat the process with your mate in the water & you taking a rest.

This way you always have some one to give you a hand & you can give each other encouragment.

As Al also said, if you go down to the beach here will always be some one who is willing to help you out if you need it.

[Edited on 16-10-2005 by Fat Shady]

whether you have lessons over here or not, its well worth getting a couple of flat water sessions in at the lagoons at Aberdyfi. Flat water only 1-2 foot deep is ideal for learning in, especially as you can walk out of the water if it all goes wrong. Just make sure you know where and when the lagoon is working properly.


Good luck.

If you're keen and really only want one lesson, get a one to one session. It'll cost more but you'll find you progress much quicker.

Make sure you're feeling fit. You'll be knackered at the end of the day!!

Cost more!! Nah it wont I do 1 on 1 for the same price, week days only.

I find that 1 instructor :2 students can often be the best.

This way you are learning with a buddy and learning how to help each other out etc... something that it is recommended to continue with after your lessons. IE: you ideally don't want to go off learning solo straight after lessons.

1:2 also means that during at least part of the lesson one of you is learning at the control end whilst the other is learning how to handle the kite and help out etc... also an important skill to have for the future.

1:2 also means that whilst one of the students is free to run around learning to safely be a caddy/buddy ... the instructor is always able to stay with the student at the control end instead of having to do the running around... which is safer than legging it off to sort out a kite leaving the student flying solo.

[Edited on 18-10-2005 by Sean C]

My thoughts exactly Sean. From experience Ive found, people get further on a 2-1 lesson. Firstly because they get the much needed brakes,( at the get up and go on the water stage, it would be virtually imposible to do a full day, 6 hours)! Secondly from watching friends mistakes you can learn a lot, and understand why little suttle differences really work!

That's me told then.....

Swings and roundabouts. Every one learns at a different pace. In an ideal world everyone would have a buddy to learn with.

[Edited on 20-10-2005 by Pluto]

Yip, personally Id love a full time personal coach!!

at a boy Doyle!!!!
at last someone has suggested that everyone learns at different speeds: cant believe it!!!!
mind you only been teaching for about 38 years..................ooooooooops who said i was an old git? come on ... i know your there!!!!!! own up....little ****s