Can I Teach Myself How To Kitesurf? - Some Recommendations

In this video, we're going to talk about how you can learn to kitesurf. We'll cover some important points that will help you get started, and give you some recommendations for resources that you can use to learn more!
Kitesurf is a great sport to learn if you're looking for a fun and challenging activity that you can do on your own. In this video, we're going to talk about some of the important points you need to know to start kitesurfing the right way. From the basics of kitesurfing to more advanced techniques, this video is a great place to start your journey to becoming a kitesurfing expert!
This video is part of a series about teaching yourself to kitesurf.
Can i teach myself to kitesurf?
It is a common question many people do. When you observe kite surfers, it seems easy to control as they do not even look at the kite while riding. All seems very easy, and so you might feel tempted to learn by yourself. However, kitesurfing can be dangerous if you are unaware of the basics. Kitesurfing is a high-risk activity if you do not know what you are doing. Self-learning usually is not worth the risk and can be much more expensive if you want to do it correctly. In this video, I will cover the problems of learning by yourself and some tips on how to do it better.
Self practicing can be a good idea, but the first attempts should be guided to understand what you are up against. With kitesurfing, the problems appear quickly and can be dangerous.
However, if you are a crazy self-learner kind of guy, here are some steps you can follow to help you out. Even if you take lessons, these steps still apply even after your lessons. I still recommend you to take lessons, and it is even cheaper than learning by yourself.
So I recommend you understand and learn the wind theory. Understanding the wind is crucial for a wind sport. You need to understand how it behaves so you can safely learn and practice.
Start with a small trainer kite. A trainer kite is a kite with very low power but allows you to understand the wind window's kite behavior without unbalancing it is pilot.
Use reliable and right equipment. So if you plan to start with used equipment, it might be a problem if you get outdated or equipment that is not trimmed correctly or for a specific use.
Use safety gear while learning, and mostly alone, the chances of getting injured increase.
Have a kitesurfer friend or someone else around. It is all new so having someone who understands what you are doing will be essential if you need help. Make sure you try on excellent and safe wind days. This is very important to make sure you have a good time. Also, choose the right place to practice so you can make your mistakes but still get back quickly and safely. To help you with that, make sure you have a water rescue plan if things do not go so well.
Do you know the dangers involved in kitesurfing?
• The Dangers of Kitesur...
Do you know anyone that kitesurfs that can help you out?
Do you know what is an excellent spot to kitesurf, and do you have one that you can go to?
Do you know how to read the wind, understand direction speed, the wind window, and the safety precautions you should have?
• Wind Direction, Speed,...
Do you have safety gear that you can use?
Do you have the right equipment to learn safely?
• The Right Gear for Pra...
Is it worth it?
If you don't know or want to know more. Check some of the answers to these questions in some of our videos.
Videos will be put here:
Wind window:
• What is the wind windo...
00:00 Who am I
00:19 Do you want to know how to kitesurf by yourself?
00:44 Can I teach myself to kitesurf?
01:04 Kitesurf can be dangerous
01:36 Crazy self-learners
02:02 Is it Possible to learn on your own?
3:13 Do you know the answer to these questions?
3:48 Is it worth it?
#kitesurf #selflearning #caniteachmyself
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Website: www.kookproof.com
Instagram: / kookproof
Twitter: / kook_proof
Facebook: / kookproof

[@ricardocosta8415]

Self taught of kitesurfing sounds dangerous, or maybe I'm not that adventurous! :D :D I cannot wait to be able to learn it (with classes) as soon as this pandemic is more controlled and safe to interact with people! Once more, nice video and good job!

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

Thanks, Ricardo, For sure learning by yourself is not a good idea. In the *next videos* , I'll post some more tips that are critical for people learning alone but also very important for anyone after the lessons.

[@mikkel_hansen_dkk]

YEEOW

[@thiagonferreira1310]

Great Video! I read and watched about 20+ hours worth of kiteboarding videos (including almost all of yours) bought a trainer kite and practiced for about 2 months (2 times a week or more). Then paid for ONE lesson 2 Hours long, and felt that i could learn to kite at my local spot by myself after that. Anybody that does this without any lessons whatsoever is either really gifted or a daredevil. PS. I've snowboarded for about 12 years.

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

Thanks for the feedback. Glad to hear my videos are helpful. For sure, lessons are needed and can help out a lot with the progression. A small trainer kite is perfect for making the most out of the classes. Keep rocking.

[@olivierdelatouche9453]

Sono bought my kite surfing gear already, and I just saw your video, so I'll go alone but you made me think that if it's to difficult or if I frighten myself, I'll pay for a few lessons

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

The first ones are a solid investment. After and because you have gear you can practice. But get the basic dialled in so you do not put yourself in unnecessary danger or ruin your equipment.

[@olivierdelatouche9453]

@@KookProofActivityCenter so I'm watching your other videos on the subject, it will help me to evaluate my knowledge and make the right decision. Thanks for your response, and greetings from France

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

@@olivierdelatouche9453 happy to help out. And welcome to this addiction that is kitesurfing

[@JamesLamb]

I think I would focus on the major ways serious injury and death occur. Maybe that's a later video, but...

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

It is. it would be a huge video if I made it all together so I split it into several videos. In each, I will cover each of these mentioned key points.

[@JamesLamb]

Even after lessons there were a few details I forgot that could have bad consequences. The instructors I had are around on the beach, and less annoyed about having to help and rescue people who have supported them being there. One example - most of the time in a lesson, the instructor had rigged the kite. So even though I was shown, I was not familiar enough when I bought my kite, and had attached the lines wrong. Another example... A stranger was rushing me a bit to launch. I didn't realize until later, in my hurry I hadn't attached my safety leash.

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

This is actually a great topic. When are you able to practice by yourself? What is the test? How do you know? After the lessons are you truly independent and knowing all the risks? This is very interesting as I see schools selling courses and those sometimes aren't enough. We sell lessons only as we believe you should always have lessons. Even if they become mixed with some self-learning to practice what you have learned in the lessons. I'll try to put some thought in key points to find out that you are independent as I never thought about what is it that one can tick as check boxes.

[@JamesLamb]

Also after my lessons, I remember two times trying to launch, with only friends who knew nothing about kiteboarding. Event 1: was there not enough wind, or was I not getting the angle right? I still didn't have a good sense of letting the kite fill naturally. Event 2: in hindsight, I was trying to launch in an area that had wind turbulence, with one current close to ground, and another just a bit higher. In that situation, I injured my toe, which over a year later is still slightly less strong due to getting jambed.

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

I’ce seen these bad positioning several times. it’s one of the things I focus the most in our lessons as its the place most accidents happen. Turbulence and wind close to the ground is a common problem in my spot as we launch behind a small dune so the wind at the surface is lower than up. So this make people often fail the launch. Even more experienced riders than never rode there and do not know how to do a proper spot evaluation. Very interesting.

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

Find out all you need to know to learn kitesurfing by yourself. I had to learn by myself, and I was fortunate not to have injured myself along the way. When I look at some of the footage from my learning times, I was fortunate. How did you learn to kitesurf? How was it for you? Let me know here.

[@ricardocosta8415]

I don't know how to kitesurf yet, but it's something that I am willing to do. I've just discovered this sport recently when I went to Esposende to see an apartment and I saw people doing it. Since then, I've been watching your videos and I just found it fascinating!

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

@@ricardocosta8415 Then i hope to have you as one of our students soon. We will resume lessons as soon as the wind, temperature, and daylight are more favorable. In February we should restart. Send us an email and I'll get you on our WhatsApp group for lessons so you know when we are starting.

[@luisfigueroa6748]

You said nothing

[@inHell-rb]

Well now were a finish watching this series i'm a bit disappointed. It seems that You were more focused on the production of the video then to actually help on how to teach oneself how to kiteboard. the editing and productions is really bad. it may look nice, like a big think video but it comes of the cost of not sharing enough detailed information. the strict 5 minute rule you got there as a format just proves my point. Either one really wants to share information and takes the time with it or not. Everyone who is really interested in teaching oneself is going to invest time in reading, watching and researching the topic. None of your information shared here is something I didnt know from other videos. I find it lacking and I get the feeling that many topics are rushed over without creating a sense of learning more about it - it feels like you reduce the complexity of topics which isnt really healthy for beginner because they might think that these topics arent that complex and that they might not need to educate themselves more. Instead of editing the video like you did it would be nicer to visualize the steps itself instead of just writing some buzzwords big and fat. Looking trough other videos you uploaded it seems that you know how to make real educational videos about kiteboarding. its kinds sad to see that this is lacking here. Its okay to not go into detail but you could do a better job of providing a good overview on how to get to the critical information. Just mention and link videos to the topics. Talking in this general tone isnt really helpful at all. Sorry for my relativ harsh feedback -- i hope you take it well.

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

I understand your point, but this series is more of a wake-up call trying to get you to take good lessons instead of learning alone. My other tutorials are aimed at teaching and providing tips for each of the steps. To learn to kitesurf, you need to know a lot of different topics. The sequence to understand them, the constant evaluation of the conditions, the gear selections, and preparation can make a lesson good. There is no way to do this here as each day, person, spot is different and that is where a good instructor/school is important.

[@jasonchee243]

Self kite learners have high risk to loss or die (or someone else). That will be very sad.

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

Very true. Self-learning from basic is not a good idea. But we are all self-learners at one point.

[@jasonchee243]

@@KookProofActivityCenter This is my understanding on "self-learn", "self-teach" and "self-practice": Instructor is a must for newcomers to start this sport. "self-learn"/"self-teach" must be NO. Newcomers go on "self-practice" after learning with instructor. I am sorry to comment that this video, especially the title, creates false expectation for newcomers. Those newcomers (someone else nearby) may get hurt or lost their lives if they "self-teach"/"self-learn" without instructors.

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

@@jasonchee243 The video explains that you shouldn't learn by yourself. It also states the key things to check even if you had lessons. I don't encourage anyone to learn by themselves. I had to do it and it could have gone very bad. IN the next videos I'll post tips for improving yourself. Self-practice as you describe is the part that we are all learning by ourselves and these tips still apply. Of course lessons for the basics are a must. I hope that with this video if people are thinking about learning by themselves they lose the idea of doing it once they see this video and the next ones, or at least they understand what they are up against.

[@mysticpointwatersports204]

it is extremely dangerous to learn yourself ... would you teach yourself to skydive? do NOT learn on your own ... you risk your own safety and that of others as well as jeopardizing the integrity and regulation of our sport ... its not that it CAN be dangerous it IS LIFE THREATENING if you make certain mistakes ... DO NOT DO IT. Go find a good instructor with proper gear!!!

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

Completely agree. You are considering learning when you do not know anything but what about after you had some lessons. When are you able to self learn? For example jumps etc. Or self-practice? However, there are a few people that still self-learn this sport, and some like me had to as there weren't schools or teachers around. In the video, I clearly express that you shouldn't learn the basics by yourself. (this is part of a series of videos that will be posted soon)

[@mysticpointwatersports204]

@@KookProofActivityCenter I believe the student should check with the instructor for the blessing before moving on to self paced study ... peace

[@mysticpointwatersports204]

@@KookProofActivityCenter Im just re-enforcing that no one should learn on their own IMO ... we have had 4 deaths in 2 years from our local community and I would like to see people take safety more seriously here. TY

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

The whole series of the video is aimed at that. In the series I will enforce the need to learn the basics. But there will be always people that might think on doing it by themselves. The idea is to alert them to all the dangers.

[@KookProofActivityCenter]

One question. Those deaths were related to self learning or what made it happen? You talk about safety was there something particular linking them?