How Beginning Kiteboarding *Actually* feels + How Not to Self-Rescue

Twin Buttes Lake, Wyoming. Wind was variable 10-35 mph (perfect learning conditions :)). Kite is a 2011 Slingshot Rally 10m, Board is a Spleene Session 139. This was my first real attempt at kiteboarding on my own (not alone... my friend was with me, he was just off riding elsewhere). I had spent a ton of time body dragging and multiple years landboarding, snow kiting & buggying. I had about 3 hours of sleep the night before. Hopefully my shenanigans help you realize what you're getting into :) (incidentally, I'm quite a bit better now).

[@konradpohl3308]

Amazing footage! Hope you survived the e-coli and ride effortless by now! Anyone feeling stuck at this stage should know that you are just a few sessions away from feeling like a pro and have fun 99% of the time in the water. Just don't give up and watch some more youtube-tutorials about the skills you struggle with!

[@houseofdyer]

Thanks! It is very close to effortless now, for sure and that’s a really good point. It only took a couple of sessions after this with steady wind to figure out water starts and then it was hard to remember what the big deal was. Keep at it!

[@AdrianHarrismtb]

It really does feel that you are the only one that battles out there when everyone else is cruising around like its the easiest thing on the planet. Thanks for your video, makes one want to get out and practice again!

[@houseofdyer]

Adrian Harris totally. The crazy thing is that now that I'm much better, it doesn't seem that hard. But boy it sure seemed hard that day. :)

[@johnrga]

Adrian Harris I totally agree. I put my kite up about 5 years ago but this makes me want to get out and try it again.

[@hamishptwc7253]

thats because they have had 30+ more sessions kiting than you. ;) few more and that will be you too :)

[@houseofdyer]

Heck, even 5 sessions with good wind made a HUGE difference for me. I don't even think about water starts / transitions now, and I'm probably only 10 or so sessions past this point.

[@insanedb]

i was thinking the same thing

[@adamdennis2936]

Dude, you are the man! Because youhave the balls to show us how much truth is here... Unedited. Thank you my brother, life ssver

[@voyagerpalms1537]

It brings back the memories. I learned one thing in kitesurfing never give up never quit Practice makes perfect. 🤙✌️

[@MrNitrogenX]

Thanks man, its good to know someone struggles the same way I do.

[@kathrynellman4104]

You had me in tears laughing....the swearing, the crashing, the frustration trying to get the damn board back on. Omg. I needed this. Lesson #6 for me (age 53) yesterday didn't looked this good. I haven't even actually gotten up yet!

[@alexandermayerkirstein]

It takes guts and true selfless commitment for the advantage to others alone for you to post this video. Few videos on this sport have given me up front awareness of the effect of subtle mistakes and the toll being tired can wreak on even a knowledgeable careful albeit inexperienced kiter. Kudos for sharing and thank you for what I take from this into my endeavors.

[@cweekly]

Thanks for sharing details of the mistakes you made -- very helpful for other beginners vs only ever watching a pro do it exactly right.

[@zerobond1]

Best kitesurfing Video I have ever seen.

[@darrenmiller3333]

I'm currently just getting board starts, literally the most frustrating sport I ever tried!! 52 years old and this is my mid life crisis! This was actually a really useful video thanks for sharing your struggles, hope your smashing it by now

[@Ramstoned]

I feel you brother

[@683728]

Just finished my first day trying to kite and your video totally sums up how it went!! So glad I'm not the only one! Thanks for posting

[@DadGoesKitesurfing]

Really loved this video and watched it many times, it's generous to share this kind of situation where your errors can be a good learning example for others. Kitesurfing is fun provided you're ready to face this kind of weird situation.

[@huck4321]

"That wasn't fun at all".... yet we still keep going out for more:) I love this example learning wind sport. It was the same with windsurfing except the reward to suffering ratio was even less favorable. Now we all get to start again with wingfoiling but at least we know what to expect. If you had started kiting about 15 years earlier, this footage would have been even more frustrating/frightening. The early generation C-kites did not relaunch well and lacked much depower. Relaunching often required aggressive swimming toward the kite to put slack in the lines and hopefullly get it to roll onto it's side and then it was a small miracle if it actually took, to he air....many of us became very proficient at self rescue. I think it was around 2005 when the current, swept back leading edge style kites came around. I recall first flying a Cabrinha Crossbow in 2006, instantly the sport seemed so much easier and safer.

[@crowe9385]

I’ve been watching sooo many hours of footage hyping myself up to pulling the trigger on a setup. This video is perfect and how I expect my experience to go in so many ways haha. Saving this and coming back to thank you down the line. Great footage.

[@324kca]

Dude, I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say thank you for the candid video and for putting your pride aside. We've all been in the exact same shoes and could relate to some ot all of it. Great video man. Not a laughing matter at the time for sure, but I laughed my ass off throughout the video. Thanks!!

[@thecoldzero911]

This is my favorite video on you channel... i’m learning and laughing at your honest reactions, reminds me of my first time wakeboarding.

[@zachpaye446]

I love how honest you are with yourself 😂 keep it up brother 🙏

[@remickulous9959]

Thank gawd I'm not the only one going through this! The cussing, the exhaustion, the lack of fun. Thanks for sharing this humble beginning, it gives guys like me hope. Now I'll watch your progression & see if I can turn that into my own progression :-)

[@houseofdyer]

Remickulous thanks man. Don't be fooled by the "cool kids". EVERYONE goes through this. They either forget or are trying to impress but all noobs struggle with this shit. The sad thing is that I was a pretty good snowkiter when I took this. I'm finally a decent water rider but this was a rite of passage, IMO. Glad it helped give you hope. :)

[@JamesLamb]

I'm just learning but I'm an old guy. I think being old, I'm not in a rush to look cool. Also, so far even getting thrashed has been fun. First time I got thrashed was in the middle of the bay, but an instructor was there in a boat so when I wore myself out he helped me get back in the boat. The second time I was at a beach that had shallow water so after I accidentally flushed my sinuses, I could still touch bottom and walk to shore. I'm taking it slow... It's going to be a few months before we have consistent wind again.

[@christophremmery4520]

02:41 "trying to spit out the e-coli" Hahahahahahahaa

[@Michelle-xw2iy]

This was great for my learning, glad to know I'm not the only one with issues in the beginning :)

[@daved3783]

This is a great video. It's all the things I went through when learning. Especially the frustrations. Thanks for posting this I'm gonna show it friends who are starting out in the sport. It'll let them know they aren't the only ones.

[@houseofdyer]

Haha. Thanks! It's a pretty good example of why a) to take a lesson and b) travel to the coast whilst learning.

[@aidanthomas6969]

Brilliant Video...I feel your pain and frustrations...It's given me some pointers...Glad to see you made it back OK...Just a little out of breath...

[@ButchRisma]

This is an awesome video. People who have never tried would never know the struggle of learning--I'm one of those people, but am so excited to try this...just waiting for funding to buy some gear!! Thanks for posting this. It's INSPIRING! Would love to see you fly today!

[@mattnoell1968]

I am so excited about learning how to do this soon. This is a great video. Thanks. M. ;)

[@grandretirement]

Great Video! As a newby for a couple of years, this is way more realistic than how easy the others make it look! Definitely have to put in the time and take some lumps, Good work!

[@williamoconnor7917]

Thanks for you honesty dude! I'm looking forward to my first lesson this weekend and have been watching all these perfect tutorials on youtube. I have a feeling this is a bit more like the real thing. I know I will get my ass kicked over and over again but it helps to know that so does everyone else. Keep the faith Zoolander! Hope you are having fun in the water.

[@houseofdyer]

William O'Connor LOL! Remember to make small corrections with the board, not the kite! Good luck and have a killer time!

[@Rix2907]

Just love this video, thanks for the honesty

[@keithmoorechannel]

This is a terrific video. Reminds me of my early days board sailing. Will be learning to kiteboard this spring. It looked impossibly easy on other clips. This is reality.

[@MarreLirre]

I enjoy seeing this. I remember my first session alone, I figured I should try a self-rescue as well and wrapped the bar wrong. It took me 3 hours to untangle it! On the positive side, I'll never do that mistake again :)

[@eastbend99]

Awesome video, appreciate you posting.

[@d-mtb2564]

loved the vid man very funny i laught nearly the whole way till the end :) just got a kite last week and i can see this video being me lol ill make sure i know how to self rescue :)

[@dbridges01]

This is an amazing video. Really made me smile. I’m not as advanced as this and I can see me going through exactly the same 😅

[@ZanyWabbit]

fair play dude, nobody is perfect when starting out. Great video, keep up the practice :)

[@GMStrickland]

Great honest video. There aren!t enough examples of what go wrong.

[@1989Armstrong]

thanks for sharing man. just getting in to the sport, havent taken a lesson yet or been on the water. this has convinced me to not be an idiot and take lessons. not saying your am idiot. theres just alot i still dont know. again tha ks and hope your next sessions are more fun

[@houseofdyer]

1989Armstrong naw dude. You're spot on. I was only self taught because there wasn't a teacher within 1,000 miles. Went to the coast and took one lesson and I was riding like a champ from then on. Good call.

[@TimMcFarley]

Very similar thing happened when I was learning, well done for using the harness buckle to wind the kite in!

[@tabakh7252]

It's so cool that you share your experiences with the world. I am a beginner, too. And I have the same issues :D

[@phutton88]

Love to see another beginner getting out there brother! And making the extra effort to shoot and edit! The struggle is REAL! Takes some serious guts to get out there on your own and fail a lot and make yourself believe you're learning LOL! Great video! Thanks!

[@wakaama9762]

Great vid thanks for your honesty Namaste.

[@kevind166]

I have just bought my first kite and really appreciate this video👍

[@JonTaRW84]

So good that there is videos like this, This is why people should take a course or train with a proffessional in the beginning so your 110% sure what to do in a self rescue situation :)

[@houseofdyer]

Jonta Wik or what NOT to do as the case may be. :)

[@ottozitnik2234]

Hi. Perfect video :-). This video should be present by every kiteschool. Especially the kite packing. That was very hazardous. Take care , man.

[@steveruston]

Good on you bro. Extremely helpful .

[@carltonandjessica]

Thanks for the video it reminds me of my riding and also to practice self rescue. I'll look for your next video of you ripping it up.

[@nadinechristinbetz4668]

this video gives hope / reality - LIKE IT A LOT ! just started kiteboarding and I dont feel so "alone" anymore with all the struggle in the beginning..

[@locke434]

me too!

[@andrewhild4428]

dont get me wrong i like all the glamour keteboarding vidz out there but this my favorite i know when i do begin looking at this will give me hope not to quit and its just not me either .. ty again

[@apriliarsvfour2029]

I think you actually did very well for your first time out....after multiple lessons and similar experiences, it still feels like Mistake #4 for me, but is getting much better each time out

[@dor1142]

Thnx for the video man! really, im new too, its great to see stuff like this!

[@houseofdyer]

Sweet. I'm happy to help. The two biggest things I've learned since then are 1) instead of trying to transition while learning, just put the kite to 12, sink back down the water, then start the other way, and 2) when water starting, make your corrections with the board (not the kite). #1 is why I crashed the first time and #2 is why I face planted. Best of luck! Post some vids!!!

[@dor1142]

+Dave Dyer Haha! Will do!

[@Tanapseudes]

You had a long first run. I just barely popped up on my board. I have 12 meter Wainman boss. Doing all the body drags and those with board and trying bobber with board. I am glad that kite didn't come off the water when you had the equal lines. Good job kiter.

[@Angela-un2tx]

omg....so glad you filmed this stuff man! I was just thinking of doing a vlog while I am learning...lol thanks! I swear at my kite and call it a C**t too!!!! sooo funny!

[@phutton88]

Ha cool chica!

[@staceyp9251]

that was the best

[@anitaankarlou3789]

I am also a beginner rider and it’s good to know that I am not the only one struggling like this🙈🙈

[@daryedwards8981]

That’s been an honest vid. Exactly how events turn out.

[@notyouraveragewindsurfer]

Thanks for sharing this man, I was thinking "is he kiting alone on his first time?" lol

[@Ripstop_pilot]

love to see this. some mistakes I'm yet to make. but hopefully will not make by going out and practicing self rescue. I started kite surfing this week. been out 4 times. 1st 2 sessions were only 30 min long, the effort tired me out so fast. the 3rd time I managed to get up and going in both directions so u was out for 45mins as it seems to take less effort once you are up. and today on my 4th I had a good hour n a half before the wind dropped off. so much fun when it just falls into place. I know have to learn how to turn. eeeek.

[@2Stroke_yourtje]

Man i still need to begin kitesurfing and thinking i dont make mistakes like you do but believe me i will! And yes nrver give up and you'll be fine!

[@Jochumvideos]

Thanks for sharing, keep it up!

[@guycollishaw1957]

3:44 has to be my most used phrase when I've lost my board or the kite decides to drop out of the sky hahah.

[@houseofdyer]

Guy Collishaw LOL. Right?

[@freshseafood3036]

i remember it all... not being able to bodydrag or control my kite at low winds... the wide hand placement... learning how to foil pretty much brings the green feeling back to kiting, its quite frustrating and quite fun!

[@mblank8141]

I really enjoyed your video! I actually just finished a three day course and think I'm about the same level as you are right now. I especially liked the E.Coli remark. Try seawater for a change : )

[@MaciejPiotrowski]

good video and great example of how not easy self rescue can be.

[@lightespeed]

That was really funny, really honest and brave to put that on. It seem that even sports that require high levels of skill look easy, this actually looks very difficult, I'm trying to decide whether to give it a go, but it looks as if quite a feat of coordination is required. I hope you have it mastered by now.

[@houseofdyer]

lightespeed yeah. It just took a couple of good wind days and a lesson and I got it no problem. The hardest part is learning how the kite dynamics work - what to do in a lull, when it’s going to pull hard, all the safety stuff, all the moving parts, different kite flight characteristics, etc.

[@Allemand82]

A realistic video. thank you!

[@meradu2]

i can feel the pain and how exhausted you are lol not to worry I got my kite stuck on the bridge and I was hanging by the line and I got rescue by a kayaker lol Thank you for sharing your video

[@phutton88]

My kite almost landed in someone's beach back yard on Daytona beach lol! I was rusty after my first lesson 5 years before and was struggling to remember everything and maintain control. I'm afraid of causing damage and getting someone hurt, but you have to study and practice and think everything through. The end result of being competent will make it all worth it, eventually!

[@jasondesignmedia7495]

I Know the feeling from other pursuits, total empathy hope it gets easier.

[@georgy4723]

Thanks Man !! that was helpful video for beginners

[@davysplash1966]

What school did you go to? All wrong. Stick with it! 🤙

[@EricJaspersFilms]

Oh boy, I'm 62 years old and just starting my Kite adventure. Looking at this brave footage I wonder rather I should continue 😞

[@houseofdyer]

LOL. You’ll be fine. Go get some steady wind and a lesson and you’ll do a lot better than I did!

[@sowshulmedia9482]

Well done Dave... having the balls to post this video... the first 6 mins -ish are exactly how frustrating it is to attempt to teach yourself... and in gusty, under-powered, inland lake conditions no less ... then of course, starting at 7 mins that shiznit was *scary*... if the kite had taken off on you at that point you would have been fooked... all wrapped up and no place to go ... :)

[@naturalstatekiteboardingno7601]

Great video

[@dirkvandevelde527]

Ohhhhh I am so happy I am not suffering the same alone HAHAHA , nice video ! I am a beginner myself and at the max 10 seconds on the board stage . I am sure you are much better now . just one thing that makes it easier is bring the kite to 12 before trying again . take care !

[@houseofdyer]

Dirk DVD Thanks man! I'm definitely quite a bit better now. :). For sure gotta start deeper in the window than I did this day :)

[@robwilkinson8497]

its a good video, so honest! when figuring out how to turn/change tack..dont go too far from base (ie where you launched from) when I was figuring out the turn I would stop..sit my arse back in the water..turn the kite to fly the opposite way and start over..going the opposite heading of course. Sliding turn will come, make sure to begin the kite turn before you initiate the board turn..that way the kite is in position and beginning to face the opposite way as you do the turn.

[@mariusoz2588]

Thank you much for sharing this. Today I was riding properly for the first time, my 7th time out in the water [it felt good!!!]. I understand the frustration during the learning process. After all that you would have been very tired.One thing I will never do is fly in wind coming off land. Get to know when the wind is right. Study the wind forecasts and get to know your area well. Go home before you get too tired, this is when you injure yourself.

[@houseofdyer]

Rad, Marius! That's great, man. I've probably got a couple dozen days under my belt now (including a trip to the coast) and have no problem at all staying upwind and I probably nail about 75% of my transitions. Offshore wind also scares the hell out of me, but in a lake it's all onshore, baby :). Lemme know how your learning is going and post some vids!

[@richardcarlisle6692]

When I lived inland and tried kitesurfing on lakes I ended up giving up. I had a few OK sessions but it was always a struggle dealing with the inconsistent wind on the lakes. Great lakes would be an exception because of the size. It all came together when I moved to the coast and found consistent wind almost every day.

[@daveyvanseventer3011]

Thanks for this video.

[@cokamaksimovic]

I am a beginner and you have just made me laugh so hard :)

[@maxyoon2520]

I was thinking self teaching kite board.. but after watch this video. I am definitely taking a lesson

[@houseofdyer]

Max Yoon good call, man. It seems expensive and time consuming and you just wanna ride but the lesson is totally worth it.

[@maxyoon2520]

@@houseofdyer Oh thank you for the video and the reply. This video really helped me to make decision. I actually went to the kite school today for register. Please upload more of kite video lol

[@JeromeLoman]

Nice one, my first self rescue was worst than that. I didn't tighten flag line first and because I have a kite that flagged on both center line it stayed 30% powered, took me 30 min to wrap lines.

[@houseofdyer]

Jerome Loman oof. I've been there with some flysurfer mishaps on the land. How were your forearms afterwards? :)

[@JeromeLoman]

Dave Dyer definitely hurting ;), kite was in relaunch position while I was winding up bar, I couldn't do the 10 inch wrap up so just went around one end of bar, took forever. Then I went swimming to help 2 other kiter go had lines wrapped around feet. Wind died and all beginners got stuck very close to beach but with side shore breeze haha. After that went swimming in marina to retrieve the boards. It was dark by the time i made it back to the car. Was my first session with instructor ;)

[@houseofdyer]

Jerome Loman LOL. I hear ya. My first time on an actual lesson (about a year after this video) I ended up rescuing a guy who lost his kite like a mile from shore or more. I’m kinda anti-leash, but for a rescue device, it came in super handy that day. Was too exhausted to ride afterwards, but I felt like I did a good deed for the day.

[@shengding8844]

Nice video, I went through the pain last weekend, haha

[@pag93]

Thank you bro is really annoying all this pros make it seem really simple. I am after 10 hours training and I am around your level. Next time I think I ll use only the kite to see better the power points. Good luck with your progress keep trying we will figure it out 🤟🤟

[@azaleabalon4525]

tbh, hard to watch this. but its good that you shared equivalently.critical to learning. thanks dude

[@roymds06]

Good job brother;))

[@elmandibulas1605]

very good analysis of all your acts. Thanks for describing and recording!!! Kitesurf is secure if we follow security steps. We are not criminals!!

[@twostep919]

The only way that could have gotten worse is if Jaws suddenly started stalking you despite the fact that it's a lake. Thanks for posting the experience

[@earthflute2248]

Thanks. What not to do is as informative as proper ways to do it.

[@zablonskys1]

Good job man , I got the kites , now I need the balls Thanks for the video

[@jakke1975]

You effing kite! Damned e coli!! Whooohooo!! Splash!! Aarrrgghh! Dude, you are too funny! 😂

[@lewinalejandroespinal6770]

thanks for the video appreciated

[@jjpython]

awesome video, people need to see how it is to be a learner

[@JustinSmithWY]

My first ever attempt yesterday, headed home from the OBX today. Amazing that the first video I pulled up today is from Wyoming, which is where I live (a long ways from OBX).

[@Brotha00]

Justin Smith how’d your first time go?

[@katya1031]

good job!!!

[@robertoc.4056]

Ti capisco davvero tanto, ci sto passando anche io! Si continua lo stesso, non deve vincere lui, alla fine lo domeremo

[@yeremychauvin7253]

I got so sick there in 2013 skiing and no way I'm going back in that water. Good luck .....

[@staceyp9251]

This made me laugh in a good way. I say a lot of "Fkin FK damnit man" if I was recording that might be my theme song.

[@djedi225]

Never go alone !!!!!!!!

[@houseofdyer]

I wasn’t alone. That’s in the text and the video. But nevertheless, good advice.

[@michelegraces8084]

3:47 You F.ing C.... lol

[@alexandersavin1538]

Very useful. Text great!

[@pinktrooper2]

very good video. a lot to learn from for beginners.youre kite has a very good relaunch capabilities or it's a strong wind? hovewer coments disappears to soon, not enough to time to read and think in what happening in that moment, at least for me

[@user-rl9ou2bh6p]

THIS IS IT!!!

[@alfghoul3793]

Try and keep your hand on the middle of the bar to get more power and tension on your lines

[@MrAnthism]

First and most mistake of all newcomers, including myself, your hands is wayyyyy outside the bar, they should be near the center lines all the time, so the rider can make smoother movements of the kite at least at the beginning where all your focus is on the kite, instead of where your heading..

[@houseofdyer]

Thanks man! Duly noted. I have an 8m RPM and it has done a pretty good job of teaching me to do exactly that. It's a good teacher. I couldn't agree more. :)

[@watevaa1234567]

We've all been there :) But I still think your friend should have kept a closer eye on you...