How to waterstart kitesurfing

[@rationalthinker9181]

I am learning to kite and like everyone the water start is the hardest part. I found this video very very useful and have identified my personal issue. Thanks

[@gvtrivia6780]

likewise

[@barrymonteiro8893]

Great tip at 2:32 mark explaining how to control your body rotation during the waterstart setup by extending your front leg. I've had several lessons (and I can waterstart) but have never heard that tip before. Excellent. Thank you very much!

[@gusbisbal9803]

Yeah agreed. Best explanation ever.

[@M9Diry]

Yeah my instructors never mentioned this. Makes me think they were a bit lacking

[@frenchtiger]

So it means putting your weight on your back leg, right? I find it more natural going towards my right, as my strongest leg is my left leg. It is less natural for me to put my weight on my right leg. Any tip? 😉

[@fasteddiegr]

Excellent video for beginners. The waterstart is shown on so many videos but what happens immediately after is hard to find. This is the best I've seen on the start. Thanks Sam

[@adrienbranger4184]

Simply the best video I found on how to waterstart. Thanks for this great work! 🎉

[@mako2965]

One of the best tutorials on the youtube. Helped me a lot.

[@SamLight]

Glad it helped!

[@vlaaady]

GOod advice about rotating using legs only! The best tip is to how sheet in and out coordinated with kite up and down movements. I think this is the hardest and most useful thing to learn!

[@lovetofly32]

Thank you! This is the first time I have heard anyone say how you have to make multiple power dives to get up to speed before you can leave it at 45°. I just assumed that ONE power dive was all you needed. Nope! So thanks!

[@ronedwards2826]

Really thoughtful, detailed, clear instruction on this critical skill.

[@edhintz6066]

The tip that was new to me was keeping the kite at 10 or 2 o'clock when putting your board on. When I was first learning I struggled to keep the kite in the air and put the board on at the same time, maybe this is why. An instructor at REAL showed me how to put the board on while the kite is in the water to the side (like you would have it on relaunch) which is super easy.

[@bboystancho]

my instructor told me to keep it 12 o'clock when I am putting the board on. If it was 10 or 2 the kite would pull me. So i am not sure the tip in the video is correct. Maybe applicable for less windy conditions.

[@JamesLamb]

I'm not an instructor, but it took me a LOOOONG time to get the hang of this, so I'm very familiar with the problems. By the time someone's an instructor, it's instinctive, and some forget how challenging the little details are (especially if they first learned when they were young). Let's be frank - you can do it either way, but there are different strategies for each. If you do it 10/2, yes, the kite will pull you, but you use that to your advantage. If you're body dragging with your hand on the end of the board, you're going to want the foot openings pointed away from the line of your shoulders; then angle the board so the kite pulling/current swivels the board around towards being in front of your body with the openings towards you of course. I find it's easier to grab the board by the edge when the board starts getting into position - hold the edge underwater so you don't jam your toes on the board. As you're being pulled, it's better to get the front foot in first, and when your foot is in all the way, you can use it to help position the board to get your back foot in. But depending on your coordination, one foot may be easier than the other. At any rate, having one foot in all the way allows you to use that foot (along with your free arm) to help position the board for the other foot. It seems to me if there are waves, it's easier to control the board by getting your feet in from kite in noon position. Also, for me, I'm less likely to pull the bar the wrong way and move the kite before I'm ready. In this position you'll still be moving, but drifting downwind. So the board will be coming at you and you have to hold it away from you to get your feet in. Again, I find it easier to hold by the edge than the handle, and holding the edge underwater prevents jamming your toes on it - but you need to be ready to get your foot up there when you hold the edge under water, because that will cause the board to drift less than you are, and it will be pushing towards you - easier to hold away with your leg, once your foot is in the strap. And again, unless you're a natural, one foot will be easier than the other - get that one all the way in and use it and your leg muscles to help get the board into position for your other foot. If you're a natural, you might be able to do both feet at once.

[@leopinc]

@@JamesLamb how many hrs did it take you to navigate? I’m still trying to learn how to water start :/

[@JamesLamb]

@@leopinc after each session I wrote down approximate hours... It took about 40 hours of practice with the kite - on the beach and body dragging... before I was able to get my feet in the straps in water (not sitting on bottom). Probably the best intermediate challenge - whenever I was body dragging with the board in waves, and try to turn around and head back to shore - switching hands that are on the board and kite bar. Sometimes the board would catch in the water while trying to turn around; sometimes I'd lose control of the kite... That's probably a good part-way skill - being able to switch directions body-dragging with the board - switch hands on bar and board; maneuver the board back towards shore. And of course if you get separated from the board that's good practice getting back to the board. It takes a bit to get used to handling the board in waves so it doesn't dive under, or catch in the water and make you choose between losing the board and controlling the kite. The wind and wave conditions can make a big difference - where I learned it's not usually like in the videos where they somehow have both flat water and plenty of wind!

[@M9Diry]

@@JamesLamb finally someone giving honest answers! I’m fed up of reading people say “kitesurfing is easy” and “I learned water start in my second lesson”… I snowboard, ski, wakeboard, windsurf and had experience with flying stunt kites yet learning Kitesurf water start took me 7 X 3 hour lesson, then 5 hours practicing on my own gear without lesson. So that’s about 30 hours. I learned in deep water with waves so that is a disadvantage for sure but yeah it’s not easy. But so worth it!

[@leandrodias2050]

Best waterstart vid I’ve seen so far🤙🏽

[@akinun]

I learned more from this video than I did in several weeks of waterstart lessons

[@yelenasapozhnikov4685]

This is great!. Probably the best windsurfing video I have seen. Thank you very much Sam Light!

[@RolandVisserAlphenadRijn]

Thank you so much for this video! It is so easy to see. I'm 53 and I feel so much more motivated!

[@panostsak]

I had full day's course going through the basics and body dragging. Kitesurfing always fascinated me, but there is just SO much involved when it comes to equipment, preparation and skill. I would love to be able to do this, but it has to become your hobby....you can't just learn this on a holiday and then do it whenever you get the chance. I need to retire young!! lol

[@M9Diry]

Yeah I specifically took a high paid job in Amsterdam so that I can learn kitesurfing :D

[@Love2FlyOY]

Thank you so much Mark, your tutorial had me up for a short ride for the first time ever! You are spot on with regards to build the power starting w only small power dives/moves and your tip on how to control your body rotation during the waterstart setup by extending your front leg, was gold for me as the instructor never covered this part; we only made into body dragging in my first and only lesson ;-) After three more sessions on my own (but fellow kiters nearby), your video helped me doing my first small ride. THANK YOU Now I am very thirsty for more and learning to keep riding for more than 15 meters when up ;-)

[@neilmcfarlane9740]

Love the video mate it will help my students. I am a fellow Englishman IKO instructor teaching in Long Beach CA. Come down and visit when you come to LA. Tons of foiler's here and I always tell beginners to watch your videos

[@peternava6509]

Thinking of buying one for summer . Great video ! Thank you.

[@tommasocurro6582]

This tutorial is complete and very detailed. I found very useful the tip of rotating with the legs: I use to involuntary rotate a lot while trying the waterstart, now I can get back to the start position with the board parallel to the kite. Thank you!

[@TheGoodOldDays-IsNow]

As with most of the videos I've seen on this topic, great advice, but near impossible for a beginner to remember and actively apply. I'm taking lessons (4 to date) and my instructor says the same things, more or less, but I still have problems applying it all in practice. Haven't yet managed to get up on the board and head in the right direction! Having said that, the bit about stretching one leg to change/control direction of the board before start, could be the tip I needed - I'll try tomorrow. The one thing a learner can't control is the weather, regardless of the fact that you say it's easier to learn without waves. I'm on vacation, I came to a particular coastal area, the weather IS what the weather is! These past few days, we've had force 4 winds gusting to force 6/7 (up to 64km per hour), breaking waves and anything but constant wind. As I see it, my options are 1. stop and try again next year, or 2. go with what I've got and try to learn in less than optimal conditions. I'll be 70 next year and I still don't have enough sense to give up! So I'll live with a few crashes and the occasional Superman stunt, plus the kite-surf school is making money out of me.

[@mbimudahbahasainggris_byhe4582]

Nice tips, I really want to try it...but there isn't such a kite surfing in my city, Best regards for you all kite surfers, Hetty, solo Central Java Province in Indonesia 😁

[@zacharysilverzweig7715]

Great content man, appreciate you putting this out there!

[@ricolaterreur7339]

Thank you very much for this helping video! Has been saved, will be seen often 😁👍

[@neverendinghobbies]

Your videos are super great! I just took some lessons and was able to water start with lots of struggles. Wish I had watched this video before. It would have helped a ton! I'm going to take this to the beach and practice.

[@kimchichan5455]

Thank you for the great explanation. This is very helpful🤘

[@gemmagoode5331]

Thank you, this is a great tutorial! Where was it filmed? Looks like a great spot!

[@artegypt6803]

Best video i seen

[@calebbrown9091]

Love this video. I learn best by seeing it happen. You showing all the different things that can happen is very helpful. Got another lesson tomorrow. I'm gonna get up both directions and stay up tomorrow

[@juliakallweit5378]

Loved this, super helpful. Excited to go to my next lesson and apply those tips 🙌

[@dbirkle]

Wow, very valuable tips! Thank you. Hope to try them tomorrow 🤩

[@RockyMotion]

This is a great video! Thanks Sam! It combines a lot of things I needed to watch multiple videos for previously. It's an amazing reinforcement of things I learned at lessons.

[@SamLight]

Great to hear, thanks!

[@vlaaady]

I also think larger board can help learning waterstart in lighter winds.

[@SamLight]

Very good point! Thanks for mentioning

[@M9Diry]

I find a larger board so difficult to put on my feet thohhht

[@ArinGhend]

Thanks Sam! Adjusting my position using the tilt of the board was new to me - I was doing the holding the bar with one arm and turning myself with the other tactic Also any tips on water starts when it’s choppy? Felt like I was water boarding myself today in the waves 😅

[@M9Diry]

Haha I know that feeling ! Zandvoort Amsterdam beach. Hardcore

[@M9Diry]

My only tip is “be quick” don’t hang about

[@ArinGhend]

And don’t bother using the handle - grab anything like foot straps etc depending on flexibility 😂 I was struggling so much getting the feet in using the handle 🙄

[@paulbrimstone1587]

If I don't straighten my front leg soon enough I end up going sideways with both legs straight. Since I can't straighten my front leg any more, I pull my back leg in, gets the plot going the right way.

[@Amila278]

Happy to hear you ..we are manufacturing kite in sri lanka

[@bioconversion7282]

Hi

[@Amila278]

@@bioconversion7282 hi

[@scooterdotcom]

Thank you Sam, you have been a huge help.

[@frenchtiger]

Isn't it possible to have the kite at 12 and to pull a bit the bar to feel the tension? I will nevertheless try 10 or 12 to give me some time to put my feet into the straps

[@lucadistefano8066]

Very functional video. Thanks

[@marvinm8446]

I love kitesurf 🪂🏄‍♂️👍🏽❤

[@benjyboba]

@Sam Light how were you as a beginner, I've started to learn and so far have made all the mistakes, including a full power dive that turned me into momentarily smiling superman. I've almost got up but at the time, didn't realize I had to head downwind and I kept steering the kite too gently to start with causing me to turn. Hopefully next time.

[@SamLight]

haha yea I went through the all same mistakes, you have to be patience and go through the motions carefully and safely. Your persistence will be rewarded if you stick with it! Keep it up 😄

[@wernerxldata]

Thanks Sam, very usefull to watch this after my first tries this weekend. Great to see what needs to be done through so many angles and with your explanation. During the lesson it was all a bit fast so I missed some stuff, nice to be able to watch some details afterwards.

[@SamLight]

Glad to help!

[@eutoteu8745]

Is that a breather at 3:39 ?

[@josblokdijk]

Hi! I would think it's a GoPro Bite Mount + Floaty, like most kiters use when making videos.

[@MatinDadib]

Thank you!

[@samgrose9520]

Really great tips, thank you!!

[@tropicalsurfhousesurfingsu8078]

Perfect explanation . I just my opinion stand up wen you send the kite up at 45 . I

[@DyzioTheDreamer]

You keep saying the board should be perpendicular to the kite. Shouldn't it rather be parallel to the kite and perpendicular to the direction of the wind?

[@JamesLamb]

Scare yourself? To me, the superman is the most exhiliarating part :-) What scares me is bobbing around in the middle of a choppy bay or body dragging trying to get back to my board and wondering how attractive I look to the sharks. So far I haven't heard of anyone getting nipped while doing that, but it seems like the huge splash of a crash has to make them curious. I've gotten more comfortable in my home spot, but when I went to a new spot, far from shore and more rolling waves indicating deeper water, that made me uneasy and think "time to head back towards shore!"

[@M9Diry]

Luckily I don’t have that problem in Northern Europe ! That would add a whole level of hardcore to it . Congratz !

[@serwadddayasin8404]

Where can I get cheap gear

[@andrewshakespeare4978]

Thanks mate!

[@bigboyzpyrobigboyzpyro1908]

Can you do this on a lake?

[@jamiemusclip1606]

Awesome!!

[@lifeofneiltube]

Do you straighten your front leg before diving the kite or after?

[@M9Diry]

I’d say “during” the dive, about half way and it’s gradual like ‘as you’re being lifted up’. Such a tricky thing but when you get it , you really get it. Like riding a bike

[@lovetofly32]

I dont think anyone explains or compares to being pulled with a boat. Im used to being pulled by a boat to where you better ride twards it or you're going to be pulled with the boat no matter what! With a kite I think you have to pull against it to keep the power apparently.. Im learning to get up now and soon as I get up as I'm pointing twards the kite I immediately lose power and sink back into the water. So apparently you really have to edge into the water and pull against the kite..🤔

[@Grange_dental]

I totally agree with this. I’ve done wakeboarding behind a boat and with kitesurfing I’m really struggling to figure out which direction to point my board in and where to look as a focal point once I’m up (with wakeboarding I look forward at the boat). I’m nailing board starts consistently and I am doing 2nd power swoop but I can’t stay up and riding- it’s sooooo frustrating! This video is brilliant. I’m going to watch it another 100 times until I get my head round it.

[@danielnowak6410]

Where about is this spot based?

[@עדיבןדוד-כ2ה]

amazing

[@JavierPerez-wb9mr]

Congrats

[@seriousCADninja]

Awesome thanks!

[@AndrewPattullo]

This is the offical way of water starting ! 13yrs kitesurfing. Walk into water a ft deep .. throw board stand on board . Feet in straps . Sit down . Point board down wind..

[@frenchtiger]

Are you saying that unlike the video you don't sit down to put your feet in the strap? I suppose you deepen the board flat under the water and you stand on it but isn't one foot of water too shallow?

[@AndrewPattullo]

@@frenchtiger two foot . Of water chuck board on water . Stand on it to sink it . Then put your feet in foot straps. Wiggle them in. So nice n secure . Then sit in water bring board up in water. At angle . Now you can do your water start with the kite. As getting in water to waist deep then if any chop etc.. bobbing around . Trying to get board on feet end up getting spnning . And lose control of kite . And kite end up on the water

[@frenchtiger]

@@AndrewPattullo thanks for the tip. I will find it easier I think

[@matthewroelofse]

Live the vids mate

[@brbrian6309]

I'm finding water start very difficult 😁

[@Weekdiertje]

Today I’m going to learn the waterstart so thanks for this vid

[@Weekdiertje]

5 months later I still can’t do the water start🤣🤣

[@M9Diry]

@@Weekdiertje haha keep going bruv, it took my ages of pain and dispair too and today I really felt like I get it

[@hunting4ever389]

First time i got this kind of surfing possible kite surfing 😂

[@SnappingTurtle801]

Never knew what this was called until now. R.I.P. Cliff Simon aka Lord Ba 'al.

[@fluke1494]

Love

[@amaardoc8148]

This is good tech to cross to europe🤣

[@LukeGaming307]

My instructer told me not to extend my front leg