Latest Site Updates from SBC Kiteboard http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding-beginner-tips en-ca Mantis CMS [www.mantis.biz] Staying upwind on a kiteboard is The Holy Grail of kiteboarding.  There is nothing more reassuring than ending your session at the same spot that you launched from.  Kiteboarding is a downwind sport for beginners, but once you can ride both directions and do basic transitions you are ready to work on going upwind.  Consider these gear and technique tips, and you will be joining the ranks of other intermediate kiteboarders before you know it.GEAR-Go big on your kite size.  You need to be powered to be able to track upwind.  If you are underpowered, you will only be able to go downwind.-Ride a board with a flatter rocker line.  Larger flatter boards often times will provide you with the surface area and flat edge that give you drive upwind.RIDING TEC http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=1965 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=1965 Tue, 09 Oct 2012 12:47:00 -0400 Kai's buddy Kainoa McGee is still determined to learn how to kitesurf. While he continues to put in work, Kai participates in a photo shoot with fellow Naish riders Sam Light, Rick Jensen, and Jesse Richman. It's been a busy week for Kai; stand up paddle surfing with Chuck Patterson, windsurfing some head high waves, and eventually watching Kainoa successfully get up on a kiteboard. Subscribe to the show! http://www.youtube.com/show/positivelykai?s=1Stay tuned - New episodes every other Wednesday! http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_video_display/video:6169/Positively-Kai--Me-and-Kainoa-McGee---Episode-7 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_video_display/video:6169/Positively-Kai--Me-and-Kainoa-McGee---Episode-7 Wed, 27 Jun 2012 20:19:00 -0400 What's your favorite memory from when you learned to kiteboard? Post your answers in the comment sections. We will run some of our favorites in the next issue. SBC Kiteboard smells a ringer! Is that student world champion Youri Zoon? Video does a great job of documenting the path we all take to becoming kiteboarders. Natural High Beachclub, Event and Kitesurf Center presents a look inside the kite center and our kitesurfing lessons. In which the path of a world champion begins the same as any other who starts to learn kitesurfing.Riders:- Youri Zoon- Actual students of Natural High Kitesurf centerMusic:The Naked and Famous - Punching in a DreamWe have tried to contact all license holders about the music used in this movie. If there are any questions please contact chris@natural-high.n http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_video_display/video:5970/Natural-Highs-Path-of-a-Kitesurfing-Student http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_video_display/video:5970/Natural-Highs-Path-of-a-Kitesurfing-Student Wed, 30 May 2012 08:27:00 -0400 Outer Banks Kiting Students Lexi & Barb enjoy a great flat water session on the Pamlico Sound in Cape Hatteras, NC. With multiple craft and coaches we're able to handle splits in ability between riders while insuring individual coaching, safety, and a quality experience. For more information visit us at www.outerbankskiting.com http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_video_display/video:5726/OBK-Student-Video-Lexi--Barb http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_video_display/video:5726/OBK-Student-Video-Lexi--Barb Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:51:00 -0400 REAL Watersport's Matt Nuzzo demonstrates how to self-launch your kiteboarding kite using your truck trailer hitch in Cape Hatteras NC. This is an advanced skill and not for the first time rider. http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=1812 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=1812 Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:52:00 -0500 Check out the UK's Bridge brothers. They are 9, 10 and 12 years old, and they rip! They even have some very good instructor skills for their age, giving possitive feedback all along the way. We are very impressed by these young lads.  BBC presenter Blue Peter takes kitesurf lessons from the three Bridge brothers, Ollie, Guy and Tom. http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_video_display/video:3110/Bridglets-on-Blue-Peter http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_video_display/video:3110/Bridglets-on-Blue-Peter Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:47:00 -0400 Here is a good trainer kite video from Ocean Rodeo. http://www.oceanrodeo.com/kiting/trainer-kites http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_video_display/video:3008/Trainer-Kite-Intro-to-Kiteboarding http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_video_display/video:3008/Trainer-Kite-Intro-to-Kiteboarding Wed, 06 Apr 2011 18:15:00 -0400 Danny Wills gets up & going in 2hrs. Scene from "The dirty South" benwilsonsurf.com/dirtysouth http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_video_display/video:5390/Pro-surfer-Danny-Wills-first-time-kitesurfing http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_video_display/video:5390/Pro-surfer-Danny-Wills-first-time-kitesurfing Sun, 28 Mar 2010 02:38:00 -0400 Kiteboarding is an exciting sport that has gained enormous popularity, over the past decade. As fun as kiteboarding can be, it can be overwhelming to learn and dangerous too, if not learned properly. That is why we decided to give you some tips on how to get up and flying safely and easily. With a calculated approach, you will be rippin' in no time, and your "kitemares" (those incidents that are awful at the time, but make humourous stories later) will be few and far between. Should I take a lesson, or are instructional DVDs enough? Nothing beats professional instruction. Rank beginners need to take lessons. Despite advancements in safety features, kiteboarding can still be extremely dangerous. Without instruction, you risk injury to yourself and others. You also risk ruining kiteboarding at your local spot for everyone. DVDs are great additional tools that can save you time with the instructor and help you to actualize skills during the http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=901 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=901 Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 Getting back to your board is easy with this tip from Progression Beginner. Check out more from fatsand.com http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_video_display/video:1375/Upwind-Body-Drag http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_video_display/video:1375/Upwind-Body-Drag Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:12:00 -0400 Here are some things to compare when selecting an instructor or school. Not all instruction is equal; it is in your interest to find the best training available. Bottom line, don’t take things for granted, do your homework, and get the most out of your training. 1. Is the instructor certified by a recognized training organization? (PASA , IKO , REAL) 2. How long has he/she been professionally teaching kiteboarding? 3. What is the instructor-to-student ratio? 4. What are his lesson plans, anticipated skill progression and time requirements for you, considering your related experience, physical condition and predicted wind/conditions? 5. Is training self-sufficient kiteboarders a primary goal? 6. Is the training area suffi ciently large, uncrowded and away from hard objects? 7. Does he have liability insurance? Is the bus http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=900 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=900 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=905 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=905 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 Scuba diving, hang gliding, boat operation and kiteboarding demand a realistic amount of training time. Teaching the basic mechanical skills can be fairly quick, but there is all that necessary safety knowledge. It’s a package deal. There is knowing how to steer an airplane, for example, and then there is learning how to operate a plane under all the varied conditions, including emergencies. Kite instructors indicate that first-time students are requesting an average of three to five lessons. Kiteboarders may wish to come back to hone skills following initial training. Quality instruction may be the best kiteboarding investment you make, as it can last a lifetime. Next >>>Becoming an independent rider  http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=899 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=899 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 What should you learn during professional instruction before you go out on your own and continue to carefully build experience? You would do well to find a program that properly addresses the following: Knowledge development 1. How kites, boards and gear work. 2. Insight into the wind, wind window and influences on kite performance and power. 3. What to look for in good launch, riding and landing areas. 4. Safety buffers and the importance of maintaining them. 5. Environment planning and monitoring. What causes unstable weather and its associated hazards, how to predict it, and what to watch out for. 6. Minimum kiteboarder physical capabilities, such as swimming, fitness, warm-up and cooldown procedures. 7. Kiting rules of the road, kiting responsibilities and protecting access to kite. 8. http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=898 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=898 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 Choosing a Kiteboarding School Frequently Asked Questions  Getting Upwind  Kiteboarding Basics: Transition 101 Riding in a Crowd http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=894 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=894 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 In general, kites are more safe today than even three years ago. All kite designs have multiple safety features to kill the kite’s pull and the ability to spill more power by simply pushing the bar away from your body. It’s important, however, to know your kite’s usable wind range and to respect the power that the kite is capable of generating. Safety systems need to be studied and checked on a regular basis, and beginners need to take lessons from qualified instructors or schools and have them go over the kites specific safety systems. Trainer Kite :Before you get your first full sized traction kite, you should invest in a small 1-3 m2 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=897 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=897 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 There are a ton of options to decipher for the first-time buyer and choosing a new board can be confusing. Distinctions in outline, bottom shape, length, width, flex and construction all contribute to the overall performance character of modern twin-tip models. So when you’re deciding to buy a new board it helps to understand how different features translate into overall performance. Longer and narrower boards with more flex are generally easier to keep on edge and can track upwind easier than the short, stiff freestyle models. If you’re a beginner, don’t get a board that’s too short and wide or too stiff and unforgiving. With a board that promotes easy and straight line tracking it will promote good fundamentals. You can get a board that has performance that you can grow into, but don’t choose a board that is too stiff and aggressive. Looking at the bottom shape, you can choose between subtle concave to more pronounced concave on some models or more complicated mu http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=896 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=896 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 Zero 2 Hero $29.99 Realkiteboarding.com What They Say: "REAL Kiteboarding is proud to announce the release of our Zero to Hero Instructional Kiteboarding DVD. This DVD is based on the content of our Zero to Hero Kite Camp which has been rated by Outside Magazine and Men’s Journal as one of the Best Adventure Camps in the World !!! Zero to Hero covers beginner through self-sufficient riding and is the first of 5 instructional DVDs that will follow our camp series through pro level riding. Once Zero to Hero has been mastered be sure to check out the other titles: Evolution, Joyride, Surf, and Triple-S." What We Say: http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=902 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=902 Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 A lot of us are approaching the beginning of our kite season. It’s a good idea to break out your kite and do a quick preseason check to make sure everything is ready to go for when the wind does blow. Go through this checklist to make sure your kite is ready. BLADDER CHECK [1] check bladder ends Make sure all bladders extend to the sleeve ends and are secured. [2] shake down struts Shake the struts down towards the leading edge to make sure that the bladder is still filling the head of the strut and hasn’t fallen back towards the inflation valve. [3] inflate all the bladders Slowly inflate all the struts and then the leading edge. make sure that all bladders inflate uniformly and that you don’t see any soft areas that would alert you to a twisted or messed up bladder. CANOPY CHECK [1] check the area affected by handling. http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=878 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=878 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 The North team share the secrets to getting more pop, the key to all modern freestyle tricks. Northkites.com http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_video_display/video:749/Pop http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_video_display/video:749/Pop Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:40:00 -0500 Volume No.1 Basics http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_video_display/video:725/How-to-Snowkite http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_video_display/video:725/How-to-Snowkite Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:30:00 -0500 The language and terminology surrounding kiteboarding is always evolving. What’s a chicken bone? Fall glazing? Mothership? Read on and get educated. Average scale: The best, most accurate, most modest way of describing wave heights—below average, average and above average. It even makes the Hawaiian scale look exaggerated. Bacon: The ultimate cure for the common kite hangover. Everything tastes better when you add bacon. Butt ball: A plastic ball theoretically designed to save your life. Comes in different sizes and colours to signify its importance or lack thereof on the save-your-life scale. Can be replaced by common sense and good judgment. Butter: Smooth water. How minors take their tech penalty shots. Chicken bone: What you call your donkey dick when you are in a family or professional situation. http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=299 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=299 Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500 Changing directions is one of the first skills all kiteboarders must learn to do. Real Kiteboarding shares the secrets of the Stop Transition, Slide Transition and Carving Turns. This video clip is from the Zero 2 Hero DVD available from www.realkiteboarding.com   http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=269 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=269 Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500 Real Kiteboarding instructors show us three transitions. http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_video_display/video:636/Transitions http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_video_display/video:636/Transitions Thu, 11 Oct 2007 13:33:00 -0400 Finding kiteboarding locations on the water has been relatively easy. Windsurfers did most of the work. They found beaches worldwide with ideal launching and landing areas and consistent wind. Finding the perfect snowkiting locations, on the other hand, has proven to be more difficult since the only people we share the locations with are icefishermen, farmers and snowmobilers. It has taken a pioneering effort to find the locations we currently ride, but as the scene has grown, there are more people finding places with smooth wind and bottomless powder, and word is spreading fast. North America has an unlimited amount of snow-covered land in the winter that has barely been tapped. And soon you could be making fresh tracks across it all. How to find the ideal snowkiting location Wide-open, snow-covered areas free of obstacles are the main things to look for. The most http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=257 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=257 Thu, 11 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400 In October 2006, three friends went kiting in the Great Lakes and encountered severe weather. One rider was lofted in a squall with 50-knot-plus winds. His first impact with the water sent spray flying 50 feet. He was knocked unconscious and again lofted horizontally 200 feet. He was wearing an impact vest and his helmet flew off when he hit the water. After the squall passed, his friend was able to reach him more than 3,000 feet downwind. He was washed up on an isolated beach; unconscious, blue, and not breathing—essentially dead. His friend kicked into emergency mode and performed more than 10 minutes of CPR. The third friend soon arrived with help by boat. Reportedly, the victim flat-lined twice on the way to the hospital. The ambulance staff gave the impression that he wouldn’t make it. Thankfully calm thinking and good training resulted in a mostly happy ending to this true story. Rick Iossi gives us a full http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=151 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=151 Sun, 16 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400 Self-rescue, one of the most important strategies learned in kiteboarding, is safely getting oneself in off the water without assistance. Not only will you do this many times throughout the learning process, but the opportunity will rise again in years to follow. Over the past seven years, I’ve found myself in numerous predicaments where a self-rescue was the only way to dry land. Learning to do a proper and efficient self-rescue will give you more confidence when going to new areas or venturing farther from shore. Reasons one might need a self-rescue: -Equipment malfunction: breaking a line, ripping a kite, bursting a leading-edge bladder. -The wind picks up to an unmanageable speed while you’re on the water. -Ending up in an awkward situation or downwind of familiar landing zones. -The wind dies and your kite falls out of the sky. -Inability to relaunch the kite off the water. http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=41 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=41 Sun, 09 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400 Recent advances in kite depowering and quick releases have made modern equipment safer than ever. Despite the availability of safer gear, accidents still happen. SBC Kiteboard asked Rick Iossi to look into the accident data so that we can all ride safer. Who is most at risk of severe injury in kiteboarding? About 70% of the serious kiteboarding injuries since 2000 have happened to “experienced” kiters with at least two years of riding time. About half that percentage had been riding for four or more years. So much for the myth that it’s inexperience riders getting hurt. Fortunately today, most beginners are learning the proper safety skills from certified schools and practicing them. Clearly having experience is great but maintenance of consistent good practices is essential. What are some of the more common causes of severe kiteboarding injuries? Not surprisingly most accidents http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=315 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=315 Thu, 10 May 2007 00:00:00 -0400 Flat Bow and SLE kites like the Crossbow, Sonic, Turbo Diesel and ONE are taking over the kiteboarding market. These new kites can deliver substantially increased wind range with gas-peddle-like power, higher jumps with greater hangtime, and improved waveriding properties. Unlike traditional four-line C kites, once you launch a jump you are more a kite pilot than a rider with greater control over the jump. In delivering higher performance, more refined kiter control input is often required with flat kites than with C kites. There are also significant differences in operation of flat versus C kites. Experienced C-kite riders may require two to six or more sessions to develop a feel for flat kites. Some might remember when two-line LEI kites were starting to be replaced by four-line LEI kites around 2000. Two-line kites had a limited wind range, which could be marginally expanded through technique and exertion. Staying http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=51 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=51 Wed, 10 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500 Riding in a crowd can be a challenge for emerging intermediate riders. Here are some tips and “rules of the road” that will make riding in a crowd easier and more fun. Rigging Riding in a crowd is normally preceded by rigging at a crowded launch site. When you’re rigging at a crowded site, do so quickly and efficiently while taking up a minimal amount of space. This saves space for other riggers and clears the beach for incoming and outgoing riders. It’s a good idea to double check your lines to make sure they are attached properly. Launching and landing Too often I’ve seen a crowded beach and water scene with nobody offering to launch or land kites. There is no excuse for turning your head to incoming riders. Have an open eye and ear for people who need assistance launching and landing. It could be you on the other end of the http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=129 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=129 Mon, 11 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0400 Trashing your kite during a trip and not knowing how to fix it sucks. Where did that coconut tree come from? With a few tips from the pros, and some simple repair items, you’ll be ready to take care of the more common repairs on the beach, getting yourself back on the water quickly. Lay the kite on a smooth work surface and start by assembling the torn pieces with masking tape. Use the graphics or the rip-stop grid pattern to align the cloth pieces. You may find it easier to use three-inch lengths of masking tape so that you can focus on aligning three inches of cloth at a time. Work from whichever side of the kite allows you to clearly see how the panels go back together. Use plenty of tape so that the panels don’t separate as you handle the kite. Once the entire tear is held together with masking tape, carefully look over your work and make sure the kite has http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=130 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=130 Mon, 11 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0400 What is going upwind? Going upwind is moving with an angle of 70° to a maximum 45° toward the direction from which the wind is blowing. To go upwind, you must find a balance between direction and speed. If you go too much upwind, you will lose speed and probably stall. The best position for going upwind is to fl y the kite at half the wind window height and use the board to manage the power. To go upwind, you need to maintain speed and have enough power to keep an edge. Because you speed up and slow down according to changes in wind speed, it’s important to react accordingly to continue going upwind. Remember, if you go too fast, apparent wind prevents you from going upwind. The importance of body position A good body position increases the possibility of reacting to manage your balance and kite flying. It al http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=324 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=324 Fri, 09 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0400 Quality professional kiteboarding instruction allows rapid, safer learning under controlled conditions using someone else’s gear. Much of the trial, error, hazards and frustration that plague riders trying to figure out kiteboarding on their own can be avoided when you work with a capable instructor. This process should reduce the odds of painful and costly injury, damaged kiteboard gear, and threats to our riding access. Training also gives you the experience necessary to buy the proper gear. A primary goal of adequate, quality instruction is to aid the rider in becoming an independent kiteboarder. Don’t fall in the trap of trying to figure out how to kiteboard from scratch with a friend who is new to the sport. This practice is not that uncommon and a very bad idea. Too much can go wrong during inexpert “training” and after. Proper http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=322 http://www.sbckiteboard.com/kiteboarding_101_display?news_id=322 Tue, 07 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0400