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    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

    I am interested in learning how to kiteboard, however I'm feeling intimidated. Is this difficult to learn?
  • Kiting has become more and more accessible with the advent of safer kite designs and safety systems...but yes, kiters take on a lot of responsibility for the safety of themselves and bystanders every time they put a kite up in the sky...which can be appropriately intimidating for newcomers. It takes time to learn since we are adjusting every few seconds to variations in the wind, and it takes a lot of time with the kite to gain the "feel" and experience to become self-sufficient in a variety of wind conditions. For this reason, most people who are really interested in kiting soon realize that it's difficult to progress if you don't go out very often, and those who learn quickly are those who head down to the launch or fly kites on land at every opportunity! Perhaps the worst way to approach this sport is to think that by taking a 1 or 2 lessons, you'll be able to pick it up...in reality, it takes hours...and hours...and hours...with much dedication and commitment.
    Can anyone do it?
  • Barring physical limitations and with much practice, most people can learn and enjoy various forms of kiting. For example, many people only kite in the winter since they like to ski or snowboard, but would rather ride for hours (for free) on lake powder than drive up to Ottawa for the day. Winter is our "beach" season. On the water, being a strong swimmer helps, but more importantly, diligence and competence with the kite, confidence and good judgment of wind/launch conditions are the keys to success. This is particularly true in Kingston where there is little room for error due to the deep water and rocky shoreline!
    Does KBK offer lessons?
  • Up until the fall of 2009, we offered a lesson program that we had tailored to the Kingston area. Unfortunately, interest in lessons from new kiters far exceded the availability of good wind conditions. As a result, (and for both personal and financial reasons) we are no longer able to offer lessons, but will instead be populating our site with instructional videos to compliment 5 beginner clinics per year - 2 in the winter and 3 in the summer. Please email us for more info on clinics.
    I want to get going really quickly - can I get some quick lessons back-to-back from KBK?
  • We used to jam lessons together quickly when we first started, but we found while we could coach someone on to a board in a matter of (intense) hours, he or she did not have time to develop "feel", and more importantly, good judgment and confidence. There is a lot to learn and a variety of wind conditions to experience before venturing out with larger kites (and in to higher consequence territory)! In general, unless you've been kiting a lot already (trainer kites, stunt kites, etc.), it's best to separate your instruction out so that you can practice in different wind conditions inbetween - this sport is all about feel and making constant adjustments to the variations in the wind...it's impossible to experience the full gammut of safe wind conditions (and by that I mean to include high and low wind, turbulant and steady, etc.) in a short period of time. The normal prescription is for people to go fly a trainer (or any kite for that matter), practicing all of the manoevers until you can do them all without clenching a fist or crashing the kite, preferable one-handed and not looking at the kite...this takes time, but if you put time in early, it will pay off when it comes to jumping in to the water.
    Should I just get a beginner kite to start with? Then get something better later?
  • Sure...but be aware that you'll grow out of a "beginner" kite quite quickly, and what you want is something that you can hold on to for a few seasons so that you get dialed in and good. Eventually, you get used to whatever you have...so why bother with a "beginner" kite? If you've flown a trainer lots and been methodical in your approach to the sport, then you will have developed excellent feel, so why not go with a high performing kite with low to medium bar pressure so you can capitalize on your 3 hour session? Get a good kite...and turn your attention towards getting (or making) a larger beginner board!
    What sort of second hand gear should I look for?
  • Recent, lightly used, and from a reliable source. Don't get burned buying something that is broken, incomplete, old, or otherwise misrepresented - meet people face to face, set up the kite together so that you can inspect the kite and see how all of the safety features work, etc. Get familiar with the language - LEI (leading edge inflatable) kites are meant for water use, C-Kites are earlier generation styles that tend to have a narrower wind range and less intuitive depower and relaunching systems, SLE (supported leading edge) kites tend to be 100% depower kites that are made for wider wind ranges and enable the pilot to depower the kite when hit with a gust, in addition to going upwind easily and instilling confidence in the rider...SLE's came in to high rotation in 2006 and is now to the point where the differences between brands boil down to personal preferences and nuances.
    What sort of gear do I need to ride in Kingston?
  • The conditions in Kingston are classic "lake chop" and light wind. A heavier person would get away with a 14m/10m SLE combo, and a lighter person a 12m/8m combo (these are just estimates and there are many other factors at play - best to come talk to us!). You'll need a little more kite in Kingston since the lake chop slows down your forward momentum as the waves lick at your heels! For boards, most folks can get away with 135cm or longer, and obviously, the lighter the wind, the wider, longer and flatter the board. Going less than 135cm means you're really light...or you're going to be plowing the nose through the waves and constantly rinsing your eyeballs with spray. Save the small boards for Hatteras or Shippagan!
    Can't I just go kiting at my cottage?
  • Sure...just be sure to check the launch conditions - wind speed, wind direction, turbulance. If you have a wind meter, use it. It may seem windy (and until you know better, gusty conditions look good...but you'll learn quickly that they're not), but what you need is steady strong wind...which is why most of the kiteboarding around Kingston occurs on the Great Lake itself...and pretty much only when it's S to SW to W! You also need a clear area for launching and landing, preferably shallow water, and a place where you can come in safely downwind should you need. Be especially careful of rotor and mechanical turbulance. Use a boat to get out to the middle of the lake if necessary.
    What is the Get on Board video?
  • The Get on Board is a video we have in production that is intended to help people learn the ins and outs of launching in a place renowned for deep water and rock, unforgiving shorelines. There is a lot of responsibility putting a kite up in this town, and we want to make sure that you know what to expect. To read the user guidelines for the PUC dock, click here.