Frequently Asked QuestionsWho or what is IKO? IKO is the International Kiteboarding Organisation. The IKO are a group who have introduced a world minimum standard of teaching safe kiteboarding. It allows instructors to know what to teach and how, schools to have a safe teaching ethos and insurance companies a standard of which to gauge minimum proficiency when offering a policy. The IKO logo is a symbol of quality when a school is affiliated.
What is the age range of people kite surfing?
The age range of people kite surfing/kite boarding is as varied as the number of manufacturers in the industry. I have personally met men as old as 67 (Laurie) and women as old as 55 kiteboarding. Some youth start out as young as 5 and can ride competently at the age of 6. We do not recommend children get into the sport this young but it is possible. The womens world champion was only 11! The average men in the sport would age 30 and the average women 25. It truly is a sport for the masses.
Can girls do the sport too?
With the sport relying more on technique than strength, this certainly opens the sport up to the ladies. Many girls find that they are put off by the assumption of the strength required. However, after taking a lesson realise that there is no problem with their progress into the sport. In fact, if emotional levels of fear or lack of self confidence are checked by a good instructor, it has been proven that girls learn in fact faster than their male counterparts.
How many lessons do I need?
Most students that learn through ONU find they are in need of only 2 lessons of 2-3 hrs each to gain a fairly complete basic understanding of the sport. Some students after having completed the first two lessons decide they will self learn the remaining level. This is fine with us as it is the first two lessons which are the most critical with regard to safety and emergency procedures.
Kitesurfing like most other extreme sports is as wild or challenging as you care to make it. It can be a gentle cruise on sunset with a big kite and board in light winds or it can be busting out sick moves 40 feet (14 metres) in the air in near gale force winds where any wrong move will result in a crash to remember for a long time. Or if you are like most people it is somewhere in between where we push our own limits and accept the level of challenge that suits our level of fear/pleasure. Kiteboarding truly has something for everyone; speed, airtime, freestyle, park, surf, wake or just social riding with your mates after work.
Is there a difference between Kiteboarding and Kitesurfing?
There is a difference between but mainly only literally. Both names refer to the same sport. Kiteboarding is more of the generic term which encapsulates the sport itself and more than that probably refers to the riding of twin tip boards and freestyle kiting. Kitesurfing is probably better used to describe riding boards in the surf and using the waves for power or slashing the waves under the power of the kite. However, both names are generally recognised as being the same thing amongst the general kiting population and specifics are only really used by the surf riding crew.
Do you need to be strong?
Although by watching kiteboarding from the beach it looks as though you need to be quite strong to perform well in this sport, nothing could be further from the truth. Kiteboarding is a technique sport and does not require anything above a normal level of strength. As you progress through the sport you will develop any additional muscle you require. The power of the kite is supported by a harness you wear around your waist. This saves you from holding onto any huge amount of power. All you do is steer and control the amount of power you need with the control bar.
What is the best way to get into Kiteboarding safely?
The best way to get into kiteboarding if you are serious, is to get lessons an advice from a qualified instuctor. We'll help to get you started with all the right skills to make learning FAST, efficient, safe and economical. For those not sure, just take a single lesson and decide after having flown a kite and experiencing the power of kiting first hand. Never try to teach yourself.
What sort of winds can you kiteboard in?
The winds most appropriate are definitely cross shore (side shore) or cross/onshore. Offshore winds are just plain dangerous as they tend to be enormously gusty and will drag you away from land, onshore winds tend to also be dangerous as you are always blown towards terra firma (hard stuff). Anything with offshore in it is difficult so should be avoided unless it comes off smooth sandbar with no upwind obstructions to disturb the wind. Wind strengths that can be ridden are as little as 8 knots (with the right gear) and as much as 40 knots+. For the average rider 15-25 knots makes up the greater portion of rideable fun winds. If you do not consider yourself advanced to expert, avoid winds above 25-30knots, at this wind strength accidents and injuries are major!
What sort of harness is best for me?
ONU recommend never buying a 2nd hand harness. Go into a good store that sells kiteboarding harnesses (not windsurfing harnesses) and try on as many as you can. Hang from a rope to test for comfort and try and simulate the load being directly above you to see if the harness will ride up over your ribs. Do not skimp on the harness, it can be the difference between loving the sport and hating it through the pain it can cause. There are two types, Waist and Seat. Try on both. Waist are most common in the sport as the seat can become uncomfortable with the upward pull on the leg loops cutting into your groin area.
There are two more options: You can also purchase a 2 in 1 waist harness with built in integral impact vest. These can be good if you are keen on purchasing an impact vest as well as your harness. You can also look at the "Nitro" boardshorts with built in harness. These are a harness disguised as a normal long pair of board shorts. As with the waist and seat harness, select by comfort, not price or aesthetic value.
What sort of styles are there in Kiteboarding?
Kiteboarding is the generic name and within that name exist many different forms of the sport. There is freestyle twin tip, which covers most riding whilst doing tricks on TT boards. There is of course Kitesurfing which is mainly surfboards in the surf. These boards can either be ridden with foot straps or without and can be ridden hooked in or unhooked to the bar. There is powered kite surfing which is mainly using the kite for power and then there is wave surfing using the power of the wave and only using the kite to get you onto the wave and do tricks. There is wake style, which comes from the wake boarding crew pulling off similar moves as riders behind the boat. This also covers "park" riding which is using kicker ramps, sliders and obstacles to grind and olly. Racing is just starting to emerge as a separate discipline and comes in two different guises. The first being flat out times speed runs and the second being course racing with the latter being the newest kid on the block. There are also endurance epic downwinders from one point to another point further downwind. Whatever your fancy, there are styles to suit everyone and it comes down to how you ride in most cases as there is huge crossover in all disciplines.
What is a Downwinder?
A Downwinder is a session of kiteboarding where you start at a particular upwind destination and kitesurf downwind to a predetermined location anywhere from 1 km up to 100 km further downwind. This allows you to concentrate on wave riding without having to return each run to the start of the break and instead enjoy the changing wave breaks, scenery and conditions as you continue in the direction of the wind.
What sort of board should I start off with?
Board choice is as many and varied as to the opinions as to what to ride. The early beginner sessions should be on a board which is big enough to plane in lighter winds and has some sort of stability as well as good upwind potential. There are a variety of boards to choose from but Twin Tips are generally more common and more suited to wake, snow and skate boarders. Directional boards and surfboards are ideal for surfers and sailboarders as they represent a similar feel to what you are used to. Body weight and water conditions will also have a bearing on your board selection
What sort of kite should I buy?
The sorts of kites available all are geared to different types of riding and generally for different skill levels. As a beginner, a basic kite of good stability and easy re-launchability is desirable as time spent with the kite down in the water is time of not riding and therefore no learning. A common style of kite for the beginner is the "low aspect ratio". A good late model kite ie no more than 2 years old will be ideal as they are generally fitted with the latest safety releases etc on the control bar.
What's with the different sized kites?
Kites come in different sizes from as small as 2 square metre trainers all the way up to 25 square metre light wind behemoths. The sizes of kites you use is determined by the body weight of the rider and more so, the wind strength. Light winds utilize large kites and strong winds use smaller kites. The average kite's wind range is based on a 75 kilo rider. A 75 kilo rider in Wellngton would expect to buy a 10-12 metre 10m Hybrid or "Bow" SLE kite, which will get them out and happening in most of Wellywood's seas breezes throughout summer.
Can you go against the wind?
Kiteboarding is done mainly across the wind or at 90 degrees to the wind, but kiters also need to be able to kite upwind in order to get back to their point of origin after jumping. A good jump can take you as far as 60 metres downwind of the starting point. Some kiters can sail higher upwind than sailboards depending upon conditions and equipment.
Is kiteboarding difficult?
Kiteboarding is a very easy sport to learn but like other extreme category sports, it can be dangerous if you attempt flying a power kite without a thorough understanding of the way they fly and how to handle them in the event of something going wrong. A few lessons is all it takes to get the basics and you can pretty much self teach from this point on.
Are lessons necessary, after all, I surf, windsurf and wakeboard?
Lessons are pretty much essential to a safe entry into the sport, not only for yourself but also for the safety of the general public. An out of control kiter can cause serious injury and even death to innocent bystanders and themselves and as such, the sport must be respected for its potential for both fun and hazards. There have been numerous deaths worldwide from people deciding to teach themselves without proper instruction. Please get a lesson from a properly qualified IKO instructor.
What does ONU KIteboarding supply during the lesson?
ONU supply you with everything you will need during your lessons including a kites, a board, a control bar, a harness, a impact, a helmet. All you need to bring is a towel, board shorts and perhaps a lycra or wetsuit if it's a little cold. You should also bring sunglasses,sunscren, a hat and a positive attitude.
What is a Hybrid or SLE kite and how's it different to other kites?
A Hybrid or SLE design is a compromise of the traditional "C" shaped kites with the positives of the bridled system from the "Bows". The Hybrids or Supported Leading Edge kites have much less instability, are easy to re-launch, fly comfortably with a huge wind range and are the perfect kite for anyone entering the sport today. Safer, easier to fly and ride with bags of performance for the average rider.
I have a few old injuries will they be a problem?
Old injuries depending upon their severity can be a problem in kiteboarding as some of the wipeouts will aggravate certain body parts. Knees are very susceptible to injury as are shoulders when pushing the limits. Back problems and neck injuries also need to be assessed by a doctor before participating in kiteboarding. Most of the loading is on the lower half of the body and some of the stresses can be removed from the lower back by wearing a seat harness. In choppy water at higher speeds, the knees will think you might be skiing moguls such is the constant pounding. Hyper-extending the knee is one of the most common injuries and can be prevented by wearing a knee brace if you have had previous injury or a reconstruction.
What sort of safety gear is worn kiting?
Common safety gear worn whilst kiting depends upon the climate and the rider but can include :- Wetsuit, Helmet, Impact vest, ski jacket, booties, gloves, water goggles or sunnies to prevent eye damage and also carrying a hook knife.
What is the minimum age of student we teach?
With the sport open to girls and guys alike, we are only really restricted in the students we teach by their age. We only regularly teach students at a minimum age of 12 Y.O. At this age we still require parent or guardian consent. This is more a requirement of Insurance than that of physiological ability. Children aged as young as 5 and 6 have been kiteboarding but at this age the appreciation of danger can be limited.
Do you need to be fit?
As with most sports, you do not have to be fit, but it is better if you have a basic fitness level. As a minimum standard you should be able to swim a minimum of 200m without any problems. As for strength, you needn't be particularly strong as your body will adapt and provide you with the muscle you will require in the future. Most of the power of the kite is connected to a harness you wear around your waist, thus relieving you of any real need for strength.
What is Aspect Ratio?
Aspect Ratio is a term which loosely describes the ratio of width (wingtip to wingtip when laid flat) to length (Leading edge to trailing edge). A low aspect ratio kite may have an "AR" of say 3:1 ie it is 3 times the chord length (leading edge to trailing edge) from tip to tip. Aspect ratio is really Span squared divided by Area total, but now we are just getting technical and confusing!. Low Aspect kites are stable and have big power whilst High AR kites have speed, depower and aerodynamic efficiency. Both kites have their place although the industry has gone for moderate aspect kites almost entirely due to "All round" performance.
What equipment do I need to get started?
To take lessons you need nothing apart from something to wear in the water and a sense of adventure. ONU Kiteboarding supply everything you need to get started. However, once you have finished with your lessons, you will have to purchase your own gear. Most beginners start off with a kite, a board and a harness. A wetsuit will be necessary for use outside of summer and you may decide to purchase a helmet and also a pfd/impact vest to protect yourself from injury. There is a very bouyant 2nd hand market with good pre-loved gear, BUT it is wise to get advice from your instructor as to what equipment will be suitable.
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