I learned a good lesson today. If the wind gods arent smiling dont get your hopes up for a session. Maybe in the next hour or so the wind will pick up
Lesson number 2 learnt, dont taunt the wind gods. Hello 30 knots! too much for me.
I learnt a good lesson today. Doing upwind body dragging drills in the surf is a hell of a lot more fun than doing it in Botany Bay. Too chicken to take the board out though... I think I will try again when the surf calms down.
Here is some information on skills progression & number of sessions.
kitesurfing-handbook.peterskiteboarding.com/progression
Its safest to avoid wind over 25 knots during your first year / 30 odd sessions.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it's finally clicked! This Saturday's session, with direct onshore wind, I was able to hold at least my position horizontally and make some progress up wind.
At times it wasn't graceful, and times it was. Thanks all for your collective help getting me to this point!
Had an interesting session today, went out in 25 - 30 kts with my 9m in the waves. Usually would head for an inlet at those speeds but thought I'd give it a try and progress. Wow. Dove the kite to get going, pretty conservatively I thought (12 -> 2) and instead of cruising on the board I was airborne, only about a metre up but totally unexpected.
Had another go and got going okay, was working my way really slowly through the break just testing the waters. Went over a small 1-1.5 meter wave really slowly, like just planning speed, and bam I was airborne big time (for me)! I've jumped before but had to put some effort into, get up speed, jump and then splat spectacularly at the conclusion. Reckon I was about 6 meters up, my highest and longest to date by far and managed to redirect and bring myself down gently.. Stoked!
Gave up after a couple more runs so I could have a beer and digest what had just happened. I think I had the right kite out for the conditions. I didn't feel overpowered in the usual way, just man, the boost at that wind speed was something I had not encountered before. Good fun but the sport certainly has a way of keeping the respect alive 
loving my first season!
I've had similar experiences, am new to kiting in the waves, but an old hand wave sailor.
You head up a critical wave, maybe head high but going fast, you sheet out to slow down, which sends the kite up high and you get far more air than you expect. I havnt got good enough to go full bore up a face, and sheet in big time. I've come close but it feels like I'm going into satellite orbit!
Ill get there but the balls need to expand a little... What a buzz heh?
Like so many others in this thread I just wanted to say thanks for the great info and inspiration. I am only very new to kiting (bought a trainer 2 days ago) but am very excited to get some lessons and get going in this great sport.
Reading the lessons learnt and the progression of the noobs in here is awesome. Oh and congrats Salty on the break through, must be a great feeling
Thanks Warehouse. For me personally, I think the advice that helped me the most was to let the kite pull me through the harness ... rather than pulling myself up. This is because when I was pulling myself up, it would pull the bar in, power up the kite to full throttle and launch me.
If you let the harness pull you up, you can move the bar to apply suitable power.
Good luck with it and be sure to check back in to relay your progress!
It may have been said before but, something that helped me a lot when learning to ride upwind, was looking over my shoulder. Even exaggerate it a bit and look right up wind. You will be surprised how much your body will naturally put yourself in a better position to accommodate and follow where you are looking.
It's a good tip nvs.
Thanks. I found another tip is to tinker with the trim to ensure the power of the kite is in a reasonable range in the wind window... this is more trial and error i.e. try it out, if you're over/under powered, release the bar, tinker with the trim to add/remove power and retry.
NB I more than accept if I had more skill I'd probably not need to do this and could position the kite to suit...
Okay, I'm feeling positive about this sport again after a few months of static progress...
So I decided to set myself the following milestones:
1.) Reliably go upwind left + right
2.) Reliably change direction via a slide turn losing minimal ground downwind.
3.) Perform first (deliberate!) jump.
Once nailed, I think I'll focus on:
4.) Riding switch (I think it's called, where you go left, but lead with your right foot)
5.) Carving turn (4 needed)
6.) ... Who knows!
Made some progress with 1&2, but a long way from reliable.
Note to self: Don't adjust your trim/power adjuster unless you're 100% certain you're donkey thing has not come loose.
Accidentally unhooked last night, got blown in to the pier and felt like a right numpty.
Complete trough compared to the last time I was out.
****! You hit the pier or your kite did? Or both?
Went out for the first time on the board on Sunday and learnt ALOT!
Firstly, dont try and learn water starts with the wind to low, i was a bit nervous about trying water starts in stronger winds 15-20kts but found anything below i just popped up then sank down (Im 6'1 and 92kgs). Once the wind picked up to around 15kts i found water starts relatively easy. Managed to get up a few times and head out on my port tack with an edge in. The only thing that stopped me going further was the realization i have to turn around and come in on my starboard before im in the middle of the bay, which for a kooky natural footer was difficult, VERY difficult.
Another lesson, if you're in the sun for over 3 hours 1 coat of sunscreen isnt enough. I am a tomato!
So yeah, really happy with getting up and edging on the board for my first attempt. Now to solidify what ive learnt and practice more. Then practice going on my starboard tack to get comfortable riding goofy footed.
I have to say, those few runs i had edged in cruising out in the bay was amazing. The sound of the wind in my ears, the water slapping against my board and being in balance with the kite (didnt have to work the kite) was the best. Once this sunburn goes away im back out there!
It should be noted that Kitemares come in three:
Monday night - 1. came unhooked, 2. wind dropped and kite ended up over the barrier at st. Kilda (landed on a parking meter)
Tuesday night - 3 launched and (previously checked) Quick Release fired.
Still, I had a good session and enjoyed myself after relaunching...
Hmm my lessons have been so far a part. My first lesson was on the 19th Jan, and I'm only now just having my second this weekend. It's made me realize just how weather dependent this sport is. 
But ya still gotta love it
I had a shocker tonight. Think I am officially over st Kilda as a spot. Light wind made it hard to stay upright, lost my kite when the wind dropped out and it fell onto one of the rock groins. Didn't get one decent run in.
Low point. Onwards and upwards etc.
, and B) makes it easier to go upwind as you have to twist your hips in the direction of travel to be able to do it (hence shoulders, head etc as well, body follows the movement, up wind you go)
Great tips Lovelife.
Salty & Forcetwelve,
Low wind conditions are very hard for learners as you need good technique to get going. You have dive the kite harder to water launch (and pre turn it) then you have to bring it back up before it hits the water. Depending on your gear & weight, 20 knots could be the optimum wind.
With more wind you can also park the kite and not worry about sining it to get power - which frees you up to concentrate on your stance, where you are looking, sheeting the bar etc.
Also note that problems tend to multiply - low wind, crashed kite, pier or swimmers nearby, sea urchins under foot etc. You learn to factor in more variables as you get more experience.
Then there is the plateau effect - you get stuck on a level for a while. Setting goals can help your progression.
And lastly, there is complacency. This is common in things like learning to drive and skiing. You think you know enough, you push the boundaries, then wham! Mother nature can smack you down with little or no warning. Its the little warnings you need to watch for.
Kiting is a great adventure - there is are lifetimes of progressions, fun and challenges to be had.
Cheers Pete. All makes sense, just frustrating at the time! yeah, low wind and 94kgs doesn't make for a fun session.
Hi All
Reading this thread with interest as I am in the process of having my first lessons and looking to buy my first kit.
I did a 6hr group lesson on a Scoopon deal with 3 mates and I'll be the second to buy a kite. I've done a follow up 2hr 1on1 lesson and I'm waiting for good wind to do another.
I bought a small trainer kite off ebay for 50 clams and flew it in the local park for a couple of weeks, I'm about a 45min drive to the closest kiting beach so it was very good to learn some kite control. $50 well spent I think, and it's a lot of fun to fly.
My solo instructor said I had pretty good kite control, which was a confidence boost.
I got up very briefly onto the board a couple of times, so I've noted with interest all the tips given here about letting the harness pull me up.
I've also got the progression beginners dvd and will be watching it before and after each outing.
I'm also reading up a lot on buying my first kit. I'm 45yo, 75kg and reasonably fit. I'm thinking I'll buy second hand from the shop where I'm getting my lessons, they've got some reasonable deals going. I'm thinking either a 10 or 12m will be a good starter. My mate got a 12m but he's about 10kg heavier.
Looking forward to getting out there and carving it up!
Oh, and keep all the good tips coming!
:)
Congrats on starting! It slowly starts to drive you mad when there isnt any wind. I don't even know what to do with wind and it drives me crazy
Definitely go through a shop. I was umming and aahing about it, and in the end was so glad I bought local. Got a sweet deal, excellent advice, and it was nice as a beginner to get to know some local experts. (I think I will drop by this afternoon and get the Progression DVD actually)...
