I thought it would be fun to learn kitesurfing since we just moved to Cabarete, Dominican Republic, a well-known surfing town. I had absolutely no experience surfing – of any kind. Although I was a good wake boarder, water-skier and snowboarder. I was not in the best-shape since I had an 11 month old baby, which kept me very busy. So this was a huge step for me, learning how to kitesurf!
DAY 1:
I started my lessons with Robertico, a recommend local surf instructor. He picked me up in his truck and took me to a nearby spot where the wind was perfect for the day. He asked me to carry a few pieces of equipment to the beach. He looked for the perfect spot on the sandy beach to start our lesson.
He showed me how to pump air in the kite.
The kite had to be sitting directly against the wind so it didn’t blow away while we finished hooking everything together – we tied and untangled the string to the kite.
He drew a picture in the sand of the different degrees the kite should be at while in the air.
- Straight up – 12:00 O’clock
- 1-3:00 o’clock to the right
- 9-11:00 o’clock to the left.
Holding the kite: Bring kite slowly up in the air by holding on to two bars(Red for right hand). The arms, hands and shoulders should be relaxed.
Body position: Lean your body back since the kite is tied to a harness around your waist. Bend knees with right foot forward.
Robertico demonstrated how to hold the kite up moving it to the right and left in a slow motion. He made it looks so easy. He instructed me to practice moving the kite from 1 – 2:00 o’clock back and forth – then 10 – 11:00 o’clock. Once I became more comfortable with the kite, he had me walk backwards and forwards along the beach.
I dropped the kite a few times on the sand – Ooops! Robertico helped me get the kite back up in the air. My biggest worry was dropping the kite on somebody’s head – Robertico assured me that would never happen with him by my side.
DAY 2 – 3: Practise with 1 hand into the water:
- Right hand holding the bar at 1 – 2:00 o’clock
- Left hand holding the bar at 10 – 11:00 o’clock
- Robertico had me practice walking and then swimming with the kite in the ocean – always right beside me.
DAY 4: Practise with board:
While the kite is held steady in the air, walk with board in other hand- switching sides a few times.
My ride-side was definitely stronger than my left.
I managed to get up on the board for less than a minute, Yeah! it seemed a lot easier to getting up on the board than learning to manage the kite in the air! I will definitely continue my adventurous journey of kitesurfing!
