We offer 3 different types of lessons here at Emerald Coast Kiteboarding, but we highly recommend getting a Trainer Kite to practice on before booking your first lesson. The trainer kites are made for flying only on land, not in the water, and it's a safe way to master kite flying. Once you've had some time on a trainer kite, you are ready for our Level 1 Beach Lesson. The Beach Lesson is 3 hours long, and you learn everything there is to know about flying the kite. We'll also go over proper kite setup, maintenance, landing & launching (both solo and assisted), control systems and more.
Once you have completed the Level 1 Beach Lesson, you'll be ready to get into the water in our Level 2 class. Also 3 hours long, the Level 2 Water Lesson covers all the steps involved in getting up on the board riding. You'll start off by flying the kite from chest deep water moving into a bit deeper water allowing you to body drag using only the power of the kite. Once you are comfortable with the kite in the water, we'll strap the board on your feet for your first water starts. This is where the fun really starts, as your adrenaline will be pumping when the power of the kite yanks you up on the water and gets you gliding across the bay. If you have previous boarding experience, like wakeboarding, surfing or snowboarding, you'll be able to transfer that knowledge over to kiteboarding. Everyone progresses at different speeds, and most people can get up and ride the first day. The 2012 gear we use is very user friendly, and most importantly it relaunches off the water automatically, so you aren't wasting your time fighting the kite trying to get it back in the sky.
Lastly, if you are eager to get everything in on one day, we have a physically intense 6 hour combo class that combines the Level 1 and 2 class together. We take you from start to finish all in one day. General physical endurance is required for all of our lessons, but this one will really give you an all day work out. If you aren't physically fit, you may want to take smaller steps and start off with the 3 hour Beach lesson, you'll have a lot more fun taking your time learning. Kiteboarding is not a sport that you will learn overnight, it's not like renting a WaveRunner or parasailing. If you have wakeboarded in the past that will help some, but the sport is mainly kite flying, it's an entirely different sport, so be prepared for the learning curve.
Panama City Beach is an excellent place to learn to kiteboard, we have wide sandy beaches with no debris, rocks or reef in the water, all sand bottom. The best time of year to learn would be from late Oct - early June, with July through Sept having a bit lighter winds but still teachable conditions. Typically we can get 2-3 ridable days every week of the year, but it can go a week with little to no wind. We'll do our best in forecasting the wind for your lesson so that you get the best learning experience.
IF YOU HAVE SIGNED UP FOR A LESSON, PLEASE READ OUR FAQ PAGE FOR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS.
Prerequisite: Trainer Kite Flying
You're ready to fly! The Beach Lesson is required for all beginners getting into the sport. This is the lesson that you will learn the basic fundamentals of kiteboarding and all of the safety aspects of the sport. The most important part of kiteboarding is being able to control the kite safely, landing, launching, and depowering the kite completely. You will learn this and much more in this key lesson for all newbies.
Location and weather conditions
Equipment & terminology
Concepts of the wind-window
Inflatable Kite Setup
Kite Safety Systems
Pre-launch procedures
Assisted Launching & Landing
Self Launching & Landing
Landing using the Kite Anchor
Depowering the Kite
Kite flying & de-powering
Safety, Safety & more Safety !!
Prerequisite: Level 1 Class
You've mastered the kite, and now you are ready for the water. In this 3 hour class you'll be getting in the water for some body dragging and your first water starts on the board. Our professional instructors are experts at getting all of our students up and riding in this crucial lesson. Here are some key elements that we'll be covering:
Kite flying & de-powering
Body Dragging
Body Dragging up wind
First Movements with the board
Water start with the board
Jibing & tacking
Self Rescue technique
Kiting Upwind
Prerequisite: Trainer Kite Flying
If you are anxious to learn kiteboarding, we have combined the Level 1 & 2 Lessons into a full day combo lesson that gets most people up and riding the very first day! This is a 6 hour physically intense course that covers everything from start to finish. This is our most popular lesson we offer, but be prepared to be sore the next day from this hardcore kite workout.
Level 1 - Beach Lesson
Level 2 - On the Water
Prerequisite: Completion of Level 1 & Level 2 Class
Private Lesson from one of our certified instructors
Getting pop out of your board
Sending the Kite
Learning to Jump
Different types of transitions
Backrolls/Frontrolls
Riding the surf
Advanced tricks/manuevers
Note: This lesson is taught during another scheduled class, but is one on one training.
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