Getting into the water

Great little description about getting into the water.

Now you are ready to learn how to kitesurf.
The best wind to practice in is 10 to 18 knots using the kite size appropriated to your weight. Different kites generate different power. Your kite vendor should be able to provide you with a table describing which kite to use in a certain wind speed.
When the kite is straight above your head, you should feel that the kite is lifting a small portion of your weight.
If the kite is not lifting you up at all, you need a bigger kite.
If the kite is lifting you up off your feet occasionally, you need a smaller kite.


Get yourself ready in the water using the following steps (this method is written for a right-handed person – with the safety leash attached to the left wrist (or harness) and the board leash (if you haven't yet know how to body drag upwind and still use board leash) attached to the right side of your harness; reverse the left/right designation for a left-handed person):



1. Launch the kite (some may prefer to do this in step 4) with the safety release line attached to your left wrist or harness.


2. Walk into the waist-deep water.


3. This step is not necessary if you already know how to body-drag upwind. Attach the board leash to your harness (make sure you have a helmet if you use board leash). Your harness is the best place to attach the board leash . Attach a metal ring permanently to your harness. At the end of your board leash attach some large marine carabineer which you can easily attach or detach the board leash from the metal ring on your harness.


4. Launch your kite if you have not done so in step 1 (this is only possible with an inflatable)


5. Use the kite power to drag you to deeper water (this step may not be necessary if you have plenty of space).



How To KiteSurf

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