New to Kiteboarding, where to learn?

[RaviTheJedi]

I first saw Kiteboarding in San Francisco in 2007. 14 year later, now I am ready to take the leap.

Where should I take Kiteboarding lessons: OBX OR Dewey Beach, DE? I live in Baltimore, Maryland: 6.5 hours from Outer Banks, NC and 2.5 hours from Dewey Beach, DE.

OBX has Kitty Hawk Kites and Real Watersports. Both seem to have reputable instructors to teach and good gear selection.

Dewey Beach has East of Maui. I've near heard of them and they don't have any online presence. Has anyone taken lessons from them?

Dewey beach can be a day trip, but OBX has to be a multi-day trip.

[appelton]

I would say go somewhere with shallow waters. Somewhere where you can stand after you drop your kite. It's so much easier to do water starts when you can comfortably stand. Learning from scratch in a deep ocean is way more difficult. Also ...if you can take a couple of wakeboarding lessons in a cable park. Once you start riding and get a feel for it, start playing with kites.

[Havre]

I don't know any of the places so I can't help you specifically, but on a general basis very difficult to say which schools are better than others. Back in the day when I learned I had several different instructors and they varied quite a lot in "quality" I would argue - even working for the same school. It will come down to personal preference etc as well of course.

I don't think it is strictly speaking necessary, but taking lessons I would recommend condensing the time you take lessons. Doesn't have to be 5 days in a row, but better to try to at least do 2-3 days in a row rather than one day for then to wait a week or whatever for the next.

OBX looks like a cool place. Would like to visit some day. The upside guess with going to Dewey would be to get comfortable at what might be your local spot when you get to riding independently? Strange how that is in the beginning (lasts for quite some time actually) - having more confidence riding at a spot which you know. One of my friends is still like this - even if he is a far better rider than me - he still feels a bit uneasy for 3 mins whenever he goes to a new spot.

[robclaisse]

OBX is one of the best places to learn to kiteboard. Flatwater and waist-deep for miles. Both Real and Kitty Hawk have great instructions and teach off jetskis. I have friends who have struggled to learn elsewhere (more due to conditions that instructors) but have cracked it on the Sound in OBX cos the conditions and ability to teach off the jetski's is just amazing. It can be a little more expensive but worth it as it should speed up your progression.

[matth]

You can't beat OBX for learning...good wind and endless waist-deep water. Real has a great setup and lots of options to get you to where the wind is. I would also highly recommend Ty Luckett at Kitehatteras.com, he had my friend up and riding after a few lessons...

[matth]

OBX is one of the best places to learn to kiteboard. Flatwater and waist-deep for miles. Both Real and Kitty Hawk have great instructions and teach off jetskis. I have friends who have struggled to learn elsewhere (more due to conditions that instructors) but have cracked it on the Sound in OBX cos the conditions and ability to teach off the jetski's is just amazing. It can be a little more expensive but worth it as it should speed up your progression.

100%....Jet ski and boats make a huge difference. Otherwise, you are doing a lot of walking in the water or watching your instructor kite back up wind...

[FLandOBX]

Hands down, the OBX is the better choice. Both KHK and Real are good, as is Ty Luckett. The conditions at OBX make it ideal (i.e., consistent wind, shallow water on soundside, lots of access points accommodating any wind direction).

One advantage of KHK is that, once you take your lessons, you can continue to use their launch site as you progress. You'll have continuing (informal) support from the KHK instructors and regulars. You can't do that at Real (restricted launch site) or Kitehatteras (Ty teaches from a boat). Just another consideration.

[SMJ]

As a first time rider, go to the spot closest to you. Head over to this forum for the best local advice:
http://eastkb.com/

Look up Sean Colgan from Got Wind Kiteboarding. He goes by the handle "coog" on eastkb.com.

Here's his website:
https://gotwindkiteboarding.wordpress.com/

[danlar]

Hi there, just did my instructor course in march and I am getting experience teaching at Long Bay beach at Turks & Caicos.

I have been to many place to kite, including OBX, and I will say that I never seen a better place to learn then here. Huge shallow water and warm, jetski to help, etc. If you don’t mind travelling, that’s the place.

[elguapo]

if you have options..


i'd go to corpus cristi or texas city...in that order for america