Beginner Kiteboarding Lesson - Introduction and Progression in Kiteboarding

All students at different speeds but the progression of the lessons below is based on our experience teaching since 2006 in Bellingham and the IKO/PASA lesson program. All lessons are customized for the student to get the skills needed to progress. Most of our students take 2 to 3 lessons to comfortably kite independently. We recommend our students have 3 to 5 hours of trainer kite flying time.

1 Person Lesson #1: Lesson 1 is the introduction to kite safety, basic kite flying, hazard awareness and how to use a kite to generate power. We focus on safely handling a kite. You will learn the basics of a 4 line inflatable kite, kiting terminology, 4 line kite set up, safety protocol and wind theory. During this lesson we will be covering kite steering, power zone concepts, the kiter's hand (IKO) signals, kite setup, launching, landing, water relaunching, body dragging and self rescue. You will learn the basic skills to safely operate an appropriately sized 4 line inflatable kite under supervision.

-3 hours and including all gear. $350

1 Person Beginner Lesson #2: Lesson 2 begins with a review of kite basics from Lesson 1 and then continues your skills and will focus heavily on using the kite to get you riding the board. Getting up on the board is known as the 'waterstart'. You will practice waterstarts in both directions. We hope to start with short rides and progress to about 100m in this lesson. You will refine your flying skills and efficiently using the power strokes. You will also work on board recovery. 

-3 hours and including all gear. $350 (discounted if purchased as series)

1 Person Beginner Lesson #3: This lesson continues to build on your previous lessons and it will be customized to your level. Most likely you will work to progress to longer rides and we may use our jet ski to increase your riding time (condition and skill dependent). 

-3 hours and including all gear. $350 (discounted 3rd lesson if purchased as series)

1 Person x 3 Lesson/9 hour Progression Kiteboard Lesson Package: Zero to Beginner Kiter Package: Includes all three beginner kiteboard lessons at a discounted rate.

-9 hours and including all gear. $949 (Value is $350 for Lesson 1, $350 for Lesson 2 and $249 for Lesson 3)

2 Person/Group Lesson:  2 Students for $400 for 3 hours. Please note we have a 2 student maximum per instructor. We encourage students to learn with a friend as many students feel it helps to watch another student learn in front of them. 

-3 Hour and including all gear. $400 

2 Person x 3 Lesson/9 hour Progression Kiteboard Lesson Package: Zero to Beginner Kiter Package for 2: Includes all three 2 person beginner kiteboard lessons at a discounted rate.

-9 hours and including all gear. $1100 (Value is $400 for Lesson 1, $400 for Lesson 2 and $300 for Lesson 3)

Reservations (required):

• Lessons may be rescheduled due to poor wind conditions.
• Reservations for lessons are on a first come first serve basis.
• A $75 deposit will be made at time of reservation to hold a lesson spot.
• Late cancellations and No Shows will be charged the $75 deposit.
• Reservations are an absolute necessity to guarantee instructor availability.

Conditions and Forecasting Wind: We do our best to get you kiting in good learning conditions. Despite our knowledge conditions can change rapidly and this a part of windsports. We communicate with our students the night before each lesson with updates on the forecast. 

More Information: All gear is included in the lesson. This includes wetsuit, neoprene boots, neoprene gloves, helmet, vest, harness and the kite gear. Please bring a swimsuit and towel for the lesson. A snack and warm clothes is recommended for after the lesson. 

A deposit of $75 required to hold a lesson time. 

Why choose Bellingham to learn to kite?

Bellingham is geographically unique as it sits in between two large valleys the Fraser River Valley, and the Skagit Valley which happen to be lined up with the Straights of Juan de Fuca and Straights of Georgia respectively. This gives us a lot of wind possibilities from several directions.

What does that mean?

Bellingham area experiences in flow winds to these valleys most days of the spring, summer and fall. When the predominant low pressure setup is present, the marine air from the Straits of Juan de Fuca are drawn into the Frasier Valley giving us great morning winds. When a high pressure setup is present, marine air from the Straits of Georgia flow into the Skagit Valley in the afternoons.

Typically in the spring and early summer months we experience kite able winds 75-80% of the days. Our winds are typically very steady, and range from 9m to 14m conditions. In the winter months when thermal heating does not dominate Bellingham is very well oriented to receive winds associated with frontal movement, as well as Fraser River outflow winds. On top of all of this, our kiteboarding locations have more flat, warm, and shallow water than anywhere in the Pacific Northwest because our riding locations are on river deltas. The open deltas create a huge shallow water environment where you will be able to have plenty or room to work on your skills without fear of other riders getting too close.

PLEASE NOTE:

• All lessons must be scheduled. Please call the shop at (360) 775-2741
• There is a non-refundable $75 deposit required if the lesson is canceled by the student with 24 hours of the lesson.

Upon arrival for your lesson you will need to review and sign a waiver. Sign in advance online and save some time.