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Flatwater Kiteboarding
South Padre Kite Chicks
Kitesurfing South Padre Island, Texas
Laguna Madre Bay Kite Boarding
South Padre in 2010 Kiteworld Travel Guide... South Padre Island, Texas - world's top kiteboarding destination.
New South Padre Shuttle from Harlingen Airport... $20 One-way Bus tickets available from South Padre Island, Texas to Harlingen Valley International Airport (VIA)!
Kitesurfing Trip to Puerto Rico... Air Padre Kiteboarding Team takes a vacation, and heads to Puerto Rico for kitesurfing adventures!
Spring Kiteboarding and Kitesurfing Camps Schedule... Spring 2010 Kiteboarding Camps Schedule has been posted.
Sale on Kiteboarding Lesson rates for the Winter Holiday Season... Kiteboarding Lesson Winter Special prices are now available!
Leaning Tower on South Padre Island Demolished... Photos and video of the tallest building to be imploded.
Air Padre Kiteboarding Donates Gear to students... Air Padre donates kite equipment to UTB Kiteboarding. See their reactions!
Air Padre Kiteboarding was first a kiteboarding school which has grown and now offers kiteboarding lessons(flat water), kitesurfing lessons(in the surf), kite repairs, and kitesurfing equipment and gear sales on South Padre Island along the Texas Gulf Coast. We have put together this site to help future kiteboarders get into the sport efficiently and safely. When you take a kiteboarding lesson, our boat support coupled with radio helmets consistently gives our students the leading edge when it comes to thorough and efficient learning. If you go with a school that does not offer boat support, be prepared to spend some of the lesson time walking back upwind.
Kiteboarding or kitesurfing, if you don't already know, is like snowboarding or skateboarding on water. When you ride a board while being pulled behind a boat it's called wakeboarding. NOW, instead of having someone else drive you around for a source of power imagine having that power in your very own hands in the form of a steady wind powering up a large kite. No need for a $50,000 boat and $100 gas everyday- once you buy your kiteboarding gear the wind is free! Many people use the words kiteboarding, kite boarding, kite-boarding, kitesurfing, kite surfing and kite-surfing interchangeably. We generally refer to kiteboarding as flat water riding and kitesurfing as wave riding. For more information on riding in the waves check out our page on kitesurfing or kitesurfing lessons.
The kite is controlled or steered using a control bar in the hands of the rider. The kite can be flown in specific patterns to generate greater power or can be used to jump or fly through the air. When we say fly we really mean it. Professional kiteboarders can not only jump up 50 or 60 feet but can also fly for distances of a quarter mile or more! That's nearly 10 seconds of air time! Ever wonder how that kiteboarder you've been watching from a distance can hang onto their kite for so long? They must have really strong arms right? Not even! In wakeboarding that might be the case because you have to hang onto the bar with all you've got to perform your tricks and ride but in kiteboarding the power of the kite is directed to a hook on your harness which is near your center of gravity and allows you to use your body as leverage against the kite. This takes the load off your arms which are used for steering the bar, power and de-power of the kite. When you pull the bar towards you it adds power, when you push the bar away you decrease power. The amount of resistance when pulling the bar in for more power is called sheeting pressure, or bar pressure. The bar also offers a safety release which can be used to kill power in case of an emergency. Also, instead of trailing behind a boat going where the driver wants to go, you are free to chase the wind wherever you want! Like a sailboat you can go any direction you want except directly into the wind. If you want to go upwind you can tack back and forth at about a 45 degree angle to the wind.
Kite boarding is the fastest growing watersport in the world, and for good reasons. The freedom of jumping 10, 20, 30ft off the water, without the necessity of a wave for a ramp, means that people can go home to a lake and still fly through the air.
To begin kiteboarding the rider dives the kite in the direction he wants to ride to generate power and get up on the kiteboard. This is called the waterstart. Riding or skimming on the water is referred to as planing. To begin a waterstart, the kiteboarder points his kiteboard slightly downwind or chases the kite. After getting up on the kiteboard the kiteboarder turns upwind to avoid de-powering the kite by moving downwind to quickly. The kiteboarder is constantly working to channel the pull of the wind at an angle such that he or she is moving perpendicular to the wind direction. If done successfully the kiteboarder is staying upwind. This is one of the first skills a new kiteboarder must learn.
Later, by putting kite and board skills together the kiteboarder can actually work upwind. From there the host of turns (called transitions), moves and tricks seem to be endless with pros and amateurs constantly pushing the envelope.
Traditional kites are referred to as C-kites because of their C shape. Yes, you can learn on a c-kite but BEWARE there are drawbacks. Not to mention that you will have to buy two c-kites to get the wind range of one bow or SLE kite. C-kites tend to offer only a 20-30% de-power range which means if you lose control of the kite you will suffer 70-80% of the consequences. To be fair, many advanced and pro-kiteboarders choose to use c-kites because of specific flying characteristics that are not advantageous to the beginning kiteboarder. Wait to buy until after you learn! Would you buy a car without test driving it? Let's not jump the gun with kites either! There are many many different kinds of kites, bars, lines, boards and safety systems to choose from. Factors like what conditions you will be riding in, your weight and skill level all determine which kite is best for you. Your qualified kiteboarding instructor can be of definite help in qualifying which kiteboarding set-up is best for your needs.
At Air Padre Kiteboarding we pride ourselves in our state of the art kiteboarding equipment. For kiteboarding lessons we use 2009/2010 SLE (Supported Leading Edge)/Hybrid kites like the Best Waroo or Kahoona. These kites feature the latest safety systems, de-power ability and easy relaunch from the water. These kites also have lower bar pressure than other styles of kites and this can save a lot of wear and tear on shoulder, elbow and wrist joints.
Another new style of kite is the Bow Kite. Bow kites and SLE/hybrids are very similar.
Both have bridles on the kite and often have pulleys.
The differences are that bow kites are generally flatter and often times have pulleys on the bar and greater bar pressure.
Some kiteboarders prefer heavier bar pressure because they find it easier to tell where the kite is without looking at it.
Both the new bow and SLE kites offer never before seen de-power ability. This means that by simply letting go of the bar (yet remaining connected to the kite through the harness) the beginner kiteboarder can avoid being thrown around by the kite when it generates too much power. Never before has the exciting sport of kiteboarding been so accessible and safe. Although like hang gliding, just because it's gotten safer doesn't mean you should teach yourself.
For instructional purposes we use Litewave Wing and Spleene Kiteboards like the one pictured here. We have found that these kiteboards are easier for people to get up and ride. Plus, because they are big and long and wide, less power is required to get the kiteboarder up and moving. The school has a range of sizes depending on the kiteboarder's weight, abilities as well as the wind speed. Some kiteboards are similar to wakeboards with the fins moved out to the rails for improved tracking while riding on the edge. This type of board is referred to as a twin tip or bi-directional board because either end of the board can be in front depending on the direction of travel.
Other kiteboards look more like a surfboard with foot straps. Directional boards, as these are called are generally easier to ride than twin tips (esp. in light to mod. wind) because the fins are deeper and the volume of the board requires less power to support the kiteboarder's weight. Experienced windsurfers often find directional style boards much easier to get their first ride on because the shape and feel of the board are similar to a windsurf board.
Seat Harness: A seat harness has wrap-around and full-bottom support with leg loops. Seat harnesses are the most popular for beginning kiteboarders.
Waist Harness: Wrap-around support with spreader bar fits on the kiteboarder's waist.
Impact Harness: Waste harness with a complete impact vest on top to protect the kiteboarder's chest, ribs and spine.
Boardshorts Harness: Seat harness integrated into a pair of boardshorts. These are second most popular for beginning kiteboarders.
Helmet: We suggest you buy a helmet which reflects the value of your head. If you prize your head don't buy a cheap helmet!
Sunglasses: Polarized to reduce glare off the water and UV sun protection. Also use straps to keep'em on and a floating device in case they come off!
Impact Vest/Personal Flotation Device: It's good to have flotation when kiteboarding in deep water. Advanced Kiteboarders often where impact vests to protect their ribs when learning tricks.
Booties: Getting a bad cut on your foot is a good way to end up on the beach watching your friends have fun. Kite Flyline Knife: Can be used in an emergency to cut kite lines.
Taking lessons with a qualified instructor is a must and you can improve the amount of progress you achieve in your first lesson if you follow these simple steps.
The best thing to do first is to buy or rent a trainer kite, and the instructional video to get the basics down ( if you don't want to wait don't worry, we have taught many people to kiteboard who had never flown a multi-line kite before). The trainer kite will teach you the controls, a basic understanding of the wind window, and how to generate power. The video is especially valuable because it will introduce you to concepts and terminology involved in kiteboarding that will allow you to move through the lessons efficiently while retaining more valuable information.
If you haven’t already, try out any sort of a board sport: snowboard, wakeboard, skateboard or balance board. If you can’t ride a board now it will be twice as hard to learn to ride a board on water while flying kite. When you have relative board skills you can concentrate more on flying the kite.
If you can't get your homework done before you come down you will most likely learn slower. Those who take these first steps to prepare before they get here consistently get up and ride sooner than those who don't.
Next, is the first three hour kiteboarding lesson, in which you will learn the safety issues and systems, setup of the kite, launching and landing, the wind window and power stokes, water relaunching, self rescue and body dragging. At this point if you like to learn on your own, and don't mind the "walk of shame" back upwind, then you have the foundation skills to build on. Many decide that the convenience of boat support and the presence of an instructor are far too valuable to pass up. Often times those who have experience flying the trainer kite get their first chance to get up on the board because of the time saved by advancing through the lesson rapidly.
After the first three hour kiteboarding lesson you will have a basic understanding of how to setup, launch and fly a kite. The second lesson is the 3 hour waterstart lesson and beyond, where you go out the Air Padre Boat with a radio helmet and kites. Now we'll take those skills onto the water and work on body surfing, directional dragging, advanced kite control and water-starts. Once riding and later staying upwind, the learning curve accelerates VERY quickly. Many of our students who do 4 or more lessons finish with their first jumps, riding toe side and transitions.
Safety for yourself and the public.The huge kites used in kiteboarding are very dangerous in the hands of a person lacking instruction. Most spectators don't realize how much power a kite can generate. There’s a better chance you will stick with the sport. Many people try to teach themselves or learn from friends and end up quitting due to lack of thorough instructions and adequate safety. Kiteboard lessons may be expensive but kites and their accompanying equipment cost even more. Beginner kiters innocently thrash the gear they learn on so why not use the school’s instead of your own? Taking a lesson may allow you outgrow beginner gear and when you’re ready to buy you can jump into the intermediate gear.
Kiteboarding lessons are lead by certified instructors who strive to help create independent and safe riders. An experienced instructor will have knowledge, patience, and an ability to communicate. Each of these are essential to a safe learning environment.
In the end, after saving yourself and innocent bystanders from possible kitemares, saving your friendships with other kiteboarders and saving time and money by learning and buying the right gear.
South Padre Island ( SPI ) boasts warm, flat and shallow water coupled with consistent winds and tropical temperatures, all perfect for kite surfing. Additionally, SPI offers a variety of riding conditions at surf, bay and mainland locations. Add all these factors together and you get the best place to take a kiteboarding lesson, period.
Every kiteboarding web site boasts that they have shallow, flat water. If you go to a place with some shallow water then you will be in shallow water some of the time. Here on SPI we don’t have some shallow water- we have over a million acres of perfection! Being able to stand up after a gulp of sea water or a head first plunge into the bay is not only convenient but comforting.
Remember, as instructors we strive to make you a safe and independent kiteboarder. The shallow water is excellent for learning but once you’re capable of riding we will challenge you to perfect the techniques that will allow you to bring your skills home to the deeper water.
"I just recently left SPI after spending four days there to improve my kiteboarding skills. Believe me that when you fly 1,500 miles by yourself to do this, pay for airfare (not to mention the $80 each way for your DaKine Board Coffin), rental car and lodging, knowing that you only have four days in SPI, you are grateful that Air Padre has spent the extra money to make sure that they can provide as big a "window of opportunity" as possible to allow you to get out on the water and improve your board skills." -Bill
"Just got back from Kiteboarding Lessons in South Padre. Would recommend Air Padre Kiteboarding to anyone starting off or expanding there skills! 2nd set of lessons, (1st were at Hood river in Portland) The instructors are very patient but push you to step it up and get out there and do it! Thanks Air Padre!" -Amanda
"I had a great time in SPI. I took four or five lessons with Air Padre Kiteboarding and the lessons encompassed not only learning how to kite, but the safety aspects as well as technique. SPI is a great place to learn and Air Padre is a first-rate instruction center. Can't wait to start kiting on the ice and lake when it thaws here in NH." -Jeff M
"..just have to thank Air Padre Kiteboarding for the hospitality and great deal on the hammersurf board. Even when I wanted to exchange the board I originally tried, it was no problem. Thanks" -Mandy
"I just finished a week in SPI and had a great time working with the Air Padre Kiteboarding staff. What a great place to learn this sport." -CC
"I had a couple of GREAT lessons with Air Padre Kiteboarding. Absolutely first-rate instructors at undoubtedly one of the best places to learn kiteboarding in the country (the expanse of the Laguna Madre at SPI is awesome!). My instructor reinforced what I needed to do to get up and ride, and with some practice back home, it finally clicked! Walking upwind at a certain point doesn't seem to accomplish much, and when you're struggling with water starts or starting to ride, Air Padre's boat support is exactly what you need. The instructors also teach an excellent self-rescue technique (a must to know), and gives great tips on managing your own equipment (whatever brand it may be). I highly recommend lessons with Air Padre Kiteboarding - you owe it to yourself." -Scott
----- IKO and PASA Certified Instructors -----
5709 A Padre Blvd., South Padre Island, Texas 78597 | 956-299-9463 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm