POUSADA KITE GUAJIRU'
Strapless Lessons for beginners
in Brazil
Tired of kiteboarding with a twintip? Transitioning to strapless kitesurfing might just bring a fresh perspective! With Carlo expertise, we provide beginner lessons to facilitate your move from twintip to surfboard with utmost ease.
What is strapless kitesurfing?
Strapless kitesurfing resembles traditional surfing with the added element of controlling a kite. However, significant distinctions exist between a conventional surfboard and a wave kiteboard. Typically, standard surfboards lack the necessary durability required for kitesurfing.
What skills do you need to get started?
Before going into strapless kitesurfing, mastering riding on a twintip and confidently going upwind is highly recommended. This foundation significantly simplifies the entire process! For swift progression and achieving proficiency, transitioning from a twintip to a surfboard is advised. You should be comfortable riding toeside, executing pops/jumps, and ideally capable of backrolling/frontrolling in both directions. In your initial sessions, expect to engage in body-dragging to retrieve your board frequently, so ensure you're adept at managing it! Though it may seem daunting, attaining this level with a twintip isn't overly challenging! By transitioning from twintip to strapless armed with these fundamentals, your advancement will be notably swifter compared to starting directly with a surfboard.
Do you really need lessons?
Taking lessons for strapless kitesurfing is highly recommended for several reasons. Firstly, we will provide crucial safety guidance, teaching you how to handle equipment and manage wind conditions effectively. Moreover, structured lessons tailored to your skill level ensure efficient learning, with Carlo offering immediate feedback and correcting mistakes. Additionally, we will help you familiarize yourself with different equipment types and refine advanced techniques, boosting your confidence and enjoyment of the sport. Overall, while it's possible to learn strapless kitesurfing independently, investing in lessons can significantly enhance your safety, progress, and overall experience.
Selecting the right strapless gear
When venturing into strapless riding, your choice of equipment becomes crucial. Understanding the type of spot you'll be riding in and the style of riding you aim to pursue is paramount when selecting the appropriate kite. For instance, traditional "C" shape kites are unsuitable for strapless kitesurfing. Instead, delta-shaped kites are preferred for their power, speed, and ease of relaunching from the water. Furthermore, durability is key, especially for wave riding, where crashes are inevitable. A well-built and resilient kite, paired with a bar offering significant depower, is invaluable. Similarly, the selection of the right board is vital for your learning journey. Strapless kitesurfing encompasses wave surfing and strapless freestyle disciplines. Before settling on a board, consider the wind speed and sea conditions prevalent in your spot. This assessment will guide you in choosing the most suitable board for your needs.
Can I use a surfing board for wave riding?
If wave riding is your preference, it's advisable to start with a board that offers more volume compared to those favored by advanced riders. This additional volume aids in maintaining control within the wave, allowing you to concentrate on your body positioning and kite control. While kite surfboards typically have smaller dimensions than regular surfboards, it's ill-advised to utilize your surfboard for kiting purposes. Not only is it not reinforced for kite use, but it may also lead to safety concerns. It's crucial to employ a leash only when necessary, particularly if your board risks encountering rocky terrain, as this scenario can pose significant hazards depending on the prevailing conditions. Alternatively, if strapless freestyle is your chosen discipline, a noseless board is essential. These boards typically feature channels underneath, wider dimensions, and increased rocker to facilitate maneuvers and tricks.
Tips for Beginner strapless riding
For newcomers to strapless kitesurfing, mastering the waterstart can be a challenge. While some opt for the method of standing in front of the board and jumping onto it, a more manageable approach for beginners is to start from a floating position, similar to how you would on a twintip board. A helpful tip for improving upwind riding is to adjust your stance slightly shorter than you would on a twintip and distribute your weight a bit more towards the front. Once you've mastered the waterstart and upwind riding, transitioning becomes the next step. One of the easiest transitions involves shifting your kite from one side to the other while moving from heel side to toe side. To return to heel side, maintain a high kite position and apply pressure on the front foot just before switching feet. Another transition technique involves rotating the board without rotating your body. Before initiating the transition, move slightly downwind with the kite raised and minimal power. Your front foot guides the board into the rotation, allowing the wind to assist. Simply switch your feet, adjust your kite, and ride away smoothly.
Going forward with strapless riding
Now that you've mastered a few transitions, it's time to level up! Begin by honing your popping technique, starting with a choppy surface for stability. As you may already know from twintip experience, popping involves pressing on your back leg while lifting your front leg and aiming to bring the board as upwind as possible. If you start to feel some lift, adjust the orientation of the board bottom into the wind. Once you've got the hang of popping, the next progression is to incorporate jumps and grabs. Utilize your kite to generate lift during takeoff, similar to twintip jumps. During takeoff, focus on bending your front leg and bringing the board towards your hand. Remember, it's not about reaching for the board; rather, allow the board to come into your hand. Upon landing, aim to touch down with your back foot first, followed by your front foot. As you advance, challenge yourself with regular jumps without relying on your hands to maintain board contact. Use your kite to initiate the jump and pop, then immediately after takeoff, pivot your body and feet into the wind to ensure the board remains attached. Keep your legs bent and aim to invert your body upside down for added flair. These techniques will keep you engaged and progressing in your upcoming sessions.
Where can you get strapless lessons in Brazil?
Looking to learn strapless kitesurfing in Brazil? We have the perfect spot for you: Ilha do Guajirú. Here, Pousada Kite Guajiru, a bed and breakfast designed for kite surfers, offers strapless kitesurfing lessons. With ideal conditions and dedicated instructors, you'll be mastering the basics in no time, right at your doorstep!
What kit do you need for strapless lessons?
No need to worry about gear when taking lessons at Pousada Kite Guajiru! We provide all the essential equipment you need to get started, included in the course cost. This takes the hassle out of your learning experience. For those who fall in love with strapless kitesurfing, we also offer the best gear on the market for purchase, and sometimes even have second-hand options available.
What You'll Learn During Your Strapless Course
During our strapless kitesurfing lessons for beginners, you can expect to cover a range of fundamental skills and techniques essential for safe and enjoyable riding.
Safety Protocols: Understanding basic safety measures, including proper equipment handling, launching, landing, and emergency procedures.
Board Control: Mastering board handling techniques, such as water starts, riding stance adjustment, and board positioning in different wind and wave conditions.
Riding Techniques: Developing skills for riding upwind, downwind, and across the wind, as well as navigating choppy water and waves.
Transitions: Practicing smooth transitions between riding directions, including heel-side to toe-side and toe-side to heel-side transitions.
Basic Maneuvers: Introduction to basic maneuvers like carving turns, stopping, and controlling speed.
Progression: Guidance on how to progress from basic riding to more advanced maneuvers, such as jumps, grabs, and riding waves.
Equipment Selection: Understanding different types of strapless kitesurfing equipment, including boards and kites, and how to choose gear suited to your skill level and riding preferences.
Building Confidence: Building confidence and comfort in the water and with the equipment, enabling you to enjoy strapless kitesurfing with greater ease and proficiency.
How many lessons do you need before you can ride?
Most students can confidently ride along after 10-12 hours of instruction, that typically means 3 to 4 lessons.
Prior board-riding experience, like wakeboarding or windsurfing, can accelerate this process, especially with personalized coaching. In these cases, independence might be achievable in a single day!
Check the courses offered at Pousada Kite Guajiru Bed and Breakfast
Pousada Kite Guajirù - Bed & Breakfast
Our cozy accommodations provide a serene sanctuary where you can relax and recharge after your kitesurfing sessions or exploring the picturesque surroundings. Immerse yourself in the laid-back atmosphere of Guajiru and let Pousada Kite Guajiru be your home away from home as you create unforgettable memories on Brazil's enchanting coast
Stay with us and learn to Kite
How many lessons do you need before you can ride?
Most students can confidently ride along after 10-12 hours of instruction, that typically means 3 to 4 lessons.
Prior board-riding experience, like wakeboarding or windsurfing, can accelerate this process, especially with personalized coaching. In these cases, independence might be achievable in a single day!