Training Day @ The Point Ventura Kiteboarding

Perfect 10-15 knots WNW  breeze on tap.  We meet our student Andrew on time with sunshine and empty beach.

Toss up a trainer kite and review the wind window and power zones. Optimal Ventura Kiteboarding conditions to train. Our student Andrew has done his homework by practicing with a trainer on his own. He is a quick study  and is ready to move forward.

We set up a 10 meter kite, inflate, lay out lines and attach to the kite. We spend some time at the "business end" of the bar. Discussing at length, chicken loop, donkey stick, spreader bar, seat harness/waist harness, quick release, kite leash, de-power strap and some of the "Murphy's Law" scenarios that can and will take place. A lot of information here and is best demonstrated while flying the kite.
 We self launch the kite, review the neutral areas and power zones. Transfer and hook our student into the 10 meter kite. Wind is still a steady 10-15 knots. Most students want to "death grip" the bar and pull in. We break this tendency once our student Andrew understands his body weight is holding the kite down. We move to dividing the wind window in half. 12'O'clock to 3'O'clock to tack out and 12 to 9 to tack back.

We get more aggressive with kite flight and our student is sliding on the sand in both directions, when prompted. If we were on snow, Andrew would be snow-kiting. I am reminded we are in Ventura Kiteboarding country and this is about the water.

We demonstrate the quick release, sliding the bar away on one line and let the kite flag out harmlessly on the sand. We set back up the kite and train our student to self launch.
Ventura Kiteboarding training insists on:  self launch, self land and self rescue. However if there are "qualified" kiters to assist, always accept a helping hand.

A half dozen Ventura Kiteboarding core crew members show up during our lesson. Mark T our "elegant big fella" stops by, gives words of confidence and advice to our new Ventura Kiteboarding student Andrew. Mark T mentions our student is in good hands and we know the ropes. (I think he meant lines) Quietly I think, keeping the residents fed and "watered" is a good strategy.

At 6'4 the 205 lb. goofy foot Mark T stays close to shore. He rides every wave with smooth flowing lines only to abruptly hit any lip to a slashing cut back. We watch and commentate, the bottom turns and top turns synergistic to the kite turns. "Big fella" is surfing with his kite. No paddling required.

After three plus hours, Andrew is ready to have some one on one "ZEN" time with the kite. He practices everything he learned during the Ventura Kiteboarding training session. Andrew now is telling me, he could take his snowboard and kite to this place, 2 hours from here and.............................."Let's Go" is  always the only response.

As we are "wrapping and rolling" up, Mark T shows up with a clean in half broken board. Apparently a crack existed under the deck pad and was a lot worse then imagined. Air-drop off a 5 ft. face into the flats, he landed and did the splits on the two new halves. Mark T is on a board search for tomorrows' wind and waves.

Back in the car-lot Andrew, books another lesson...........stay tuned.

Warm winds,
                    Tom