Teaching a 12 year old

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 834 Posts Opinionated

I have been working with my son for a while now, he is proficient with the trainer kite, can do loops, figure 8's, etc. with ease. I have reviewed all of the rigging and safety issues with him, and he has flown my 6M on land several times. He is about 105-110 lbs, 5'2". I am trying to think what the next step will be to move him forward. Flying the kite on the land is fine, but I don't think that he is progressing much that way. Any other ideas, other than getting him in the water for some bodydragging?

We are in Southern California, so have relatively flat, relatively warm water available at Belmont Shore.

consumer · Since 28 Nov 2010 406 Posts banned Obsessed

while it's not a perfect cross over, I think getting up on a board and planing behind a boat or even with you running along the shore with a rope would be important learning. You could try this when there isn't any wind blowing.

ecameron · Since 29 Jul 2009 90 Posts PDX

Agree with the time behind a boat. Knowing board skills
will make kiting easier. It's not the same, but more similar than snowboarding, skating, etc. He'll be able to practice switch stance and how to take a good strong fall on the water, very important. I sometimes wonder why more people don't practice board skills prior to lessons.

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 834 Posts Opinionated

Interesting, having wakeboarded myself, I don't find the two all that similar, but worth a shot I guess.

He is an accomplished snowboarder and skateboarder, so was thinking those board skills would be sufficient.

I think more time learning to control the kite is key.

Slappysan · Since 13 Jun 2012 308 Posts Obsessed

Don't bother with a boat just take him to the local cable park.

Sella · Mon Mar 24, 14 9:22 am

If he is already a good boarder another option is a strapless landboard on the beach. Full set of pads and have him go for it. Excellent for teaching kite skills with momentum, slack lines...etc...etc.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1471 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

sounds like he's ready to get into the water and try body dragging.
i've taught a couple of kids and observed the different teaching methods here in the gorge.
the gorge has the sandbar with shallow water so it's easy for parents to get in the water with the kids and support their first attempts at body dragging, water starts, and their first rides.

if that's your setup - sounds like you're ready to get into the water and start with short body drag sessions.

if that's not your setup, beg, borrow, or buy a jet ski.....

sromano1995 · Since 22 May 2013 240 Posts Portland Stoked

Pete,

First, you live close to one of the best spots in US that I know of to teach an learn from.
Belmont shore has a giant beach, plenty of space downwind, consistent mild onshore wind, no major waves / surf thanks to the Long Beach breakwater...

Bottom line: one of the safest places that I can think of to learn in the water (as long as he is quite confortable in the water)

My recommendations for next steps:
Step 0: review safety procedure (depower, QR1, QR2, etc...)
Step 1: Bodydragging in the water (master upwind body dragging)
Step 2: Self Rescue.
Step 3: Get on him on the board on the water.

Attach is a quick video of my son (13 at the time) learning to ride (Step 3) after successfully completed Step 0 and 1. (We skipped 2 but would be a good idea for this new season)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=001qOMM8Nok

I look forward to coming soon to Belmont. My best friend is taking lessons there right now.

Cheers,
Serge

sromano1995 · Since 22 May 2013 240 Posts Portland Stoked

BTW, here is how I am warming up my kids (8 and 14 now) for the 2014 kite season!
Water is still too cold for them here in Oregon but in a couple of months, they will be ready to get in the water.

My little one is totally stoke after our session last Friday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xav89tPZsFE

keithvoncoyote · Since 13 May 2011 49 Posts The Gorge

When I was learning, the river was super high and while waiting for it to go down to take a lesson I took the trainer kite and a long board to a big empty parking lot. Started doing this when the trainer kite had become very boring and was having a hard time waiting to get in the water.

I was able to ride up wind and it was a great way to learn that, got to the point where we could ride figure eights around the parking lot. That and its fun! I recommend knee pads, gloves, helmet... If you can find a small foil kite with depower it would really be the best.

dwaynej · Since 09 Sep 2013 207 Posts Stoked **CGKA Member**

Just a warning that Belmont Shores gets really busy early in the afternoon, There are specific rules about launching in defined area, and tricks and transitions outside the swim area. Lifeguards have announced they will start ticketing offenders. Join the Belmont Kite Friends Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/167699799923802/

Late afternoon and everyone clears out and you can get a great session in with the setting sun. Weird.

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

Sounds like he is ready but the one thing I am not sure you mentioned is water experience handling stress.
IMHO you want to be 100% confident getting pummeled in the water before you start getting pummeled with strings attached.
My guess is in your location he has been swimming in the ocean and surfing or bodyboarding enough to take waves on the head or swim in current without getting flustered or tiring too quickly.
It's valuable to learn just when you are getting tired, "when to say when," while in the water dealing with situations of different levels of complexity, knowing you have to budget energy to get to safety as well as face any immediate problem.

Also, trying wakeboarding just one or two sessions would be worth it for learning the start and managing the pull and edge control. My early sessions on a twintip were night and day apart after I learned wakeboarding, which took about 2 hours.

Just my opinions though, you are the best judge of what he will be able to handle.

sfbomber · Since 27 Jun 2012 112 Posts Stoked

I agree sk8/landboarding is a good option. Since most of us don't have a boat, what about the idea of tying a bar with short lines to the adult's harness. The adult can steer the kite, the "student" can practice body dragging, harness quick release, and maybe even getting up on the board without having to worry about steering the kite.
For board choices I've always favored strapless; skimboards, wakesk8, surfboard, longboards. Getting up on a <8' longboard is probably the easiest. SUPs are more difficult due to the lack on a decent edge on the rail. If you had a SUP, you could probably let him fly the kite and you use your paddle as a rudder.
For kite size, if he isn't comfortable looping the kite, go smaller.
Agree kite skills are key, have him keep body dragging / self rescuing solo until he is bored, before bringing the board into the equation.
Highly recommend pfd, helmet, and wetsuit.

dwaynej · Since 09 Sep 2013 207 Posts Stoked **CGKA Member**

One of my favorite videos but check out the 2:00 minute mark for some ideas Wink

http://vimeo.com/73004827

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 834 Posts Opinionated

sromano1995 · Since 22 May 2013 240 Posts Portland Stoked

My oldest son is about 105lbs. I have use my 6 and 8 m and I have never put him in more than 20 mph conditions.
At Belmont, I would start with the 6m and work up from there.
Right now, I am actually looking for a 4 m for my little one. On the video he was flying the 6 m in 10-12 mph wind but I would not have put on the water with that kite.

Johnb · Since 02 Aug 2010 494 Posts Obsessed

Serge
You can get a used 2012 3 m Prodigy at windance for $225.00