| Many people interested in learning to kiteboard often | | | | hour to teach you things you could have learned on |
| wonder if a trainer kite is really worth the money; after | | | | your own. Learning to find the wind window, how to |
| all, they are too small to use to on the water. While it is | | | | steer the kite, finding the power zone, and flying one |
| true that you will use your trainer less as time | | | | handed, are some of the things that you can easily |
| progresses, to understand their true value we first | | | | teach yourself with a trainer kite. |
| need to understand their true purpose - to get as good | | | | Second, you will lack the experience that 15-30 hours |
| at flying a kite as possible. | | | | of kite flying gives you. Your kite skills aren't going to |
| The real benefits of trainer kites are that they are | | | | be up-to-snuff, and you're going to have to learn them |
| safe, durable, fun, and much less expensive than | | | | on a more fragile, difficult to fly, unforgiving, and larger |
| kiteboarding kites. This means that you can fly them | | | | kite. Chances are greater that you will crash the kite - |
| until you master kite handling basics, crash them over | | | | a lot. |
| and over, teach your friends, and be safe the whole | | | | Finally, once you are finished your lessons you will |
| time. A large enough trainer (3 square meters or more) | | | | either need to rent or buy your own gear. Just like with |
| can also be used with skates, skis, snowboards, | | | | your own gear, you will be held responsible for any |
| rollerblades, skateboards, or landboards - whichever | | | | damages on rented gear. |
| you wish. | | | | With this in mind, heading straight to lessons can |
| The bottom line is that by starting with a trainer, you | | | | potentially cost you: |
| will be able to fly a kite well enough that it becomes | | | | Six to ten hours of lessons**: $300 - $800 |
| second nature - this means that you will breeze right | | | | Gear rental fee: $100 ($2000 if you buy your own |
| through these skills during your kiteboarding lessons. | | | | gear) |
| Let's look at how this converts into cold hard cash: | | | | Kite repair/replacement fee: $300 - $1200 |
| Cost of a trainer kite: $150 - $250 | | | | Total - $700 - $2100 |
| 15-30 hours of practice on your own: Free | | | | In the long run, trainer kites not only make you a better |
| Six hours of lessons*: $300 | | | | kiteboarder faster, they also can save you a whole |
| Total - $450 - $550 | | | | whack of cash. Choosing the right path can transform |
| If you bypass the trainer stage and go directly to | | | | you into a proficient kiteboarder in record time, so |
| lessons you will have three main disadvantages. First, | | | | which path do you prefer? |
| you're going to have to pay your instructor $50-$100 | | | | |