Learn how to kitesurf in Michigan
Tom
At 24 years old and wanting to “Live a Little” Tom took off to Puerto Rico on a 1-way ticket. His intent was to scratch learning how to kitesurf off his bucket list. Never did he expect this move would change his life. Falling in love with kiteboarding he ended up staying on the island for a year to really learn the sport and ended up teaching for the kite school he learned at. After that, he moved to Miami Fl where he worked at Adventure Sports, the biggest distributor of Cabrinha Kites in the US. Durning his 5 years with Adventure Sports he became a PASSA certified instructor, taught thousands of hours of lessons and ran the Adventure Sports school. He now resides in his home state of Michigan through spring to fall teaching his passion to others. In the winter months he chases the wind checking out the best kite spots in the world and working with other kite schools
With over 3,000 miles of coastline and plenty of lakes in between, Michigan has no shortage of spots to kiteboard.
We give kitesurf lessons from April-October. The windiest time of the season is in spring and fall, but there is wind all year long. In the winter some kiteboarders use snowboard and skis to snowkite.
April-October
Tawas Point
Breast Bay Monroe
Tawas Point Michigan makes learning how to kiteboard easier because of its shallow and large riding area. Kite lessons can be done here with wind direction coming from South, South West, and West directions.
Breast Bay is the other location where we instruct lessons. The best wind directions are South, South East, and East. This spot has shallow areas depending on lake levels for the year. Usually, there aren’t many people kiting here allowing you to have the spot pretty much to yourself.
In this lesson we go over
- Kite Set Up
-Wind Direction & Location Identification
-Kite Safety
-Understanding The Wind Window
- Kite Control
-Power Strokes
-Figure 8
-Body Dragging
-How To Launch The Kite
-How To Land The Kite
(Lesson Length 3 hrs)
In this lesson we expand from the first lesson and go over:
-Body Dragging
-Up Wind Body Dragging
-Body Dragging With The Board
-Board Retrieval
-Putting On the Board While Flying The Kite
-Water Starts
-Riding The Board
By this stage some students start to get up on the board.
(Lesson Length 3 hours)
In this lesson we expand from your previous lessons.
Most of this lesson will be focus on ridding & staying up wind.
-Ridding Up-Wind
-Coming To A Controlled Stop
-Transitions
-Self Landing
-Self Launch
(Lesson Length 3 hrs)
In this lesson we focus on getting your transitions down on both sides.
-Ridding Up-Wind
-Stopping
-Transitions
-Small Jumps
-Ridding Tow Side
(Lesson Length 3 hrs)
Please contact us to schedule your kiteboard lesson. Lessons are determined by weather conditions. If there is no wind for your scheduled lesson you will be notified and lessons will be rescheduled.
Call or Text
In your first lesson we go over the Basics.
-Safety
-Kite Setup
-Kite Kite Control
-Launching/Landing
In this lesson there we get more time with the kite.
-Kite Control
-Body Dragging
-Board Retrieval
-Water Starts on Board
By the end of this we have gone over everything you need to know to become an independent kiteboard rider.
-Ridding On Board
-Riding Up Wind
-Transitions
-Get Priority Bookings
-GoPro video for lesson review
-Become an independent certified rider
-1 Free hr of E-Foil Lessons
and much more!
Supervised lessons are those who just need a little more practice while an instructor is keeping an eye on you from a distance. This includes Gear Rental. Rider must display the ability to ride up wind.
Must be IKO or PASSA level 3 to rent.
You’ll have access to all the gear you need. This includes different kite and board sizes for various wind conditions. Wetsuits are provided if you don’t have one. We instruct with top-of-the-line equipment so you’ll be learning on the best.
Our lessons will take you from a complete beginner to an independent rider. Learn the basics from setting up the kite and flying it, to riding and doing transitions.
Tom has over 10 years of experience teaching kiteboarding. You will get to know the best spots to kite in Michigan as well as the best spots in the world.
Receive notifications on wind conditions and weather. Get to know other kiters in the group.
There’s limited spots available for the season to allow for the best quality lessons. This also means more availability to match your schedule.
GoPro Video is taken throughout the lesson so we can do lesson reviews and also document your progression. On Lessons of 6 or more hours
Receive PASSA Certification once you demonstrate the necessary criteria of independent rider.
Commonly Asked Questions
You can call it either or but if you want to get technical;
Kiteboarding refers to a kiter using a twin tip board. This board looks similar to a wakeboard. Both the nose and the tail of the board are identical and can be ridden both ways. This is the most common board used.
Kitesurfing is when the kiter is using a surfboard. A one directional board.
Yes.
Safety is our number 1 priority. Kiteboarding is very safe with the proper instruction and understanding of the safety systems. These safety systems allow you to kill the kites power and completely detach from the kite all together.
It can take anywhere from 8-15 hours to learn. This can greatly vary from person to person. There are many variables that can determine progression. Sports background, kite conditions, consistency, to name a few.
No. Kiteboarding doesn't require much strength.
You wear a harness which the kite connects to. The kite you from the harness.
Theres not really an age requirement. Kiteboarders range from 10- 70 years old. We do require our students to be a minimum of 70 lbs. though.
Between 13-23 mph of wind.
Yes.
In the spring and fall time of the season a wetsuit is needed. We can provide you one if needed.
-Bathing suit
-Wetsuit or T-shirt on warm days
-Water shoes
-Sunscreen
-Towel
-Water & a light snack
-Sunglasses with lanyard (not necessary but nice to have)
-Signed waiver
If there is no wind we just schedule you on the next available windy day.
You can also schedule a E-foil lesson.
Spots are limited. Book your spot now!
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