FAQ

Got a question about your lessons or someting else about kiteboarding. Check out our FAQ here for some of your more frequently asked questions:

Where are the lessons and where do I meet my instructor?

We meet on the Spit at the far end from the entrance (the tip of the Spit) - ie walk toward the very end of the Spit and about 20m before the tip of the Spit you will see the 'Squamish Kiteboarding School' flag. 

See below for further details coming from Vancouver.

What Do I  Bring to my Lesson:

For the Water lesson: If you have a wetsuit - full length or shorty  booties and or gloves always bring them along. Otherwise this is what we recommend...

 April to June:  Bring thick sweat pants and warm underlayer fleece gear - to wear under a drysuit. Sports lycra clothing is not warm enough. If you have a wetsuit bring that also as we may put that under the drysuit also.

July, August, September: A 5-4 or 4/3  full wetsuit is normally good enough for this time of year if you have one, but still we can still put you in a drysuit so also bring some warm uderlayers if you don't have a wetsuit to bring.

Food and drinks are a good idea as there is nothing on the Spit but its also easy to hit a downtown Squamish for a coffee, some food or the Brewpub after your session.

What Equipment does Squamish Kiteboarding School Provide?

We provide all kiteboarding gear for your lesson - working radio helmets, wetsuits, drysuits, harnesses, booties, kites, boards and safety gear. You will also have a dedicated IKO instructor who will teach you and follow you closely in the water at all times by boat.

Our helmets are radio equipped and we use them in our lessons to ensure you get the most from your learning experience in the quickest and most effective way.

What is the format of the lessons?

Squamish Kiteboarding school uses the IKO kiteboarding lesson format, starting with the trainer kite if needed, theory, safety and going onto the water with the board. As IKO instructors, this proven and safe instuction is practised throughout the world by trained IKO instructors to ensure you learn the best way first time around. We have students come to us who have been taught practises that IKO would not endorse and can be considered dangerous.

What time are the lessons?

Lessons are generally started at 10am and 2.30 pm - please arrive 30minutes before your lesson to get suited up and ready.

Whenever possible, you may choose your time to come, but  we try to start beginner classes in the morning and people with some kiting experience start in the afternoon.

Are there any additional Fees?

A $15 fee per person is charged by the SWS.  As the Spit is leased by a non profit organisation called the Squamish Windsports Society (SWS) from the district of Squamish. Fees are taken to uphold the lease and to maintain the Spit including the seadoo retrieval service, liability insurance, washroom facilities and staffing. 

Please bring $15 to the Spit on your lesson day, $25 for couples. They collect it at the entry area. Alternatively if you are going to be coming out a lot to the Spit, become a member of the SWS  for an annual fee of $150 or a discount for students.

Where do we meet? How long does it take to get to the Spit?

All lessons take place on the Spit. Generally it takes an hour and a half from downtown Vancouver - this will depend on traffic so give yourself 2 hours! But once you reach Horseshoe Bay it should take about an hour to wind your way around the coast and reach the Spit. Click here for directions.

Where can I buy my own Kiteboarding Equipment?

Squamish Kiteboarding School sells a variety of the best kiteboarding brands from trainer kites to your 'quiver' of kites, boards and Mystic wetsuits, harnesses and accessories. Ask us about new and used kiteboarding gear after your lesson and get a 10% discount on your new kiteboarding gear!

Who and What is IKO?

IKO the International Kiteboarding Organisation is your assurance of professional, trained and experienced kiteboarding instructors at Squamish Kiteboarding School. All of our instructors have been trained to the IKO instructor standards and have hundreds of hours of experiene which means they have all gone through a full trainng program including first Aid, Boat and Kiteboarding instructor training so you have the best and safest experience possible.

 FAQ: The bigger picture.

 
Can I do this? Is kiteboarding difficult?

Yes you can - anyone can learn to kiteboard with the correct instruction; kiteboarding is an easy sport to learn and as long as you are taught taught and learn the basics properly. From there the sheer thrill will keep you going! People of all walks of life get into kiteboarding. Kids as old as 12 and as adults as young as 65 kiteboard! They did it - so can you!

What does it take to learn?

Generally people with sailing and related boardsport expereince can be up and ridng downwind after  6 to 8 hours in a one on one or one on two person lesson. Some people take less time and some a bit more - 12 to 20 hours could be possible. Lessons with groups bigger than 2  can mean less time flying the kite and not as much individual attention and can mean slower progression. 

It is also important to address and learn the safety aspects of the sport such as self rescue and understanding the safety settings on the bar and kite. It is important to be prepared for the unexpected when things can potentially go wrong.  

I have some fear of learning to kiteboard. Is that normal?

Yes it is and so does everyone. But kitesurfing is extremely safe nowadays and standards within the equipment and teaching methods ensure you are kept very safe.  Experienced kite instructors will choose the best equipment for you  for the conditions to ensure your safety and well being.  Squamish kiteboarding School only uses new kiteboarding gear which is maintained has a 100% safety record and intends on keeping you safe.

Is it Exspensive?

Kiteboarding is a bit of an exspense in the beginning for sure but with the lessons all equipment is provided with the instruction and you are monitored by boat at all times. At Squamish Kiteboardig School, we want to ensure that you get the best instruction possible.

As soon as you fly a large 4-line kite, you will understand why you want someone there showing you what to do.  Squamish kiteboarding Lessons can turn the worst learning experence into the best time of your life allowing you maximum time to fly on water!

Kiting is also not one of those sports where you can just by the equipment at your local MEC and head out. It requires quite a bit of supervision at the beginning. 

In kiting you pay up front, but ultimately its cheaper than going for a day skiing or snowboarding or playing golf and the stoke and thrill I think will far surpass those sports.

Am I strong enough?

 Yes! Everybody is! kiteboarding is not about strength - its about control and style which comes fast. Kiting healthy, keeps you fit and you'll find you develop muscles and definition where you didn't believe you had muscle! With this you'll find your own unique kiting style develop along the way too - and thats cool. Take a look next time you see people kiting, everyone has their unique style and way of expression while they are all doing something they all really love!

What experience do I need to have?

You don't need any experience, but if you have flown a trainer kite you will find your lessons much easier, because 75% of learning kiteboarding is kite control.

Other helpful experience which will get you going quicker includes windsurfing surfing, wakeboarding, snowboarding, paragliding but even these don't really matter,  a real desire to get out there, to experience flying across water or whatever it is that has drawn you to kiting is what will get you into kiteboarding!! Its passion!

Give us a call if you are looking for a trainer kite and we can get one to you.

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