Wherever you travel in the world to teach or kite, you will encounter different water and wind conditions. Here are some tips for the different water conditions.
Shallow water spots are the easiest for learning, however make sure that:
The water is always at least waist deep.
The seabed is clear of hazards that might harm you.
Even in shallow water when teaching, students must wear a buoyancy aid at all times. If you are kiting, it is strongly advise to wear at least an impact vest.
Deep Waters (from a boat):
When teaching from a boat, the Student-to-Instructor ratio must be reduced to 1:1 to ensure the Instructor can fully support their students.
Students should show the necessary skills to leave from and return to the beach.
The boat is not only for rescue, but also to act as a teaching platform and trajectory reference point.
The boat should never be placed directly downwind, or in the path of a student where it might become a hazard.
Note: Students that are only taught from a boat in deep water spots are not considered independent and should be redirected to a spot where they could also practice on land to finalize their training.
Students should never be taught in spots with shore breaks waist high or above (from the base of the wave). Precautions must be taken with small shore breaks (less than waist high):
All training must take place at a safe distance from the pull of the break. Students must body-drag out through the break until they are safely away from it.
The Instructor can take the student out through the shore break and then hand over the kite to the student once they are far beyond the reach of the waves. When using this technique, an Assistant Instructor must stay on land to ensure the student’s safety in case the Instructor let go the student and swims back to the shore.
Note: Students must be particularly careful not to drop the kite in the shore break or whitewater. If this happens in shore breaks and the kite is not easily relaunched, students should activate the chicken loop quick release straightaway and swim back to shore.
We hope this helps refresh and prepare you for any water condition you might encounter when teaching or kiting!
What is your favorite water conditions to teach or kite in and find most beneficial to the student or personal improvement in the long run? Let us know in the comments.