The Brisbane Kitesurfing scene has never been so popular and with the fun-filled days that kitesurfing affords we are not surprised. Learn to kitesurf with Surf Connect for an unforgettable experience and to gain skills for life!

What is Kiteboarding?

Kiteboarding is a surface water sport combining aspects of wakeboarding, snowboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, skateboarding and gymnastics all packed into one extreme and incredibly fun sport.

A kiteboarder harnesses the power of the wind with a large controllable power kite to be propelled across the water on a kiteboard similar to a wakeboard or a small surfboard - with or without footstraps or bindings.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need much strength to kitesurf, as you are hooked into a harness at all times. Many young children kitesurf all the time with no problems whatsoever. Our youngest kitesurfing prodigy was merely 7 when he started!

Kitesurfing Lessons Brisbane

Just like paragliding or flying, the learning process is quite hands on but also theoretical. It normally takes around 6-8 hours of one-on-one tuition before you become competent enough to take your own kite out on the water to improve your skills independently.

Most people take two-hour lessons at a time. In the first two hours, you will be in the water flying a full-size kite. You will be introduced to all the basic skills - from safety, trainer kite, set up, onto flying the big kite, and doing downwind body dragging.

Once you are capable of body dragging downwind and upwind without crashing the kite, as well as learning relaunching and self-rescue, it’s time to get you on the board.

Lessons are $250 for a two hour lesson and includes equipment, then at the end of your learning, you can claim back the costs of your first 4 lessons as discount when purchasing our equipment sets from our kitesurfing shop.

Kiteboarding for Beginners

The following is our typical lesson format.

KITESURF LESSON PLAN / EVALUATION / IKO CERTIFICATION
  Lesson 1 - 2 hours     Lesson 2 - 2 hours     Lesson 3 - 2 hours  
  Level 1A     Level 2F     Level 3J  
1A Location Assessment   2F Entry/Exit water w/Kite in Air   3K Controlled Stop  
1A Weather & Wind Direction   2F Water Relaunch   3K Riding & Edging  
1A Kite Setup, Securing & Handling              
        Level 2G     Level 3K  
  Level 1B   2G Side Body-drag with 2 hands   3K Riding Upwind  
1B Safety & Depower Systems   2G Body-drag with Power Strokes        
1B Pre-Flight Check           Level 3L  
1B Launching & Landing (As Assistant)     Level 2H   3L Sliding transitions  
      2H Body-drag Upwind        
  Level 1C   2H Body-drag with the Board     Level 3M  
1C First Piloting: Wind Window   2H Self Rescue & Pack Down   3M Toe-side Riding  
1C Let Go of the Bar         3M Jibing  
1C Twist and Untwist     Level 2I        
      2I Right of Way Rules     Level 3N  
  Level 1D   2I Steady Pull   3N Self-Launching  
1D Flying One-Handed   2I Water-Start & Controlled Stop   3N Self-Rescue in Deep Water  
1D Trim Adjustment  
1D Walking while Flying the Kite  
1D Launching & Landing ( As Pilot)  
1D Wind Window Theory  
     
  Level 1E  
1E In-flight Quick Release Activation        
1E Self-Landing  
1E Equipment Packdown        

 

Level 1A

  • SEA (Spot, Environment, Activity) assessment
  • Hold, carry, and secure a kite on land
  • Kite setup

 

Level 1B

  • Safety systems use
  • Pre-flight check
  • Launch and land as an assistant

 

Level 1C

  • First piloting and explore the wind window's edge
  • Let go of the bar
  • Twist and untwist the lines

 

Level 1D

  • Fly one-handed
  • Trim introduction
  • Walk while flying the kite
  • Launch and land as a pilot
  • Wind window theory

 

Level 1E

  • Inflight quick release activation
  • Self-land
  • Equipment packing

 

Level 2F

  • Enter and exit the water while controlling the kite
  • Water relaunch

 

Level 2G

  • Body-drag with 2 hands, kite stable
  • Body-drag with power stroke

 

Level 2H

  • Body-drag upwind
  • Body-drag with the board
  • Self-rescue and pack down introduction

 

Level 2I

  • ROW (Right Of Way) rules introduction
  • Steady-pull
  • Waterstart
  • Controlled stop

 

Level 3J

  • Control of speed by edging

 

Level 3K

  • Ride upwind

 

Level 3L

  • Sliding transition

 

Level 3M

  • Ride toeside
  • Jibe

 

Level 3N

  • Self-launch
  • Self-rescue and pack down in deep water

 

    Similar to driving, some people pick it up fairly quick, some need a few more lessons to have good confidence and control. Based on your performance during these lessons, your instructor will advise you whether or not you are ready to purchase our own equipment and go on your own, or if you still need some further instruction.

    Surf Connect is the only Accredited International Kiteboarding Organisation School in Brisbane. At the end of each and every lesson, students are given an evaluation/certification card to show what they have learnt in the lesson, and what still need to learn until they reach the stage they are ready to head out on their own. That way you can see your own progression, and that the school/instructor is following the safest and most structured program there is for kiteboarding in the world.  

    Why learn with Surf Connect?

    We are the only accredited school in Brisbane affiliated to the Australian Wind & Kiteboarding Association (AWKA) and the International Kiteboarding Organisation (IKO). At the end of each and every lesson, your instructor will issue you with an evaluation/certification card of your learning. Learning from an Accredited School will ensure everything you need to learn has been competently achieved. Kiteboarding is an extreme sport with very high risk, so learning with us will ensure everything you need to learn for kitesurfing is of the highest standards.

    All Surf Connect's instructors are fully qualified, first aiders, boat license as well as bluecards holders to work with children under 18. We also have a $20m Public Liability cover to cover you in case you get hurt or hurt someone else or damage other people’s property during the lessons.

    Many shops/individuals teach without qualifications, insurance nor permits. To teach in Brisbane, we are required to have $20m Public Liability and Professional Indemnity cover, each instructor must be fully qualified, accreditation to governing bodies, and permits from local Councils, State Government, Marine Parks as well as Maritime Safety Authority. If you get injured during a lesson, you will not be covered, let alone you are learning in an unstructured or governed program. Is your life worth that risk just to save a few dollars? It is very simple to check, just ask the instructor to see his certificate of qualifications and insurance to teach before you book a lesson.

    Kiteboarding is an extreme and a very high risk sport. Many people has been seriously injured due to inexperience and negligence. Do not take your chances to learn from unaccredited schools or people who claim they can teach. Most shops are not accredited schools, and use unqualified staff so called instructors to teach. Ask to see their teaching qualifications and more importantly, their insurance cover, before you take lessons.

    Feeling Propelled to Join the Brisbane Kitesurfing Scene?

    Simply book online with the button below.