Frequently Asked Questions
Is kiteboarding easy to learn?
We have been teaching kiteboarding now since the beginning of the sport. Our brand new equipment and seasoned training techniques have made the learning process much easier than ever before. It only requires a time commitment of a few days and a moderate financial investment to truly become a kiteboarder. This combined with a little patience and you’re ready to go. Compared to other water wind-sports, kiteboarding is relatively easy to learn and affordable. The learning curve compared to windsurfing is faster, and the kiteboarder will be more advanced after their first year. Kiteboarding is harder to learn than wakeboarding, because it is more technical because you essentially fly a plane at the same time. However wake boarders do learn the fastest and having board skills helps get you riding quick. Remember that Kiteboarding is like learning two sports, Board riding 10%), and kite flying (90%). We are seeing kids as young 8 years old starting to kite and older ladies in there 70s tearing up on the waters here in Maui everyday. A great place to start learning the lingo is on our Kiteboarding 101 page to make sure you know the rules.
How much does a kiteboarding setup cost?
An individual kite can range anywhere from $500 to $3000 with kites in the $1500 range being the most popular. A kiteboard costs anywhere from $300-$1200 with the $600 boards being the most popular. If you are looking at used equipment it can be considerably cheaper however you run the risk of having to repair the gear more than you fly it which can cause a lot of frustration at the beginning of your journey. A good rule of thumb is to get 1 year old gear because anything older would be considered high risk for repairs or not safe assuming it got a lot of use.
Does everyone take lessons?
Short Answer: No. However they still end up paying the dues one way or another. Kiteboarding can be dangerous if done incorrectly. Medical bills or kite repairs from poor techniques are the most common fees if you teach yourself. It is much more efficient to learn from a professional that can teach you the right way to kiteboard. Kite HI believes there is a correct way to kiteboard and everything else is considered unsafe, especially on Maui. At the very least you should learn from a pro the basic safety and flying techniques to eliminate learning bad habits at the beginning. This will save you big time!
Is kiting safe?
Who should I take a lesson from?
Beware of certified instructors that have just recently received their training. Nothing can replace experience in the kite world and unfortunately their are several operations that have new instructors that are not good riders and do not know how to teach at the location they are at because they are not from there and do not have experience teaching there. We see this in Maui a lot.
How long will it take for me to learn kitesurfing?
What should I wear and bring?
When is the best time of the year to come kiteboarding?
Do I need a wetsuit?
Where is kite beach in Maui?
Kite beach aka teach beach is located on Amala Place in Kahului, HI near the main Airport (OGG). The GPS coordinates are (20.896838, -156.448064).
Is there anything I can do to be more prepared for my lesson?
A great place to start is on our Kiteboarding 101 page. Next we recommend buying a trainer kite and to fly it as much as possible. This will really help you progress quickly if you understand the way the kite flies through the wind window and to build muscle memory. We recommend the Ozone GO Trainer Kite. They are available for purchase from our online store here.