What is Kiteboarding?
Kiteboarding, or kiting for short, is a sport that uses a kite to harness the power of the wind as a means of propulsion in conjunction with some other board, boat or craft to propel a rider with marvelous effect on either land, water or snow. It is often referred to in different ways depending on the medium in which it is done:
Kiteboarding is the base of the sport which is performed on water. In North America, 'kiteboarding' usually implies the use of a bi-directional twin-tip board with foot straps or boots whereas 'kitesurfing' implies the use of a uni-directional surfboarded to ride waves either strapped or strapless. In Europe however the term 'kitesurfing' is used to describe both forms indiscriminately. For most people the difference is inconsequential as everyone knows what you mean regardless of the term used.
Snow Kiting is done on snow with either skiis or a snow board. In countries such as Norway snow kiting, for obvious reasons, is vastly more popular than water kiting.
Kite Buggy. This is done with a kite and a cart with wheels on either sand or grass. It is a very niche pursuit and was more popular in the early days of the sport.
Land Boarding is done on land using a skateboard type device with big off road wheels. It has surpassed kite buggies to be the dominant land based kite sport.
Kite Kayak, as the name suggests, uses the kite with a kayak on water.
Kite Boating is an area of the sport that is seeing a lot of R&D and growth. Kites have been used to propel boats for a while but this form has never really boomed in popularity as a leisure activity. However using a kite for propulsion is actively being explored for commercial purposes. It is also likely that future America's Cup yachts will employ kites along with sails to achieve maximum performance.
Foiling. Hydro foils emerged a few years ago and have taken the water sports world by storm. They are now involved in every major discipline including sailing, boating, windsurfing, surfing and more. Hydro foils use an underwater wing to lift the rider up and out of the water. They offer an unparalleled smoothness and sense of flying. Foiling requires the least amount of wind compared to any other kite related activity.
Kiteboarding with twin-tips on the water is the most widely engaged in activity of all kite related sports. It has been broken down into three categories mostly to help riders buy kites and equipment that are suited to their riding style.
Free-Style refers to a style of riding that involves a lot of jumps and tricks. Old-School jumping is now referred to as "big air" and there are kites suited for that purpose while new school tricks tend the be be short bursts with a lot of body movement and can involve unhooking from the kite. Freestyle kites tend to turn much quicker and allow the rider to perform kite loops much easier than other kites. Most competition is categorized as Free-Style.
Free-Ride is the modern term for all round riding. This is what most people do when you see them kiteboarding. Free-Ride embraces the old surfing adage that the one who wins the race is the one who has the most fun. Free-ride kites tend to be suited to the widest possible range of wind and usage.
Modern kite designs cater to these various disciplines however some designs are hybrids and are suited to a fusion of one or more riding styles. Some kites are designed for a single purpose in mind, Big Air. The main focus of these kites is to help the rider achieve the highest jumps with the longest hang time. Often times specialization in one area means sacrificing flight characteristics in another. For example one of the ways kites are measured is their ability to go upwind, however wave specific kites tend to sacrifice upwind ability for characteristics that are more conducive to wave riding. There is no way to achieve all characteristics in one kite.
Since its inception in approximately 1985 kiteboarding has spread all over the world and will soon be included in the Olympics. It is the evolution of and fusion of several forms of board sports and frees the rider from the confines of things like lift tickets and boat maintenance. It can be done almost every where and by almost any one. Once you own the appropriate gear and have the necessary training the sport becomes virtually free of fees and charges. It truly is one of the most beautiful, visceral, enigmatic and seductive activities ever conceived.
Kiteboarding is the base of the sport which is performed on water. In North America, 'kiteboarding' usually implies the use of a bi-directional twin-tip board with foot straps or boots whereas 'kitesurfing' implies the use of a uni-directional surfboarded to ride waves either strapped or strapless. In Europe however the term 'kitesurfing' is used to describe both forms indiscriminately. For most people the difference is inconsequential as everyone knows what you mean regardless of the term used.
Snow Kiting is done on snow with either skiis or a snow board. In countries such as Norway snow kiting, for obvious reasons, is vastly more popular than water kiting.
Kite Buggy. This is done with a kite and a cart with wheels on either sand or grass. It is a very niche pursuit and was more popular in the early days of the sport.
Land Boarding is done on land using a skateboard type device with big off road wheels. It has surpassed kite buggies to be the dominant land based kite sport.
Kite Kayak, as the name suggests, uses the kite with a kayak on water.
Kite Boating is an area of the sport that is seeing a lot of R&D and growth. Kites have been used to propel boats for a while but this form has never really boomed in popularity as a leisure activity. However using a kite for propulsion is actively being explored for commercial purposes. It is also likely that future America's Cup yachts will employ kites along with sails to achieve maximum performance.
Foiling. Hydro foils emerged a few years ago and have taken the water sports world by storm. They are now involved in every major discipline including sailing, boating, windsurfing, surfing and more. Hydro foils use an underwater wing to lift the rider up and out of the water. They offer an unparalleled smoothness and sense of flying. Foiling requires the least amount of wind compared to any other kite related activity.
Kiteboarding with twin-tips on the water is the most widely engaged in activity of all kite related sports. It has been broken down into three categories mostly to help riders buy kites and equipment that are suited to their riding style.
Free-Style refers to a style of riding that involves a lot of jumps and tricks. Old-School jumping is now referred to as "big air" and there are kites suited for that purpose while new school tricks tend the be be short bursts with a lot of body movement and can involve unhooking from the kite. Freestyle kites tend to turn much quicker and allow the rider to perform kite loops much easier than other kites. Most competition is categorized as Free-Style.
Free-Ride is the modern term for all round riding. This is what most people do when you see them kiteboarding. Free-Ride embraces the old surfing adage that the one who wins the race is the one who has the most fun. Free-ride kites tend to be suited to the widest possible range of wind and usage.
Modern kite designs cater to these various disciplines however some designs are hybrids and are suited to a fusion of one or more riding styles. Some kites are designed for a single purpose in mind, Big Air. The main focus of these kites is to help the rider achieve the highest jumps with the longest hang time. Often times specialization in one area means sacrificing flight characteristics in another. For example one of the ways kites are measured is their ability to go upwind, however wave specific kites tend to sacrifice upwind ability for characteristics that are more conducive to wave riding. There is no way to achieve all characteristics in one kite.
Since its inception in approximately 1985 kiteboarding has spread all over the world and will soon be included in the Olympics. It is the evolution of and fusion of several forms of board sports and frees the rider from the confines of things like lift tickets and boat maintenance. It can be done almost every where and by almost any one. Once you own the appropriate gear and have the necessary training the sport becomes virtually free of fees and charges. It truly is one of the most beautiful, visceral, enigmatic and seductive activities ever conceived.
"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try."
Who Can Kiteboard and What Does It Take
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The first thing Barack Obama did when his time in office ended was go to Neckar Island owned by his friend and kiteboarding advocate Richard Branson where he finally learned to kite. He wanted to kite his whole time in office but the secret service would not let him. Branson, a seasoned kiter at the time, was learning to foil while Barack was getting in his first rides ever. He was 56 at the time. He went literally the first day out of office! Can you blame him? Kiteboarding is amazing. |
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There is a mis-conception by some that kiting is difficult or requires a lot of upper body strength and athleticism, but the fact is almost anyone can do it. The oldest kiter in the world is in their 90's and there is a legend by the name of Fred who was 84 last year and kites in Ontario. A surprising number of men and women in their 70s kite. As well there are many war vets and amputees and people with various physical disabilities that are all kiters. Long after people are no longer able to sail and surf, they can still kite. I myself have said I intend to kite until my very last day on earth.
On the other end of the spectrum lessons are typically limited to children weighing 80 lbs or more and about 10 years or older, although some seasoned kiters have taught their own children starting at about 4 years of age. While there technically is no maximum weight for kiteboarding, because larger riders simply use larger kites, generally speaking equipment is geared for riders that are 300 lbs or lighter.
The reason it is so accessible is because you wear a harness that holds the holds the pull of the kite, the bar in your hand is only for steering and can be held with just your finger tips. Using a harness kiters are able to ride for hours without needing a break. The sport is more about technique than athleticism. To learn to kite I always say you need 5 things -- good instruction, appropriate conditions, a proper location, the right equipment and a great student.
A Great Student.
It all starts with you. Kiting is not an activity you just go and do like snorkeling or SUP. It requires dedication, specialized training and perseverance much like learning to fly an airplane would. You have to commit to doing it. Those who commit will learn quicker and those that leave long gaps between lessons will take longer. Success depends on the student. You have to have the right desire, will and attitude above all else. Those that do will become a kiter and reap all the rewards that this wonderful sport has to offer. If you are unsure you can take an initial "trainer" kite session to wet your feet and see if you might like to go further but most people know if this is something they want to do the first time they see it.
Good Instruction.
For more info on learning to kite visit our LESSONS page. It is advised that students take lessons until they reach a certain level of competency to be able to buy gear and practice on their own. In fact some places are beginning to institute regulation prohibiting all but certified trained people from kiting there. A good instructor will not only certify students but will let them know when they are ready to progress to different spots and what gear they should invest in whether it be new or used. To rent or demo gear certification or advanced riding capability and in some cases passing a competency test are required.
The amount of lessons required to reach this point varies from student to student and can typically range anywhere from 3 to 10 sessions. Most students reach this stage after 4 or 5 lessons but it depends on a number of factors such as if they waited a long time between sessions or on personal comfort and dedication - and some people just pick it up quicker. Athleticism and past experience with board sports is not as big an indicator of success and progression as you might think. Kiteboarding at the early stages is more about controlling and steering the kite and the 'coach-ability' of the student. Never be afraid to take more lessons until you feel safe enough to go it alone. I advise students to budget at least $1,000 for lessons.
During the lessons you will learn not only how to steer the kite and ride the board but also how to setup, launch and land the kite and essential safety procedures should something go wrong. These skills must be drilled several times in order to reach the competency level required to go it alone. Anyone that tells you they can teach you in a day is either disingenuous or unqualified.
Conditions & Locations.
Visit our LOCATIONS page to learn more about kite spots and to find resources on wind conditions and forecasting. Appropriate locations and conditions are absolutely necessary in order to kite and never is this more important than when learning. Some places are beginner friendly and some places are for advanced riders only. Kiting in a place that is beyond your skill level is dangerous and reckless. As well kiting requires appropriate wind in what I like to call the 'goldilocks zone', not too much and not too little, but just right.
The best places to learn are shallow water spots with either sand bars or barrier islands to block waves. Shallow water is not enough. Shallow places alone often have big waves during appropriately windy days that will make learning much more difficult. The same goes with deep water. Waves and deep water will take you much longer to learn and cost much more. We strongly advise to never learn in deep water but if you must then the instructor should use either a motor boat or jet ski and communicate with you via a two way headset radio.
There are only 2 local spots we teach at that meet the necessary conditions conducive to success, Oliphant and Lagoon City. They are both within a 3 hour drive of Toronto. The better you get the more spots will become ride-able for you. In Ontario we often chase the wind so people will drive up to a 3 hour radius for the appropriate wind to ride in. The good thing is you get to experience different kite spots. The bad thing is the time, cost and effort you will put in to travel. But this is no different than most other sports such as skiing and you don't need a lift ticket.
Toronto unfortunately does not have any beginner friendly spots. Period. Kiting at any spot in Toronto before you are ready is reckless and dangerous and can compromise the sport.
Equipment.
Kiteboarding requires the right gear. Kites have evolved significantly over the years and some kites are simply not very safe. 2014 is somewhat of a landmark year for kite designs - when buying used equipment we generally recommend to buy 2014 or newer. Of course the latest gear typically has the best flight characteristics and safety systems, but not all gear is created equal. Kites have evolved to be used for different purposes and buying the wrong gear could be detrimental to your riding. Visit our GEAR page to learn more about the equipment you need to participate in this amazing sport and how to select the best kites and boards for your needs. You can always contact us and we will give you the straight talk on what is good and what you should steer clear of.
When taking lessons the instructor or school should supply all the equipment needed. Some will also supply wetsuits and booties but clothing is usually the responsibility of the student. A good instructor will also go over equipment in detail including kite and board styles and recommend what equipment you should purchase on your own when you are ready to do so. Quality instruction is done on quality gear - a good school will only teach on very new gear no more than 2 or 3 years old.
When you are ready to buy gear you will need the bare minimum of a kite, a control bar, a board, a harness and a life jacket. This will only be good for a certain range of wind conditions and ultimately limit the number of days that are kite-able for you. To extend this range of when and where you can kite and to get out on the water more often you might want t add additional kites and boards as well as wet suits and other accouterments.
To start building your quiver we advise $2,500 is a good starting point for high quality new gear. We generally recommend buying equipment that is new but great savings can be had by buying new gear that is 1 or 2 years old. Buying inferior equipment can be risky and when you health and safety is on the line it's just not worth it. Also buying used gear or blow out specials will only result in you getting equipment that is not suitable or ideal and your progression will be slow. Soon you will want to sell this gear in favor for good gear that will last for a long time and be suitable as you learn and progress your skills. Just ask any veteran, the right gear can make all the difference to your kiteboarding experience.
Travel.
Travelling to kite in different places and exotic locales is one of the best aspects of the sport. Once someone learns this amazing sport it is inevitable that they will want to travel and kite all over the world. Kiting destinations tend to be economical and the gear is portable enough to easily be taken with you on a plane so kite trips tend to be some of the most affordable and memorable vacations you will ever have. Visit our TRAVEL section to learn about different spots around the globe that make for a great kite holiday and adventure. We've also traveled to many spots and can recommend some great places to stay where you will have the time of your life. On occasion we even partner with other schools and shops to offer a one of a kind catered lesson and travel experience in paradise.
Is Kiteboarding Safe?
In the early days kiteboarding was indeed a dangerous sport. Over time the equipment and safety systems improved exponentially as did the teaching methodologies. Equipment alone did not make the sport safer, proper education and a universal approach to safety procedures did. Kiteboarders have gone to great lengths to ensure the safety of themselves and the people who often gather around to watch them. The community itself is largely self policed and someone behaving badly at a kite spot will soon be given a stern talking to. The last thing kiters want is for the sport to be banned at their local spot, so it is the responsibility of all kiters to ensure they and those around them practice safety and good etiquette at all times and to always lend each other a helping hand when needed.
With this approach, in conjunction with good lessons and modern gear kiteboarding has indeed evolved into an incredibly safe sport. But we must be responsible and diligent because if even one of these factors is compromised so to would the safety and integrity of our sport and all who enjoy it.
Some schools like to say that kiting is no longer an extreme sport but is now an exciting sport - but we feel that is only half true. It still can be dangerous and extreme even with new equipment if you do not take lessons with a good instructor at the proper location and under the right conditions. Once trained you will also need to be sure to only kite at locations and in conditions that are within your skill level. If you respect these guidelines then yes, kiting is an exciting and very, very safe sport. But if you do not then the risk rises exponentially and you can not only risk the safety of yourself and others but you could potentially get kiting banned. That is why we all share in the responsibility of ensuring kiters behave appropriately and look out for one another as much as possible. To that end kiteboarding has not developed the same sort of territorialism that surfing has. But always remember when in doubt don't go out. and before you get in ask him (or her) - basically ask local proficient kiters and instructors for the low down of each spot.
Kiter's, instructors and equipment manufacturers take safety seriously and it shows. There is a reason you never hear of a kiting fatality or serious injury anymore - and that is because when done right kiteboarding is one of the best and one of the safest things you can do.
What does it Cost?
Kiteboarding is not an inexpensive sport - not at first anyways. Lessons will cost at least $1,000. Gear can cost $2,500 but in time you will eventually add, as most people do, one or two more kites and boards to expand your kiteable range. That could cost another $2,000 - $3,000. In all we advise new entrants in the sport that they will likely require a $5,000 investment. There are ways to do it cheaper but they all come with compromise. Some people will spend $300 on a used kite but the safety systems are not as good and you will not progress as quickly and eventually you will want to get a new kite that is well suited to your riding style and abilities.
The good thing is that once you do become proficient it is a relatively free sport. You don't even need to drive far as you can kite in spots close to your home. But let's face it - soon you will want to start exploring the world and kiting in exotic locations and while that may not be free it will be money well spent!
On the other end of the spectrum lessons are typically limited to children weighing 80 lbs or more and about 10 years or older, although some seasoned kiters have taught their own children starting at about 4 years of age. While there technically is no maximum weight for kiteboarding, because larger riders simply use larger kites, generally speaking equipment is geared for riders that are 300 lbs or lighter.
The reason it is so accessible is because you wear a harness that holds the holds the pull of the kite, the bar in your hand is only for steering and can be held with just your finger tips. Using a harness kiters are able to ride for hours without needing a break. The sport is more about technique than athleticism. To learn to kite I always say you need 5 things -- good instruction, appropriate conditions, a proper location, the right equipment and a great student.
A Great Student.
It all starts with you. Kiting is not an activity you just go and do like snorkeling or SUP. It requires dedication, specialized training and perseverance much like learning to fly an airplane would. You have to commit to doing it. Those who commit will learn quicker and those that leave long gaps between lessons will take longer. Success depends on the student. You have to have the right desire, will and attitude above all else. Those that do will become a kiter and reap all the rewards that this wonderful sport has to offer. If you are unsure you can take an initial "trainer" kite session to wet your feet and see if you might like to go further but most people know if this is something they want to do the first time they see it.
Good Instruction.
For more info on learning to kite visit our LESSONS page. It is advised that students take lessons until they reach a certain level of competency to be able to buy gear and practice on their own. In fact some places are beginning to institute regulation prohibiting all but certified trained people from kiting there. A good instructor will not only certify students but will let them know when they are ready to progress to different spots and what gear they should invest in whether it be new or used. To rent or demo gear certification or advanced riding capability and in some cases passing a competency test are required.
The amount of lessons required to reach this point varies from student to student and can typically range anywhere from 3 to 10 sessions. Most students reach this stage after 4 or 5 lessons but it depends on a number of factors such as if they waited a long time between sessions or on personal comfort and dedication - and some people just pick it up quicker. Athleticism and past experience with board sports is not as big an indicator of success and progression as you might think. Kiteboarding at the early stages is more about controlling and steering the kite and the 'coach-ability' of the student. Never be afraid to take more lessons until you feel safe enough to go it alone. I advise students to budget at least $1,000 for lessons.
During the lessons you will learn not only how to steer the kite and ride the board but also how to setup, launch and land the kite and essential safety procedures should something go wrong. These skills must be drilled several times in order to reach the competency level required to go it alone. Anyone that tells you they can teach you in a day is either disingenuous or unqualified.
Conditions & Locations.
Visit our LOCATIONS page to learn more about kite spots and to find resources on wind conditions and forecasting. Appropriate locations and conditions are absolutely necessary in order to kite and never is this more important than when learning. Some places are beginner friendly and some places are for advanced riders only. Kiting in a place that is beyond your skill level is dangerous and reckless. As well kiting requires appropriate wind in what I like to call the 'goldilocks zone', not too much and not too little, but just right.
The best places to learn are shallow water spots with either sand bars or barrier islands to block waves. Shallow water is not enough. Shallow places alone often have big waves during appropriately windy days that will make learning much more difficult. The same goes with deep water. Waves and deep water will take you much longer to learn and cost much more. We strongly advise to never learn in deep water but if you must then the instructor should use either a motor boat or jet ski and communicate with you via a two way headset radio.
There are only 2 local spots we teach at that meet the necessary conditions conducive to success, Oliphant and Lagoon City. They are both within a 3 hour drive of Toronto. The better you get the more spots will become ride-able for you. In Ontario we often chase the wind so people will drive up to a 3 hour radius for the appropriate wind to ride in. The good thing is you get to experience different kite spots. The bad thing is the time, cost and effort you will put in to travel. But this is no different than most other sports such as skiing and you don't need a lift ticket.
Toronto unfortunately does not have any beginner friendly spots. Period. Kiting at any spot in Toronto before you are ready is reckless and dangerous and can compromise the sport.
Equipment.
Kiteboarding requires the right gear. Kites have evolved significantly over the years and some kites are simply not very safe. 2014 is somewhat of a landmark year for kite designs - when buying used equipment we generally recommend to buy 2014 or newer. Of course the latest gear typically has the best flight characteristics and safety systems, but not all gear is created equal. Kites have evolved to be used for different purposes and buying the wrong gear could be detrimental to your riding. Visit our GEAR page to learn more about the equipment you need to participate in this amazing sport and how to select the best kites and boards for your needs. You can always contact us and we will give you the straight talk on what is good and what you should steer clear of.
When taking lessons the instructor or school should supply all the equipment needed. Some will also supply wetsuits and booties but clothing is usually the responsibility of the student. A good instructor will also go over equipment in detail including kite and board styles and recommend what equipment you should purchase on your own when you are ready to do so. Quality instruction is done on quality gear - a good school will only teach on very new gear no more than 2 or 3 years old.
When you are ready to buy gear you will need the bare minimum of a kite, a control bar, a board, a harness and a life jacket. This will only be good for a certain range of wind conditions and ultimately limit the number of days that are kite-able for you. To extend this range of when and where you can kite and to get out on the water more often you might want t add additional kites and boards as well as wet suits and other accouterments.
To start building your quiver we advise $2,500 is a good starting point for high quality new gear. We generally recommend buying equipment that is new but great savings can be had by buying new gear that is 1 or 2 years old. Buying inferior equipment can be risky and when you health and safety is on the line it's just not worth it. Also buying used gear or blow out specials will only result in you getting equipment that is not suitable or ideal and your progression will be slow. Soon you will want to sell this gear in favor for good gear that will last for a long time and be suitable as you learn and progress your skills. Just ask any veteran, the right gear can make all the difference to your kiteboarding experience.
Travel.
Travelling to kite in different places and exotic locales is one of the best aspects of the sport. Once someone learns this amazing sport it is inevitable that they will want to travel and kite all over the world. Kiting destinations tend to be economical and the gear is portable enough to easily be taken with you on a plane so kite trips tend to be some of the most affordable and memorable vacations you will ever have. Visit our TRAVEL section to learn about different spots around the globe that make for a great kite holiday and adventure. We've also traveled to many spots and can recommend some great places to stay where you will have the time of your life. On occasion we even partner with other schools and shops to offer a one of a kind catered lesson and travel experience in paradise.
Is Kiteboarding Safe?
In the early days kiteboarding was indeed a dangerous sport. Over time the equipment and safety systems improved exponentially as did the teaching methodologies. Equipment alone did not make the sport safer, proper education and a universal approach to safety procedures did. Kiteboarders have gone to great lengths to ensure the safety of themselves and the people who often gather around to watch them. The community itself is largely self policed and someone behaving badly at a kite spot will soon be given a stern talking to. The last thing kiters want is for the sport to be banned at their local spot, so it is the responsibility of all kiters to ensure they and those around them practice safety and good etiquette at all times and to always lend each other a helping hand when needed.
With this approach, in conjunction with good lessons and modern gear kiteboarding has indeed evolved into an incredibly safe sport. But we must be responsible and diligent because if even one of these factors is compromised so to would the safety and integrity of our sport and all who enjoy it.
Some schools like to say that kiting is no longer an extreme sport but is now an exciting sport - but we feel that is only half true. It still can be dangerous and extreme even with new equipment if you do not take lessons with a good instructor at the proper location and under the right conditions. Once trained you will also need to be sure to only kite at locations and in conditions that are within your skill level. If you respect these guidelines then yes, kiting is an exciting and very, very safe sport. But if you do not then the risk rises exponentially and you can not only risk the safety of yourself and others but you could potentially get kiting banned. That is why we all share in the responsibility of ensuring kiters behave appropriately and look out for one another as much as possible. To that end kiteboarding has not developed the same sort of territorialism that surfing has. But always remember when in doubt don't go out. and before you get in ask him (or her) - basically ask local proficient kiters and instructors for the low down of each spot.
Kiter's, instructors and equipment manufacturers take safety seriously and it shows. There is a reason you never hear of a kiting fatality or serious injury anymore - and that is because when done right kiteboarding is one of the best and one of the safest things you can do.
What does it Cost?
Kiteboarding is not an inexpensive sport - not at first anyways. Lessons will cost at least $1,000. Gear can cost $2,500 but in time you will eventually add, as most people do, one or two more kites and boards to expand your kiteable range. That could cost another $2,000 - $3,000. In all we advise new entrants in the sport that they will likely require a $5,000 investment. There are ways to do it cheaper but they all come with compromise. Some people will spend $300 on a used kite but the safety systems are not as good and you will not progress as quickly and eventually you will want to get a new kite that is well suited to your riding style and abilities.
The good thing is that once you do become proficient it is a relatively free sport. You don't even need to drive far as you can kite in spots close to your home. But let's face it - soon you will want to start exploring the world and kiting in exotic locations and while that may not be free it will be money well spent!
"Don't limit your challenges; challenge your limits."
Who Am I and How Do I know So Much About Kiteboarding?
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On one research trip to a local ski shop we saw something in the back corner - it was an old wooden Burton "Snow Board" and it looked a lot like what we were working on. We negotiated to buy just the bindings and attached them to our board. We then had the board painted neon orange with a sprawling green dragon and we called it the "Dragon Board". Nothing ever came of it but a realization that I loved extreme sports so I got a job at a local ski shop and immersed myself into the world of ski and surf culture. In my yearbook I proclaimed that one day I would ski in the morning and surf in the afternoon. I didn't really care what it was, boogie boards, surfing, scuba, fishing, skiing, snowboarding -- I loved it all.My name is Ivano Stellato - founder of Mystic Point Water Sports. When I was young I spent my time at two places - the library and the local swimming pool. I'd grab a few books and then go to the pool and swim and read for hours. I was obsessed with learning and for some strange reason water. To this day whenever I drive somewhere I will often take a longer route if it brings me to within view of water.
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Growing up I didn't like to party and instead I would work in my basement building contraptions. I once took a bike and attached some skiis to the forks and would go to the local golf course in the winter to try it out. One Friday night a high school friend and I took a wooden plank and attached some plastic on the bottom and a rope to one end. We would ride this down the hill pulling on the rope to keep it from nose diving. It was so much that we started to think we could sell them. We built a new prototype in which I applied the design principles used on alpine skiis such as narrower in the middle, metal edges and an upturned nose while we looked for a way to attach our feet. I even experimented with using old ski bindings and boots.
But secretly, above all else, I yearned to ride a wave. I had never given up my dream of surfing but being land locked and living in Toronto certainly didn't make it easy. Then in the summer of 1989 I bought my first delta stunt kite and within no time I had all sorts of kites, rip-stop nylon, graphite tubes, spectra line and hundreds of sketches of my own designs to work on. Stunt kites were incredible and I couldn't help but dream of how they could pull you through the water. But alas relaunching was a problem on land let alone in the water (at least I wasn't the one working on the problem!)
The next year I was off to UBC where I finally got to experience skiing in real mountains and seeing the ocean for the first time, but Tofino was not famous back then and I still hadn't seen real surfing waves. As time went on I got a job as an IT professional but the call of the ocean was strong. Eventually I did learn to surf and and it was every bit as good as I had imagined it. I would take regular trips to Costa Rica but when I came home I felt depressed that I could not do it more often, so to fill the void I took up sailing.
I joined a local club and sailing became a torrid love affair. Every day after work I raced to the lake to enjoy the sensation of wind and water. No matter how stressful my day was everything melted away when I held the main sheet in one hand, the tiller in the other and felt the wind on my face. I will never forget hot summer nights riding thermals and flying hulls on a Hobie 16 down at the lake. But sailing didn't quench my thirst, instead it was like gasoline on the flames, I wanted more. What I didn't want however was to always sail at a club, with the same people and at the same spot, over and over again. Clubs are big into racing and while I appreciated the technical and strategic facets of it I wanted to explore other more visceral aspects of the sport as well. Unfortunately there was no way I could own and store my own boat and travel to different places to go sailing on my own terms - if only inflatable sailboats existed back then! So sailing in a way started to become melancholic as I longed for more.
Then one day while out on a Hobie - out of no where a kiteboarder flew by and jumped right off our stern almost as high as the boat. "When the hell was this invented?!" I screamed aloud. That night I started an intensive research on a quest to learn everything I could about what I had seen that day. The year was 2002 and although the first inflatable kiteboarding kite was sold in about 1989, it didn't really spread until the turn of the century. But my research told me one thing -- this sport was as dangerous as it was mesmerizing. So instead I took up wind surfing.
Wind surfing was incredible but much harder than I thought. I would come off the water exhausted and sometimes feeling like there was a whole lot of squeezing for just a little juice. But unlike sailing at the time, at least I could own my own gear and travel and windsurf where and when I wanted. I even bought a mini van with seats that folded into the floor just to fit all my windsurfing gear. Then 2 years later, in 2004 the bow kite emerged and the sport almost instantly became immeasurably safer.
I traveled to Aruba and took my first kiteboarding lessons. I saw that that the lessons did have structure but overall I was disappointed in the curriculum and skill of the instructors. Still I reached a point where I was just starting to get up on the board but I felt more specific training was needed. I came home and found 3 different schools and after careful consideration chose the one I thought to be best. But to be honest I was disappointed there too.
My other passion in life was teaching. There seemed no nobler a pursuit than sharing knowledge with others. In my teenage years I worked at various summer camps and day camps and Parks & Rec programs and always found a way to teach. In high school I tutored and did a teaching co-op. I even considered teaching as a profession. I coached hockey and Martial Arts and knew that teaching was in my blood. I would analyze a problem and try to come up with better ways to do it. And when I looked at the way kiteboarding was being taught I felt there was room for improvement. So as I became a better kiter myself I started to teach people as well.
Over time I developed drills and techniques that I saw were having a lot of success in getting people riding safely and efficiently. Eventually I enrolled in the PASA Instructor course and became certified. I even spent some time travelling around the world and teaching kiteboarding. I got to work with other great instructors and incorporated some of their own techniques into my teaching tool kit. To this day teaching kiteboarding remains one of the greatest things you can do. I always loved the way a colleague of mine put it, "you can only experience the joy of the first time you get up on a board once in your life, but when you teach you get to share in your students joy every time they achieve that same dream."
In 2017 I was honored to be selected as one of "The Kiteboarder" magazine's gear testers where I traveled to La Ventana Mexico to help test and review dozens of boards and kites from almost every manufacturer. I continue to learn all that I can and progress my own skills as a kiter in this beautiful life long pursuit. As I often say I intend to be kiting up until that very last day before my number is called.
While I love kiting I found myself missing my old girlfriend - sailing - and I dreamed of sailing to exotic places and kiting off the bow of my yacht, but alas not owning a yacht would prove to be a problem. So I kept working my office job but started to design inflatable sailboats on the side until I found MiniCAT and others and began importing them. In 2015 I launched Mystic Point Water Sports to provide information, products and services for all the sports I loved like sailing and kiteboarding. In 2017 I quit my day job to live my day dream.
Taking all my years and experience. I now teach and sell products and services and provide information that helps people enjoy life to the fullest. It's funny how all those years spent researching, learning and doing things like sailing, windsurfing and teaching have led me to this point. It feels a little weird writing so much about myself but I think it's important that students, customers and friends know where I am coming from.
Wind and water sports have given me so much. They have been fuel for my mind body and soul and it is a privilege and an honor to be able to do what I do and to share my knowledge and experience with others. I know that when I teach someone, or give them a sailing tip, or sell them a sail boat I am actually helping them to make their own dreams come true. In fact I look back fondly now on any shop I ever bought gear from or any instructor I have had a good talk with as they too helped me achieve my dreams.
I would love to help you get that first ride, or find that perfect boat so that you too can experience the joy and thrill of feeling the wind on your face as glide down the side of a wave.
But secretly, above all else, I yearned to ride a wave. I had never given up my dream of surfing but being land locked and living in Toronto certainly didn't make it easy. Then in the summer of 1989 I bought my first delta stunt kite and within no time I had all sorts of kites, rip-stop nylon, graphite tubes, spectra line and hundreds of sketches of my own designs to work on. Stunt kites were incredible and I couldn't help but dream of how they could pull you through the water. But alas relaunching was a problem on land let alone in the water (at least I wasn't the one working on the problem!)
The next year I was off to UBC where I finally got to experience skiing in real mountains and seeing the ocean for the first time, but Tofino was not famous back then and I still hadn't seen real surfing waves. As time went on I got a job as an IT professional but the call of the ocean was strong. Eventually I did learn to surf and and it was every bit as good as I had imagined it. I would take regular trips to Costa Rica but when I came home I felt depressed that I could not do it more often, so to fill the void I took up sailing.
I joined a local club and sailing became a torrid love affair. Every day after work I raced to the lake to enjoy the sensation of wind and water. No matter how stressful my day was everything melted away when I held the main sheet in one hand, the tiller in the other and felt the wind on my face. I will never forget hot summer nights riding thermals and flying hulls on a Hobie 16 down at the lake. But sailing didn't quench my thirst, instead it was like gasoline on the flames, I wanted more. What I didn't want however was to always sail at a club, with the same people and at the same spot, over and over again. Clubs are big into racing and while I appreciated the technical and strategic facets of it I wanted to explore other more visceral aspects of the sport as well. Unfortunately there was no way I could own and store my own boat and travel to different places to go sailing on my own terms - if only inflatable sailboats existed back then! So sailing in a way started to become melancholic as I longed for more.
Then one day while out on a Hobie - out of no where a kiteboarder flew by and jumped right off our stern almost as high as the boat. "When the hell was this invented?!" I screamed aloud. That night I started an intensive research on a quest to learn everything I could about what I had seen that day. The year was 2002 and although the first inflatable kiteboarding kite was sold in about 1989, it didn't really spread until the turn of the century. But my research told me one thing -- this sport was as dangerous as it was mesmerizing. So instead I took up wind surfing.
Wind surfing was incredible but much harder than I thought. I would come off the water exhausted and sometimes feeling like there was a whole lot of squeezing for just a little juice. But unlike sailing at the time, at least I could own my own gear and travel and windsurf where and when I wanted. I even bought a mini van with seats that folded into the floor just to fit all my windsurfing gear. Then 2 years later, in 2004 the bow kite emerged and the sport almost instantly became immeasurably safer.
I traveled to Aruba and took my first kiteboarding lessons. I saw that that the lessons did have structure but overall I was disappointed in the curriculum and skill of the instructors. Still I reached a point where I was just starting to get up on the board but I felt more specific training was needed. I came home and found 3 different schools and after careful consideration chose the one I thought to be best. But to be honest I was disappointed there too.
My other passion in life was teaching. There seemed no nobler a pursuit than sharing knowledge with others. In my teenage years I worked at various summer camps and day camps and Parks & Rec programs and always found a way to teach. In high school I tutored and did a teaching co-op. I even considered teaching as a profession. I coached hockey and Martial Arts and knew that teaching was in my blood. I would analyze a problem and try to come up with better ways to do it. And when I looked at the way kiteboarding was being taught I felt there was room for improvement. So as I became a better kiter myself I started to teach people as well.
Over time I developed drills and techniques that I saw were having a lot of success in getting people riding safely and efficiently. Eventually I enrolled in the PASA Instructor course and became certified. I even spent some time travelling around the world and teaching kiteboarding. I got to work with other great instructors and incorporated some of their own techniques into my teaching tool kit. To this day teaching kiteboarding remains one of the greatest things you can do. I always loved the way a colleague of mine put it, "you can only experience the joy of the first time you get up on a board once in your life, but when you teach you get to share in your students joy every time they achieve that same dream."
In 2017 I was honored to be selected as one of "The Kiteboarder" magazine's gear testers where I traveled to La Ventana Mexico to help test and review dozens of boards and kites from almost every manufacturer. I continue to learn all that I can and progress my own skills as a kiter in this beautiful life long pursuit. As I often say I intend to be kiting up until that very last day before my number is called.
While I love kiting I found myself missing my old girlfriend - sailing - and I dreamed of sailing to exotic places and kiting off the bow of my yacht, but alas not owning a yacht would prove to be a problem. So I kept working my office job but started to design inflatable sailboats on the side until I found MiniCAT and others and began importing them. In 2015 I launched Mystic Point Water Sports to provide information, products and services for all the sports I loved like sailing and kiteboarding. In 2017 I quit my day job to live my day dream.
Taking all my years and experience. I now teach and sell products and services and provide information that helps people enjoy life to the fullest. It's funny how all those years spent researching, learning and doing things like sailing, windsurfing and teaching have led me to this point. It feels a little weird writing so much about myself but I think it's important that students, customers and friends know where I am coming from.
Wind and water sports have given me so much. They have been fuel for my mind body and soul and it is a privilege and an honor to be able to do what I do and to share my knowledge and experience with others. I know that when I teach someone, or give them a sailing tip, or sell them a sail boat I am actually helping them to make their own dreams come true. In fact I look back fondly now on any shop I ever bought gear from or any instructor I have had a good talk with as they too helped me achieve my dreams.
I would love to help you get that first ride, or find that perfect boat so that you too can experience the joy and thrill of feeling the wind on your face as glide down the side of a wave.
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."