Question 1

Is kiteboarding safe?

Accepted Answer

Kiteboarding is considered an extreme sport and safety has to be taken seriously. At Ocean Freaks, our primary goals are to introduce the sport safely to our students and to accelerate the learning. Accidents, when they do occur, usually involve advanced riders who are pushing the envelope and attempting new tricks or going out in conditions that are too extreme for their ability. Knowing your limits, having the correct gear for the conditions, understanding weather, and being in good physical shape go a long way to keeping kiteboarders healthy.

Question 2

When is the best time to come to Ecuador for lessons?

Accepted Answer

We offer kiteboarding lessons year-round but the best season historically is May through October. During November through April, we usually get 50% kiteable days versus 75-95% during the spring/summer.

Question 3

Do I need to bring anything with me for the lesson?

Accepted Answer

We provide everything you will need for your lesson...drinking water, harness, life jacket, helmet, appropriately sized kites, kiteboard, etc.
 
You will want to bring:
Sunscreen
Lunch/Snack
Sunglasses are a good idea as you are looking up in the sky a lot and you will definitely want to have some kind of strap for your sunglasses.

Question 4

How hard is it to kite?

Accepted Answer

Learning how to kiteboard is actually easier and takes less time than learning how to windsurf. However, the learning curve is much steeper. For example, one of the first kiteboarding moves you need to learn is water starting, which is a rather advanced technique in windsurfing.

Question 5

I am a windsurfer, is it hard to convert?"

Accepted Answer

As a windsurfer, you already have good balance on a board, have used a harness, and understand the wind, so learning to kiteboard can be easier than for students without those skills. However, the learning curve is still pretty steep as you need more balance in kitesurfing due to the nervous kite which tends to pull you out of the footstraps and off the board. Keep in mind that 80% of sport is about the kite but once you get past the beginner stage you can progress faster in kitesurfing than in windsurfing.

Question 6

How fast will I learn the sport?

Accepted Answer

Progress in this sport depends on what other skills a student possesses from other sports. Clients with prior experience in board sports such as wakeboarding, surfing, waterskiing, windsurfing, and snowboarding pick up the riding part quickly. In addition, windsurfers already have experience using a harness, which is very important. But, the best skills one can possess are good hand-eye coordination, good listening skills, and comfort level in the water. Two goals of the Ocean Freaks team are to help reduce the frustration level of learning kitesurfing and to accelerate the learning curve. As a result, our students become independent kiteboarders more quickly and safely.

Question 7

What kind of physical shape do I need to be in?

Accepted Answer

You should be in relatively good shape before taking kiteboarding lessons but you don't need to be an elite athlete to learn the sport. We begin teaching kids as young as 8 and the most senior student we’ve taught was 80 years old! Strength isn’t the key to this sport because you fly mainly from your harness and your body weight and technique are bigger factors in how much kite power you can handle. You should be strong enough to unhook the control bar from your harness hook when needed, though. (Suggestion: do a lot of pull up and abdominal exercises). Kitesurfing is not very aerobic - you don't run out of breath as quickly as you do when running because the kite does most of the work. Muscle fatigue in the legs can wear you out but as your skills improve your endurance increases. Being a good swimmer and comfortable in the water are very important, too. Essentially, being in good physical shape would allow you to get yourself out of a situation quicker than if you weren't in shape.

Question 8

I have done some trainer kite flying and body dragging. Will I be able to take a class starting with the kiteboard on my first lesson?

Accepted Answer

This is a very common question. While we appreciate that students want to save money and time, we want their experience to be fun, safe, and easy. If a student has had some experience, we normally have them set up the kite with our assistance and do a tandem body drag in the water. Once the instructor-student pair is a safe distance from shore, the instrutor turns the kite rig over to the student and directs the student to drag out and back to the instructor who has swum upwind. If the student can drag upwind to the instructor, demonstrate a kite relaunch from the water, and can demonstrate a proper self-rescue with the kite, then we would begin instruction with the board.

Question 9

Will I be riding on a board the first day?

Accepted Answer

At least half of our first time beginner students get to the board on the first day and attempt water starts and ride. Most students need 2-3 days of lessons to become competent and confident with the kite and do some riding on a board. Taking a few days of supervised lessons and having the proper equipment for all conditions will be less expensive than going out and buying the various sized kites one needs in the beginning.

Question 10

Is Ocean Freaks Insured?

Accepted Answer

Ocean Freaks carries a general liability insurance policy as requied by Ecuador ordinance to qualify for a commercial ocean recreation permit and as required by International Kiteboarding Organization for affiliation.

Question 11

How long has Ocean Freaks been in business?

Accepted Answer

Ocean Freaks is one of the first licensed kiteboarding schools in Ecuador and the only business on Maui that has a kiteboarding school coupled with its own watersports facility. Ocean Freaks has been servicing the international kiteboarding community with lessons and retail kiteboarding equipment since 2010.

Question 12

How much experienced do Ocean Freaks instructors have?

Accepted Answer

All instructors for Ocean Freaks are highly experienced and are certified with American Red Cross in CPR/First Aid and with International Kiteboarding Organization (IKO) and/or Professional Air Sports Association (PASA).
In addition, prior to becoming certified kiteboarding instructors, Ocean Freak instructors were kiteboarding recreationally for years and competing in local and international kiteboarding events. We believe that this is one of the most experienced group of instructors anywhere in the world.

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