Welcome to part three of our online kiteboarding lessons blog! In this installment, we’re diving into three key intermediate skills: self-launching, riding toeside, and performing jump transitions.

These techniques build on the fundamentals we covered in the last two parts and are what you should be focused on after your first kiteboarding lessons. After their first lessons, many riders find themselves asking, “What’s next?”

At Elite Water Sports, we often get calls from students seeking guidance on their progression, so we’ve created this series to help bridge that gap. This blog is slightly more advanced but still ties into the earlier stages of their kiteboarding.

 If you're wondering, “How do I self-launch my kite safely?” or “How can I ride toeside or learn kiteboarding jump transitions?”—you’re in the right place.

These skills are essential for boosting - no pun intended -confidence on the water and elevating your riding experience. We’ll break down each of these techniques with detailed instructions and pro tips from our expert kiteboarding instructors.

Always Take Lessons: It’s important to note that while this guide is a valuable resource for preparing and reviewing your lessons, it is not intended to replace formal instruction. We highly recommend using these blogs and videos as a supplement before and after your kiteboarding lessons.

By studying these intermediate techniques and building on what you've already learned, you'll get the most out of your in-person training sessions.Each video in this series lays the groundwork for more advanced skills in the next blog.

Aaron is a master teacher, so watch the videos and pay attention. Self-launching, for example, will set you up for success as you begin working on toeside riding, while jump transitions build on everything you’ve practiced so far.

Follow along with our pro tips, and stay tuned for future blogs where we’ll continue to guide you through the next steps in your kiteboarding.

How to use this guide: Use these instructions before and after your kiteboarding lessons. Read the article, watch the tutorial, and practice the small steps on your own.

Warning: These lessons are not meant to replace real in-person lessons. Always start with a credible kiteboarding school; remember, intermediate kiteboarding lessons are the fastest way to progress.

How to be a better kiteboarder: We release regular tutorials, gear reviews, tips, and so much more on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe for the latest trick tips and insider knowledge.

Practice makes permanent: Learn the right way and set good riding habits early. Follow our tips and avoid common mistakes. 

Today, we're diving into an incredibly useful technique—self-launching your kite on the beach.

While it's always preferable to launch your kite in the water if possible, sometimes you're limited to the beach or grassy areas.

Warning: We do not recommend you do this for the first six months of kiteboarding. Never kite alone; get help with launching from an experienced kitesurfer. For those of you who have completed our previous online kiteboarding courses and are ready, if you don't have access to shallow water as we do, here's a step-by-step guide on how to self-launch your kite safely and effectively on land.

Preparing for Your Self-Launch: First things first, you need to make sure your kite and lines are set up perfectly:Lines are set up correctly: Red on left, green on the right, and everything properly connected.

Safety leash and eject systems: Double-check that they're all in place. 

Check surroundings: Be aware of pedestrians, especially downwind. If there are people around, always make sure they're watching out for you and, when possible, ask them to help launch your kite. But when you're alone, this self-launching technique will be your go-to.

Positioning for Launch: Start by walking slightly upwind from your parked kite. You want to avoid being too directly downwind, as it might drag and cause unnecessary friction or damage to your kite.

Pull the opposite wingtip: This allows the kite to begin filling with air. You'll notice it starts to slide slightly sideways.

Mitigate drag: The key is to manage how far your kite slides across the beach. If it moves too much, you risk scratching or damaging the fabric on rough surfaces.

Adjusting your upwind/downwind position allows you to control how much the kite moves before it powers up.

Step-by-Step Guide to self Launching

The technique is similar to relaunching a kite from the water:

Begin walking into the breeze, pulling the opposite wingtip (for most, this will be the left wingtip).

As the kite fills with air, you'll feel the lines go tight.Now you're ready!

Launch the kite while maintaining control to avoid dragging it unnecessarily.

Remember:Upwind position gives the kite more power, but if you're too far downwind, the kite could slide too far before powering up.

Practice this technique in a controlled environment before trying it in challenging conditions. It's all about learning the fine balance between filling the kite with air and controlling its movement across the ground.

Warning: Self-launching is a valuable skill for any kiteboarder who may find themselves without assistance. However, do it at your own risk and always be cautious of your surroundings.

If you ever need advice, feel free to give us a call at 727-800-2202.

If you need help: Book a Private kite Lesson.

Toeside riding is a game-changer that can unlock new levels of tricks and variations.

Whether you're just starting or an advanced rider, mastering this skill opens up opportunities for smoother transitions and even helps you recover from over-rotated landings. It's a must-have in your toolkit, no matter your skill level.

Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how to ride toeside: 

Start with Heel-Side Boardslides: The key to toeside riding starts with getting comfortable on your heel-side board slide. This involves skimming across the water with the edge of your board on your heels, traveling in a straight line.

As you glide across, focus on balancing your weight and holding the slide in a controlled, steady manner.Practice this repeatedly until you can maintain a smooth, balanced slide. Once you're confident in your heel-side position, you'll be ready for the next step. Imagine you are gently plowing your board against the kite.

Transition from Heel Side to Toe Side: When you're comfortable with your heel-side board slides, it's time to start transitioning to the toe side. Begin by shifting your weight forward onto your front foot while maintaining some pressure on your back foot.

This will release tension from your back fins, making it easier to slide the board around into the toeside position.

As you rotate, aim for a smooth, fluid motion. At this stage, it's important not to lock into the toeside position right away.

Instead, practice transitioning back and forth between heel-side, boardslide, and toeside. This repetition will build muscle memory and make your transitions more seamless.

Visualize it while you're on the beach to mentally prepare before you hit the water.

Engage the Wind to Power Up: Once you've transitioned to toeside, you may run out of power or not be ideally positioned in the wind. Here's the key: immediately aim yourself into the breeze.
Take your front hand off the bar, lean into your toes, and direct your board into the wind. As you lean in and carve, the wind will naturally power you up.Here's a pro tip: As you move from heel-side to toeside, just before you let go with your front hand, give the bar a little tug. This helps dive the kite down slightly, giving you an extra burst of power as you make the transition.

Carve into the Breeze: With your front hand off the bar and your toes pressed into the water, carve directly into the breeze. This will re-engage the kite and provide full power. As the kite pulls you up, it will be moving slow enough to control, giving you time to adjust your stance.

Try to hold this position for as long as you can before you start losing momentum or slowing down. When that happens, smoothly transition back to the heel side, as this will come naturally once you've mastered the back-and-forth flow.

Practice, Experiment, and Progress: Take your time with locking the toeside position. Keep experimenting with transitions between heel-side, board slides, and toeside until you feel comfortable holding toeside for longer periods. The more you practice, the smoother your transitions will be, and you'll start incorporating toeside riding into your regular sessions.T

his process of practicing slides will prepare you to experiment with tricks. Once you're comfortable with toeside, you can start mixing in variations like toeside transitions, toeside to heel-side jumps and even toeside Downwinders.

The key is to keep experimenting—every new move you learn will unlock more possibilities.

Bonus Tip for Advanced Riders: Add Variations as you progress with toeside riding, you'll find it opens the door to more advanced tricks. With the added control and power, you can start pulling off toeside jumps, transitions, and even more complex Downwinders.

The variations you can create with toeside riding are endless—once you've got it down, the fun really begins!

Mastering toeside riding is essential in taking your skills to the next level. It's the gateway to landing more tricks, adding fluidity to your sessions, and boosting your overall riding experience. Practice the transitions, stay patient, and before you know it, you'll be landing toeside tricks like a pro.

Book a private kite lesson here: 

What is a Jump Transition? A jump transition is a smooth and controlled maneuver where you change direction while in the air. It's an advanced kiteboarding trick, but with the right technique, you'll be able to pull it off with style. 

Essentially, a jump transition lets you redirect your direction while boosting, allowing you to switch sides effortlessly.

Step 1: Learn the Loading Pop: Before you can master jump transitions, you need to be comfortable with the loading pop.

The loading pop is all about gathering enough tension in your lines and using the power of the kite to lift off the water.Here's how to get the pop:Ride along with power and control.

Send your kite to 12 o'clock, keeping enough energy in it to give you that boost.As you reach your stopping point, pull the bar in to engage the kite fully.

Step 2: Execute the Boost: Now that you've learned the loading pop, the next step is to work on your boost. To boost effectively:Send the kite past 12 o'clock to give you that lift.Keep it steady at the 12 o'clock position while you're in the air.

Right before you land, send the kite in the opposite direction from where you originally started.

Step 3: Airborne Control and Landing: While you're in the air, control is key. Imagine a helicopter landing:Keep the kite steady at 12 o'clock while you're in mid-air.As you descend, send the kite in the new direction you want to travel.

This redirection allows you to land smoothly and continue riding in the opposite direction.

Step 4: Practice the Helicopter Landing: Before diving into full jump transitions, it's a good idea to practice the helicopter landing. This will help you maintain control of the air and land with ease. Here's how:Send your kite up.Get the lift.

As you descend, imagine the kite bringing you down like a helicopter.Redirect the kite right before you land to ride off in your new direction.

Speed control: As you get more comfortable, try going into your jump transitions with more speed.

This will give you a cleaner stop when you send the kite to 12 o'clock and allow for a smoother transition in the opposite direction.

Timing: The key to a successful jump transition is timing. Make sure you send the kite at the right moment, just before you land, to maintain control.Practice makes perfect: Start slow and work your way up.

Once you've nailed the basics, you can start experimenting with faster speeds and higher jumps.Final ThoughtsJump transitions open up a world of possibilities in kiteboarding.

Whether you're aiming to switch directions mid-air or just add some flair to your riding, this trick will take your skills to the next level. Practice the loading pop, boost, and helicopter landing, and soon, you'll be nailing air transitions with ease!

Feel free to visit our previous videos and guides for more tips and tricks.

If you have any questions or need guidance, please call us at Elite Water Sports at 727-800-2202. We're here to help!
 You can book with us here. 

Elite Watersports has served the Tampa and St Petersburg area for years. They offer kiteboarding and wingsurfing lessons. They also have a retail shop equipt with the latest kitesurfing gear. This is hands down the best location to learn kitesurfing. We have shallow flat water and easy beginner conditions. Call today and reserve your spot for jet-ski-supported lessons. If the wind is blowing, we're going!

If you need help give us a call. .
(727)-800-2202