"Every August and since the first Kite Surf event in August 2000, Martin's company, Kiteboarding School of Maui, has held an event for youth involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Martin wanted to give youth the opportunity to experience something they may never have had the chance to, while maintaining safety."
Rick Ortiz
Program Director-Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui (BBBS)
The KSM Kiteboarder programs are designed to help you learn in a safe way and reach your goals as safely and quickly as possible. Your International Kiteboarding Organization (IKO) certified KSM instructor will respect your learning rate and take you through all the steps to reach your goals. As a beginner student, you can expect to acquire many of the skill sets listed below during a 2-3 day (7-10 hours) course and at the end of your lessons, your level will be certified with your IKO Kiteboarder Card. Discover kiteboarding and elevate your water sports experience today! Decide. Commit. Succeed.
| Kiteboarder Level 1 | Introduction to Kite Control (Time 1-2 hours) Once you complete this program, you will be ready to practice these and new skills in the water with your KSM instructor and are well on your way to becoming an independent kite flyer. |
Level 1A | Can determine safe conditions for training site and identify site hazards Can setup 4-line bow or depower kite with an assistant Understands and can simulate use of kite safety systems Understands the power zone and wind window |
Level 1B | Can launch and land the 4-line bow or depower kite with an assistant Can demonstrate basic flying skills and control the kite on the edge of the wind window Can demonstrate specific flying patterns on request Able to walk and change directions with the kite flying |
Level 1C | Can setup 4-line kite with a full depower system including pre-flight checks Understands and can use the international communication hand signals Can assist with launching and landing the kite Can launch and land the kite to an assistant |
Level 1D | Can demonstrate one-handed control of the kite hooked into the harness Understands the depower system and can use the safety systems Can demonstrate advanced flying skills with the depower kite Shows full control of depower systems in flight |
Kiteboarder Level 2 | Kite Control Body Drag (Time 1-2 hours) Once you complete this program, you will start riding on the board. You will be ready to continue to the next level of riding and become an independent kiteboarder! |
Level 2E | Can enter and exit the water independently and safely while controlling the kite Can perform first bodydrag and change directions with the kite flying Can water relaunch a kite Can safely land kite to assistant on shore |
Level 2F | Can bodydrag downwind showing an understanding of the correct kite position Can perform self-rescue and kite self-landing |
Level 2G | Can recover board by bodydragging upwind Can bodydrag one handed and use the board to bodydrag upwind Can enter and exit at the same point on the beach during body dragging Can demonstrate the power stroke for a water start |
Level 2H | Can demonstrate an understanding of weather, tidal and wind effects Can determine the wind strength, direction and quality Knows the right of way rules |
Level 2I | Can safely launch kite on land while holding board Knows safety rules and theory for water start |
Kiteboarder Level 3 | Kiteboarding Water Start (Time 1-6 hours) Once you complete this program, you will be able to start riding in any direction on request and you will truly be an independent rider! The next steps are practice, practice, practice and take an upwind riding lesson. |
Level 3J | Can put the board on the feet and maintain the correct position for the water start Can water start in both directions |
Level 3K | Can ride a short distance Can control the riding speed and stop Can ride among other riders and water users respecting the right of way rules |
Beginner students who have had lessons prior to signing up with KSM and believe they are ready to start working on water starting and riding skills can expect to first demonstrate to his or her KSM instructor the following skills: independent kite setup, skillful kite launch, body drag upwind, self rescue skills, water relaunch & kite self landing.