Get your kids kitesurfing with Ozone

For Ozone the philosophy has always been that kiting is for everyone and they have built products to make that a reality. Kiting is at its best when everyone is involved! Kids are fast learners but it will take time for them to learn to kitesurf safely. This is no problem as it is really all about playing with kites.

The first step is the Ignition. This is our foil kite which is really easy but fun to fly. It comes as a package with a bar and lines already attached. The kite flies on two lines and has a third line as a safety which connects to a wrist strap. When released on the safety the kite has very little pull. Knowing that releasing a kite onto the safety is ok is an important lesson. The Ignition packs down into a small bag which can easily be left in the back of the car and taken out to the local park, playing fields or beach. It flies in the lightest of breezes too.

This is the perfect tool for anyone wanting to get into kitesurfing, not just kids! Learn more about the Ozone Ignition.

Traction

Once the kids are comfortable flying the Ignition and can do it without thinking it is time to start making the next steps. A landboard or buggy is a great option. You can leave them on their Ignition (2.5m or 3.0m ideally) and they can learn how to use the kite to create enough power to pull them along. Once the kite is second nature they will pick this up fast. It lays the groundwork for kitesurfing in terms of how much power is required and the angles into the wind.

Land kiting does not have to be just a stepping stone. It is a great activity for days when the wind is too light to kitesurf or is blowing offshore, or the water conditions are not right.

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Venturing into the water

It is important not to expect too much here – they are unlikely to be up kitesurfing straight away. A decision on whether you want to teach them yourself, or send them to a kite school is also important. Some kite schools now run kids clubs and have instructors with experience teaching kids (check out 514 Elemental who specialise in this). Learning from family members can be hit or miss and often children learn better with other children.

Investing in proper kit is essential. Wetsuits, harnesses, helmets and buoyancy aids must fit correctly in order to keep your child warm and safe.

An inflatable kite is going to be required here and the UNO V2 is perfect! It is a small single strut tube kite which is lightweight, super stable and handles well. Due to its lightweight construction is flies well in low winds (read the IKSURFMAG Ozone Uno V2 review). The 4m is a very popular option and a great investment – it will also serve as a high wind kite later. The Compact Contact Bar features a smaller chickenloop and a shorter depower throw. This makes the bar much easier to use and keeps everything closer to them.

Picking a safe location on a day when the conditions are right is imperative. Shallow water which is fairly flat on a nice day with a good 10-15mph breeze is perfect. Take time body dragging and getting used to the water before bringing the board out. The inflatable kite will feel different to the Ignition.

With boards it is important to find something small with footstraps which go small enough. Loads of brands now make kids gear. The skills learnt on the Ignition and the landboards will really come into play now. Once board starts have been managed it is all about slow and steady progress, building up those hours on the water.

Constant supervision is essential – they are kids after all. Making sure they keep safe and take notice of dangers is all part of the learning process. As they progress more and you can ride together then kitesurfing becomes an amazing activity which is far more attractive than staying indoors. It probably won’t be long till they can jump higher than you though! What are you waiting for? See if your local kite school takes kids, or get together with other parents and push for a kids club!