Many friends of mine have tried kite surfing over the last few years, but their experiences have not always been positive. Being curious, I wanted to give it a try as well. Today, I share that experience with you. For my part, I could not picture an efficient and easy learning experience on bodies of water here in Quebec. Of course, the Magdalene Islands in the Gulf of St-Lawrence and Shippagan in New-Brunswick offer interesting, if unstable, wind conditions. That's why I took advantage of the ideal weather conditions, and professional kite surfing lessons, while vacationing in Cabarete, Dominican Republic, last August.

The wind is about 15 knots every day during June, July and August in Cabarete. These conditions allow a steady learning process and a most enjoyable vacation. No matter how long your stay, you can count on daily winds.

Most schools on the beach offer lessons by French or English speaking instructors, both qualified and IKO (International Kite Boarding Organization) certified. My friend and I chose a 9-hour lesson, over three days. The cost was $330 US each and we were accompanied by the instructor and his assistant.

Safety is taken very seriously during the lessons. As a matter of fact, the first class is all about the basic safety rules. Initial handling of the kite is practiced with a small model. During the first three hours, I learned to unroll the kite ropes, make it catch the wind, take off and land back on the beach. These three hours seemed long and tiring, but it was really worth it!

During the second class, I was able to handle a larger kite. I learned to body drag and move upwind using this technique - all without the board beneath my feet. The wind is side-on shore which makes the experience risk free. The beaches are long and the school locations make it possible to practice in isolation, without interfering with the other kite surfers. After six hours, I was practicing in-water starts with the board.

It is during the third lesson that you really find out where you stand: you make it or you break it! In fact, many beginners get discouraged at this point because of the high level of difficulty for in-water starts. Despite my experience in many sliding sports such as windsurfing, snow surfing, wakeboarding and wake surfing, I had a hard time moving forward with the board under my feet. In other words, after a 9-hour course, I managed in-water starts, but I could not move forward.

DON'T GET DISCOURAGED! After the lessons with the pro, it's time to call on a young Dominican for his services. You can find one easily because there are many walking along the beach, offering their help. They are very knowledgeable in kite surfing and they usually ask a fee of just $5 per hour. This assistant provides crucial help looking after all the overwhelming details for a beginner: unroll the ropes, put the kite together and make sure all goes well once in the water. If you drift too far, he can also bring the kite back to its starting point - which gives him a free ride. After three days with my "personal assistant," I improved tremendously. I was able to move in the direction I wished, however I always ending up drifting, and I was also able to jibe on both sides.

After returning from Cabarete, I had the opportunity to spend three days in Cape Cod, where the winds were approximately 20 knots and the waves 5-6 feet high. I was somewhat at ease and could move upwind without drifting - and that's after spending only about 15 hours in the water!

Of course, windsurfing remains my passion. But now, even if the wind drops below 20 knots, I can still enjoy water sports.

Benoit Gauthier

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