TEACHING KITEBOARDING TO THE NEXT GENERATION
TEACHING KITEBOARDING TO THE NEXT GENERATION
The wind was blowing from the Southwest, the sun was out, and we could not have asked for a better day! On May 16, Next Level Watersports was proud to host a group of sixteen 7th grade students from the Nantucket New School to let them try their hand at kiteboarding. These kids have grown up on Nantucket and many have seen kiting from afar so it was an awesome opportunity to let them see what the sport we love is about first hand.
We started the event by giving an introduction to the basic concepts behind how a kite works – Explaining how to identify what the wind is doing, how a kite flies, and how a kite generates power. We reviewed important safety concepts and, after much anticipation, broke out into two groups to begin flying a trainer kite. That is where the fun began!
One of the most remarkable parts of teaching younger students is how quickly they learn. In rapid succession each student figured out how to steer the trainer kite and become competent at controlling the kite independently. After developing comfort and familiarity with the kite, each student had the opportunity to start generating some power, doing tricks with the kite, and even trying to use the kite to jump into the air. It was incredible to watch everyone learn and even better to see the smiles as they figure it out!
A big thank you to Claire and TJ at the Nantucket New School for helping us put this event together. It is always a privilege to teach the next generation of kiters and we hope to see these kids out on the water again soon! Also, thanks to Jennifer Gros for the help and pictures.
NLW Pro Tip:
Many parents ask what age is appropriate for someone to start learning kiting. The answer is tricky in that there isn’t a minimum age so much as a minimum weight – 70 lbs.
Also in News: Nantucket
That’s a Wrap!
This summer, we taught a record number of lessons this year to students of all ages. Beginner kiteboarders made their first gear purchases, while some of the more advanced (and adventurous!) went ripping through grassy hidden floodplains of the island. To us, teaching these sports and activities is like sharing a gift. Nothing makes us happier than, two years after teaching someone how to get their first ride, you see them go flying by (questionably overpowered), screaming in delight on a 17 meter, getting serious air, and coming on their first downwinders with the crew. It’s why we do it, and we can’t wait to get more people going!
Nantucket Season Opener - 2019
After another Winter in Stuart, Florida, we are excited to announce that we are open for business beginning our fourth year on Nantucket. We wanted to give our clients an update on our adventures since we departed last Fall & let everyone know what is on deck for this Summer season. We are hoping for a big year with new toys, new adventures, and a growing team of amazing coaches!
New Kite Designs Featuring Cisco Brewers in Nantucket
We’re excited to officially announce our new Next Level Watersports kite designs in collaboration with our partner Cisco Brewers in Nantucket, MA. We’ve been working together for months to create a unique, handmade design for our custom kites. A big shout out to Tyler, Jay and the whole Cisco Brewers’ staff for all the
