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Kite Boarding Lessons |
Kiteboarding is an exciting sport that can be done on lakes and oceans using the power of the wind. This sport uses a small kiteboard, (like a wakeboard/snowboard) and a big power kite. The kite is attached to a harness that you wear on your body and you use a bar to steer the kite. You do not need strength to hold onto the bar, the pull from the kite pulls on your harness. The kites are specially designed for this sport and have lots of safety features and control. With our 2 day lessons, you can be up on your board ripping around a lake using the power of the wind! As you build your skills, you can add jumping, tricks, and kiteboarding in the surf. Kiteboarding is a fun sport suitable for kids, adults, normal people and adrenalin junkies. Swimming ability is required.
All lessons are taught by PASA certified instructors. Lessons are available 7 days a week during the season (May 1st - Sept 30th) and by request during the off-season. Weekends fill up fast so book your lesson package today! All lessons include full jet-ski support and world class customer service!
How It Works
Lessons typically begin at 11am and end around 3pm each day depending on wind conditions. Basic lessons cover various topics including: kiting terminology, kiting theories, kite setup, safety equipment, board skills and all the topics you need to become a kiteboarder. Students will progress from trainer kites to inflatable kites once they prove they are ready.
Trainer Kites
Our students start out on small foil trainer kites to gain valuable kite experience. Trainer kites are perfect for learning power strokes, kite positioning and how the wind window works. We use Sensei Trainer Kites. Sensei Trainer Kites are simple to re-launch and is one of the best trainer kites we've ever used!
Inflatable Kites
The next stage in your training will begin with inflatable kites from BEST. We use BEST Guroo exclusively because they are easy to setup, super stable and very predictable for effortless water re-launch. Like all BEST Kites, the Guroo is durable and can handle whatever you throw at it, with bullet proof construction and innovative design. BEST kites are some of the best kites on the market today.
Boards
Our students find water-starts a snap with BEST kite boards. BEST kite boards are built with more volume and width and are smooth, stable and very manageable in the water. We use various models of BEST kite boards depending on wind conditions and rider experience.
Beginner Lessons (1 day)
This lesson is for the first time kiters.
We will cover all aspects of kiting, from wind to safety. Your training will begin with kite setup, how the wind window works, basic kite flying patterns and all aspects of your safety equipment. You will also learn solo and assisted launching techniques, self rescue and other topics. Your training will go from 1.5M foil trainer kites to 3M – 5M inflatable kites progressing at your skill/comfort level. This class is the ground work that you will need for kiteboarding and can not be skipped. It is on day 2 that we hope to get you up and riding on a board. In the event of no wind or a low wind day, see No Wind below for our options.
Beginner Lessons (2 days)
Day 1: Same as our 1 day lesson above, except this class will lead into our 2nd day of kiteboarding.
Day 2: This lesson moves on to kite body dragging in the water. We will work on the basics of deep water starts on your kite board. Downwind riding with jet-ski support provided. Upwind techniques will be introduced as time permits. It is in this 2nd day of lessons that we hope to get you up and riding. In the event of no wind or a low wind day, see No Wind below for our options.
Private Lessons: Just you, your instructor and a jet-ski!
$75 per hour, 3 hour minimum. Price includes full jet-ski support and any area of kiteboarding the student wants to cover.
| Kite Boarding Lessons |
| One Day Lesson |
$225.00 |
| Two Day Lesson |
$450.00 |
| Private Lesson |
$75.00/hr 3 hr min. |
| Trainer Kite Lesson |
$35.00 1/2 hour |
Minimum age for Trainer Kite lessons is 9, minimum age for Kite Boarding lessons is 12. Trainer kite lessons are great for family members that are not taking the Kite Boarding lesson.
*15% of your Kite Boarding lesson may be applied toward purchase of a Kite at the Boulder Outdoor Center. You must have booked your class through the BOC and purchase a kite within 30 days of your lesson.
No Wind and Low Wind Days
In the event of low wind, there is still plenty of work to be done. We will cover plenty of topics to keep you busy, such as kite setup and all safety aspects until you are extremely comfortable with all safety aspects and can hit the water as soon as possible. In the event of no wind, wake boarding lessons will be provided. Wake boarding skills are paramount to becoming a good kite boarder.
Trainer Kite Lessons
$35 per half-hour, no minimum. Price includes trainer kite rental and instruction. Students will learn how to setup a trainer kite, how the wind window works, kite positioning, power strokes and re-launch.
Why should I take a kiteboarding lesson?
The most important reason is to prevent injury. Kiteboarding can be a dangerous sport and the last thing you want to do is injure yourself, or someone else. Not only do you risk injury, you risk the possibility of damaging your new gear without the proper training. Let’s face it, kiteboarding can be expensive and why tear up your new equipment when you can learn from us and use our gear! Never kite alone or without proper instruction!
What should I bring to a lesson?
The most important thing you can bring to a lesson is a positive attitude and the willingness to learn. Like anything, kiteboarding takes knowledge, practice and patience. There are several items that may make your lesson more enjoyable. We recommend bringing board shorts, a rash guard, sun screen, sunglasses, a hat, a towel, sandals or flip flops, portable shade/ez-up, camping chair and any snacks you might need.
Who can learn to kiteboard?
Kiteboarding is a great family sport and anyone can learn to kiteboard. You don’t have to be physically strong or in great shape to learn. You just need to know how to swim, be comfortable in the water and have the willingness to learn. We've instructed teenagers to senior citizens!
What equipment will I need after my lesson?
You will need a kite board, a kite (including lines and bar), a pump and a harness. We recommend a helmet and an impact vest, which offers flotation. You can never be too safe and overlook your safety gear or equipment! Other than the basics you may find other accessories that you can't fly without once you begin kiting.
Can I buy kiteboarding gear from you?
Yes, we offer a full line of gear from kites to boards and carry everything you need to get started. We also offer trainer kites and videos to better equip you. Kiteboarding is a individual sport, so the size kite, type of board and other accessories you will need will vary on weather conditions, type of riding and individual preference.
What should I know about Lake McConaughy?
Lake McConaughy is a Nebraska State Park, so you will need to purchase a pass for each day you visit and a camping pass each day if you plan to stay overnight. Daily park passes and camping passes are cheap, but if you plan to visit Lake McConaughy on a more frequent basis we recommend you purchase an annual parks pass to save money in the long run. The lake is patrolled by park rangers daily and they will give you a ticket for violating park rules and not carrying a valid pass. There are several parks rules and regulations about drinking, pets, camping, etc that you should be familiar with before you enter the park.
Why The Kite Ranch?
Because we are Kiter’s just like you. Kiting is our passion and our goal is to pass our passion for kiting along to you. Our instructor to student ratio is kept low so we can focus on you and your learning curve. Our instructors are also PASA certified and it is our mission to provide a safe and fun learning environment for our students. We pride ourselves on customer service and keeping your kiting needs first!
To sign up for this trip, choose a trip
from the option box and press the submit button above. You will then be presented with dates that are available. Once you are registered, you will get a confirmation email from The Kite Ranch for your trip.
Meeting Place & Time
The Kite Ranch is located on the north shore of Lake McConaughy approximately 9 miles north of Ogallala, Nebraska. Lake McConaughy hosts more than 100 miles of white sandy beaches and is only a 3 hour drive from Denver, CO. If you've never experience Lake McConaughy you won't be disappointed! Meeting time for most classes is 10:00am.
Please see our directions and driving times in the upper right hand corner to get additional directions.
Refund Policy
We cannot predict or guarantee wind conditions, although we are constantly monitoring current conditions and reviewing future forecasts for up-to-date wind conditions we can not promise the wind will blow. As a result there are NO REFUNDS once you have signed up for the class, unless you have a family emergency or other unforeseen event for example. If there is no wind we will work with you and reschedule your lesson depending on what was taken from the first class, ie…wake boarding, kite set ups etc… We will always honor our obligation to you and all of our customers.
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More Trip Information
For directions and driving time from where you are to where the Kite Boarding Lessons is located/meets at, enter your starting point as:
City, State or Zip Code or Airport and click on our button.
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Trip Type: On the water kite boarding lessons.
Lesson Length: 3 hours, 1 day and 2 day lessons.
Difficulty: Moderate
Places to stay in at and near Lake McConaughy
Information on Camping at Lake McConaughy State Park
Holiday Inn Express-Ogallala
501 Stagecoach Trl, Ogallala, NE
(308) 284-2266
Rodeway Inn
108 Prospector Dr., Ogallala, NE
(308) 284-2056
Super 8 Ogallala
500 East ""A"" S., Ogallala, NE
(308) 284-2076
Best Western Stagecoach Inn
201 Stagecoach Trl, Ogallala, NE
(308) 284-3656
Comfort Inn
110 Pony Express Rd., Ogallala, NE
(308) 284-4028
Days Inn Ogallala
600 Stagecoach Trl, Ogallala, NE
(308) 284-6365
The Kite Ranch
155 Hwy 92W
Keystone, NE 69144
The Kite Ranch uses only PASA Certified Instructors PASA stands for Professional Air Sports Association.
"It's a path to the dark side when beginners try to teach themselves. Ignorance leads to frustration, frustration leads to apathy and apathy leads to windsurfing" Sandrine Roussos - CEO International Kiteboarding Organization.
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Questions?
Please call the BOC at:
303-444-8420
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