beginner

Erin Swain: Windy Downwinder to Jocky’s Ridge

I am back at it. I just completed a great downwinder to Jockeys Ridge, but this session started out as a bummer. My bud Scott (from the last blog) came to get me and I started grabbing all my gear. ... Read More...

Erin Swain: Downwinder from Ramp 46 to Somewhere in Salvo

Oh My Gosh! Downwinders are a beginner kiter's best friend! I had the best day ever. I went right to the board instead of doing the body drags first. That was a great accomplishment. ... Read More...

VIDEO: How to do a Backroll: TKB Trick Tips

The back roll is one of the most basic kiteboarding moves and is usually the first move that kiteboarders learn after learning basic jumps. ... Read More...

Erin Swain: Back in the Water!

Ok! I had my first session since snowkiting in Colorado! It was amazing! I launched down in Rodanthe, North Carolina, early in the morning when it was blowing 12 to 18 knots. ... Read More...

Erin Swain: Powder Days!

As I approach the pass (now driving with my hazards on at about 25 mph), I start thinking this is insane”¦what am I thinking?? I took this sport up as a ”˜fair weather’ kiter, and this is a scary white-out”¦... Read More...

Erin Swain: Waiting for Wind

I promised myself when I learned to kiteboard in the water that I was not going to go out in light winds. Unfortunately, in the mountains, there are no exact wind meters and websites to check that will allow you to know what the wind is doing. Maybe there is somekind of wind dance to perform that would bring perfect winds???... Read More...

Erin Swain: The Real Deal on Women’s Snowkiting

I was shocked the first time I pulled the kite into the power zone and it just lifted me and my board so gently, sending me gliding across soft snow. It was surprisingly easy! I would say a hundred times easier than being in the water. The wind was only blowing 10-12mph so it was real mellow and that gave me the confidence to glide a decent way before ungracefully crashing the kite and attempting to switch directions.... Read More...

Erin Swain: A Blog About Learning to Snowkite

OK, here’s my deal: I am 29 years old and have been snowboarding and surfing for about five years. I have been living in Colorado in the winters and the Outer Banks if North Carolina in the summers. I guess its only natural I attempt to get into the kite world. When I first saw kiteboarding I thought ”˜whoa! That is f*ing cool!’ I was in Key West and was 21 years old. Almost nine years later (gosh that sounds like a decade!), I finally had the opportunity to try it out.... Read More...

INSTRUCTIONAL: The Costs of Kiteboarding

Many people who may be interested in kiteboarding are turned away from the sport because of the initially large investment that it takes to get going as a kiteboarder. ... Read More...

ETIQUETTE: Why You Need to Be a Responsible Kiteboarder

It’s time to face a simple truth about kiteboarding: it’s growing, and local beaches everywhere are getting crowded. A few years ago, when it was rare to see more than 20 kiteboarders on the water together, there was almost always enough room for everyone to do their own thing and not bother anyone else... Read More...

SIMPLE SPINS: Add Some Variety to Jumps

Rotations are easy and they will add a lot of variety to your jumps, as you can spin frontside or backside for either one or multiple rotations. The key to rotations is all in your head, and we don’t mean your brain.... Read More...