FULL KITE >> Very bad experience with a kite school from Montreal

[riiix]

Hallo people,

I am writing here to share the bad experience I had in Cape Hatteras last weekend with a teacher from 30Knots, a kite school from Montreal.

I am a beginner who has just taken a few lessons. With 2 friends (beginner too) we decided to go to Cape Hatteras to have some kitesurfing time and we booked a lesson in advance. On the day of the lesson, the wind was not that strong but it was SIDE OFF (we were training on the side of the Sound, not of the ocean). He told us we could have had the lesson as well.

So, we got into the water and while this "teacher" was taking care about one of us (the most skilled one) we were waiting for him. After a good half an hour, when me and my friend where just walking in the shallow water waiting, he came back to us and we began our lesson. My friend tried before me and I was all the time with her. Then, we switched and the teacher let me try by myself. As i told you, i am a beginner and, i was struggling in controlling the kite and, due to the wind, i got far from them (he was not following me since he was chatting with my friend). The kite was pulling me off shore and everytime i tried to make it fly, he pulled me out of the water making me going towards the sea (as i told you the wind was side off and there was a pretty strong tide).

I got to the point that i was almost not touching the bottom, the "teacher" was far, no one was around kitesurfing, the wind and the tide were taking me into the sea i was a bit panicking and i decided to release the kite (had not thought to depower it or other stuff.. i am not that confident yet) but I made the HUGE mistake releasing the leash first and then the chicken loop, loosing the kite.

I made the most stupid mistake by myself but, I am paying someone from a school to teach me how to kite, and one of his task is helping me in bad moments.That's the purpose of going to school. Unfortunately the teacher (who got his money for the "lesson"- 80$ - and 500$ for the kite i lost, which, probably, i should not have given him) was totally not around and i had no radio to be told about the procedures to not get lost into the water (pretty bad organization).

In add to it, the other friend of mine, which was totally left by herself by this "teacher", was struggling as well because of the wind and the tide, lost the board and released the kite but she did the correct emergency procedures and did not loose the kite.

I have decided to share this experience to suggest to be aware about who is teaching you how to kite (another guy from the same school turned to be an extremely good teacher who was following his students with is SUP).

Cheers,
Ric

[PowerZone]

If you want to save money by taking lessons in group this problem could Happen !

Next time take a one on one lesson and you won't have this problem at any schools around here in Montréal or in general !

Sorry about le lost of the kite !:(

Aloha ! Simon

[Ktm670]

I dont agree Simon. Event on a group course, the first teacher's responsibility is there's students security.

You never let a true beginner by it's self in a side off wind even in shallow water.

If the condition is not secure for the student, they should never be in the water by them self.

I'am really surprise by this comment on 30 noeuds as they are really serious about kiting?

[Denis]

Riix

can you explain why you waited so long to release ?

did your teacher show you how to before learning how to fly the kite ?

[windybrit]

Firstly I'm glad that you are safe and able to write about your mishap. I have no particular allegiance to, or connection with, 30kn but I am unpleasantly surprised to hear of your experience, I'd have expected better. It however does take "two to tango" so before formulating opinions of fault or apportioning blame it would be interesting to hear the other side to the story too..... just my 2 cents

[Taurent]

Humm, un vent side off, 3 nouveaux... c'est beaucoup à gérer. It would be interesting to know what you were told before entering the water. Wind theory, safety system, I guess you were not at the self rescue level... Technically loosing the kite is not your responsibility, it is the school one, you are not taking your own car when taking driving lessons...the good thing; you're here to tell your story.

It's too bad you had a bad first impression, hopefully you got all the bad luck at once (we all got into shitty situation) and that it won't stop you from trying again.

Cheers.

[Whabbits]

Hi Ric,
I hope that this experience will not turn you off of kiting and that you will stick with this amazing sport.

On a positive note, you were lucky to have a mini "kitemare" and experience first hand and not be hurt at all. I think that will time you will be one of the most safe kiters and will have respect for the sport and equipment. Kiting has become so easy to learn, including myself, that I think too many people have not seen the dangers of kiting. The kite instructor probably learned something that day too!

Again, I hope that you stick with the sport and that instructor, the school, and store regain your enthusiasm with time.

[riiix]

Hallo guys,
Thank you for all your answer. I am not giving it up at all.. Tomorrow I have a lesson at Baie des Brises.. Just with a different school!!
About my experience, I made mistakes because I was panicking a bit.. But still not in real danger.. But was getting there!
I just did not liked the attitude of the teacher than, even if he didn't force me to give him money for the kite, should have been behaved in a different, more professional way, both in the water than outside!!!

@denis. I was not really in danger since I was yet in shallow water, but the kite was pulling me off shore and there was a big tide side off too.. I waited till the last minute I was still feeling safe.. And then I relished to kite!!
I have been instructed about the safety equipment, but I was panicking and lost control plus no one was there telling me what to do... My mistake, but I was paying someone to teach and support me.. Otherwise I would have asked a fiend to tell me a couple of stuff...

Thank you all guys...

[hi_wind]

Who is this teacher?

[Benix]

Hallo guys,
Thank you for all your answer. I am not giving it up at all.. Tomorrow I have a lesson at Baie des Brises.. Just with a different school!!
About my experience, I made mistakes because I was panicking a bit.. But still not in real danger.. But was getting there!
I just did not liked the attitude of the teacher than, even if he didn't force me to give him money for the kite, should have been behaved in a different, more professional way, both in the water than outside!!!

@denis. I was not really in danger since I was yet in shallow water, but the kite was pulling me off shore and there was a big tide side off too.. I waited till the last minute I was still feeling safe.. And then I relished to kite!!
I have been instructed about the safety equipment, but I was panicking and lost control plus no one was there telling me what to do... My mistake, but I was paying someone to teach and support me.. Otherwise I would have asked a fiend to tell me a couple of stuff...

Thank you all guys...

Sunday you'll have lessons at BdB? With 20-35kn?
Heu......
Nothing's.
Be safe!