Kiteboarding Lessons
Book Your Lake Michigan Kiteboarding Lesson Here!
MACkite has been offering lessons for over 15 seasons, and we’re pumped for another season of teaching students the life-changing sport of kiteboarding! We offer all of our summer lessons at the MACshack, which is reserved specifically for our students. Our instructors teach hundreds of students every year on how to ride safely and to learn the undying love of kiteboarding. We hook up our students with the latest gear - after all, we are in the business of making kiteboarders! If you're looking to kiteboard, MACkite will follow you through the entire process. Why? It’s our job, of course! We love getting people stoked about kiteboarding.
We believe in helping our students become self sufficient riders. We are here to teach people genuinely looking to learn the sport, rather than people looking for a one time experience (e-foil and wing are great for those looking for a fun experience!). Learning to kiteboard is a lot like learning to fly an aircraft- you need to learn the rules and mechanics as well as have a combination of classroom and hands on learning before you take your first flight. We don't take shortcuts when it comes to learning because we want to create independent, responsible riders to keep our beaches safe. It's an amazing sport, and worth all of the time you will put into it!
Our lessons fill up fast so we strongly suggest that you reserve your spot early. While it may be possible to get a last minute lesson, we cannot guarantee instructor availability without prior reservations.
Please read the following information carefully to have a solid understanding of the process of learning to kiteboard!
What Does it Take to Learn to Kiteboard?
Kiteboarding requires good learning conditions (temperature, wind speed and direction), willingness to commit a significant amount of time (average 30 hours) to learning the sport, patience and a good attitude (this is not an easy sport, learners make many mistakes before they succeed), and lastly, money to pay for lessons and gear for once you’re ready to be independent.
Good Learning Conditions:
- Water temperature: 50+ degrees
- Wind speed: 15-20mph
- Wind direction: NW/SW / side onshore
- A flexible personal schedule
The best time to meet these conditions is in the spring and fall. Summer has the least amount of wind at an average of 5 days a month of good wind. Winter has the most, but is too cold for beginners since in the beginning students spend a lot of time in the water. Spring and Fall average around 9 days of good wind in a month.
Time:
A common question is how long does it take to learn kiteboarding. We generally recommend spending 10 hours kiting (the first portion of these hours can be a trainer kite), 10 hours board sports (wakeboarding is an excellent simulator for kiteboarding), and 10 hours putting those skills together.
- Patience and a good attitude
Kiteboarding is a sport that takes dedication and patience. It’s important to enjoy the process and not be in a hurry.
Personal investment for kiteboarding lessons and gear:
The amount of lessons you’ll need to feel confident going out without an instructor depends on the person. Some people only need 2, some may need closer to 5. A beginner kiteboarding set up costs on average $2,000.
What steps should I take to learn to kiteboard?
- Take the beginner course / ground school (this course takes place regardless of wind, more info below)
- Buy a trainer kite (or receive one from us if there was no wind in your lesson)
- Make a reservation for a lesson on our website
- Track wind daily / familiarize yourself with wind patterns
- Practice with the trainer kite
- Take a wakeboard lesson
- Show up for your lesson, and schedule additional lessons as needed
- When you are ready, buy your own gear and practice
Types of Kiteboarding Lessons at MACkite
Ground School / Beginner Lesson: In your first kiteboarding lesson you will learn the foundational concepts that will be vital to learn such as the wind window, weather patterns, and rigging a kite. If there is wind you will practice with a trainer kite, and if there is not wind, you will be able to take home a trainer kite to keep and practice with. After your first lesson we recommend buying a trainer kite (unless there was no wind and you got a complimentary one). This lesson takes place no matter whether there is wind or not. Cost: 199$ for 1.5hrs
Group Lesson: This is the next lesson you should take following the beginner lesson. To participate in group lessons, you must complete the beginner lesson first. In group lessons you will learn self rescue techniques, kite control, body dragging, and board starts.To get up and riding, it can take as few as 2 lessons and as many as 6+. Everyone learns at different paces. Group lessons require wind, please check your phone the night before to be sure your lesson will take place. Cost: 299$ for 3 hrs
Private lesson: Private lessons are perfect for people who know how to ride, but nee help with more advanced things such as going upwind or tacks. To participate in group lessons, you must (at a minimum) complete the beginner lesson first. Private lessons require wind, please check your phone the night before to be sure your lesson will take place. Cost: 399$ for 3hrs +150$ per additional person
What to do at home / between lessons: Track the wind and go out with your trainer kite! We recommend 6-10 hours practicing with the trainer kite, which will increase your success in lessons dramatically. Also, taking a wake boarding lesson makes a huge difference once you get into the water and start to practice board starts.
MACkite's "not so" Fine Print Lesson Details
Scheduling
- Scheduling is done online here on our website
- Ground school lessons take place regardless of wind, but private and group lessons require wind
- The night before your lesson you will either receive a confirmation that your lesson will take place, or if the conditions are not favorable (unsafe, no wind, etc.) you will be notified of the cancellation
- If your lesson is cancelled, you will be able to reschedule or request a refund on our website
- Reservations must be made 48 hours prior to the lesson
- If we are booked out, you can be added to the waitlist to be notified if a lesson opens up
Location and What to Bring
- Lessons take place at our lessons center on the south side of Pere Marquette Park in Muskegon 1801 Beach St, Muskegon, MI 49441.
- Suggested items to bring include swimsuit, towel, water, sunscreen, and snacks/lunch. Feel free to also bring other things you normally bring outside such as a hat or sunglasses.
No wind / Bad Weather (for group and private lessons)
- If your lesson is canceled, you have the option to reschedule or receive a full refund
- If your lesson is unable to be completed, we will refund whatever amount of your lesson was left
Kiteboarding Lesson Cancellation Policy
- You may cancel your lesson up to 10 days prior to the lesson for a full refund. We will do our best to reschedule lessons to accommodate yours and the instructor’s schedule. Any cancellations 24 - 48 hours before your lesson will result in no refund.
- When rescheduling, please remember that we have a limited number of spaces available for each lesson. Any cancellations may result in another potential rider losing their spot for a lesson. Thank you for taking this into account.
Kiteboarding Rentals
- We do not offer rentals due to insurance and safety issues. However, we are able to allow use of our gear under the supervision of an instructor. Please contact us for more info.
Contact information:
- Lessons Phone Line: 616-215-1686
- Lessons Text Line: 616-834-0609
- Lessons E-mail: Lessons@mackite.com