


Patriot Kites
605 Iramina
Yomitan Village
Okinawa, Japan 904-0303
Cell local: 090 6892-4304
International Phone: 001-81-98-957-1019
E-Mail: patriotkites@yahoo.com
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Get kiteboarding lessons from an IKO certified instructor!
We start off with a safety lecture where we discuss kite safety, site and equipment selection, wind theory and weather. Next is the ground school where we fly a trainer kite to get you experienced in kite handling. After that, the student will practice inflatable kite setup, launching and landing procedures both solo and assisted, on the water and on
land.
Once the student has mastered all the prerequisites and they become IKO Level 1-2 Kiters, They'll have all the skills to go out with their own equipment and practice the skills they learned in the lesson.
Once the kiters feels confident they can easily demonstrate the upwind body drag technique and water relaunch the kite, then they're ready for the next step which is water starts with the kiteboard. This class covers how to get up on the board, change direction, and possibly small jumps. First rides on the board are usually brief, but before long, they'll be heading for the horizon. Not exactly, usually a few 100 meters in either direction. Most students get up on their first few board starts and with some practice, you'll be riding along with the pro's.

We offer both beginner and advanced lessons to meet your needs. The beginner IKO Level 1-2 is $200 and is approx. 6 hrs.. This lesson covers everything involving the kite. The next lesson is $100 and last about 2 hours. In this lesson we cover board starts and changing directions.
We have equipment sales on both new and used gear from a variety of vendors like Caution Kites and Dakine. We also offer kite and board repair along with bladder installs and maintenance.
Call now for rates and class schedules. Our local number is 090-6892-4304. To dial international, office 81-98-957-1019 or cell 819-0689-24304.
What to Expect from the First Lesson:
Here’s what’s typically covered in the first lesson.
- Ground School: Learn about the wind, including wind directions, strengths, and the all important “Wind Window”. Equipment and terminology is covered and how to properly rig the kite bar and lines. Also, site selection, equipment selection, and all the do’s and don’ts of the sport.
- To the Beach: Learn to fly a trainer kite to better understand the wind window and how to control the kite.
- On the Beach: Learn to safely launch and land an inflatable kite. Learn about the safety systems and how to use them.
- To the Water: Perform Body Drags, water re-launching, up-wind body dragging, self rescue, and board recovery. This is where the fun begins!
Kiter Safety and responsibility:
One of the most important topics in this sport is kiter safety and responsibility. This topic goes a long way in promoting the sport. It doesn’t matter how radical you think you are, what’s important is coming back to the beach safely and in one piece while not offending others in the process.
Respect the power of the kite and be aware of your surroundings. The weather can change very quickly and if prepared, a serious and dangerous situation can be avoided with a little common sense. Most accidents happen when people fail to pay attention to the things around them. A moment’s lapse of concentration is all it takes to turn a great day into a bad one. From the second you exit your car to the minute you get back in it, keep you focus tack sharp. Plan you ride and ride your plan. Sitting on your board and waiting to be rescued by the local authorities isn’t going to happen. Know your limits and kite accordingly, because getting back to the beach for tomorrow’s session is what rider responsibility is all about.
Here are a few things to ask yourself before heading for the water.
How can I make the situation safer? Do I have the right equipment for the current conditions and does my ability match the winds I’ll be riding in?
Am I using the right type of equipment for the conditions and am I setting it up in a safe manner? Did you do a pre-flight check, is your kite the right size for the winds, are you comfortable with the conditions, is there other riders around who can help you in a situation? Don’t allow you kite lines to come in contact with others. Tensioned lines can cause serious injury.
Is there anything downwind of my riding zone that can cause me trouble? Don’t kite in congested areas with swimmers, watercraft, and solid objects. Don’t ride around fishing stakes, rocky coastlines, and uneven coral reefs during lower tides. Always give yourself 2X your line lengths as a safety buffer zone.
Do I have enough room and is my impact zone clear? Don’t kite in conditions that are too extreme or above your ability. When in doubt, sit it out! Also, try and ride with a friend. They can help you launch and land your kite and everyone wants to be seen doing that new radical move. If a friends not around, let someone know where you’ll be and what time you’ll be back and explain in depth how to land your kite to someone who’s not knowledgeable in kite handling..
Avoiding Mistakes:
Kiteboarding is a progression and everyone learns at a different pace. Here are a few tips to avoid some of the common mistakes that trip up most beginners.
- Never launch into the wind. Always launch your kite facing the water at either the 9 or 3 o’clock position. Launching the kite directly downwind can cause the kite to power up immediately which can cause serious injury.
- Don’t over steer the kite. Relax and just try to correct the kite. Having the kite flying from one side of the window to the other will have you yanked all over the place which will make getting the board on and water starts impossible.
- Don’t go too fast. Always stay on the side of caution. Keep your speed down by edging the board and turning upwind.
- Never let yourself get distracted. Keep an eye on your kite, especially while launching and landing the kite, but even while riding.
- Never allow an in-experienced person try to fly your kite. It’s dangerous and a risk to you and your new kite.
- Practice self rescue, upwind body drags, and deploying the safety system every so often to keep you skills fresh and to ensure you can still accomplish the task.
- Check with the locals or beach staff about regulations and boundries. Some riding spots may not have posted rules. Know before you go. You don’t want to be that guy who has the best spot closed for the summer because “You didn’t know”.
- Never rider further from the beach than you’re willing to swim back in. You never know when you may have an equipment malfunction.
Directions to our Shop:
Our shop is located right off of Route 58 (R58) near Torii Station. Go North on R58 and when you get to Route 6 (R6), which is the road that takes you to Torii Stations front gate, continue on R58 until you reach the next Family Mart. Turn left on the road before the Family Mart and follow the road up a small hill to the left. We are the 3rd house on the left. Look for kite stickers on the storefront door. Please call before you come.
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