Secrets of Kiteboarding [Paperback]

John J. Holzhall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2004

Riders of all levels can now learn the key knowledge, tools and techniques needed to control kite power. Products, like the Multiple Line Lengths (MLL), give riders the ability to dramatically alter power in the kite by decreasing the length of the line. Techniques like the Upwind Board-Drag (UBD) on the K.I.T.E.S. Entry Level Line lengths make it easy for riders to travel upwind while learning their wing. Entry-level riders can now spend hours in the water discovering how and why their kite works. In the past this valuable time was wasted walking back up the beach after three to five minutes of intimidating water time.

Advanced riders chase wind, when they find it, they need the K.I.T.E.S. Multiple Line Lengths (MLL) to manage it’s power. Without a doubt, the most serious issue in kiteboarding is that virtually all riders launch on advanced line lengths all the time, not understanding that line length makes a huge difference in kite power.

Finally, real answers to safe riding.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...it gives sanity to an insane sport. Now I can confidently set beginners up with all the right equipment... -- Mark Brog, Soul Performance, CA, retailer/instructor/rider

It is by far the best instructional on the market and will be referred to all of our students... -- Michael, retailer, rider, instructor

It's all true.... before you launch that Kite...Get it watch it, read it, and then do it. -- Mark Brillinger, educator, instructor, rider

From the Publisher

This kiteboarding book details the quickest way to learn and the safest way to teach. There is no other kiteboarding book which even comes close to matching the kiteboarding instructional content that this book has. This kite board book also details kite surfing, kite boating and snow kiting. The kite surfing lessons at the end of each chapter help students guage their progress. Other kiteboarding books are simply overviews of the sport or contain little more than Motherly advice, not so with this kite board book. This kiteboarding books details exactly how to kiteboard. --This text refers to the Perfect Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 162 pages
• Publisher: Kiteboard Center (May 2004)
• ISBN-10: 9889781913
• ISBN-13: 978-9889781910
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #735,514 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Secrets of Kiteboarding, August 18, 2004

By 

M. A. Frauendorff - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secrets of Kiteboarding (Paperback)

This is the bible of Kiteboarding! This book along with the DVD will give any level rider the confidence and more importantly, the common sense to enjoy this sport safely. Great job, John!

When in doubt, check it out!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Seems Unedited Maybe Printed In A Basement, March 17, 2009

By 

J. White (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kites Method kiteboarding book (Kites Method Da Book) (Perfect Paperback)

This book is a big disappointment. The editing, quality and overall layout reeks of a small batch printing (the type where anyone w/ $300 can print anything).

The typos are to the point where they seem to give misleading information. At times the typo contradicts the author and says the opposite of what he said before.

I think this book can hurt a beginner, it is negligent to be sold in this condition and the author should be scared he will be sued by some dead kiter's family

What is funny is that he almost immediately opens the book telling the reader that "most readers only read the two pages of a book" and 1 page away is this typo: "...depending on com-"

Now I'm not sure what the rest of that sentence is supposed to be and I wonder, as an inexperienced kiter that bought a how to guide, if I am going to need that information?

The general writing is self important and much of it just feels like "fill". There are sections on where to go in Maui - which seems great if you actually live there, but for the other 99.9 % of kiters you are merely buying a local guidebook.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Common sense, uncommon method, January 30, 2009

By 

Bret Gustafson "Gusto32" (Tampa, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kites Method kiteboarding book (Kites Method Da Book) (Perfect Paperback)

This book is by far the most helpful material I have ever been able to get my hands on. As a relativly new kiteboarder, I wish I had been able to find this book earlier.
This method, briefly, has the beginner start 100% safe & confident and then gradually extend the lines out to where the power & potential danger & frustration is. This was beginners learn from their mistakes without danger, frustration & hazards for other kiters(crashing kites, crossing lines, & out of control riders)
I can't believe that more kiteboarding schools don't do this already. Watching beginners crash their kite, cross their lines, and swallow water reminds me of my 1st steps. I believe they would have been eliminated had I read this book earlier. Now I'm reading the steps in how to jump, and do tricks so I'm glad I bought it.
Great book, thank you for getting your ideas down on paper for the rest of us.