Are you curious about kitesurfing but unsure of how it actually works?
It looks funny but very challenging.
You’ve seen people fly kites that make it look simple, but you don’t know if you’re young enough to learn something like this.
You’ve also been told that it takes a lot of strength.
Let’s clarify. You’ve landed in the right place.
Keep reading to find out more about kiteboarding.
Is it simple to learn to kitesurf?
When compared to other water sports, kitesurfing is the easiest to learn.
In any case, remember that you will not be able to completely improvise and learn on your own.
So, to ensure the best quality and safety service, find the nearest IKO certified kitesurf school and schedule a lesson with a professional kitesurf instructor.
Always keep in mind that safety comes first.
Are there any prerequisites?
Only willpower and water confidence are required.
We must dispel the myth that kitesurfing requires strength and power. The kite you probably saw flying is not being held by the kiter with his arms, but is instead attached to the harness.
Don’t be afraid to go for it, whether you’re a young boy or girl or a skinny person.
Kitesurfing is suitable for people of all ages.
How to learn kitesurfing?
When we’re out on the water, we have to control and coordinate three things at once: the kite, the board, and our body position.
The best part about learning to kitesurf is that it is exciting and addictive at every stage of the process.
Trust your instructor and don’t rush.
Step by step, your instructor will prepare you to be able to do it.
Even if it looks hard at the beginning, believe me if I say that during each lesson it will come automatically to easily do what you learned during the lesson before.
Learning time can range from a few hours to a few weeks, depending on the individual’s skills.
Spot Evaluation
The location where you go kiting is commonly called “spot”.
The first and most important thing is getting confident with it so you need to do an accurate evaluation of wind direction, entry and exit spaces and surrounding obstacles.
Once done, you will learn the basics of piloting the kite, using the control bar, practicing safety measures, launching/landing the kite and learning the international signals.
Kite Control
Piloting the kite is a wonderful experience, however, it requires you to push and pull the control bar while directing the kite left and right.
Once you have reliable kite control and good feeling, you are ready to go into the water for the next step.
Body drag
Underrated by many, this is an important step because it allows us to move in the water without the board, both because there are obstacles to overcome and because we lost the board and want to recover it.
Water start
Let the fun begin.
You are now ready to stand up on the board and start riding.
Prepare to crash: it’s part of the game.
And then?
If you want to become an independent kiteboarder you must learn to ride upwind.
How long does it take to learn kitesurfing?
Kiteschools used to offer lessons in two or three-hour blocks of 6- to 12-hour.
This is done to ensure that you have enough time to complete all of the steps before reaching the waterstart.
Keep in mind that everyone learns differently, and it may take more or less time to learn kitesurfing depending on your sport experience, balance as well as spot conditions.
In any case, practise is the key.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider looking to land a new manoeuvre, if you want to improve you need to keep training in order to automatize the movement.
How to choose the right kitesurf school?
Firstly, consider where you want to begin kitesurfing.
Have you planned a trip to a kite destination? or do you have a location close to your home?
In any case, it is critical to approach in a location with favourable wind and sea conditions.
Bad weather will be an additional challenge, so try to avoid areas where the wind is inconsistent, strongly gusty, and the waves are large.
At the same time, be careful of lagoons that only work with thermal wind as it could be too light.
However, the difference is made by the school and the importance they place on you.
Keep in mind that kitesurfing can be extremely dangerous if not done with proper instruction and supervision.
Each student is different, so each course must be tailored to your specific needs.
IKO certified kite schools
IKO is an International Kiteboarding Organisation that has been training instructors and setting teaching standards on a global scale since 2001.
Click here to look for your IKO center
You are ready to become a kitesurfer
Do not wait anymore and look for your kite center.
Kitesurfing is not only a sport but a lifestyle.
Join this amazing worldwide community.
If you are visiting Sal Island, please visit the Mitu and Djo Kiteschool website to book your lesson.
The Pioneer of Strapless Kitesurfing, decided to unlock the secrets that made him reach the highest step of the World Podium
GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Cape Verde 2019
MITU MONTEIRO
How many times have you looked up the riders landing breathtaking tricks?
You probably thought: I wish I were born able to jump so high, capable of surfing huge waves.
Everything looks easy from the outside, right? You always wondered how they could do it.
Let me tell you something you heard a lot of times in your life: no one is born learned; there are no humans with no limits.
I want to share with you some precious tips that made a difference in my career.
Basic things that people are often used to underestimating and that I consider so important.
As a Rider, as Coach and a Father, I know there are good and bad moments, satisfying and frustrating.
What does make the difference is YOUR motivation.
But how not to lose it?
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE GUIDE:
6 (+1) KITESURF TIPS THAT NO ONE EVER TOLD YOU
Passion is essential
It is the driving force that drives you forward over limits without letting you give up and pushes you to keep trying again and again after failing hundreds of times.
During my kitesurfing coaching trips and clinics, I accept to help only people that have one essential characteristic: Passion
If I see that people are not interested enough and they came there just because their partner or friends forced them to come, I stop and give up.
Believe me, if there is something I am sure of it is that it is impossible to pull out something good from people with no passion.
And this depends only on you..
Believe in yourself
How many times have you been amazed by your own skills?
And you land a trick that you considered too hard for you?
Remember that if you don’t have the goals in your head, if you don’t know where you’re going, it won’t be the case to help you to reach your dreams.
Now you’ll be thinking: “it’s easy to say for you that you were on the world championship”
Believe me if I say that I got it only because I wanted all the way, when I had no economic possibilities, much less a passport that let me travel outside Cape Verde.
I strongly wanted and I made the impossible happen thanks to Passion, as already said, and strong determination.
I believed in myself from the beginning. So you have to do it.
Don’t get overwhelmed by negativity
Even the bad days taught us something. Even the worst experience let us take home good teaching.
We are not superheroes. Nobody is perfect so, as humans, we must be able to accept failures.
Everyday I tell that to my older son Michael since he started competing in the Italian Surfing Championship.
Do not be lured off your path by your mistake.
Nothing will have to deter you from your objectives. You must, on the contrary, transform your defeat into energy and motivation to achieve your goal.
Do you know what it means to lose a competition by thousandths of a point?
It is frustrating and demotivating. The first ten minutes.
Then, it made me hungrier and gave me the charge to keep training to do it better.
Do you want to discover all the secrets of Mitu Monteiro?
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE GUIDE:
6 (+1) KITESURF TIPS THAT NO ONE EVER TOLD YOU
What is the +1 about?
The most asked question I receive every day from my community, either by social media or from people that I meet from all around the world, is about…
…
PONTA PRETA WAVES
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE GUIDE:
6 (+1) KITESURF TIPS THAT NO ONE EVER TOLD YOU
Cabo Verde hosted the first stopover of The Ocean Race, which arrived on Sao Vicente island on January 23rd.
Mindelo, the first-ever host city in West Africa, was at the heart of The Ocean Race summit, which also featured a special appearance by United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres.
What is The Ocean Race?
The Ocean Race is a sailing race around the world, held every three or four years since 1973.
The 14th edition of the Ocean Race 2022-23 saw the foiling IMOCA fleet set out on a 60,000 km race around the world. Over the course of six months, they will visit nine iconic international cities.
The first leg was a 1,900 nautical mile sprint from Alicante to Cabo Verde that started on January 15th.
The IMOCA boats arrived in Mindelo on January 22nd, marking the first time the Race came to a halt in the African archipelago.
Leg 2 began on January 25 and saw the fleet racing across the equator, south to Cape Town, the Race’s 12th stop in the southern tip of Africa, making it the most visited stopover in this edition of the event. This will also be the first of three ‘haul-out’ stops, during which the boats will be lifted from the water for maintenance.
Following that is a record-breaking leg – the longest racing distance in the event’s 50-year history – a 12,750 nautical mile, one-month marathon to Itaja, Brazil.
Then there’s Newport, Aarush, Kiel-fly-by, the Hague, and the grand final in Genova.
A Watersport Destination
Cabo Verde has warm weather all year, perfect wind conditions in the winter, and good summer wave swells.
This fantastic combination made it an ideal spot for water sports. This lovely country has produced world champions in windsurfing and kitesurfing, and it hosts international competitions in both sports on a regular basis.
Cherie Bridges / The Ocean Race
Mitu Monteiro, world champion in kitesurf wave and professional kitesurfing coach, and Josh Angulo, world champion in windsurf and owner of one of the best windsurfing cape verdean centres, have been invited as special guests to The Ocean Race Summit to speak about sports and sustainability.
The Ocean Summit
On Monday 23 of January Mindelo hosted at the Ocean Science Centre Mindelo (OSCM), a very important Summit focused on ocean sustainability.
More than 400 people attended the event.
Between the high level speakers:
- Antonio Guiterres, the Secretary General of United Nation
- Ulisses Correia e Silva, Prime Minister of Cabo Verde
- Antonio Costa, Prime Minister of Portugal
- Abraão Vicente, Minister of the Sea Cabo Verde
- Gilberto Correia Carvalho Silva, Minister for the environment Cabo Verde
- First Lady Debora Carvalho and much more..
On the panel dedicated to Sports and Sustainability
- Mariana Lobato, Biotherm team
- Boris Hermann, Malizia team skipper
- Carlos Jorge Duarte, Minister for Tourism and Transportation Cabo Verde
- Josh Angulo, windsurf wave sailing world champion
- Mitu Monteiro, Cabo Verdean Kite surf wave world champion
Cherie Bridges / The Ocean Race
The Ocean Emergency
A significant presence was that of the United Nations General Secretary, who appeared to be very close to the issue and genuinely concerned about ocean conservation and protection.
He considers the ocean crisis to be an urgent issue that must be addressed “must be addressed in order to safeguard this priceless blue gift for our children and grandchildren. We must become the champions that the ocean requires.”
António Guterres delivered a powerful message at The Ocean Race Summit Mindelo, delving deeply into each individual problem such as overfishing, plastic pollution, the destruction of marine habitats, and the impact of climate change.
“The ocean provides the air we breathe, the food we eat, the cultures and identities that define us, the jobs and prosperity that keep us going, weather and climate regulation, and it is the home for billions of animals, plants, and microorganisms. The ocean is vital to life and livelihoods, and it is in peril.”
Cabo Verde’s Prime Minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva, said that “We share a strong commitment to the cause of conservation and sustainable use of the seas and oceans as together we can be stronger.”
The Ocean Race and partners, including the Government of Cabo Verde and US-based Earth Law Center, are working to give the ocean a voice and gathering global support for the adoption of a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights by 2030.
“The sun and the wind, which a few decades ago were symbols of droughts, today are resources for the production of renewable energy and the reduction of our dependence on fossil fuels.”
One Blue Voice
Guterres stressed the importance of acting quickly to end the ocean crisis once and for all. It is required to create legal and policy instruments concerning the ocean, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The crises affecting the ocean know no bounds, ranging from climate change and pollution to industrial overfishing. Though the problem is universal, a global approach is required.
There is no legislation enough in place to protect the seas. So, where to begin?
A campaign called “one blue voice” created a petition to request that ocean rights be recognised at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2023.
The goal is to inspire fans and stakeholders of The Ocean Right to support a universal declaration of Ocean Rights.
Our help is required. Your help is required.
Come on board and help us give the ocean a voice.
Sign the online petition and contribute by clicking here.
Prize Giving
On January 24th, the day before the start, a very nice prize giving ceremony saw Mitu congratulating to the leg 1 winner, Holcim Team, that won the speed record challenge.
As a prize, a symbolic watch signed by Ulysse Nardin, the Official Timing Partner of The Ocean Race.
Truly dedicated to ocean preservation, Ulysse Nardin has launched The Ocean Race Diver watch designed to be the first diver collection made with sustainable materials.
This unique timepiece is the official watch of The Ocean Race
Below the placement:
1. Team Holcim-PRB, winner leg one, finished – 5d 11h 01m 59s
2. 11th Hour Racing Team, finished – 5d 13h 50m 45s
3. Team Malizia, finished – 5d 16h 35m 21s
4. Biotherm, finished – 6d 8h 47m
5. GUYOT environnement – Team Europe, finished – 6d 12h 20m 37s
A Message from Mitu Monteiro
Two of the sailors competing in The Ocean Race, Mariana Lobato from Team Biotherm and Boris Herrmann, skipper of Team Malizia, were on the panel discussing sports and sustainability, along with World windsurfing champion Josh Angulo and Mitu Monteiro, Kitesurf world wave champion.
“All my life has been around the ocean” Mitu said, talking about his connection to the sea, “I spend more time at sea than on land. The ocean requires our assistance; let us think before acting. Everyone can do their part, and together we can make a big difference.”
The Ocean Race Cabo Verde left us a significant message.
To recap, the Ocean Race is not only a massive sporting and touristic event, but it is also an excellent tool for raising awareness about the importance of ocean action among governments, businesses, civil society, and the general public.
There is a gifted young boy with a strong passion.
Michael Jorge is the son of the former kite-surf Wave World Champion Mitu Monteiro.
He joined the Italian Surfing Federation in 2020 and at the early age of 8. Last October won the Italian Champship Under Twelve.
If you want to learn more about this promising surfer, keep reading.
Like mothers, fathers have a maternal instinct.
When you have a son, your life changes, and even if you have a lot of questions at first, becoming a parent comes naturally.
Michael and I have a special relationship.
I’ve spent a lot of time with him since he was born, and we both enjoy surfing, so we frequently set aside time to catch some waves together.
“Born to surf: how did Michael approach surfing? It’s natural to believe that, as the son of a waterman, he was pushed by his parents.”
Michael learned to surf when he was two years old.
From a young age, a strong passion was evident. He was constantly watching surf videos and drawing waves all over the place. He also folds napkins into waves in restaurants.
As a father, I never pushed him to get close to the surf because I knew it would backfire.
He was born to surf and does everything naturally.
And he’s itching to go surfing. He motivates me to surf.
At the early age of four, Michael surfed at Ponta Preta, the most difficult spot on Sal Island.
Everyone chastised me, claiming that he was too young and that it could have been dangerous.
But I understand what it means.
I used to run away from home as a child to go to the beach and try to surf. I nearly drowned several times, but the fishermen around me saved me.
I recognised in Michael the same passion and desire to experience the sea, so I preferred to accompany him and be by his side to protect him in case of an emergency.
I did it to keep him from getting himself into trouble when he was alone.
“When children try something new, it is normal for them to be excited.
What clues led you to believe Michal possessed a genuine innate passion?”
He preferred cartoons to surfing videos.
He couldn’t wait to get in the water every day to try to replicate what he saw from true surfers.
I remember the first time that, after his session, Michael proudly told me he made a tube.
I mocked him and said it couldn’t be possible, so he tried to persuade me by describing the sensation he felt in minute detail.
“Are you proud of your son? Are you happy that your experience has enabled you to pave his path?”
Nicole and I simply want our sons to do what makes them happy.
We both live and work in the watersports industry, so we try to help Michael as much as we can.
As any father would, I hope to be able to pass on to Michael everything I’ve learned on my skin in order to avoid some troubles.
However, I believe it is important for him to have his own experiences because this is what allows you to learn and grow.
I will always be by his side to support him, but Michael is not me, and he must make his own decisions and live his own life.
If he wants to be a professional surfer, he will have to work hard to achieve his goal.
If there is one thing me and Nicole have taught our sons, it is to respect the ocean in all of its forms: every time we go to the beach, we bring back the trash we find and we are respectful of the sea creatures.
Michael and his younger brothers Matthew and Malakai know that if everyone does their part, the world can be a better and more caring place.
“Could being surrounded by the kitesurf and surf world have an impact on his passion?”
We live on a small island in the middle of the Ocean, have a kite school on the beach, and spend our free time near the water. For this reason, he most likely approached surfing for the first time. But I can confidently state that the passion is entirely his.
How do I know this?
I see many other children like Michael who live in the same neighbourhood, whose parents are passionate about watersports but they are not.
“Is your wife Nicole concerned about the large waves?”
My wife and I have an unspoken understanding.
When Michael was born, we decided that everything related to surf, waves, and the sea would be under my responsibility, so Nicole could trust me and my experience without having to worry about anything.
I believe that we, the adults, do not have to pass on our concerns to the children.
I trust in Michael because I am not only his father but also his coach. We regularly train together and I’m well aware of his limitations.
During these years, it created complicity between us.
We don’t need to talk in to comprehend each other.
Anyways, it happened in the past that we went checking the spot and found that the conditions were too difficult for him.
Even if I tried to explain why it was best not to enter, Michael was convinced and still wanted to go.
I never force him to give up in these situations. On the contrary, I accompany him in the water.
He will not have the best session of his life but this will make him undoubtedly return home with additional lessons.
The sea teaches.
“How did Michael join the Italian National Surf Federation?”
Many surfers visit Sal Island, and among them is a coach from the Italian National Surf Federation who has known Michael since he was a child.
Everyone can see his talent.
Michael, at the tender age of eight, has been invited to Rome for his first official competition in the summer of 2020.
“Manera and Lip Sunglasses are Michael’s main supporters. Does he have other sponsors?”
As is often the case, the collaboration with Manera began almost by chance.
They were considering creating a kids’ wetsuit collection, so they sent us some wetsuits for Michael to test.
For him, it was like a game in which he had to provide feedback after each session.
More than a year later, the kids line for ages 10 to 16 will be launched in winter 2023.
We had the opportunity to shoot for Lip Sunglasses together, which was both funny and emotional.
In addition, Michael has a special price for riders to purchase expensive competition surfboards.
It is very easy to break them while training and performing many aerial manoeuvres.
When competing, you must use the best quality equipment; otherwise, you will be unable to maintain your high level.
“What does Michael’s future hold?”
The first and most important consideration is the school.
I always tell Michael that if he wants to be a professional surfer, he has to fight for it. The standard in the surfing world is extremely high.
His talent gives him an advantage, but the road is long and he must work hard to get it.
Who doesn’t love the Christmas Season?
The exception is for the Grinch
This is the time to spend with our loved ones and show them how much we care.
We are so grateful for their presence in our lives that we want to thank them with a present.
Today, nearly 8 billion people worldwide express their love and exchange gifts.
Everything appears to be magical and amazing but let’s pause and consider the massive waste the holiday days generate.
What can we do to help prevent this from happening?
Instead of giving something that will inevitably end up in the trash after a few months, opt for sustainable goodies
There are plenty of ways to go greener when choosing gifts:
Sustainably-sourced materials, plastic-free goodies, recyclable packaging, eco-conscious brands that give back and much more.
To help you out, here you can find a list of eco-friendly Christmas ideas for kiters (and not).
Is it unusual to start with the last step?
The majority of wrapping paper is lined with plastic, which makes recycling extremely difficult.
Be inventive in finding eco-friendly ways to wrap your gifts.
To begin, look around your house for any reusable materials: Look through your closet for pillowcases, scarves and bolts of fabrics.
Make your own eco-friendly fabric gift bags to showcase your creativity.
You could also paint old newspapers and use the inside of a toilet paper roll to make a small box.
Instead of using plastic tape and bows, try paper tape, twine and dried flowers.
Is there anything better than having a unique experience?
Something that leaves you with unforgettable memories, introduces you to new people who share your interests, and takes you to amazing places?
Something that allows you to spend time with your friends and family.
If you’re going to Sal Island, make sure to look over the list of eco-friendly activities.
➡️➡️➡️ Click HERE to discover it
If you want to improve your wave riding skills as a kitesurfer, contact me to join the next coaching program.
Contact me at info@mitumonteiro.net
Kitesurfing and other water sports do not pollute the environment when practiced, but the equipment used does.
It is undeniably bad for the environment.
Manera, through its “stay green” project, is making every effort to reduce its carbon footprint.
In fulfillment of their commitment, Manera has signed a new innovative harness called HALO.
Part of an ever-expanding sustainable product collection of long-lasting, high-performance, and timeless items.
The various components of a harness are typically sewn and glued together.
When a part becomes worn or damaged, you must discard the entire product, which is neither replaceable nor recyclable.
Halo’s modular design allows you to replace all of its parts in the event of wear or damage.
It is made up of two major parts: the Adaptive skin and the Hardshell.
The interior backplate provides extremely comfortable back support by flexing and molding to your contours, while the rigid chassis prevents pinching or compression points at your sides and hips.
➡️➡️➡️ More info can be found clicking HERE
Raw Elements is an industry pioneer of sustainable sunscreen, founded by Brian, an American lifeguard with a deep love for the ocean and the environment.
Tired of seeing corals destroyed by noxious solar products washed off our bodies, he developed “reef safe” products made entirely of certified natural and organic ingredients that do not harm marine life.
Only environmentally friendly PCR resins, recyclable materials, compostable paperboard, bio-based materials, and infinitely recyclable aluminium are used in their packaging.
It is ideal for swimmers, surfers, skiers, mothers, fathers, and anyone who enjoys the Nature.
A collection for children is available.
➡️➡️➡️ To learn more click HERE and go to the website
Wat If is the brainchild of two Italian sisters, Federica and Michela, who combined their love of the sea with their commitment to environmental sustainability.
A trip to Mauritius, where they saw the coral reef completely destroyed and mountains of waste left in such previously unspoiled places, inspired them to take an active role in environmental protection.
As a result, they created an ethical surf and swimwear collection that repurposes plastic, fishing nets, and garbage found in the sea.
Isn’t it amazing how something picked up from the sea can find its way back?
Every Wat If item is handcrafted in Italy to ensure authentic Italian artisan quality.
Furthermore, this allows for significant reductions in CO2 emissions caused by shifting the production system to other countries.
➡️➡️➡️ Check the website to know more
Mitu Monteiro, the kitesurfing wave world champion and strapless pioneer, founded the Cape Verde-inspired brand in 2019.
“From the ocean to your world” is a collection designed for women, men and children, all made in Italy from organic cotton.
In addition to having cool clothes and accessories, they are an ethical brand that donates to worthy causes.
A portion of each purpose goes to a cause close to their hearts: assisting children and impoverished African communities.
If you visit Sal Island, make sure to stop by the Mitu Monteiro Shop, which is located on the pedestrian street in front of the main square.
Choosing eco-friendly gifts is not only a great way to get something unique for that person in your life who has everything, but it is also an option that will have you being more environmentally conscious.
Make a gift to Mother Nature as well. It will be appreciated by the Planet.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !!!