Thank you for your interest in getting your feet wet with kiteboarding! It’s one of the most exciting decisions you’ll ever make. Kiteboarding rejuvenates the mind, body and spirit.
All the kiteboard lesson info and everything you need to register for individual lessons is on this page!
If you have questions or would just like to chat before committing to lessons, feel free to call or email.
WindyCity Kite Sports Lessons offers orientation packages and mini-start kitesurf lessons, described below.
Basic Kiting Orientation: $379
2-Hour Lesson with Trainer-Kite Rental
-Or-
Basic Kiting Orientation for 2! $639
2.5-Hour Lesson with Trainer-Kite Rental for 2 people
This is an ideal package if you only want a taste of the sport to see if you’ll catch the stoke. You’ll learn some of the fundamentals like kite-control, basic wind theory, the best places to practice and why and kiting safety. You’ll also learn about our Great Lakes kiting scene, the camaraderie and lingo that are part of our lifestyle, and the kiting culture itself. This is a fun, exhilarating orientation that will give you a real feel for the sport. People of all ages and backgrounds get hooked on kiteboarding and during this orientation… you just might too!
Flying Start Mini-Lesson Package w/4 Line Trainer Kite & IKO Membership w/Training Videos: $799
2-Hour Lesson with Trainer Kite Purchase (Yours to Take Home!) IKO Membership with Training Video & eLearning Package
This mini-lesson package is designed for those who already have the stoke and want to ease into the sport gradually. It includes the Basic Kiting Orientation plus a state-of-the-art 4-line trainer kite, bar & lines and bag (leash and harness not included, but we can certainly get you fitted up for the option that works best for you!) and a 1 year Basic membership to IKO, which includes over 100+ hours of instructional reference material and videos! In the lessons, you’ll learn how to set up, fly and pack down the trainer kite as well as a series of drills that you can practice on your own. The drills simulate different aspects of learning the sport, from board starts and riding to landing and launching and will accelerate your readiness.
Having your own trainer kite is a worthwhile investment that will more than pay for itself. You’ll save on initial rental fees and on time dedicated to kite control in future lessons as you’ll be able to practice on your own.
IKO (International Kiteboarding Organization) is the world’s leading kiteboarding organization, specializing in kiteboard education, promoting safe practices and enhancing the highest standards for the sport. This is the entity WindyCity Kite Sports Lessons School is certified by. The 1 year IKO membership included in our Flying Start Lesson package includes over 70 hours of extremely clear and easy to understand training videos that follow the program we teach in our school. Also included in the membership are 20+ eCourses and 10+ eBooks. These great resources are certainly not a substitute for a series of kiteboard lessons, but using this stuff to do your homework can certainly make lessons more efficient and effective! Also included with the IKO membership is Recreational Liability and Equipment Damage insurance. Great bang for the buck! You can get more info here: IKO Memberships
Kiting is wind-dependent and while an orientation doesn’t require as much wind as subsequent lessons, it’s still a key component. That’s why it’s important we get the preliminaries done in advance because when it blows, we go!
Scheduling involves a few simple steps.
Below, you’ll see a link to a questionnaire. Please fill it out completely. The information will be used to start your student profile and updated as you learn and grow in the sport. Often, potential students have questions that can be better answered once I have the info from the questionnaire, so feel free to submit it, even if you’re not ready to commit to lessons.
I will also need you to complete and submit this waiver.
Below are the local kiteboard lesson rate packages:
• Lesson by the hour: $150/hr
• 4 hour lesson block: $580
• 6 hour lesson block: $840
• 9 hour lesson block: $1170
Gear rental is as follows:
• $40/session for harness/floatation vest/helmet rental
• $80/session for kite/board rental (you will be allowed to apply kite/board rentals back to the purchase of new kite/board gear, at 100%, within 3 months of starting lessons!)
The larger lesson packages are broken up into multiple days. The advantage of the larger packages are the discounts. Most grab a 9 hour block which is the best deal.
All beginner lessons commence on land. If you plan to continue on water, you’ll need proper water wear for kiteboarding in Lake Michigan conditions. You might be more comfortable in a float vest and harness fit specifically to you but you can also rent a standard school vest and harness if you choose.
If you opt to buy instead of rent a harness and vest, I can guide you on proper fitting and provide direction on the necessary water gear for keeping you safe and comfortable on the Great Lakes.
Let’s get off to a flying start, WindyCity style, in this awesome sport!
With Enthusiasm,
“Kiteboard Mike” Szromba
President/CEO
IKO Certified Instructor