*Magical location - Lessons are conducted in a saltwater lagoon off a beautiful beach. The lagoon ranges in depth from ankle to overhead which is perfect for beginners. Learning to fly a kite in knee deep water is a huge bonus as it is a soft place to fall for you and the kite, and is a realistic scenario for learning to relaunch.
*Quality instruction - IKO qualified (International Kiteboarders Organisation). We follow the IKO guidelines very closely when it comes to safety and instruction. This is a tried and tested teaching technique that will have you up and riding much faster than you can imagine.
*Latest equipment - Slingshot Octane and Turbo Diesel 3's. Arguably the best all round kites on the market. With 100% depower they are the safest style of kite, yet many advanced riders still use them for wakestyle, freeriding and surf kiting. Beginner to advanced boards are used depending on your sporting background. Headzone Helmets are an amazing benefit to kite lessons. The Instructor can communicate with you from anywhere on the beach. This saves hours of frustration for you and the instructor when you may have forgotten one small thing. Harnesses are late model seat and waist style with all the improved comforts.
*Safest environment - The lagoon is one of the best teaching environments on the East Coast. North East and South East winds come straight off the ocean across a thin sand spit to provide a smooth, consistent power source. There are a few sand islands and shallow areas to allow the student to stand while learning to control the kite, and plenty of water to practice without the worry of waves, boats, jetskis or buildings.
*About us- Muddies Kiteboarding are a small independant operation that pride ourselves on service. A one instructor business (Stu) who loves his kiteboarding and is experienced at teaching. Stu also manages the guest house (seen at top of page) which is located 2 mins drive from the lagoon. Students travel to this area to get away from the hectic kite schools of Sydney and Newcastle and experience the personable country town service, cheap local facilities and magical ocean & waterways.
Stu moved to the area in 2004 as a mad keen surfer and took over the operation of Namaste Beach House. Being a surf coach, whitewater rafting guide and snowboard patroller in the past, kiteboarding immediately caught his eye. "There were some local rippers riding flatwater at the lagoon and surf riding on onshore days and I had to get amongst it". Priding himself on being self taught in all activities, after looking further into the sport, he was wise enough to take kite lessons to get started, since then he is out there most afternoons. He sat his IKO level 1 qualification course in 2007 and passed the level 2 exam November 2008. At time of print has racked up over 500 hours of teaching time.
The first hours learning to kite are the hardest and with no instructor or the wrong instructor can not only be frustrating it can be quite dangerous. Stu is knowledgable, fun and empathetic - "we all remember the highs and lows of our first time flying a kite, super fun, a little scary and completely addictive." We guarentee to have you begging for more.
