My whole life i've been a do it yourselfer...
bass guitar, windsurfing, sailing, luge, street luge.... I learned these sports on my own with little or no instruction.


I have a house up on lake michigan, and im considering trying the sport, is it safe enough to try to learn alone, provided i wear saftey gear + lifejacket, and have onlookers on the shore? Or is it reccomended that i take a class...

There's something to be said for do-it-yourselfers, but in this case going it alone is an inefficient use of your time.

A person can learn kitesurfing all on their own, however they will miss out on a lot of information that could speed them through the learning curve otherwise allowing them to enjoy the sport rather than struggling to relaunch that kite out of the water for the fourteenth time today etc.

I recommend hooking up with a qualified instructor and profit from the knowledge of others. You will be kitesurfing 3-5 times faster with far less frustration.

Not too many instructors in your area for kites that I know of... You might want to learn a bit more about it from other resources and try it with someone else there to help you. It's often best when you are first starting to have someone else along to help incase you get hurt. Also, handling a large kite could get you in a tangle you'd rather not enjoy, and might turn you off from the sport.

-Unit

From what im gathering, the closest place to learn is New York. Im a college kid, cant really afford a trip to NY, though i'd love to go.

Any links to a website or two that spells the sport out for newcomers, so that if i decide to tackle it im not going to be in the dark.

Problem im having is all the sites i find are geared twords the more adept kite-surfers.

I guess my biggest worry about learning solo is my injuring myself, im going to be living on the beach this summer, and Lake Michigan is a windy lake allowing me plenty of chanse to practice. If innefficiant use of time is all i got to worry about, i'll be alright I think...


My plan will be to sit on the beach and hopefully see a few more kiteboarders and somehow flag them down to ask them questions.

I guess the only things i could use help with would be:
Are there any places to learn in the Michigan area (im willing to drive to chicago, and into Canada a little bit), that i might have overlookd.

Are there any newbie websites that dont use a bunch of lingo thats over my head to spell the sport out for me.

Just so you know, there's a school in BelleRiver which is near Windsor ON Canada. (Right across from Detroit)

you may find this helpful

http://www.greatlakeskiteboarding.com

Brian is highly recommended instructor!