KITE PROGRESS CAMP

Kite Progress camp – what is it?

Kite Progress Camp is it in a nutshell kitesurfing classes for intermediate and advanced people, organized during our Kiteaway trips.

The idea to create such a product was, of course, born out of a real need - a certain training gap that is still noticeable in practice today.

Where did the name come from? 

The name itself evolved from the term PRO CAMP, i.e. classes, at least in their beginnings, addressed mainly to advanced people. Those swimming freestyle, unhooked, often in shoes. So over ten years ago, we created a new product with a name referring to the previous one, but with a different meaning. This is how PROGRESS CAMP was born. The name caught on because now others use it too. 

Kite Progress camp – perfect for those who have completed a kite course

People come to kitesurfing course from scratch and after a few or a dozen hours they leave (often even sail out) with a certificate of completion of the second level course, for example at IKO (INTERNATIONAL KITEBOARDING ORGANIZATION). After such a course, the participant should be able to prepare the equipment himself, know all safety procedures, in particular taking off and landing the kite, trimming, i.e. setting the equipment to the weather conditions. You also need to be able to cope with situations in deep water.

Most people who complete the basic course continue to learn on their own by renting or purchasing their own equipment. This is not the best solution. Basic knowledge of equipment settings and safety easily evaporates, and bad habits, such as posture, are consolidated over the following years. Therefore, after completing the basic course and several hours of independent swimming, I recommend signing up for Progress Camp. Such a course will be like a springboard that will literally take you to a higher level and give you self-confidence on the water.

Kite Progress camp – what will you learn?

Imagine a situation where you have lost your board and you are trying to get it back. In practice, it's quite simple, but you still need to practice it in real conditions. Often in basic courses this element and "self rescue" is taught very superficially - often only by the instructor in the form of a demonstration. The lack of this practice shows up later in advanced people, even free swimmers. This translates into fear of deeper water and fears such as "what if I capsize"? This causes a mental block against further development and a decrease in satisfaction with swimming itself. 

On one of the last trips, a participant told me "thank you, because now I can develop without fear and those butterflies in my stomach are back because I'm not afraid anymore." On the first day of the trip, she was afraid to go further from the shore. On the last day she did jumps and went downwind with us with a big banana on her face!

We start by analyzing what you can do and what you want to learn

We start by completing the survey. 

• We determine what level the participant is at. We conduct an interview about possible injuries and limitations. For example, a knee after surgery, a previous ligament or hip injury will be of great importance when correcting the position or creating a training program. 
• Fears and anxieties. Contrary to appearances, this is extremely important. In 99% of cases, they result from lack of preparation after the course and lack of knowledge. Leaving the comfort zone is an important point of Progress Camp, but you cannot be paralyzed by fear. We often go back to the basics, correct them, make them repeat them until the person gains self-confidence and says: "come on, let's jump"!
• Trikic. Each participant marks what he or she would like to learn. In addition to the general part for everyone, i.e. the basics of safety and the right of way (based on theory directly related to practice), we focus individually on those points that a given person cares about. One person will want to swim safely and freely, make a "switch", make a correct turn and catch the board in deep water. Another will want to learn or perfect advanced tricks: backrolls, front rolls, high jumps, raileys, etc.
• We also determine what type of board the student wants to learn on. Twin tip or directional (wave) are available, or you can start or try Foil or Wing. 

The entire process is filmed by the Instructor/Coach and analyzed in detail during "video analysis" meetings. This amazing tool allows you to see yourself and focus on specific mistakes. 

Kite Progress camp – how much does it cost?

Let's consider this with an example. During a trip, e.g KiteSafari the course lasts five days. It consists of a practical session of approximately 2 hours a day and classes in video analysis and/or theory, i.e fifteen hours of group course. There are still elements safety in practice, learning how to set up equipment, practicing behind a motorboat, e.g. on a foil or wing board. The course costs currently 1700 zł, i.e. approximately PLN 110 per hour, which is very profitable in relation to the amount of knowledge that can be acquired. 

Kite Progress camp – invest in yourself and your health

I believe that there is no better investment in yourself and your health than such a course. Remember that after Progress Camp you know what and how to exercise, and it also happens that we receive videos from participants from independent trips, in which they boast about their progress because "they finally made it." Sometimes they also ask us for advice in analyzing a film "because something is not going as it should", and we are happy to help. 

Progress continues all the time, not only during the trip. And I would like it to be perceived that way. As Kiteaway instructors, we want to be your guides until old age! And as it turns out, new disciplines and their variations are constantly emerging, so there will be no retirement...

See you on the water – and of course on Progress Campie!