News Update

Due to beach access issues on Hayling Island, we are in the process of changing location and are unable to take any new bookings until Spring 2009. Alternative schools that we personally can recommend include Paracademy in Weymouth or Transition in Whitstable. Existing Ocean Fusion students wishing to complete their courses should contact us to make alternative arrangements.

Instruction Programme

This year, we are offering a brand new more flexible instruction programme that makes allowance for adverse wind conditions and caters for a wider variety of skill levels. Our Induction Session is aimed at total beginners and provides all the fundamental skills and knowledge required for you to learn kitesurfing safely and proficiently and can be successfully completed in most wind conditions. Our Progression Session involves water based coaching building upon the basic skills you gained in the Induction Session and can be tailored to suit your requirements and skill level, thus giving you the opportunity to progress with as many progression sessions as you need in order to become an independent kiteboarder. We also offer the Induction Session and the Progression Session together as a combined Induction Weekend. Students must be aged 18 or over, relatively fit and capable of swimming at least 25 meters. Lessons involve a minimum of 5 hours of instruction time from an experienced IKO / BKSA dual certified instructor and all the equipment you need is supplied.

Induction Session

Intro & Theory: An introduction to the sport covers the origins and development of kitesurfing and an overview of the equipment, followed by a theory session covering aerodynamics and the static wind window. Other theory topics such as tides, wind effects, site assessment and the 'rules of the road' will be covered throughout the course of the day.

Flying Skills: Now the fun starts on the beach with a foil kite session where you will put the theory into practice gaining your flying skills and becoming familiar with launching and landing, the power zone and the power stroke. We use ram air foil kites which can be safely flown by total beginners in almost any wind conditions, yet give you a taste of the power of the kite. This session is delivered on land, as it enables you to focus exclusively on the kite, without the complicating factors of managing yourself and your equipment in the water.

Kite Setup: Next is a setup session where you will be introduced to four line LEI (leading edge inflatable) kites which are the kites you will be using as a kitesurfer. These kites are buoyant and thus, should you drop your kite into the water, you are able to re-launch the kite again. Four line LEI kites also allow you to dynamically control the power of the kite whilst riding. The kite can also be configured on the beach or in flight to cater for a wide range of wind speeds. This session provides an in depth explanation of the equipment and also covers equipment setup, ground handling of the kite and safety systems.

Self Rescue: This all important session covers the techniques that you use to rescue yourself from a situation where you experience equipment failure or a major change of wind direction and or strength. Amongst other skills, you will learn how to safely wind your lines up in the water, get to your kite and either use it as a sail or pack it down and use it as a board.

Progression Session

Overview: Our Progression Session is a natural follow on from our Induction Session building upon your current knowledge and skills and providing you with the water based skills in order to be self-sufficient in the water. The dynamic structure of this session also allows for you to book successive Progression Sessions to receive supervision and coaching tailored to your skill level and we also accept new students to this course provided that you have a skill level equivalent to having completed our Induction Session. If you have just completed our Induction Session, your Progression Session will consist of water skills followed by board start coaching as described below. If you are booking a second Progression Session or are a new student, we can practise water skills, board starts or focus on longer rides.

Water Skills: You will spend some time familiarising yourself with the handling characteristics of the LEI kite and also taught how to re-launch the kite from the water. We then move onto experiencing the full power of the kite with downwind body surfing where you use the kite to pull yourself along the top of the water. This leads to cross and upwind body surfing, essential skills for board recovery and getting yourself back to the beach should the wind drop off or you lose your board.

Board Starts: Back on the beach you will be introduced to kite boards and the concepts of hydroplaning, edging and weight distribution. This session sets you up with the skills you need to get up and ride the board without the added complexity of flying a kite at the same time. Finally, it's time to put your kite and board skills together for your first proper kitesurfing experience. Back in the water, we will practice getting the board on your feet, aligning yourself and your board to the kite, delivering the power stroke and finally getting out of the water for your first ride!

Booking

Induction Sessions are priced at £100 and Progression Sessions are priced at £20 per hour up to a maximum of £100 payable on the day. All personal gear and kitesurfing equipment is supplied and you will be covered by our third party liability insurance, all you need to bring with you is a towel, swimming gear and sun protection. Should you wish to make a booking for either an Induction Weekend or a Progression Session, please see our Course Calendar to check availability.