Lessons and practice are keys to kiteboarding

"We teach people how to be safe. Safety is number one," McDill said. "I won't let anyone buy a kite without a lesson. These kites are so strong, they will pick you up and drag you into whatever is in your way."

Lessons

Don't expect, however, to just show up at the beach and strap yourself in to a kite. There is plenty of homework to do first. Helm's policy is to first sell you a training kite - a "foil" - to practice controlling the kite. The training kite starts out at $100 but Helm will give you a $50 credit if you do decide to purchase the gear from them.

A video provides instruction on rigging the kite and how to control it, but most of it is practice on the kiter's part. Expect spending eight to 12 hours working with the training kite. Once you get comfortable, it is time to set up an appointment and get wet at Helm's school located at the kiteboarding spot off Third Avenue.

"Nine out of 10 (kiteboarders) take one lesson with us, and after five days of practice, they're up on the water," McDill said. "We basically do everything wrong there is to do and then teach them to get out of it."

Despite being a world-class spot with dozens of kiteboarders and windsurfers criss-crossing the Bay on a killer day, don't expect the "Locals Only" vibe present at many surf spots. Since the sport is relatively new - only four or five years old - many of the kiters were newbies only a short time ago.

"We take them out there and everyone knows we run a school out there," McDill said. "I'd say about 70 percent of people out there took a lesson from us.

"Third Avenue is a good community. Everybody at some point was at that point, a beginner, in the last four years. They welcome people. These are people who have only been doing it for four years."

Time to go shopping

You've taken the classes and decide you want to pursue the sport. What's next?

There's not a whole lot of equipment to buy. A board - which resembles a wakeboard or a snowboard - a kite and harness are the basics needed. Since the waters around the Peninsula are generally on the chilly side, a wetsuit, as well as booties for the rocky Bay bottom, are also recommended. The equipment can be rather pricey.

"Anyone who sees [kiteboarding] wants to do it. But it's a little expensive to do," McDill said. "Price is definitely an issue."

For beginners, a bigger board and smaller kite are recommended, but it is based on personal preference. Dealers will take into account a rider's weight and ability to determine what is best.

Eron Swedberg, an instructor who also acts as Helm's bookkeeper, recommends trying out different boards before taking the financial plunge.

"Go to (the Helm) shed (at the Third Avenue spot) and demo some boards if you're not sure," Swedberg said.

Boards will generally run anywhere from $400 to $700 but Swedberg said you can find cheaper prices if you buy older-model boards from the year before or check out kiteboard swap meets. All boards come with feet bindings and are either wakeboard-style boots or foot straps. The boots more or less ensure a rider never loses the board during crashes. But Swedberg pointed out if you're already dealing with a kite that wants to pull you to the moon, do you really want to spend more time fumbling with boots?

The most important piece of equipment is the kite and Swedberg recommends not skimping here. Helm won't rent kites and Swedberg advises not buying used kites unless you know its condition for sure.

"Kites are easily damaged and can be dangerous," Swedberg said. "You can buy kites used, but beware. It's easier to see wear (and tear) on a board."

Most kites nowadays are "Inflatables." The kites, which resemble an airplane wing, have airbladders running through the leading edge of the kite, as well as the struts, which gives the kite its shape. These bladders float the kite when it crashes, making re-launching and re-starting much easier.

The kite also comes with the control bar and lines that attach to the kite. Expect to spend $1,100 to $1,500 for a brand-new kite, but previous year's models can be had for much less.

The only really necessary piece of equipment left to buy is the harness, which sell for about $150. The harness is used to keep the kite attached to the rider.

There are two types of harness - waist and seat. Again, personal preference rules. Swedberg said many people go with the seat harness because it keeps riders in the proper riding position.

Buying all these components separately would run about $2,500 but many dealers - including Helm - offer package deals of boards, kites and bars (which come with the kites) for much less than if everything was purchased separately.

Practice, practice, practice

So. You've taken your lessons, you've gotten your rig, how long before you're grabbing air like the pros?

Like the old saying, practice makes perfect. Third Avenue is not an ideal beginner's spot, but it can be done. McDill said other good beginner places include Crown Beach in Alameda, Berkeley, Rio Vista in the Delta area and Coyote Point in San Mateo.

Regardless of where you practice, Swedberg believes success comes sooner rather than later.

"It's a short learning curve," he said. "In a couple of weeks to a couple of months, you can learn everything.

"But you have to dedicate yourself to learning it."

Nathan Mollat can be reached by e-mail: nathan@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.