Kiteboarding Progression : Beginner

Kiteboarding Progression : Beginner is the latest release from Fatsand productions, the same team that released the Kiteboarding Progression : Intermediate DVD.

The DVD is aimed at the beginner and covers everything from unpacking your kite, setting your kite up, to doing your very first jump – where it ends.

Progression : Beginner covers the following chapters in complete detail :

Location and Conditions
Equipment and Terminology
Kite Setup
Launching and Landing
Kite Flying
Body Dragging
Re-launch and Self Rescue
Waterstart
Riding and Staying Upwind
Change of Direction
Jumping

Every chapter is covered in a lot of detail, Fatsand style. The beginning of each chapter provides you with a complete overview of the maneuver you are about to attempt so that by the time you attempt the maneuver you will have a visual overview of the maneuver backed by all the theory behind it.

Each maneuver is repeated with different angles while the commentator highlights important aspects. You even get to see what the kite should be doing through certain maneuvers with the help of multiple camera angles. At the end of each maneuver there is also a troubleshooting section outlining common mistakes and how to avoid them.
 
The backround music was not very different to that of Kiteboarding Progression : Intermediate, with a lot of the same songs featuring on the Beginner DVD.

We found that the soundtrack lacked in variety. With the beginner DVD being considerably longer than the Intermediate DVD, we found that the lack of variety was emphasized throughout the DVD as the same background music were often used throughout the chapters.

That being said, the background music complimented the commentary on the DVD and added to a very relaxed ambience. All in all good choice of music, just need more variety.

With each chapter being covered with excellent attention to detail, lots of theory, commendatory and repeat-exercises, it is rather difficult to watch more than a few chapters in one go before loosing interest.

Although the DVD is not meant to watch from beginning to end, we felt that the individual chapters were simply too long and boring to keep the audience nailed to the screen. The mellow soundtrack and continuous tone of voice of the commentator coupled with rather long chapters contributes to this.

Progression : Beginner is an all-you-need-to-know reference about getting started.  The riders (Laurel Eastman, Eric Beaudonnat and Rob Claisse) break each section down into all the possible dimensions one needs to be made aware of when starting out.  The script is written and supported by instructors who are qualified by the IKO (International Kiteboarding Organisation). 

Progression : Beginner is based on the IKO syllabus, and endorsed by the IKO. This DVD will help you build a solid foundation and help you in whatever you are going to learn further on in kiteboarding.

Slow motion and repeat scenes are common throughout the DVD, assisting you in visualizing and remembering what to do.
 
Once you progress to your first jump, you should consider getting Kiteboarding Progression: Intermediate.  This DVD will take you to the next level of kitesurfing, where you will be shown how to jump and learn how to do more complex maneuvers.  The same slow motion and trouble-shooting format is used to help you remember and visualize yourself when doing your new moves. 

Pro's:
1. Complete Step-by-Step guide for the beginning kiteboarder
2. Slow Motion, repeats and commentary – Fatsand style.
3. Based on IKO syllabus, endorsed by IKO.
4. Ability to order the DVD online direct from www.fatsand.com

Con's:
1. Sold out / unavailable in certain kiteboarding stores.
2. The same music is played throughout the entire DVD
3. The same music is played on both the Beginner and Intermediate DVD
4. Chapters too long, fails to keep the audience interested for long periods at a time.

Conclusion:

If you expect to see spectacular moves in dreamlike remote destinations then this DVD is not for you.  However, Kiteboarding Progression is the best kiteboarding instructional DVD available on the market. It takes you from the very beginning where you first unpack your kite, to doing your first jump.

This DVD is so complete that it is the closest thing to a lesson you will experience. It is best used in conjunction with a few hours of lessons, allowing the kiteboarder to review chapters on a need to know basis as you progress.

Download the Trailer of Kiteboarding Progression Beginner here:
http://www.fatsand.com/Videos/MovieDetails.aspx?mid=16