Five Tips to Learn Kiteboarding Faster

learn kiteboarding fast ventana travel

Thinking about your first lessons or a progression week? Start by dialing in a few core habits—and plan your trip with the pros at Ventana Travel.

1) Trim before you launch

On the beach: Set your depower so the bar sits in a comfy “sweet spot” with steady pull (not stalling, not yanking).
Why it matters: Clean trim = fewer crashes and faster learning.
Pro cue: If you’re riding with the bar fully sheeted out, add depower. If the kite back-stalls, sheet out or add power.

2) Master upwind body-drag (board recovery)

Lose the board? Park the kite at 10:30/1:30, extend your leading arm like a keel, and drag in short “Z” tacks until you reach it.
Why it matters: Confidence skyrockets when board loss isn’t a crisis. Practice three recoveries per session.

3) Use a two-stage waterstart

Stage 1: a modest power stroke to float you.
Stage 2: a deeper stroke to stand and ride.
Why it matters: One giant yank usually faceplants you downwind. Split the movement and you’ll stand cleaner, sooner.

4) Lock in an upwind stance

Eyes on the horizon, hips forward, shoulders open, heel-edge engaged. Keep the kite ~35–45°.
Why it matters: This is how you hold ground, stop the downwind slide, and start real cruising.

5) Read the water & ride with etiquette

Do a quick spot check (wind, hazards, exit points) and follow right-of-way: starboard tack has priority; the upwind rider flies the kite high.
Why it matters: Shared rules = safer, calmer sessions (and more friends on the beach).

Where to practice (and plan)

Bottom line: Nail these five fundamentals and your sessions will feel smoother, safer, and a lot more fun. When you’re ready for tailored coaching, we’ll build the right week around your goals at Ventana Travel.

Reflections on Traveling in India: The Good, The Bad, and Why I’d Go Back

India: The Good, The Bad, and Why I’d Go Back

On our recent trip to India, we spent time in Delhi and Agra. It wasn’t a perfect journey—few adventures are—but it was one that left me with a lasting appreciation for the country and its people.

The Good

India is filled with incredible people. We were shown genuine hospitality by friends and colleagues who arranged private drivers and even a guided Taj Mahal tour at no cost to us. Beyond the generosity, countless strangers offered simple kindness—directions, smiles, and warm greetings without expecting anything in return.

And then, of course, there’s the food. Spices, flavors, and dishes that I’ll never forget. Despite all the warnings, we never experienced food poisoning in the entire month we were there. Eating carefully, choosing reputable places, and sticking with bottled water worked for us, and the meals were extraordinary.

The country itself is visually stunning. India is greener than I expected, with architecture and colors that stop you in your tracks. The Taj Mahal is breathtaking, but so is the vibrancy of everyday streets.

The Bad and the Ugly

Yes, poverty and pollution are visible realities. Trash in certain areas can be overwhelming if you’re not prepared for it. People do stare, especially at my fiancé who stands out with blond hair and blue eyes. Some locals were pushy about money, though a firm “no” was usually enough.

Yet, even in those challenges, there were silver linings: children giggling and waving at us in curiosity, traffic that felt chaotic but strangely rhythmic, and an overall sense of life lived intensely.

What Surprised Us

We expected more difficulties. Instead, we found manageable chaos, resilience, and kindness at every turn. The experience humbled us and reminded us that beauty often comes hand in hand with complexity.

Why We’d Go Back

India is not all good, and it’s not all bad. It’s an adventure that tests you and rewards you in equal measure. For us, the positives far outweighed the negatives, and we’d absolutely return—this time to explore the south, the mountains, and regions beyond the well-trodden Delhi-Agra path.

Travel is about balance: knowing what to expect, embracing imperfection, and leaning into discovery. If you’re inspired to explore beyond the ordinary, we share more stories and itineraries at ventanatravel.com.

A Day in the Life of a Gray Whale and Her Calf in Magdalena Bay

A Day in the Life of a Gray Whale and Her Calf in Magdalena Bay

The winter sun rises slowly over Magdalena Bay, painting the calm Pacific waters with streaks of gold and pink. Beneath the surface, a gray whale mother nudges her calf awake with a gentle push of her barnacled head. For this young whale, every day is full of discovery, and for the mother, every day is a lesson in survival, patience, and love.

Morning: Learning to Breathe

The calf surfaces clumsily, splashing water into the still air. Each breath is still new, every exhale a powerful spout that glistens in the morning light. The mother lingers nearby, guiding her calf to stay close. She positions herself between the calf and the currents, her massive body acting as both shield and compass.

Midday: Practice in the Bay

By late morning, the pair move into the calm lagoons that make Magdalena Bay so famous. Here, the calf practices short dives and playful rolls while the mother keeps watch. Occasionally, she shows the calf how to breach, lifting her enormous body high into the air and crashing back down in a thunderous splash. These displays are not just play—they are strength training, lessons in agility that the calf will need on the long migration north.

Afternoon: Encounters with Visitors

As midday turns to afternoon, small boats appear in the distance. Local captains carefully approach, maintaining respect and space. To the delight of travelers, the mother sometimes brings her calf close, encouraging curiosity. The calf may peek above the surface, wide-eyed, as if acknowledging the humans watching in awe. This gentle interaction has made Magdalena Bay one of the most remarkable places in the world to experience the intimacy of whale life.

Evening: Rest and Renewal

As the sun sets over the dunes, the calf grows tired. The mother slows her pace, guiding her young one into quieter waters for rest. Together, they drift, side by side, under the first stars of the night sky. For the calf, tomorrow will bring new challenges; for the mother, tomorrow is another step toward preparing her calf for the epic journey north to the Arctic feeding grounds.

For travelers who dream of experiencing this magical daily rhythm—watching mothers and calves interact in their winter home—Magdalena Bay offers a front-row seat to one of nature’s most moving stories. You can learn more and start planning your own Baja California Sur natural experience in winter by visiting this page.