Vertical Pilot is a full service shop dedicated to the sport of kiteboarding, providing lessons, repairs and equipment at competitive pricing. We offer the up most in customer service, backed by a highly trained staff providing top of the line gear. We are the number one source for kiteboarding on the Grand Strand.
Steve Harris is the Vertical Pilot owner and instructor. Steve has owned and operated a concrete resurfacing company for the past 11 years and is now following his passion for extreme water sports. Starting his long love of the water Steve began skiing at the age of 12 and has ever since. Participating in water ski show clubs and competing in state and regional slalom and wake board events throughout the years Steve has proved his on water talents. Kiteboarding was a natural transition and is truly addicted.
JoAnn Harris is the General Manager for Vertical Pilot. She has over 10 years experience in upper retail management and holds a degree in marketing and advertising. JoAnn runs the day to day operations of the shop and provides every customer with the highest quality service and respect. JoAnn handles the scheduling of classes, pricing, marketing, merchandising and advertising
At Vertical Pilot Kiteboard School you can have fun and feel safe. You will be instructed by an insured, highly trained, Professional Air Sports Association (PASA) certified instructor. In addition, your instructor is CPR certified and trained in first aid. Kiteboarding is a serious sport that requires respect and proper training to prevent injury. At Vertical Pilot we offer some of the best training around and offer classes from beginner to intermediate riding. We conduct safe and comprehensive training techniques that will take you from an average Joe to a KITEBOARDER. There is nothing like it in the world, as you will soon find out. Caution kiteboarding is habit forming.
Intro to Kite-Boarding/ Ground Control This course covers all the basics and then some. You will learn how to proficiently fly a trainer kite, how to set up a 4 and 5 line kite, line management, and safety systems. You will be instructed on assisted launching and landing of the kite, self rescue, rider responsibility and kite tuning. You will learn the wind window and how to read the wind. You will be given the knowledge of how to assess different situations to keep you and bystanders safe. After completing this course you will be able to fly a trainer kite and set up launch and land an inflatable.
PRICE: $145.00 per student. Bring a friend $200 for two people.
APPROX TIME: 2- 2.5 hrs.
This course can only be taken after completing Level One. We will review and fine tune aspects of level one. Review advanced safety measures. You will learn how to self launch and land an inflatable. We will instruct you on advanced kite flying techniques and teach you the secrets of the wind window. In this lesson you will get in the water and learn how to properly power up a kite and body drag. You will learn mock board starts and how to re-launch the kite in the water. After this course you will be on your way to getting on the board. You should be able to safely practice solo launching, landing and body dragging with your kite.
PRICE: $250.00 per student. This is one on one private lesson. APPROX. TIME: 2.5-3 hrs
This is our most popular class. These sessions are composed of three days of training that covers all aspects of kiteboarding. If you are serious about becoming a kiteboarder this it the level for you! This course is the quickest way to get going. By substantially reducing the kiteboarding learning curve we will fast track you past a lot of the normal set backs often found by those of "self-taught" methods. After this level you will feel safe flying an inflatable, know how to rig your kite and understand all the necessary safety factors.
Three days approx. 2 hours per session.
PRICE: $425.00 (Private sessions)
Vertical Pilot offers wakeboard and water ski lessons. Go for a couple hours or take a day camp at our White Lake location. Everything from wakeboarding, barefoot and slalom skiing. Beginner to intermediate private lessons are available. Your lessons will be behind our open bow Supra tournament wakeboard boat with an AWSA qualified instructor.
Beginner to intermediate lessons. Reviewing all of wake and water skiing fundamentals with on the water private instructions.
Water time: 3.0 Hours Price:$250.00
Bring a couple of friends and split the costs. $100.00 per each additional student; up to 3 total students per session.
Just 1.5 hours from North Myrtle Beach in Elizabethtown, NC, our lake location allows you a great enviroment for ski lessons. Crystal clear shallow water provides perfect conditions. Go over the basics at our private pier and eat lunch at our lake house.
Day Camps run Tuesday thru Friday 10am untill 5pm.
Price: $350 per student
Bring a couple friends and split the costs. $100.00 per each additional student, up to 3 total students per session.