MACkite Kiteboarding Lesson Center

The MACkite Kiteboarding Lesson Center is MACkite's kiteboarding school, set up next to Pere Marquette Park on the shore of Lake Michigan in Muskegon. The website says it has been teaching kiteboarding on Lake Michigan for over 16 seasons. Lessons use helmets with waterproof microphones so instructors can coach in real time, even while the student is riding.

The path has three steps: the Beginner Lesson (wind theory, reading Lake Michigan weather, trainer kite; held with or without wind, and students take the trainer kite home if there is none), then the Kite Lesson (kite set-up and safety, self rescue, launching and landing, power control, body dragging), then the Water Lesson (body dragging, board starts, water starts and riding fundamentals). A private water lesson is offered to riders who already water start and want to progress (going upwind, tacks). The school also offers wing foil, eFoil and snowkite lessons, and camps.

Outside summer, basic instruction takes place indoors at the MACkite shop in Grand Haven. Lessons require a minimum weight of 80 lbs; under-18s need a waiver signed by a parent or guardian, and students must be able to run and swim.

Lessons by booking, depending on wind; kite and water lessons are wind-dependent (rescheduling by phone notification). Free cancellation up to 10 days before a camp.