Few things in the world can match the exciting sensation of Kitesurfing in terms of adrenaline rush—harnessing the power of the wind to glide all across water's surface and be lifted into the sky, unlike any other pastime.
Of course, this is achievable if you can find the perfect kitesurfing spot. Do you want to know where the finest places to learn kitesurf are? If you're going to learn to kite in the best of conditions, this guide will help you choose your next kitesurfing destination!!
What makes a great place to learn how to kitesurf? The ideal destination for novices is usually a beautiful blend of a stunning, postcard-worthy locale, dreamy, clean beaches, flat, still water, pleasant weather, and ideal wind conditions.
However, this is not the case in existence. While some characteristics make for a lovely environment and provide some valuable advice to learn Kitesurfing, they are not required to learn it.
While it is true that some kiteboarding spots appear to be better for novices than some others, the reality is that practically every site provides newcomers with the opportunity to practice and enhance their skills.
While it is true that some kiteboarding spots appear to be the best place to learn for beginners compared to others, the fact is that practically every site provides novices with the opportunity to practice and enhance their skills.
Remember, to become a genuinely autonomous rider, you will need to learn to Kitesurf in several locations, not just one.
Meanwhile, we've put together this list to offer you the most significant locations in the world for beginners to learn kitesurfing, as well as the perfect places to experience the thrill and excitement of this exhilarating sport!
When it's about learning to kitesurf, there are a few things to consider. The distinction between training to kitesurf on calm water and training to kitesurf on rough water is one.
Beginners can concentrate on the mechanical motion required to determine the skill, without being distracted by the waves. They could, for example, focus on kite skills first and then body dragging abilities before continuing to board retrieval and more advanced board skills.
The dynamic nature of wave water, on the other hand, poses a greater challenge to beginners. However, it also enables them to master essential kitesurfing skills such as body dragging and board retrieval more quickly.
Kitesurfing in waves teaches beginners how to position their bodies in the air and the crucial skill of "reading the waves." As beginners gain more experience in choppy waves, they can start to anticipate the right timing in the water, resulting in a more fluid and seamless surfing experience.
Another factor to consider is whether you want to learn to kitesurf in shallow or deep water. The difference between the two can significantly impact how quickly you learn a skill. Shallow water kitesurfing allows you to be more "grounded," while deep water kitesurfing enables you to practice body dragging and board recovery, two essential skills to develop.
You should also consider whether you want to train to kiteboard in strong gusts or light breezes. The advantage of having strong winds is obvious; it can assist you in moving faster while kitesurfing. However, it comes at a cost: every kitesurfer must also learn to surf without the wind. Imagine kitesurfing in a strong breeze and the wind suddenly dies down! Every kitesurfer needs moderate windsurfing skills and excellent wind skills.
If I had to describe the ideal location for learning (and practicing) kitesurfing, it would be a lagoon with flat, waist-high water, a sandy bottom, and no obstacles such as rocks, corals, tree trunks, poles, towers, sea urchins, or anything else. The shore would be an open and beautiful spot with no barriers and ample space to set up and pack your kite, perhaps with a grassy area to avoid taking sand home at the end of the day. The wind would blow from the sea, transversely to the beach, at 14 to 20 knots (side-on). The temperatures would be in the mid-twenties, with plenty of sun and few people; it would be even better if it were uninhabited.
While locations that meet all the above criteria do exist, it is rare for all of them to be met at once. There is usually at least one missing element, such as harmful obstructions on the beach or seabed, deep water or chop, currents, unpredictable or windy wind, or wind that is too strong or too weak. Even if you find a location that meets all the above criteria, there is one issue that you will never be able to overcome: overcrowding. While kitesurfing is not as popular as soccer, it has grown in popularity and "coolness." Therefore, even in a location that meets all the criteria mentioned above, expect to see at least twenty people, even on the most secluded atolls. Give it a go!
A small area can quickly become overcrowded because kites are hooked to lines ranging from 20 to 27 meters in length.
First and foremost, regardless of conditions, if you have a Kite Spot near your home, I recommend that you begin studying there. Once you've learned how to kite, it'll probably be the location where you'll go more regularly. Your instructor will tell you about the spot, the requirements of a specific location, the wind patterns, and how to assess the weather. Learn the fundamentals first, then go on trips when you're ready to advance and improve.
If you don't have a "home spot," or if you really want to combine work and pleasure by traveling to a location where you may study the game, here are some things to think about:
Kitesurfing can be done on the open sea, lakes, or lagoons. There are many different places to practice Kitesurfing. As previously stated, learning will be more accessible in shallow water, where you can always step on the bottom.
However, both deep water and shallow water have advantages and downsides when it comes to learning.
Undoubtedly, learning how and where to place the board on and recover it when lost will be easier in shallow water. However, for the same reason, you may become spoiled and fail to learn how to retrieve the board using the body-drag method when lost. Therefore, kiting in deepwater locations may make you feel uncomfortable. Additionally, when you crash or fall in shallow water, it's easier to hit the bottom, and there's a greater risk of obstacles or dangers lurking underneath (e.g., sea urchins). Before entering the water, always stay where the water is at least knee-high and ask the locals about the area.
Your progress may be slowed because reclaiming the board each time you lose it will require more work. At first, even a meter gap from you could be challenging. On the other hand, deep water ensures that you never touch the bottom or encounter any impediments beneath the water's surface, and it challenges you to master the upwind body-drag method to save your board. Newbies who have trained in deep water are more likely to be self-sufficient.
If, on the other hand, the training usually begins on a boat, you may find yourself struggling to launch, land, and maintain the kite on the ground, which is where most of the mishaps occur. Therefore, a kite course should ideally include a part on the ground.
A wide-open area, such as a beach, is more vulnerable to surges. It will generate crests (known as "chop") or waves on the water's surface, making water starting, riding, and going upwind a little more complicated. To ride through the chop, keep your legs comfortable and use them as "shock absorbers" as you glide through the crests. If the waves are enormous, everything becomes more complex, including learning to body-drag. It's not a good idea to learn to kite in the middle of a storm.
Even yet, if you can learn to sail in a wavy location, every other site will appear to be child's play.
Kiteboarding in an open area when the wind blows from the beach (side-offshore direction) is not recommended unless you are very experienced since you risk not being able to return to the shore if something goes wrong. An institution that operates in an area with "offshore" wind must have a reliable rescue service (see "The Wind" below for further information).
It is easier to find flat water that is attractive and pleasurable for kitesurfing in a closed area in which the water surface is protected from the wind. On the other hand, large lakes and lagoons are not exempt from this restriction, as little waves and chop can still emerge.
If something goes wrong, a closed space ensures that you and the gear don't end up anywhere. However, be aware of the surrounding obstacles: a closed area bordered by sand is delicate, but an area bordered by rocks is a potential threat. Wind will be gusty and unreliable in a closed area, especially if it is bordered by large obstacles such as dunes, buildings, mountains, or hills (as the wind flows through the obstructions, generating turbulence).
One of the first things I always emphasize in a lecture is that wind must be assessed using three criteria: direction, intensity, and quality.
Kitesurfing is not possible in all directions. You may have heard the terms "onshore" and "offshore" wind before:
Wind blowing parallel to the coast from the ocean to the shore:
The wind blows away from the shore and out to sea.
However, when it comes to the shore, the wind might go in a variety of directions:
SIDE-SHORE: The wind is blowing in the same direction as the coast.
SIDE-ON: A gust of wind blows from the ocean to the beach.
SIDE-OFF: Wind blowing diagonally from the coast to the sea.
To summarize, the best direction for kiting is Side and Side-ON since they allow you to practice securely without being blown away from the coast by the wind.
The side-ON breeze, in particular, will almost always return you to shore, no matter what happens, making it the best condition possible.
Onshore wind, which is parallel to the shore, is challenging for beginners because it will pull you back to the beach too soon unless you can swiftly turn upwind.
Even specialists avoid kiting in the offshore wind because it drives you far from the beach too quickly, and you won't be able to return if you get into difficulty.
Side-OFF is a wind direction for experienced kiters. You can still kite close to the coast, but you will be blown away if something bad happens. In busier locations where the side-off wind blows frequently, there is usually a rescue service available, but you must pay for it, so be aware ahead of time!
We've compiled a list of the top places in the world, to learn to kitesurf! We hope that this guide will assist you in deciding where to learn to kitesurf for your next kitesurfing adventure.
Sri Lanka's kitesurfing spot is a two-hour drive north of Colombo on Sri Lanka's northeastern coast, and it is not as well-known among tourists as the other sites in the area. Although the waters in Kalpitiya may not be the clearest in Asia, it does have the best winds for kitesurfing.
A lengthy sandbar separates the Kalpitiya kitesurfing lagoon from the Indian Ocean, making it an ideal area for novices to learn to kitesurf. Beginner riders will like the small lagoon, which is perfect for learning the basics. If you want a more challenging experience to improve your kitesurfing skills with a school in Sri Lanka, head to the Indian Ocean, where the cross-onshore winds, clear waters, and spectacular waves will push your abilities to new heights.
Kitesurfing is well-known in Southeast Asia as a hotspot for beginners. Boracay, in the Philippines, is known for its tropical environment, clear sea, and white sand beaches. This is an excellent venue for beginners who wish to enhance their skills while also relaxing.
Bulabog Beach is the island's primary location for kiteboarding and kitesurfing. The waters of this lovely lagoon are tranquil and stable, which makes it excellent for beginners. The best time to go for strong winds is in the morning when the weather is calm, and there are fewer people. When the weather is dry, November to May is the best time to go kitesurfing in this area.
Almost every surfer seems to want to learn to kiteboard and kitesurf in Morocco. On Morocco's Atlantic coast, Essaouira is known for its world-famous fishing port and as a hotspot for newcomers learning to kiteboard and kitesurf. The town has modernized in recent years while maintaining the old town's charm.
The island of Mogadishu shields the bay from the majority of severe winds, yet some do make it to the beach. The large beach is ideal for beginners learning to launch themselves. The long, smooth waves are great for novices or those looking to improve their skill level.
Without a doubt, the best kitesurfing spot in Europe. Tarifa is located on Spain's southernmost tip and benefits from steady winds, a pleasant temperature, and a thriving cultural and entertainment scene. Tarifa is not the best place to start kitesurfing if you are a complete novice, but it is a fantastic place to improve your skills if you have some prior expertise.
Tarifa, known as Europe's "wind capital" because of the 300 days of sun and wind it enjoys, has some strong winds, or "Levante," as the locals call it. This "Levante" comes from Gibraltar and is most common from July to October, providing ideal conditions for both beginners and advanced surfers.
Kitesurfing is mostly done on two beaches in this region: Cabarete Bay and Cabarete Kite Beach. They're barely 15 minutes apart on the main beach, and a lengthy reef protects them. Beginners are encouraged to stay near the coast at the Cabarete Kite Beach, where there is plenty of area for surfers. Once you have a firm grasp of the fundamentals, you can go further ashore to further refine your skills in stronger and more forceful winds.
Due to its warm, tropical atmosphere, the best time to visit is between June and August during the summer months.
Fuerteventura is known for its strong winds, and there are lots of places to take advantage of them, including this famous and long-serving world tour stop on the island's southeast coast.
It boasts the perfect setting, with a 4km-long tropical beach surrounded by a waist-deep lagoon that offers both flat and choppy water suitable for all levels. Beginners should go to Corralejo, while more experienced riders should go further north. In the winter, go there for the fiercest winds.
In the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar is an archipelago 40 kilometers off Tanzania's east coast. It is made up of Zanzibar Island, Pemba Island, and other small islets. Zanzibar is a 90-kilometer-long island with a maximum width of 30 kilometers. It is a beautiful island with white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, making it ideal for a relaxing vacation.
Due to the persistent winds that impact the PAJE beach in the southeast of the island, Zanzibar has grown increasingly popular among kitesurfers in recent years.
This stunning L-shaped UNESCO World Heritage Site bay, located on the eastern side of the Baja California Peninsula, is often flat calm, with warm blue water and great wind conditions for all abilities. Since last year, the lagoon beyond the beach has also been transformed into a kite park.
Side-shore winds make it easier to launch from the large, empty beach, and speeds are lower for novices in the morning and evening but greater for intermediate kiters in the middle of the day. Once the sun sets, the modest fishing village becomes a pleasant resort with good food.
Finally, it seems self-evident that there is no best place to learn kitesurfing. Numerous beaches around the world provide ideal learning environments.
Many newcomers believe that learning to kitesurf requires exotic beaches, white sand, and calm, clear waves. This merely compels them to postpone their trip until they can purchase a plane ticket halfway around the globe. The truth is that the sooner you start learning to kitesurf, the sooner you will be able to do so.