At Bigdayz we have taught thousands of kitesurfing students since we started our journey in 2004. And we've heard even more stories of kitesurfing learning adventures from guests and friends
What have we learned? There are many ways to learn kitesurfing.
Slow and fast routes. Hard and easy paths. Dangerous and safe paths.
The following guide will give you all the knowledge you need to start your kitesurfing journey and make it a wonderful and successful experience.
I wish I had read this guide before my friend took me to Tarifa and Capo Verde to learn kitesurfing.... I almost gave up before I experienced a completely different approach to kitesurfing.
Kitesurfers all have to learn and take their steps towards "independence" in 3 ways:
1. light wind/weak wind
2. ideal wind
3. strong wind
On each of the paths, you have to relearn and rethink something in the respective situation.
Any kite school that promises you that you can kitesurf after a week is lying to you! The quickest way to get there is the most professional and individual support possible, plenty of space and time for practice and, of course, the right equipment used at the right time.
For an experienced kiter, waves can be a lot of fun. For beginners, they are a nightmare and slow down progress. Instead of concentrating on your kite and board, you're constantly surrounded by waves.
The flat water conditions on the other side offer beginners an ideal environment to learn kitesurfing quickly and safely. The ability to stand and walk (in the water!) in a standing area and keep your balance easily means that beginners can concentrate on handling the kite and board without being disturbed by the constant pounding waves.
Famous shallow water areas: Egypt, Brazil
Famous kitespots with waves: South Africa, Tarifa, Vietnam
Kitesurfing has become very popular and attracts many people to famous spots. Some of these spots have fantastic energy (and great nightlife), but crowded beaches and choppy waters will affect your learning experience.
Ask every kiter you know: When you're learning to kitesurf, all other kitesurfers and especially other beginners are obstacles that you want to keep at a safe distance.
If you learn to kitesurf in a more private area instead, you'll spend your time making progress rather than waiting for other kitesurfers to get out of your way.
Apart from the fact that it increases your learning curve enormously (and is less annoying), more personal space also means more safety. No collisions and no worries about another beginner crashing their kite into you (or vice versa).
Crowded kite spots: As soon as the weather and wind conditions are favorable for kiting, most kite spots, especially where there are schools, are very crowded.
Spacious kite spots: In contrast, private and more secluded spots, such as those run by Kitesafaris, offer wide, empty lagoons that are ideal for learning and practicing in peace and quiet.
There are three main aspects when it comes to the wind: consistency, speed and direction
It's pretty obvious. You don't want to learn to kite in very gusty winds. If the wind is constantly changing, the pull of the kite is also constantly changing. This makes the behavior of your kite unpredictable and possibly even dangerous.
Reliable and constant wind conditions are the best choice for kitesurfing (not only for beginners). With constant wind, it is easier to predict and understand the kite's behavior.
Wind speed is usually measured in knots or Beaufort (Bft). The minimum amount of wind you need depends on your equipment and your weight.
To balance the wind speed, you will use larger kites in weaker winds and smaller kites in stronger winds. Larger kites are generally slower and a little easier to handle for beginners.
Ideal wind conditions for a great and effective learning experience start at around 14 knots (4 Bft.). Try to avoid too strong winds at the beginning. If you start learning with 30 knots (6 Bft.), you will have a hard time as a beginner and feel insecure.
Wind blowing offshore (away from the beach) can add another level of difficulty to a deep water kite spot. As most schools these days have boats and take good care of you, it's quite a nuisance to wait in the water when the boats are busy with other students.
If you learn in shallow waters at a flat water kite spot, the wind direction won't affect you that much, as you can get off your board and stand up in the water at any time.
Find out about the wind conditions in the place where you want to learn to kite. This is nature, there are no guarantees. But you will usually find a tendency. If you're looking for reliable and consistent winds close to Europe, Egypt offers some of the best wind conditions for beginners in the world.
Learning to kitesurf is a journey that requires a lot of practice, time and patience. With most kite schools, you book your lessons on an hourly basis. Maybe a package for the week with two lessons a day. And if you're learning in tough conditions, with waves and strong, gusty winds, 2 hours is probably enough for one day.
But you will make much faster progress if you have more time to practise.
If you want to get on the board as quickly as possible, do it this way.
Look for a place with easier conditions, this will save you a lot of energy and spare your nerves.
Find a school that offers a kind of all-you-can-kite package. Ideally, you can go on the water as often as you like for a while and don't have to check your wallet every lesson.
Use the energy you have saved and practise with your kite as much as possible.
The impact of extensive, all-day / all-week training compared to traditional 2-hour day courses is a crucial difference.
Take some time to find the right kite school: Find out about the various kite schools on offer at your spot, or find out more about our full-week kite package.
Most schools offer private and group lessons. And of course group lessons are cheaper. But are they? Well, that depends.
You will definitely pay less for a kitesurfing course in a larger group. But you will also have to wait longer for your turn - and watch the others. So if you compare the actual practice hours, it's probably not that cheap after all.
When learning to kitesurf, whether you learn in a small group or with your own instructor has a big impact. Having an instructor who looks after you the whole time also brings some safety benefits and can help build confidence.
There are stories about kite schools making their students pay for crashing their old kites. Here are some tricks to prevent this.
If you want to learn kitesurfing, it's crucial that you don't have to worry about equipment. Many kitesurfing schools offer modern and safe equipment that is especially suitable for beginners. It is important that the school provides reliable equipment that not only speeds up the learning process but also increases your safety.
If you crash a kite as a beginner, it's not your fault. It's bound to happen, you're still learning. Only in rare cases can a crash break the kite and often it has already crashed many times before. Make sure that your lessons include insurance for all eventualities.
Damage to equipment is therefore a common problem for kitesurfing beginners. For this reason, you should make sure that your kitesurfing school offers insurance that covers damage to your equipment. This will relieve you financially and allow you to concentrate fully on learning without having to worry about possible costs due to damaged equipment.
Kitesurfing is more than just a sport - it's a lifestyle that is strongly influenced by the atmosphere and climate of the place where you learn. Choosing the right location can make a huge difference to your learning experience. Places with warm climates, such as Egypt or Brazil, not only offer ideal wind conditions, but also a relaxed and fun atmosphere that is very welcoming for beginners.
In addition, the local kitesurfing community can have a significant impact on your learning environment. A friendly and supportive community can make learning much easier and more fun and enjoyable. It's worth choosing places where you can not only be physically active but also socially active to enjoy the full experience of kitesurfing.
On a kitesafari with a luxury yacht you will not only find like-minded kitesurfers but also outstanding nature. We often spot rays, dolphins and other creatures directly at the spot or around the boat - in addition, on Bigdayz kitesafaris new friendships are always made, making your kitesurfing vacation not only a learning success but also an unforgettable experience for life.
One of the most common questions from beginner kitesurfers is whether you need to be in a certain physical condition to start kitesurfing. The good news is that kitesurfing is suitable for most people, regardless of their fitness level. While basic physical fitness can help, especially with handling the kite and board, kitesurfing does not require exceptional strength or endurance.
It's important that beginners take it slowly and get their body used to the demands of the sport. A good kitesurfing school will make sure that you don't overdo it and teach you techniques that allow you to use your energy efficiently.
Regardless of whether you are overweight or have hardly any muscles and are otherwise not very active, kitesurfing really can be learned by anyone. We have successfully and safely taken kitesurfers onto the water, both as young children and after retirement.
We hope this guide has shown you which topics you should consider as a kitesurfing beginner and has brought you one step closer to learning to kitesurf.
Were we able to convince you to plan a kitesafari and an unforgettable experience with us? Check out our kitesafari dates and send us a no-obligation inquiry for more information.
If you have any other questions, you can of course contact us at any time - we will deal with every inquiry personally.
Stay tuned and good luck!
Marco and your Bigdayz team
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