Learning to kitesurf may just be the best thing you ever do but taking that first step can be a daunting experience! If you do want to take the plunge and get up on the board, there are a few simple things you need to know before you give kitesurfing a try. Here are just 4:

1. The right kite spot is crucial

Choosing the right spot to learn to kitesurf is crucial to the process. You are ideally looking for a large flat water lagoon with consistent cross-onshore/cross-shore wind, no obstacles like rocks or large waves, limited currents and shallow water so that you can stand up when you need to. Destinations like Dakhla in Morocco, Le Morne in Mauritius and Langebaan in South Africa are great beginners spots as they offer all of the above alongside great kitesurfing schools that are set up to teach you how to learn to kitesurf in a safe environment!

©Windtown

2. You need to learn to kitesurf with a pro

Too many people vow never to return to kitesurfing after giving it a go with a friend. Using the wrong equipment and having the incorrect instruction is the worse thing you can do when learning to kitesurf. Not only will you spend hours fighting with your mates and end up with a face-full of sand but this is extremely unsafe. Instead, look for a credible windsurf centre at a great learning kite spot. Somewhere like Windtown in Langebaan is fantastic as they offer a kite school right at the hotel with qualified instructors that will walk through every step of the process with the utmost patience and if things do go wrong their dinghy is always right there to come to your rescue.

©Windtown

3. You need to have patience

You will spend the first few days of your learn to kitesurf experience just figuring out how to control the kite. You will start with a power kite before moving on to the actual kite and then comes lessons in kite powering and depowering, launching and body dragging. Only after you master these techniques will you try to get up on the board. And it is at this point where you will need to spend hours practising and practising, riding for a couple seconds at a time and falling a lot, before you finally get the hang of it! That is why we always recommend booking a learn to kitesurf holiday – you then have enough time to learn at your own pace, in the right environment with the best equipment and instructors right on your doorstep. 

4. Learning to kitesurf is beyond fun!

It is important to remember in all of this, that learning to kitesurf is supposed to be fun! It can be difficult, unnerving and frustrating at times but push through and it’s all worth it. Once you are up and riding, nothing can compare to flying over the water – at one with the elements. You will have changed your life forever and once you are hooked there is just no turning back so relax, and enjoy the learning experience!

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To book your a learn to kitesurf holiday, contact us and speak to one of our experts who will guide you on your way to the time of your life!