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If you are looking for an activity that has the elements of surfing, sailing, snowboarding, and paragliding, we have just the right thing for you – kitesurfing. This is an extreme sport in which the power of wind propels you over the water while you keep your kite (parachute-like) and board in check.
In the past couple of years, it has become immensely popular, with more than 2 million people worldwide registered as kitesurfers. However, although incredibly fun, kitesurfing is more dangerous than windsurfing or sailing, which is why you need to make sure that your beginner’s equipment features a dead-man switch.
Additionally, while learning to kitesurf may not be that time-demanding, you will want to do it with a qualified instructor at a destination that offers optimal conditions for this sport. What are the best places to learn to kitesurf, though? That is something we will guide you through in this article.
Benefits of Learning How to Kitesurf
Anyone who has tried kitesurfing knows that this sport is physically demanding, as it asks for a lot of core strength and balance. However, it also offers a myriad of benefits that are related both to mental and physical health.
First and foremost, it is one of the best ways to leave your worries behind and cope with stress. Once you are going across the water guided by the powerful wind, you won’t have the time to think about the commitments or debts that you need to consolidate. The second advantage is that kitesurfing is a fantastic way to stay or get fit, as it acts as a full-body workout for your arms, legs, and core.
Most importantly, while good for building muscle and strength, the harness is there to relieve any unnecessary strain on your joints. Related to stress-relieving, kitesurfing will help you stay mindful and enjoy the moment and your surroundings. Also, numerous studies suggest that it is a great way to stimulate the release and production of endorphins and serotonin. This doesn’t come as a surprise, as “runner’s high” is quite common.
Also, when you learn to kitesurf, you are becoming a part of a community that is relaxed and easy to approach. Last but certainly not least, this extreme sport will motivate you to travel and explore wonderful places where you can learn about and enjoy kitesurfing.
Best Places to Learn Kitesurfing
Not many activities offer as intense and interactive an experience as kitesurfing does. To fly high into the sky and glide across the water, you will need powerful wind, but that doesn’t mean that every location with beaches is adequate for this sport.
For this purpose, we have done our research and created a list of a couple of places that are great for beginners and independent riders. Take a look.
El Gouna, Egypt
This is a popular holiday resort that is just perfect for kitesurfing if you have no previous experience whatsoever. The reason is that the conditions during the summer are beginner-friendly – flat, shallow water and steady, strong wind. Most importantly, there is no specific zone that is intended for kitesurfers, which means you will have less to worry about when it comes to bumping into other kites.
When it comes to kitesurfing schools, these are situated in the Mangroovy area, offering a spectacular landscape. There is a beautiful lagoon with a coral reef that offers a sight that you only see on postcards. Keep in mind that, if you are an independent surfer, you will still have to pay a fee for using the beach, which is around 50 euros per week. You will also have to rent some equipment if you didn’t bring your own.
The only disadvantage is that, although shallow water works perfectly for beginners, it can be quite tricky to practice once low tide comes.
Dakhla, Morocco
Set just around half an hour from the city of Dakhla, this lagoon offers spectacular conditions for kitesurfing. The area that it covers is huge, which means you will have complete freedom to try out new maneuvers or learn basic tricks if you are a beginner.
Not only will you be able to detach from everyday issues while surfing in this beautiful area, but you will also get the real feel of what it is like to kitesurf in optimal conditions. A force of 7 during summer months, as well as stable temperatures and steady winds, will make for a fantastic experience.
If you have more experience, you can take a ride to some of the nearby places that offer kitesurfing on the Atlantic Ocean.
Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka
Set on the northeastern coast of beautiful Sri Lanka, this is probably the best place for learning how to kitesurf in all of Asia. Yes, the water may not be crystal clear, but it offers steady winds and fantastic waves that should help you practice balance.
What is great about this place is that you can enjoy kitesurfing throughout all four reasons. While the conditions are optimal from May to September, when the wind is set to an average of 22 knots, there is a lot of potential for kitesurfing from December to March, as well. This is because the wind is still consistent, varying from 15 to 19 knots.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few of the best places you can learn to kitesurf. It is impossible to cover all the great places for kitesurfing within a single article. The few we have listed just go to show that not much is needed to enjoy this extreme sport apart from steady, constant wind and flat water.
Also, although summer may be the best season to kitesurf because of the warmer temperatures, you should know that many destinations offer great conditions for kitesurfing throughout the whole year.
The best time to learn how to kitesurf is right now! We hope that this article helped you understand the principles of kitesurfing, as well as all the benefits that it offers. Good luck!
