[Closed] Learning to kitesurf abroad...anyone done it?

P.s I’ve tried asking the same question on a kitesurfing forum but have had little/no response so thought I’d give this a try.

I learnt in Tarifa, lots of kite schools and generally very reliable wind too. Avoid high season as the beaches get absolutely rammed with kites though. Think I went in around May time. Also helps that Tarifa old town is a lovely place to be in the evening when you’re not having lessons.

Only other place I can recommend is Tiree. Not warm but very reliable wind and a lovely place to spend a week.

Add Morocco, Cape Verde and Tenerife to your list.

I’d add Dahab, Magarita, Cabo Verde, Bahamas, Cape Town.
I personally would avoid the Dom Rep, most of Greece and the Canaries can be a bit challenging.
Tarifa I love at a million levels and is a good place to be if the wind doesn’t work out.

Spend some money (a modest amount 😉) on a kite four line kite, maybe 3-4m, and *really* learn to fly it on land.

Then go do your kite surf stuff. You’ll make much faster progress if handling the kite is second nature, so have more fun and get more clue for money & time out of your course.

Tarifa is indeed a great place on and off the water.

If you go to the canaries etc check out the prevailing winds: several of the school beaches are normally off shore, which can be a challenge as a learner.

Glass Beach Fuerte..

https://www.planetkitesurfholidays.com/resorts/spain/fuerteventura-(costa-calma)?gclid=CjwKCAjwibzsBRAMEiwA1pHZrvbBgSZk2XYjQKLqw0aJPBKEjLfLGDdb8qwrd3WRXf3ydwzr8I_ULRoCeQoQAvD_BwE

I am going to Fuerteventura in December to learn, I was originally thinking Tarifa but it's 10 degrees warmer in the canaries at that time of year, and that is when I have the time spare.

I tried to have some lessons earlier in the year in the Philippines, but the conditions weren't right, it was just at the tail end of the kitesurfing season. I think that if I like it, it looks like you have to look not just for where is a good location, but when the season is.

Assuming I like it (and can do it) then it will be onto Zanzibar next March, which was also a consideration for learning location, but again the season is relatively short there.

Tarifa's sounding good then, but I'll also spend some time checking out the other destinations mentioned.
I've already got a 4.9m Flexifoil Blade which I fly on the beach when I go away so hopefully the kite handling won't be too hard to pick up?
I'm a little apprehensive as to whether my knackered (49yr old) body will stand up to it but who knows until I try?
Might start doing some Pilaates?

and there in lies your problem....the weather is too unpredictable and unreliable here and depending where you live, especially if its in the south east, when the wind does play ball the beaches are rammed with people so there is little space to enjoy what you are doing.
it used to be Camber sands had no more than half a dozen of us out at a time now you will be lucky if there are less than 100 kites up on the weekend.
Egypt is a good place to learn as its shallow and the wind is reliable for a number of months a year. Windfinder will give you the latest stats if you want to compare locations.
ultimately for me at least it just doesnt have the appeal anymore, for the reasons above, but also because it isnt an extreme sport anymore.
for whats its worth Cape Verde and Barbados are advanced riding locations, fuerte tends to be offshore and gusty so not ideal.
with the new kites and massive boards they make these days it isnt hard to learn so you could probably save the cash and teach yourself.
you could use the blade, we used to ride 6.6m Blades but you will need a proper size board to do it

I was told to practice on land by flying a four liner whilst lying on my back and being able to control a lift to feet and back down

but also because it isnt an extreme sport anymore.

If it’s not ‘extreme’ now, it never really was, was it...

I know someone who did it here. It’s in Austria in a very beautiful area.

Was going to say Egypt. I went there on a windsurfing holiday a few years ago and at the start of the week could make 1 out of 20 waterstarts, at the end it was 18 out of 20.

Guaranteed, strong wind and water warm enough that you just need board shorts and a rash vest make learning much, much, much easier.

It's plenty extreme for an old boy like me.
Ultimately I'd like to be able to take the gear with me when I go to Saunton surfing or SUPing so it would give me another thing to do when the wind was right. You're never going to run out of room on that beach as I think the most I've seen out are three kites at a time.

I learnt in the winter in Littlehampton.

My wife learnt in Egypt, El Gouna. I’d recommend the Egypt option.

We went to Element Watersports which is excellently set up, no deeper than waist high flat water to about 1km off shore and they offer lessons and hire etc. Only thing you won’t learn is how to get your board back when you’re out of your depth which you will need to practice back home.

I’ll write some more in my break later.

I’ve already got a 4.9m Flexifoil Blade which I fly on the beach when I go away so hopefully the kite handling won’t be too hard to pick up?

That’s a great way to start the process, plenty of experience gained on land before you hit the water is a great thing to do.

”extreme” ? Yes it is. It may look benign nowadays because so many people doing it have years of experience... but it’s still one of those more extremes of water sports.

Provided you do the training and gain the experience, there’s no reason why at 49 you couldn’t get 20 mores at it..

👍

Where are you based? There are lots of places to learn abroad but the issue with this is that wherever you go if it’s on holiday then you are the mercy of the wind, and potentially will get little achieved unless you’re lucky with the wind. I’ve heard good things about Dakhla. Blast kiteboarding do some really good organised kitesurf holidays.
Saunton Sands is my favourite spot, a busy day there will be maybe 10-15 kites but miles of beach to enjoy, lovely waves to boost off.
As for whether or not it’s an extreme sport who cares? For me it’s just a fantastic sport, there is no feeling quite like going out in 30+ knot winds and big waves, carving down the wave faces and boosting big jumps, and just clearing everything out of your mind as you immerse your whole physical and mental attention in the sea. Closing I ever get to meditation, with the added benefit of 50 foot high jumps on a good day.

By the way if you have good kite skills there’s no reason why you can’t largely teach yourself - I did this without any major disasters. I also started my kiting life with a Flexifoil Blade - I miss that kite - boy could you jump with that thing! If you’re anywhere near South West England I would happily introduce you to things and give you a go with my kit / give you a free unofficial lesson. Edit just noticed you mentioned Saunton so assume you are!
By the way sailor74 if you don’t do it any more because it’s too busy then you’re just not going to the right places!

By the way sailor74 if you don’t do it any more because it’s too busy then you’re just not going to the right places!

This is true, worst place I’ve ever been was Poole harbour on a weekend, absolutely horrendous! In the sea off the beach was always awesome and far fewer people.

Where I kite now 10 people on the water is a busy day, quite often it’s just me.

when kites only had a 6mph wind range and no de-power to speak of yes it was an extreme sport. these days you can stick a 12m up pretty much whatever the wind is doing. Camber sands is still world class on a good day though

i dont do it much anymore as what has made it accessible to the masses has taken away the edge it had in terms of being an extreme sport.its still fun on the right day just not what it was for me

What’s to stop you using the same gear you used back in the day....

By all means don’t do it any more if you don’t like it, but saying it’s not as good because the equipment has got better is just silly. All that better equipment means is that you can get out in both lighter and stronger winds and jump higher / ride waves better and basically have more fun. And by the way no you can’t take a 12m kite out in any wind. Unless you are an idiot.
Using the same logic I much preferred mountain biking when the head angle of my mountain bike meant I ran the risk of going over the handlebars whenever I went down a really steep technical route. It’s so boring now my bike is so much more capable. No - it just means I go much faster and down steeper stuff these days.

a 12m c kite was good from around 18-22kts, much above 25 and you were being dragged across the water trying to hold it down. a modern 12m with all its de-power is good from 15 to 30 at least.
i didnt say i dont like it just that modern equipment has made it very safe which to my mind doesnt make it a legit extreme sport anymore.
unfortunately kites dont last they loose their coating and eventually will break even with a light crash, i remember breaking a cabrinha black tip completely in two, and one or two others beyond repair.
Anyway, as already mentioned i would save the money on a kite school, teach yourself its not that hard.

Thanks again for the input guys.
It's nice to hear from people who know what they're talking about from experience. It's also nice that this hasn't turned into another paragliding thread where everyone says "DON'T DO IT...... YOU'LL DIE!!" 😃

It’s also nice that this hasn’t turned into another paragliding thread where everyone says “DON’T DO IT…… YOU’LL DIE!!”

I will be looking out for the reports of the rare great white shark attack off Tarifa claiming the life of a British tourist.

Did a few lessons in UK spanned over several years before a week in Cape Verde. Nice and warm, generally consistent wind but a little choppy at times. Quite safe tho.

The instruction was limited in quality, no real safety focus. I'm learning all the safety stuff from my g/f who has done lessons in Poole.

Poole (Harbour or Sandbanks) is my local spot, but just about to hit the water in Sicily for a change! I've never found Poole to be that busy, so long as you head upwind a bit. There are lots of good riders (clearly capable jumping etc) who insist on riding really close-in to the shallows in the harbour; something I can't quite fathom out why, given that's where people launch and learners often have lessons.

Saunton Sands or Westward Ho would both be good places to learn. Between North and South Devon there are loads of good kitesurf spots, and especially if you’re prepared to keep going during the winter and occasionally go slightly further afield to Cornwall or South Wales I’d say it’s a pretty excellent part of the world for kitesurfing, with good wind on a pretty regular basis.
Back to learning abroad I think it’s fine to do as long as you go somewhere with other things to do - there is no such thing as guaranteed wind. Egypt might be a good option if you go somewhere where there is also diving nearby. I’ve heard mostly bad things about Tarifa - it’s so flipping busy it wouldn’t appeal to me. Last person I spoke to who had been there said it was carnage - a lot of bad behaviour and poor skill going on meaning there were constant incidents between riders.

Another good point is quality of instruction - if you’re going abroad I’d try to get a direct recommendation from someone. Plus make sure instructors are IKO qualified etc.
The Dakhla kitesurf camp might be a good option for a dedicated kitesurf holiday.

https://www.planetkitesurfholidays.com/resorts/morocco/dakhla?gclid=Cj0KCQjwrMHsBRCIARIsAFgSeI2bW1yvp-TJc212A5T5LzW-44lg9T3QV644u58NH5NtPc48GieItlQaAjvoEALw_wcB

@andylc which spots in S Wales would you recommend, out of interest....

I'm pondering a move to that part of the world in a couple of years.

There are some great spots along the Gower - Swansea Bay and Oxwich are fairly sheltered with small waves then Rhossili has bigger waves, then there’s Pembrey slightly further along. I had one of the best sessions in years in 30 knot+ winds and a lovely big swell at Tenby beach a few months back. Then of course continuing west there are great spots in Pembrokeshire (Newgale, Freshwater West, Broadhaven etc). The added advantage of West Wales is you can use the wind from pretty much all directions by going to beaches on either the North, South or West.

While I have some people on here with lots of knowledge I have another quick question about gear.
When I first had a go back in about 2007 I bought a 12m Cabrinha Co2 and for board duties I bought a Litewave 169 which at the time was about right for learning with. As I understand it (and I could be wrong) the kite is a 'C' kite with bridles connecting to the four corners rather than the back and the leading edge like today's bow or hybrid kites. I'm pretty sure it's not regarded as a beginners kite today because you can't depower it as well due to the lines being much closer together.
So..... presuming I'll need a new (secondhand) kite, would the board still be OK for a beginner these days or is it considered far too long?

What’s your weight and what can you already do? That is a massive board btw, from what I can see on google images it’s a long and narrow old school type board.
Send me a PM if you want to meet up at Saunton some time!

Thanks Andy.... food for thought.

Having just come back in from a great session at Pozzallo, Sicily, I can vouch for the fact that its a great spot!!

Thanks Andy.
As I expected it sounds a bit outdated.
Will definitely PM you if I get back down to N Devon.

I ride a 133x40 board at 65kg body weight. For learning I think I started on a 138 x 42. Depending on your weight a beginner board would usually be around the 140-145cm length x 42-44cm width. As for kites yes a more modern bridled kite will get you going better and more safely. It’s worth trying some before you buy.

It’s also nice that this hasn’t turned into another paragliding thread where everyone says “DON’T DO IT…… YOU’LL DIE!!”

Erm.... I could put a downer on this thread... but I’m not.
Provided you take lessons by qualified teachers, do some practice on land and then take a buddy with you when on the water you should be fine, and enjoy the sport like millions do.

😎

Yep, I think someone died at Saunton a while ago and then more recently on the Isle Of Wight. As with every pretty extreme sport there is an element of risk/danger involved so proper tuition and good insurance are high on my list.
That said, I still can't wait to try it. Done well, it looks amazing.

There are sadly fairly regular fatalities, with more than usual this year in the UK, including the one at Saunton recently which was actually an instructor - I don't think there was any conclusion at to what happened as nobody saw it and he was found at the waters edge already beyond help. Despite what your man says about it being better when the equipment did its' best to kill you, interestingly naming a Cabrinha Black Tip which most agree was one of the worst kites ever produced, I still think it should be considered an extreme sport if you go out in strong winds and jump high, and it's really important to respect the power of the sea, and the potential for the sport to hurt you if you don't know what you are doing or get into trouble.
The vast majority (but not all) accidents occur during launching - often because of bad technique, a poor choice of location or inappropriate gear for the wind strength. Lessons should at the ver7 least get you completely confident in knowing how the safety works and what to do when things go wrong.