Gabriele Steindl: Professional Kitesurfer & Freelance Writer - Action, Lifestyle & Travels

What’s the best wind to learn in?

I’m a bit confused. One of my friends learnt kitesurfing in one week in about 30 knots, another had an accident in those conditions as the power of his kite took him away..!? Then again my brother swears he leanrt upwind riding in a few days, because he was so overpowered he only had to lean back, edge hard and focus on holding the rail of his board. Who and what shall I believe? What kite shall I buy and where to go?

Thomas, wind speed and direction could be classified as the most important factor to learning to fly.   Too little wind and your kite may not get off the ground, to much wind and YOU may be off the ground or your kite may sustain permanent damage.  Trying to learn this exciting sport with a kite that is either too big or too small for the present wind conditions can make your learning experience a very frustrating and often dangerous one.  What kite to buy will depend upon your weight, preferences and the place you will learnt at.  It certainly doesn’t mean that you need to go out and purchase an arsenal of different size kites, you may just need to wait until the wind increases or decreases for the kite you chose as your first one.

Please also check the FAQs on ‘getting into the sport of kitesurfing/learning to kitesurf’ in my XXXX section !

Related content : accident, conditions, danger, upwind