Kitesurfing for girls & women, everything you need to know!

Do you know that only 10% of the kitesurfers around the world are female? Recent statistics show that around 49.48% of the world population consists of women. So based on that, it seems that the number of women who kitesurf is very low!

The reason for this low percentage can be boiled down to a lot of different misconceptions about extreme sports. A lot of girls and women assume that one needs to be highly athletic, young, or possess a lot of physical strength to even try these sports. In reality, all of this is just misconceptions and have nothing to do with the truth!

So before we look at kitesurfing for girls and all that comes with it, let’s look at some common misconceptions and debunk them right away!

Common Misconceptions about Kitesurfing for Girls/Women

In the introduction, we talked about how there are a lot of misconceptions about kitesurfing among women. Let’s take a look at some of them:

Holding Kites Require a Lot of Physical Strength!

The first misconception is that this sport requires a lot of physical strength since kites are usually big and heavy. In reality, you can kites in different sizes as well! You can easily find all types of kites (small, medium, and large), and they even come in different weights as well.

These days, a lot of brands have even started making small and lightweight kites designed for women! So if you think that you are not strong enough to hold kites, then it is totally wrong!

Kitesurfing is Dangerous

As long as you know how to swim, then kitesurfing doesn’t have to be dangerous! Back in the day, safety systems were not as advanced as today, and as a result, kitesurfing was somewhat of a risky sport. But today, the safety systems related to kitesurfing have improved all over the world! As a result, kitesurfing is no longer dangerous for women!

It is not uncommon for kitesurfing spots and even schools around the world to have safety boats. Furthermore, qualified kitesurfing instructors can easily teach you about safety systems to make this sports a safe one for you.

I am too old!

Once again, it is a misconception that one needs to be young to learn or try kitesurfing! Kitesurfing can be learned by women of all ages (kids, young girls, and even old women)! Although it is an extreme sport and requires a lot of coordination to learn it right, you do not have to limit yourself to age!

Kitesurfing For Women – Which Gear is needed?

Now that we have cleared the common misconceptions related to kitesurfing for women or girls, the next question is which gear is needed for kitesurfing!

So without wasting time, let’s look at the basic gear which is essential for kitesurfing:

Wetsuits

A lot of people think that wetsuits are not needed if you are going to a warm kitesurfing spot. In reality, it is very important and even essential for beginners. If you are planning to learn to kitesurf, it means that you will be spending a lot of time in the water – So, by using a wetsuit, you can protect yourself from the sun and the water.

Depending on the season, wetsuits of different thicknesses are needed… During the summer season, a 3/2 or a 2/2 wetsuit is more than enough. And when shopping for a wetsuit, remember to buy one for kitting and not for surfing (Yes, there’s a difference!).

Kiting Harness

The next item you need is a kiting harness which keeps you connected to the kite. Once again, it is a better choice to buy kiting harness, which is made for women – This will ensure a smoother and more comfortable kiting experience!

Kite

This one should be pretty obvious, as you can’t kite without a kite! So once again, try to buy a kite that is manufactured by a well-known brand and is made for women specifically. But if you can’t find a women-specific kite, that’s okay as long as the kite is equipped with all the things, such as a pump, safety systems, bar, lines, and so on.

Others

If you join a well-reputed kitesurfing school, they will be able to provide you with all the important gear for kitesurfing. Furthermore, you can also rent out the gear if you go to popular kitesurfing spots around the world.

However, it is always a good idea to go prepared with as much gear as you can. So besides the gear mentioned above, some of the other items you need are given below:

• Helmet
• Sunglasses
• Booties
• Gloves
• Impact vest

All of these things can make your kitesurfing experience a lot more comfortable and safer. For example, sunglasses can save your eyes from the sun, which can get very difficult to handle when it starts to reflect in the water. Furthermore, an impact vest protects your body upon impact with water or any other thing and so on…

Kitesurfing Destinations for Women

In general, kitesurfing spots are not gender-specific – So any popular kitesurfing spot in the world can be visited by all types of people without any problem. So without wasting time, let’s look at popular kitesurfing destinations for women and men alike:

1. Kalpitiya (Sri Lanka)

Kapitiya is regarded as the best spot in all of Sri Lanka and even in Asia! This is a sandy peninsula with an average wind speed of around 20 knots which is ideal for kitesurfing. And when you want to take a break from kitesurfing, there’s a lot to enjoy in Kalpitiya, such as snorkelling, amazing local food, water sports, and so on.

If you want to visit Kapitiya for kitesurfing, then you need to go during one of the following seasons:

1st Season: Jan-Mar

2nd Season: May-Sep

The water and wind conditions in the Kalpitiya are also ideal, even for entry-level kitesurfers. So if you have just learned to kitesurf or want to learn this amazing sport, then look no further than this spot in Sri Lanka.

However, this spot can be a little crowded during the peak vacation months. But if you look at the bright side, it means a lot of opportunities to meet amazing people.

2. Le Morne (Mauritius)

The 2nd spot on our list is Le Morne from Mauritius, which is famous for its beautiful water, wonderful environment, and good winds.

The water conditions on Le Morne are also beginner friendly since it is only a little choppy. However, some big waves can also come sometimes, which means it would be a good idea to ensure that there are safety boats nearby. And checking the weather forecast ahead of the kitesurfing will also come in handy.

If we talk about the best seasons, you can visit Le Morne for kitesurfing whenever you want (all year round). Furthermore, this can also be a crowded spot during some months, so it would be good to make your reservations ahead of time.

On average, the water depth in Le Morne is around 0.5m to 1.5 m which is once again ideal for any type of water or wind sports.

3. Langebaan (Australia)

The next spot on our list is Langebaan and Shark Bay from Australia, which offers perfect conditions for flat water riders. Due to the choppy water conditions and water depth of more than 2m, this place is only recommended for intermediate kiters.

In this spot, there are two main beaches that you should visit for kitesurfing: Langebaan and Shark bay. Both are ideal and attract a lot of kitesurfing crowds due to their perfect conditions.

The best time to visit this spot in Australia is between November to May. During these months, you can expect winds from a lot of directions, such as south, southeast, northeast, and north.

4. UAE (Dubai)

Did you think that United Arab Emirates (Dubai) is only for shopping and sunbathing? This spot is also a famous kitesurfing spot and even offers a lot of reputable kitesurfing schools close to the beach. Furthermore, you will be able to enjoy a variety of food from different parts of the world.

And unlike other kitesurfing spots, you will be able to enjoy a lot of amenities that you expect from a top-class destination. From transportation to food to accommodation, you can get the best from UAE (Dubai).

If we talk about the required skill level, this spot can be classified as intermediate due to choppy water conditions. As for the best time to visit UAE (Dubai), you can come any time from September to March.

Conclusion

So if you are a woman or a girl who wants to get information about kitesurfing, then look no further than this page! We have covered some of the common misconceptions related to kitesurfing among women, along with the required gear. And in the end, we have listed some of the best kitesurfing destinations around the world which offer perfect conditions!

However, one thing you would need to keep in mind is that a lot of these spots usually attract a lot of crowds. So to make sure that your kitesurfing vacation is as memorable as you want it to be, always make preparations ahead of time. This involves booking flights, finding accommodations, and having your kitesurfing gear ready!