The best kitesurfing schools in the world
Are you thinking of learning to kitesurf and want to get started in this sport with a first-class school? Then you are in the right place because in this article we advise you on which are some of the best kitesurf schools on earth.
First, let us tell you that your skills are important when learning to kitesurf, but more important is having an instructor nearby who knows how to give you the right tips. Having the right equipment, the ideal spot and the wind conditions are also some of the key factors when choosing a top-ranked school. But we will go into more details later…
The primary reason for joining a kitesurfing school is to learn the basics of this sport & more importantly, how to be safe on the water. Considering how kitesurfing is an extreme sport, it becomes more important to learn how to practice this sport safely even if no one is with you. (Check out our guide to some of the best places to learn kitesurfing in the world)
A good kitesurfing school will teach how to ride the kite along with all the other important things such as wind speed, waves, clouds, avoiding collisions, and so on. But how can one choose a good kitesurfing school? Today, we will look at the factors that should be considered before choosing a kitesurfing school, along with a list of the top kitesurfing schools in the world!
What to look for in a world class Kitesurf School?
The following factors should be considered when choosing a kitesurfing school:
Instructors
At the end of the day, it will be the instructors who will teach you kitesurfing… So it makes sense to ensure that your kitesurfing instructor is actually certified. Some of the common certifications required for a kitesurfing instructor include REAL, PASA, and IKO.
Although it is important for the Kitesurfing School to have proper certification, it is more important that the individual instructors must be certified too!
The second thing to look into an instructor is that they must be healthy, fit, and perfectly capable of rescuing you if something bad happens. Also, make sure that the instructor is fluent in the language you speak (English, Spanish, etc.). Because if you think about it, you wouldn’t be able to learn properly if there is a language barrier between you and the instructor.
Another thing to check is that the instructor must have sufficient experience. Here’s a little trick to only pick the highly experienced instructors – Avoid booking lessons with an instructor who is young & has only recently finished his certification!
Location
Another crucial factor to check is the actual location of the Kitesurfer School. A good kitesurfing school will hold its lessons on a large beach with little to no nearby hazards such as cars, electric lines, and rocks.
Ideally, the location must have good wind (but not a strong one), and it must be separated from other kitesurfers.
Here’s a rundown of what to expect from a good kitesurfing location for learning purposes:
1. The beach must have shallow and flat water for you to learn properly.
2. The wind must be moderate and stable. The ideal speed for those who are learning to kitesurf is around 12 to 18 knots.
3. Both the sea and the wind conditions must not be too extreme as it can get risky for someone who is learning how to kitesurf.
Equipment
When looking for a good kitesurfing school, make sure to check their equipment (kites & boards). The easiest way to check the equipment is to look at whether the gear is new or old – A good school will change its equipment every year to ensure the safety of the students!
The kites used by the school go through serious wear-tear, and it is common for them to crash into the water and sand during the sessions. Then there are the strong winds, seawater, salt, and tons of other factors which can deteriorate the equipment.
So in short, all the equipment must be in good condition & preferably new to ensure that you can take your lessons safely.
Other Factors
Some of the other factors that should be checked include:
* Rescue support
* Number of available boats and jetski
* Radio communication
* Number of students
Having seen all these requirements and without further ado, let’s see which are some of the best kitesurfing schools in the world. We know firsthand that the schools below meet everything to be considered the best. We have not included our kitesurfing school in Sri Lanka, but we also invite you to meet us!
Top 6 best Kitesurfing Schools worldwide
Now, look at the best kitesurfing schools in the world which meet all the requirements mentioned above:
1. Kite Control
Kite control is probably the most prestigious IKO school in Portugal and is number 1 in our ranking of the best kite schools in the world.
The kite control team moves by van every day to the Obidos lagoon, where the wind blows very well from May to October.
At this point, you are probably wondering why a school that moves by van is number 1 on our list.
First of all, let us tell you that the Obidos lagoon is a protected nature reserve and no type of construction is allowed, which makes it an authentic place in the middle of nature.
Second, Kite Control’s certified kite instructors have extensive experience teaching in many locations around the globe. Connected with radio to the students, the progression here is usually very good. With gusty wind conditions, the student learns to handle the kite in any condition, especially the relaunch and how to master riding upwind.
We don´t want to convince anybody about what are the best kite schools on the planet, but it is 100% worth finding out more about Kite Control
We have also included kite control in our list of the best kite camps in the world!
2. Mojokite (Barcelona-Spain)
Probably no one had told you that just 15 minutes from Barcelona you can learn kitesurfing in one of the safest spots in the Mediterranean Sea. Castelldefels beach, from March to June, is an excellent place to learn and progress. During this season of the year, a perfect thermal wind usually blows and it is the ideal time to learn this exciting sport.
The Mojokite team are truly kitesurfing professionals. They have the newest kitesurfing equipment that they constantly renew and their experienced teachers always are taking their students to the next level.
There are millions of kitesurfing schools around the world, but at the end of the day, what really counts is that the students become independent and capable of kiting in any conditions. And this, not all kitesurf schools get it. That’s why Mojokite is in our second place. You do not believe it? Take a look at the opinions of their students
3. Kite Passion (Tarifa – Spain)
This is one of the top-ranked schools in Tarifa (Spain) and has been operational since many years ago. Depending on your budget and group size, Kite Passion offers custom-made kitesurfing lessons to everyone.
The best part about Kite Passion is that it is an owner-run institute and only has highly experienced instructors. And since it is located in Tarifa (Spain), you get to learn kitesurfing in one of the best kitesurfing spots in the world!
Some of the features of Kite Passion are:
* IKO qualified instructors with sufficient experience.
* Dedicated to teaching you kitesurfing and coming into the water to offer as much help as possible.
* Good equipment to ensure safety.
4. Surf Club Keros (Greece)
With a rating of 4.6/5.0 based on 426 Google reviews, this is also one of the best kitesurfing schools in Greece! When it comes to different kitesurfing schools in Greece, that’s the place which is highly recommended.
Besides being a great school, it also offers comfortable accommodations… So in one package, you get to learn to kitesurf and even enjoy a great holiday as well.
Some of the features of Surf Club Keros School are:
Consistent wind speeds & warm water.
Highly qualified instructors.
Up-to-date equipment.
5. Reef Retreat Resort (Philippines)
Great location, great school, and a quality getaway – You get it all in the Reef Retreat Resort School! This school is located in Bulabog Beach, Boracay Island, which is among the most famous kitesurfing destinations in the world. So besides learning kitesurfing at a good school, you also enjoy beautiful surroundings and a great atmosphere.
Some of the features of Reef Retreat Resort School are:
27° C water makes it easy to learn and enjoy.
Good beaches with consistent wind speed.
A tropical place where you can also enjoy the warmth of the sun!
Qualified instructors & good equipment.
6. Kiteboarding Club Parajuru (Brazil)
In Brazil, this one is a famous kitesurfing school and has a rating of 4.5/5.0 out of 80 reviews. This tells us that most of the people who attended this school to learn kitesurfing had an amazing experience.
The conditions for kitesurfing are really good for both beginners and even experienced ones, which makes it a good spot for the learners. Besides that, you get to enjoy a nice sandy beach, beautiful beaches, and stable water!
Some of the features of Kiteboarding Club Parajuru are:
Good condition of the equipment.
Friendly & helpful instructors.
Good beaches and stable wind.
Beginner-friendly location.
Conclusion
You do not have to limit yourself to these 6 destinations mentioned above… Using the criteria we have listed for choosing a good kitesurfing school, you can find a school near you or at a location of your choice!
Apart from the schools that we have mentioned above, there are many other professional schools around the world. If you are far from the schools that we have named, we recommend that you choose any school that meets the above criteria. You can always come to kitesurf in Sri Lanka with us too!
