Tammy Camp

Top 5 Places to Learn Kiteboarding in 2010

Posted on 28. Dec, 2009 by Tammy Camp in Adventure Travel, Kiteboarding

The extreme sport of kiteboarding is hot right now. Just ask actor Woody Harrelson, racecar driver Michael Schumacher, or entrepreneur Richard Branson (who apparently kiteboards with naked models).

The kiteboarding craze has even made its way to the San Francisco Bay area where Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, Seesmic’s Loïc Le Meur (@Loic), Second Life’s Philip Rosedale, and venture capitalists Bill Tai (@KiteVC) of Charles River Ventures are all into it. Who knows, kiteboarding could even be the way to get your next venture capital deal.

Is it your resolution to learn how to kiteboard in 2010? Want a purpose for your travel destinations in 2010 and seek out crazy, exotic and windy places?

Kiteboard Course Racing World Championships held at Chrissy Field in San Francisco, California, USA. Photo Credit: longbr

First off, when considering to learn to kiteboard you have to think about location. Kiteboarding requires a consistent amount of wind ranging from about 12 to 40 knots, so choosing a windy spot is a key component to any kiteboarding experience.

Second, you must consider the proper training facility.  Much like PADI is Scuba diving’s certification program, kiteboarding has its own training and certification program called the International Kiteboarding Organization (IKO).  Check out to see if you have an IKO certified kiteboarding school in your area.

I’ve personally traveled to ALL of the places on this list, as well as thirteen other different countries specifically for kiteboarding. I’m the kiteboarding school editor for DMOZ (what Google bases their directory off of), so suffice it to say I’ve been around the block and have seen what is out there in terms of quality of training, equipment, service, value and location.

Without further ado, below are my top 5 picks to learn kiteboarding in 2010:

#1 – Kite Club Cabarete in Cabarete, Dominican Republic

Season – All year

With an average of 300 days a year of kitable weather, Cabarete is the best destination in the world for kiteboarding.  The Kite Club school is owned and operated by the IKO’s only Training Master, Jonathan Dodds — hands down the most qualified coach in the entire sport.  Kite Club Cabarete is the IKO flagship school as all Examiners (the trainers of the kiteboarding instructors) and many kiteboarding instructors come to this school to train through the IKO certification program.  If all the most experienced riders are going there to train, why not learn here as a beginner?

(Psssttt….this is where I learned to kiteboard.)

The quaility of training and value at this school make it the #1 spot to learn kiteboarding.  Kite Club Cabarete provides kiteboarding instructors for kiteboarders for all experience levels, the latest equipment, a rescue boat, air compressor (for your kite), kite caddies, lockers, a beach bar, in-ground trampoline, and wi-fi Internet.  Their 3-day (9 hour) starter pack starts at $459, while prices in the USA start at $150 per hour.

In-ground trampoline for advanced training at Kite Club Cabarete in Cabarete, Dominican Republic

#2 – Colona Watersports in Hurghada, Egypt

Season – All year. Best months are May-October

Hurghada in Egypt offers consistent winds and warm flat waters.  It’s a perfect location for beginners, or someone who wants to get in some freestyle training with new equipment  The prices are set in Euros, so it could be a little more expensive if coming from the US. But it would my number #1 choice to learn kiteboarding if you are in Europe.

The only other drawbacks to learning in Hurghada are a limited nightlife (and that’s nearly half the fun, right?), and live reefs you have to steer clear of.

#3 – Pura Vida Brasil in Ilha Do Guajiiru, Brazil

Season – July to February

Excellent school run by IKO Examiner, Joseph Carneiro. Perfect conditions for beginners.  Flat, warm, waist deep water located in the northeast of Brazil in Ilha do Guajiru.  There are stable, strong winds everyday during season. You have access to large flatwater lagoons, and it’s never overcrowded with other kiteboarders.

The problem is in getting there — to say it’s an off the beaten path travel destination is being friendly. And while there’s a limited nightlife, and no hot showers, a trip here can be well worth your time.

#4 – Action Sports Maui in Maui, Hawaii, USA

Season – All year. May-September is the windiest season

A legendary spot. This is the original birthplace of kiteboarding. Warm waters and windy, with nice accommodations. The spot is laid-back, and there’s a ton to do on the island if your traveling partner or significant other isn’t as interested (read: addicted) in learning the sport.

All that prevents the Maui school from being ranked higher on the list is that like all of Hawaii, it can be expensive. There also aren’t any restrooms, restaurants, or facilities on beach, which takes some of the fun out of hanging out on-site.

Kite Beach in Maui, Hawaii, USA. Photo Credit: Bryan Elkus

#5 – Kite Tarifa School in Tarifa, Spain

Season – All year

Tarifa, Spain is a magical place where you can get lost in the wind and lost in time. Very chill atmosphere, laid back people, and great food and wine. What else could you ask for?

There are usually strong winds and flat water, making it a great place for a beginner to learn. There are, however, no facilities on the beach (lessons are done out of the van), it can be crowded, and it can be expensive because the lessons are in euros.

Honorble Mention – Real Kiteboarding in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, USA

Season – April to August

Although Real kiteboarding is not an IKO school, it has the most amazing learning facility out of all of these places — every amenity that you can think of is there. However, it’s not an IKO school, so you cannot receive an IKO card after learning (an IKO card is required at some kiteboarding spots). That, and it’s seasonal (due to NC weather), and boosts some unusually high prices. Good if you’re in the US, and perhaps closeby, but it lacks the excitement element if you want to make kiteboarding your travel-excuse (recommended).

Tammy Camp hitting a wave with a back loop in Brazil

Kiteboarding is an awesome activity that can take you all over the world in search of the perfect wind. There are some places that are better to learn at than others — I hope you found my list to be helpful — but the most important thing is that you start learning at all. So get out there, and give it a try.

See you on the water!

Tags: Cabarete, Cape Hatteras, Egypt, Hurghada, Ilha Do Guajiru, Kiteboard, Kiteboarding, Kitesurf, Kitesurfing, Maui, Soma Bay, Tarifa