9 Things you need to avoid when learning to kitesurf in Tarifa.       

But what does all that really mean to you?

 

So here you are in your first class,  you pick up the kite and you’re doing really well, however you're in a group of say, 8.

This means that you have to wait for the other 7 people to practice the skill you have just mastered.

On top of that,  some of the others are just not making the same progress that you are, which means that the whole class will only progress at the rate of the slowest person. Argh…...

 

Now imagine this across the 7 days of your holiday.

How much time will actually spend learning vs waiting on the beach? ….

 

And waiting time, is time you are not learning and not progressing and lets not forget that you were actually paying for this by the hour.

 

So what the best way to learn to kitesurf?

 

Don’t get me wrong group course do work, BUT, only if they are small. 4 people in a group with one instructor and two kites is the maximum that you should consider. It brings a good balance of time with the kite, time with your instructor for support and guidance.

 

And of course a cost effectiveness that's hard to beat. So if you are on a budget to learn how to kitesurf this is probably the best option.

 

Semi private lessons - which may appear be a bit more costly, but definitely worth it.

1. You get one instructor for two students
   
2. Get to spend more time with the kite
   
3. The learning experience is much more personal.
   
4. Allows the instructor to really push you to achieve your best.  
   
5. You will also be matched to someone who learns at a similar rate to you.
   

 

(As a kite school in Tarifa these have been our most popular courses in the last 5 years).

Private classes - One on one kitesurfing tuition and coaching, really is the best way to learn, although it’s the most expensive option.

Having said that, you have your instructors full attention for the duration of your course and their sole focus is to get you achieve your goal.

 

It might seem obvious but if you don’t know the school you should ask the question. Organizations such as the IKO (International kitesurfing Organization), the VDWS (Verein deutscher Wassersportler), the FAV (Federacion Andaluza de Vela) and the BKSA (British Kitesports Association) have created training courses to ensure that instructors are suitable teachers.

 

The goal being to ensure each student achieves the learning objectives of the class and re-enforces the safety principles that must be learnt to make sure you are a good and safe kiter. Both in your learning environment and in the future when you have reached independence.

 

 

 

To Kitesurf you need the right wind conditions and for learning this is especially true.

 

As a beginner you should only be going out in suitable conditions and sadly the wind does not work on a “schedule” so its almost impossible to know other than on the day, exactly what time and where the wind will be right for teaching.

 

I know… it might sound strange to hear… Where the right wind will be!!!

 

This is Tarifa we are talking about; it's the wind capital of Europe. However the reality is the wind moves around a lot and you don’t want to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

• Too strong and you’re going to be blown all over the place, if you’re not competent with the kite this can be very dangerous.
• Too light and you’re going to really struggle to learn and make the progress.

 

Why would a school take you out in conditions that are not ideal?

 

Quite simply; money!  

If a school has two classes booked per day and limited number of instructors, they can’t move classes with the wind.

So the only options are:

• Postpone classes for another time and turn away the money
  
• Take people to the beach even if they are not going to learn much
  

If you out in the wrong conditions you won't be getting a good learning experience and when paying by the hour the only winner in this situation is the kite school.

 

There are generally 2 options when it comes to taking courses:

1. A week long kite camp
2. Sign up for a fixed hours / days course

Camps

If done correctly camps are great, everything should be taken care of (Accommodation, 2 meals a day, transfers to the beach and tuition) so you can just arrive in Tarifa and enjoy your holiday.

 

Generally you will be with a group of like minded people,  so camps can also be quite a lot of fun.

 

However the challenge comes if the conditions are not ideal. What do you do then?

If you are choosing a  camp make sure the school provides options if the conditions are not suitable for kiting.

 

For example if there is no wind here in Tarifa what else can you do. Now being the Atlantic coast there is a high possibility if there is no wind then there will be waves somewhere along the coast. So the question to ask is; does the camp operator offer additional activities such as guided surfing, SUP or even wakeboarding;  at no additional cost.

 

“As it goes, these sports are conducive to learning the board riding element of kitesurfing, so are great things to practise when there is no wind.”

 

Clearly it's not the school's fault that the wind is not suitable for teaching, but in fairness this is your holiday and you shouldn’t expect to be left sitting around having to find and pay for something else to do.

 

Shockingly obvious but often missed..

 

We meet a lot of people who don't hire cars for their holiday and getting to and from the beach each day can be a real bind, if your kite school does not include the transfers for free.

 

TO put this into perspective the various kiting beaches range from the sports stadium, near the entrance of Tarifa through to Playa de Los lances (4K),  Valdevaqueros (10K), Palmones (28k),Caños de Meca (58k) or even Conil (65k). And if you think taking a taxi would work, Los Lances is €10, each way......

 

So getting to your kite class needs transportation and make sure your transfers are included.

 

 

 

 

 IKO registered courses do matter for those who want to carry on kiting and renting material all over the world.

 

If you joined a school which has licensed instructors or is affiliated to one of the big kiteboarding associations like IKO, they should offer you a free IKO kiteboarder card at the end of your successful kite course. With this card you are allowed to rent out material worldwide.