Get into kite with tips from the pros

Get off to a flying start with practical tips from our team riders.

Learning to kite starts before your hit the water. Choosing the right gear, understanding the conditions and learning essential safety skills with a qualified instructor are all key to building a solid foundation.

Our GONG Team riders share their best tips and experiences to help you get started with confidence, build good habits from day one and discover the endless fun of kitesurfing.

Deury Corniel

“My number one tip: take lessons with a certified school. I know everyone wants to jump on the board right away, but the kite is powerful, and a good instructor will teach you the safety system, how the wind window works and how to rescue yourself. Trust me, it saves you a lot of time and frustration, and it keeps you and everyone around you safe.

For conditions, look for steady side-onshore wind, around 12 to 18 knots. Stay away from offshore wind and gusty days. The perfect place to learn is flat, shallow water with a sandy bottom and lots of space. And don't rush to the board! Spend time flying the kite and body dragging first. Once you can fly it without looking at it, getting up on the board comes so much faster.

For equipment, I've tried the GONG Display kite and the Sway Wood Flex board myself, and they're a great combo to start with:

- Kite: GONG Display 10 m. It's super stable, easy to control and really helps you progress fast.

- Board: GONG Sway Wood Flex 139 x 42 cm. It's soft and comfortable, and the bigger size helps you get up and stay up.

Also, always wear your helmet and an impact vest. Safety first, every session. And don't forget a cool pair of sunglasses, because you have to protect your eyes and look cool while learning too!

Stay patient, respect the wind and enjoy every session.”

Kitesurfer: Deury Corniel, GONG Team rider, with the Vertigo Aramid and Sizzle Carbon Pro.

Hendrick Witschi

“Learn to control the kite before worrying about riding the board, kite control is the foundation of everything. Start in safe, side-onshore wind with plenty of space, away from other people. Don’t rush the process, building confidence and understanding the safety systems will make learning much more enjoyable.

For equipment, I recommend starting with a stable kite that’s easy to relaunch, like the Display. If I had to recommend one size to start with, I’d say a 9 m² is a great option.

Regarding the board, the Sway or Steez twin-tips are great options to make those first waterstarts easier. But if you’re as optimistic as I was and like strapless, you can skip straight to the Catch 5’0! First with both straps then later fully strapless when you’re more advanced.

The most important thing is to learn in the right conditions, with the right guidance and equipment. Enjoy the process once it clicks, kitesurfing opens up an incredible world of freedom on the water!”

Kitesurfer: Hendrick Witschi, GONG team rider, with the Elips Aramid.

Yücel Paralik

“One tip I would recommend for new beginners is to really work on kite control to the point that you feel quite confident and then move on to the waterstart, This way the process will be safer and smoother.

I recommend the Display kite, Feel X bar and Sway board for beginners.”

Kitesurfer: Yücel Paralik, GONG team rider, with the Sway Wood Flex twintip.

Tekeani

“My little tip for getting into kitesurfing? Personally, I think starting out when the weather is nice makes learning even more enjoyable and really helps build your confidence! And most importantly, make sure you adjust your twintip straps before hitting the water. It might seem like a small detail, but it'll save you a lot of hassle during your session and make you feel much more comfortable on your board!”

Kitesurfer: Tekeani, GONG team rider, with the Vertigo Aramid and Sway Wood Flex twintip.

Whether you’re drawn to freeride sessions in the sunshine, big air or the magic of wave riding, our riders agree: start with a certified instructor, learn the safety essentials and choose gear that suits you. Good habits from day one mean more freedom to enjoy every session.

Discover more advice in our How To section.