DON'T MISS OUT: THIS SUMMER, I'M STARTING TO KITE!

Experience the thrill of a sport that will change the way you see the ocean.

Gliding across the water, exploring miles of coastline, and even soaring several meters above the waves: kitesurfing delivers sensations like no other.

For more than twenty years, this sport has inspired generations of riders. Yet, contrary to popular belief, it’s not reserved for elite watermen.

Today, thanks to structured instruction and increasingly accessible equipment, thousands of newcomers discover the joys of kitesurfing every year, often with no previous board sports experience.

Kitesurfing is not about strength. Above all, it’s about technique, feeling, and understanding the wind.

The hardest part is often taking the first step.

Once you do, it quickly becomes clear why so many riders get hooked.

Why is kitesurfing so addictive?

Kitesurfing attracts people because it delivers sensations that are hard to find anywhere else.

From your very first rides, you feel the power of the wind, the instant acceleration, the growing speed, and that incredible sensation of gliding effortlessly across the water.

Every session is different. Conditions change, your skills improve, and each new spot opens up fresh possibilities: a different body of water, a new horizon, and sometimes breathtaking scenery. Every outing becomes a unique experience.

It’s a sport that combines intensity and escape. One moment you're cruising in complete freedom; the next, you're experiencing a surge of adrenaline as your speed increases, the wind picks up, or you land a new trick.

Kitesurfing also gives you access to extraordinary places. Turquoise lagoons, endless wild beaches, mountain lakes, and vast windy bays all become your playground.

Beyond the technical aspect, it’s this blend of power, excitement, connection with nature, and constant progression that makes kitesurfing so captivating.

Kitesurfer: Julia on a Sway Wood Flex twintip with a Display kite.

How do you start kitesurfing?

Contrary to some misconceptions, kitesurfing is not a sport you learn on your own.

The first step is to take a few lessons with a qualified school or instructor.

This learning phase allows you to understand:

• Safety rules

• How the kite works

• Wind awareness and reading conditions

• Launching and landing procedures

• Your first movements on the water

Just a few sessions are usually enough to acquire the essential fundamentals.

Once you’ve mastered the basics, progression becomes incredibly rewarding. Every session brings new milestones:

• Your first waterstart

• Your first rides

• Your first upwind return to your starting point

• Then, gradually, your first transitions and jumps

Thousands of riders have gone through these same stages before you.

You don’t need to rush.

You simply need to start.

Kitesurfers: Julie and Yucel on Sway Wood Flex and Steez Carbon Pro boards, with Display and Vertigo kites (Perf Series).

Do you really need lessons?

Yes.

Kitesurfing is a sport that requires proper instruction.

A qualified instructor will help you:

• Learn the right techniques from the start

• Avoid common mistakes

• Progress much faster

• Develop essential safety reflexes

A few hours of lessons are often the best investment you can make to fully enjoy the sport afterward.

Kitesurfer: Craig, GONG staff member, riding a Sway Wood Flex twintip with a Display kite.

What equipment should you choose to get started?

Choosing the right gear plays a major role in your progression.

Modern equipment is far more accessible and user-friendly than it was just a few years ago.

When starting out, prioritize:

• A stable, easy-to-control kite

• A board that planes easily

• Equipment suited to your weight and local conditions

• A simple and proven safety system

Forgiving gear allows you to learn quickly without fighting your equipment. Focus on accessibility and comfort rather than pure performance. The goal is to maximize enjoyment while progressing rapidly from your very first sessions.

For great value and complete peace of mind, equipment packages make it easy to get fully equipped with a setup perfectly adapted to your needs.

Kitesurfer: Clémence, GONG team rider, on a Sway Wood Flex twintip with a Display kite and FeelX bar.

What are the best conditions for learning?

As with all board sports, conditions play a crucial role.

To progress quickly, look for:

• An open, obstacle-free spot

• A large riding area

• Consistent wind

• Moderate wind strength suited to your level

• Side-shore or slightly side-onshore wind direction

These conditions allow you to focus on learning while maintaining maximum safety.

Conversely, gusty winds, crowded spots, or overly strong conditions make progression unnecessarily difficult.

For beginners, simplicity is always your best ally.

Avoid riding alone, and always check local conditions and seek advice from experienced riders before heading onto the water.

Kitesurfer: Julie riding her Steez Wood Flex twintip.

Progress faster with GONG HOW TO guides

To support your progression, explore our educational kitesurfing content.

You'll discover:

• The basics of kite control.

• How do you set up your kite?

• How do you launch and land a kite?

• How do you nail your first waterstart?

• How do you choose the right board?

• How do you choose the right kite?

Accelerate every step of your progression with the right advice.

Kitesurfer: Yucel, GONG team rider, on a Sway Wood Flex twintip.

The best time to learn?

Right now.

Because equipment has never been more accessible.

Because learning methods have never been more effective.

Because there are more resources than ever to help you progress quickly.

And above all, because we only get one life.

This summer, take the leap.

Watch the video and start your kitesurfing journey today.