Where to kitesurf in Europe?
August 28, 2008 6:43 AM   Subscribe

What's the best spot in or close to Europe to learn how to kitesurf?

I'm looking for a place with good kitesurfing somewhere easily accessible from Central Europe (not more than 3 hours of flight from Germany). I'm a good snowboarder and I've been wakeboarding a few times, so while I'd be new to kitesurfing, it doesn't have to be a beginners'-only place. Any recommendations for places, specific schools, maybe even package deals etc.?
posted by insouciant to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (12 answers total)
 
Response by poster: Forgot to add: I'd be going by myself, so the livelier the place is, the better.
posted by insouciant at 6:49 AM on August 28, 2008


this is completely from the hip but have you considered looking into the various surfing schools on Sylt?
posted by krautland at 6:57 AM on August 28, 2008


Fuerteventura is a great place to learn, windy, great surf, and plenty of schools. Last time I was there, I saw at least thirty kite surfers per day, and there are flights a plenty from Duetschland.

Corrallejo is the main resort, and is lively enough that I stayed for a week on my own.
posted by the_epicurean at 6:59 AM on August 28, 2008


No, no, no - come to Wales!
posted by ceri richard at 7:15 AM on August 28, 2008


Tramore, County Waterford in Ireland is a fairly busy seaside town. I've seen kitesurfers on the beach there a lot. it seems like a good place to do it. They reach scary speeds out there.
posted by minifigs at 8:01 AM on August 28, 2008


lake Constance, or the Balaton
posted by _dario at 8:03 AM on August 28, 2008


Tarifa in southern Spain is a kitesurfing hotspot. There are lots of kitesurfing schools there, and it sure is lively. I've never been, but from talking to people and looking a pictures, it may even be too crowded at times, especially for someone just learning.
posted by Lynx at 8:13 AM on August 28, 2008


Riccione, Italy. I never did it, but they do teach it there. The town is not a wild resort. It's a family setting, so I don't know if that's what you you are looking for.
posted by Zambrano at 8:49 AM on August 28, 2008


- "you"
posted by Zambrano at 8:50 AM on August 28, 2008


Just be sure to get lessons. The kite can be very dangerous in the untrained hands. Even in low winds, with a large enough kite, you can be carried up and dropped very easily.
posted by ShootTheMoon at 9:02 AM on August 28, 2008


Another vote for Tarifa. Not that I've kitesurfed there (or anywhere, for that matter), but it certainly is totally kitesurf oriented.
posted by neblina_matinal at 9:14 AM on August 28, 2008


The southern tip of the island of Rhodes was infested with kite surfers when we visited. It seemed like a good spot. Lots of steady wind, the water was warm, one side of the point is calm the other has breakers. There are lots of funky bars and hotels right up from the beach.
posted by bonobothegreat at 4:06 PM on August 28, 2008


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