Hua Hin Kitesurfing

Kitesurfing or Kiteboarding as it is sometimes called is an increasingly popular sport. In Hua Hin kitesurfing is extremely popular due to the steady dependable winds

Kitesurfing (or kite kiteboarding as it is also known) is an up and coming extreme watersport that is gaining popularity around the World.

Hua Hin has rapidly emerged as Thailand’s number one place for kitesurfing due to it’s long shallow beaches, sandy shoreline and near perfect wind conditions year round.

Home to the yearly national kitesurfing championships Hua Hin was also the host of the 2010 PKRA World Cup.

It’s a regular sight to see tens of kiteboarders with their sails twisting colorfully in the sky as you walk down the main beach in the afternoon.

What is Kitesurfing?

To some kiteboarding is the ultimate sport. With its combination of speed, power and acrobatics it may not be the easiest sport to master but the thrill you get when you learn to control the elements is addictive.

Kitesurfers or kiteboarders use a specialized power kite to harness the power of the wind and use it to propel themselves across the waters surface on a board that is very similar to that used by wake boarders. The kites themselves have inflatable foils or an inflatable leading edge that allows them to retain their shape and quickly launch, even in low wind speeds.

Lightweight high tensile ropes attach the kite to the users harness through a control bar that is used to maneuver the kite and alter course. Finally there is the board itself with foot straps or bindings so that it stays securely in place through jumps, twists and turns.

Learning to Kitesurf

Is learning to kite-surf difficult? That may well depend upon what you term difficult, but if you already have some experience with water sports such as windsurfing then you should pick it up a lot quicker. If you have never done any windsurfing before then don’t worry. Technology has improved considerably over the past few years and now it is much safer and easier to control the kites than ever before, even kids can do it.

Just make sure that you enroll in a school that is using the latest equipment and you’ll pick it up very quickly.

Sure you could hire some equipment and try to teach yourself, but any experienced kitesurfer will tell you that it’s not advisable. Not only will you reduce your learning curve considerable by having a seasoned professional teach you but you’ll save yourself a lot of embarrassment and possible injury, plus you get to damage someone else’s equipment and not your own.

Kiteboarding Courses

If you are interested in learning to kiteboard then you can easily pick up the basics with just a few short days of training at one of the local schools. All of the equipment that you need can be rented and will be suitable for a beginner.

Participating in a kitesurfing course will also introduce you to more people with the same hobby so not only will you be sure to pick up some great tips but you’ll get the know the local weather conditions and where the best places are to get started.

Courses vary depending upon how quickly you pick things up but you can start with a one day familiarization for around 4000 baht to see if it’s something you want to pursue or go with a three day class to qualify you as an IKO (International Kiteboarding Organization) approved rider for around 11,000 baht. If you need more personal training then private lessons are normally available as well.

It is always advisable that whatever school you choose that you always make sure that your instructor is IKO certified.

Kitesurfing Schools and Shops in Hua Hin

There are several kitesurfing schools in Hua Hin and most are situated conveniently on the main beach South of the town center. You’ll find that most have their own store where you can pick up the latest brand name kiteboarding equipment at reasonable prices and in many cases cheaper than you can in Europe.

The main training schools at the moment are KBA Kitesufing School Hua Hin, Kiteboarding Asia, Direct Kite, Kite Hua Hin & the North Kiteboarding Club

Due to the increasing popularity of this sport here the number of schools is sure to grow steadily. So if you’re looking for some fun and are not afraid to get wet then why not give kitesurfing a go.