Learn to Kite Surf: Top Kitesurfing Schools in Perth

WA is the best place in the world to learn how to kitesurf. Stay fit while looking sexy on the water – here are the top kitesurfing schools in Perth.

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Western Australia is one of the the best kite surfing locations in the world, and no I’m not exaggerating or being biased, it really is – I’ll tell you why.

The longest coastline in Australia belongs to Western Australia. Stretching approximately 12,889 km, it spans across different temperatures and conditions; from the dry up north to the windy down south. Since wind is the main ingredient needed to kite surf, you won’t have to travel too far from Perth to get to a prime kite surfing location, because guess what – there is always wind in Perth!

Perth is fortunate to experience a strong, daily sea breeze (on top of amazing beaches and beautiful weather) and it’s this sea breeze that makes Perth and the WA coastline to the north such a popular destination for not just wind surfing and kite surfing, but for pretty much any water sport activity you can think of.

What is kitesurfing?

Kitesurfing is a wind powered surface watersport using a kite and a board to move, jump and flip across the water. Kitesurfing harnesses the true power of wind through a large parachute type kite that propels the rider across the water on a small surfboard or kiteboard (similar to a wakeboard). Although the name has the word ‘surfing’ in it, you don’t need waves to kitesurf, you just need wind!

What is the difference between kitesurfing and kiteboarding?
There is really no difference, they are just different terms for the same sport, however ‘kiteboarding’ is more widely used in America while kitesurfing is a more popular term used in Australia. They both describe using a kite to pull you along on a board, although some may consider ‘kitesurfing’ to be when you are riding an actual surfboard behind a kite (wave riding).

Why Kitesurf?

If you love the ocean, enjoy keeping fit and you’re not paranoid about the media hype revolving around sharks, then kitesurfing could be your new favourite hobby waiting to be practiced and conquered.  You get the freedom of surfing without having to paddle out or wait for waves.  You can fly like a glider without a hard landing.  You’ll be able to get the speed of wakeboarding without needing the boat.  You will be able to travel long distances powered only by the wind and you won’t feel exhausted either, the wind is doing the hard part for you.  All in all, you can experience the thrill of carving and flipping on a board without travelling to the snow or risking gravel rash on a skateboard.

Kite surfing doesn’t require brute strength, it just requires you to strategically steer with your hands so the kite pulls you. Anyone can kite surf, so long as they are fit and keen enough to persist and learn. Similar to skiing, kitesurfing is more about technique than strength.

I’m a scuba diver girl, but decided to give kitesurfing a go last summer after being tempted by always seeing kite surfers at the beach every morning and evening while on my route to and from work (ah yes, it’s such a tease driving the coastal route when having to work). The watersport intrigued me, and after seeing one of those online voucher deal websites holding kite surfing specials, my friend and I decided to give it a try.

We thoroughly enjoyed our first kite surfing lesson at Point Walter, although I must admit, I did struggle a bit with learning how to utilise the wind properly – however practice does make perfect. When the wind pulls you, it pulls you really, really hard – there’s a reason why the kite attached to your belt harness, otherwise you’d be flying into the sky Mary Poppins style. I truly felt the brute force of the wind, mother nature you so crazy! I can’t wait to get back into kite surfing again.

 

TOP KITESURFING SCHOOLS IN PERTH

Since 2008, there has been an explosion of kite surfing schools in Perth. Some lasting while others drop off the rader. This is one watersport that is just going to get even more popular, as more and more people realise just how perfect weather and wind conditions are in WA to take it up as a hobby here.

With it being such a popular watersport in Perth, I thought I’d start a kite surfing schools list for your consideration. Great timing too, as majority of these kitesurfing schools start back up for business in October again with summer returning. In no particular order, here are the top kitesurfing schools in Perth:

 

Elemental Kiteboarding

Elemental offers great flexibility with their teaching locations. Depending on demand and the wind conditions of the day, they can arrange lessons for your convenience at your local spot, and can also arrange group lessons. They use Shark Shields ESDS (Electronic Shark Defence Systems) and offer free ongoing supervision after your lessons.

Their Kitesurfing Locations – Woodmans Point, Margaret River, Gnarabup, Augusta, River Mouth, Point Walter, Perth.

Website: http://www.elementalkiteboarding.com/   |  Phone: 0410 142 878 |  Facebook

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WA Surf

Learn where the pro’s train in Safety Bay, a location frequented by professional freestyle kiters for its flat water and consistent winds. All instructors from WA Surf are internationally qualified from either the I.K.O. or B.K.S.A. You will learn with only the latest models of gear from the worlds leading brands. They also let you “learn for free – we offer a cash-back when you purchase a new set of kiteboarding gear. Just ask in store.”

Their Kitesurfing Locations – Safety Bay

Website: http://www.wasurf.com.au/   |  Phone: 0427 927 873  |  Facebook

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Perth Kite Surfing School

Perth Kite Surfing School consists of four experienced instructors who aim to get their customers kite surfing autonomously as quickly as possible while enjoying the learning process. After lessons, they have a staff member at the beach every other day to supervise their post-lesson customers who have their own gear. Their teaching method is based on encouraging their students to be aware of their environment so they can become a safe member of the kiting community.

Their Kitesurfing Locations – Woodman Point (southern side)

Website: http://www.perthkitesurfingschool.com.au/ |  Phone: 08 9466 2441  | Facebook

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Soul Kite Australia

SoulKite kitesurfing school is based in Fremantle, near Perth, providing kite surfing lessons (and private lessons)  for beginners, intermediate and advanced kite boarding riders. These guys also offer stand-up paddle lessons near Perth too. Lesson prices include all kite surfing and safety equipment.

Their Kitesurfing Locations: Point Walter and Applecross on the Swan River.

Website: http://www.soulkiteaustralia.com/ |  Phone: 0413 275 058  | Facebook 

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Kite West

KiteWest Watersports offers kitesurfing lessons, from beginners to advanced in Geraldton, a coastal city in the mid west region of WA, located 424 km north of Perth. Geraldton is considered one of the best locations in Perth for kitesurfing from September through to April, as the beautiful beaches are warmer up north while the winds are optimal. KiteWest is also passionate about 4WD camping adventures and SUP Yoga. They will also let you customise your own kitesurfing tour and will happily show you what WA has to offer in the mid west region of WA.

Their Kitesurfing Locations: Geraldton

Website: http://www.kitewest.com.au/ | Phone: 0449 021 784 | Facebook 

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Sea Breeze Kitesurf School

Sea Breeze gives carefully structured kite surfing lessons (dependent on wind direction) in various locations, offering both Private and Semi-Private lessons for all levels. Their aim is to provide entertainment while learning in a safe environment, helping beginners to also learn about the importance of weather and location awareness.

Their Kitesurfing Locations: Woodman Point, Point Walter and Melville on the Swan River

Website: http://www.seabreezekitesurfschool.com/  |  Phone: 0426 987 655  |  Facebook

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West OZ Kiteboarding

West Oz Kiteboarding has been riding and teaching since 1999, and is the only kitesurfing school in WA to teach kite surfing in Shoalwater Marine Park.  Instructors have wind surfing, wake boarding and kite surfing experience. Their lessons range from tasters to advanced.

Their Kitesurfing Locations – Shoalwater .

Website: http://www.westozkiteboarding.com.au/ |  Phone: 0438 591 755 |   Facebook 

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Action Sports WA

Action Sports WA has been teaching kitesurfing since 2000, with staff who all ride regularly and are passionate about kiteboarding and extremely knowledgeable about the gear they ride. They teach in 2 hour blocks, with all of the lessons being one-on-one and every student is taught what they need to know to be safe and independent.

Website: http://actionsportswa.com.au/ | Phone: 08 9240 8547 | Facebook 

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Know of any other kite surfing school’s I’ve accidentally missed on this list? Comment them below and I’ll add them on here!