You can already
No experience is needed for Level 1. We start with the basics: kite control, safety, bodydrag and your first meters on the board.
- No previous kitesurfing experience required
- Swimming ability is required
Kitesurfing · level 1 of 8
Level 1 Complete beginner
Kick off your kitesurf trip with KiteActive
- Skills
- 8
- Milestones
- 7
- Spots
- 2
- Upcoming events
- 2
- Next step
- Level 2 →Beginner +
Where are you?
Your goal at level 1
We teach you kitesurfing. We don’t count hours — we focus on results. Our enthusiastic team is always ready to calmly and confidently, yet full of energy, boost you to the next step. That way you experience fun and progress from your very first session!
You don’t learn kitesurfing in one afternoon. That’s why our trips are perfect: a full week at a top location, surrounded by like-minded people and with great conditions. Feel the wind, grab your kite and go for it. Your kitesurf adventure starts here! Equipment rental is included as standard for the entire trip, so you don’t need to bring anything.
Goal of Level 1: you build the skills and confidence to kite the first meters independently and safely, and be ready for the next step in your progression.
Conditions
After this week you’ll be able to go out on the water independently with your own kiteset. For optimal progress we teach with 1 instructor for a maximum of 2 students. You share one kiteset for the whole week so you can help and learn from each other. Kitesurfing is pretty intense at the beginning and it’s great to be on the water together. You’ll be taught by our certified top instructors, in your own language and by real kite professionals who have all been active in the sport for more than 10 years!
Ideal conditions: flat, knee-deep water and stable, consistent wind help you make faster progress.
Mental preparation: no preparation needed — we help you build confidence and discover your limits. Just get ready for a new challenge in your life.
Physical preparation: no prep needed, we’ll take you step by step. It always helps if you’re fit!
Duration of the level: on average it takes 2 to 3 hours to complete Level 1 and move on to Level 2. If you have a week of good wind, it’s usually possible to reach Level 4 (independent on flat water).
What you learn
Skills and milestones
What you work on
- Learning to rig and safely control your kite, both on the beach and in the water
- Basic kite control on land and in the water: steering, power zones and safety systems
- Bodydrag techniques to build confidence and understand the power of the wind
- Preparing for the waterstart: board positioning, balance and your first meters riding
- Learning how to fall safely, release your equipment and always keep a safe distance
- First board exercises: riding straight lines and building board control
- Gaining insight into wind, tides and spot awareness: the basics for making safe choices on the water
- Understanding kitesurf etiquette: rules on the water and respect for other kiters
Ready for level 2 when you…
- Assemble, launch and land your kite independently and safely
- Gain full control of your kite in the wind window
- Learn to bodydrag upwind and downwind to retrieve your board or regain distance
- Perform the first waterstarts and ride short straight sections
- Basic board control
- Gain insight into wind, safety systems and spot etiquette
- Ride your first meters with control — and a smile
The way forward
Route, safety and theory
How you build it up
Rigging and derigging your kite (equipment knowledge)
Learn how to rig your kite and everything about your gear — bar extensions, line lengths, different systems, kite types, etc.
Safe launching & landing
Perhaps the most important part of your training. Learn to launch independently and land safely on the beach.
Safety systems / self rescue
Various safety systems are explained, emergencies are discussed and a step-by-step plan is drawn up so you can rescue yourself and get to safety at any time.
Theory & rules
What about right-of-way rules? What about the weather? Which kite size to use at which wind strength? What should you watch out for? Plenty to discuss during our joint theory sessions.
Kite control
You can’t practice this enough: 80% of kitesurfing is kite control, and the course gives it a lot of attention.
Bodydragging
Upwind bodydragging: what happens if you lose your board? You can safely reach your board or the shore by dragging against the wind. It’s also great training to fly the kite with one hand. Downwind bodydragging: learn the power zone and steer the kite through the entire wind window to generate as much power as possible — a really fun exercise!
Spot analysis
Every kitespot is different, and so is every forecast. We’ll show you what to look out for if you want to go kiting on your own.
Relaunching the kite
In strong wind it’s easy to relaunch your kite, but can you do it in lighter wind too?
Water start
If everything else goes well, we’ve finally reached the water start! We’ll try to get you up on the board.
Practicing independently
Towards the end of the course we focus a lot on independence. Sometimes we let you practise on your own (together with the other student) so you can help each other and practice independently.
Train the move
Clinics and videos for level 1
Progress in real life
Events for level 1
Coached trips and weeks that suit this level.
Zanzibar
from €430
View event
Take it to the water
Where to ride level 1
Destinations and spots that suit this level.
Destination · Egypt
Red Sea - Hurghada
The land of the Sphinx, mysterious pyramids, electric‑blue water and... wind!
Explore destination →Destination · Tanzania
Zanzibar
Turquoise lagoons, warm sessions and the Paje crew. Follow the tide, work on your next trick and stay for the people.
Explore destination →Kite spots
Good to know
Frequently asked questions about level 1
What do you learn in kitesurf level 1?
You work on: learning to rig and safely control your kite, both on the beach and in the water, basic kite control on land and in the water: steering, power zones and safety systems, bodydrag techniques to build confidence and understand the power of the wind, preparing for the waterstart: board positioning, balance and your first meters riding, learning how to fall safely, release your equipment and always keep a safe distance, first board exercises: riding straight lines and building board control, gaining insight into wind, tides and spot awareness: the basics for making safe choices on the water and understanding kitesurf etiquette: rules on the water and respect for other kiters.
What should you be able to do before level 1?
No experience is needed for Level 1. We start with the basics: kite control, safety, bodydrag and your first meters on the board. No previous kitesurfing experience required Swimming ability is required
When are you ready for level 2?
When you can do this independently and repeatably: assemble, launch and land your kite independently and safely, gain full control of your kite in the wind window, learn to bodydrag upwind and downwind to retrieve your board or regain distance, perform the first waterstarts and ride short straight sections, basic board control, gain insight into wind, safety systems and spot etiquette and ride your first meters with control — and a smile.
Which conditions suit level 1?
After this week you’ll be able to go out on the water independently with your own kiteset. For optimal progress we teach with 1 instructor for a maximum of 2 students. You share one kiteset for the whole week so you can help and learn from each other. Kitesurfing is pretty intense at the beginning and it’s great to be on the water together. You’ll be taught by our certified top instructors, in your own language and by real kite professionals who have all been active in the sport for more than 10 years! Ideal conditions: flat, knee-deep water and stable, consistent wind help you make faster progress. Mental preparation: no preparation needed — we help you build confidence and discover your limits. Just get ready for a new challenge in your life. Physical preparation: no prep needed, we’ll take you step by step. It always helps if you’re fit! Duration of the level: on average it takes 2 to 3 hours to complete Level 1 and move on to Level 2. If you have a week of good wind, it’s usually possible to reach Level 4 (independent on flat water).
Where can you ride level 1 with KiteActive?
For example in Red Sea - Hurghada and Zanzibar. Also see the coached events on this page.
There is always a next level
