5 things I wish I knew as a beginner
You know that phase where you’re obsessed with kitesurfing, but also slightly terrified of it? You’ve got the stoke, a questionable tan line, and just enough confidence to make decisions that future you will politely call “educational.” This post is for that version of you. These are the five things I really wish I understood earlier, the kind of things that would have saved me time, energy, and at least one walk back up the beach questioning my life choices.
1. Gear is not your personality
Let’s start with the expensive elephant on the beach. Beginners often think the right kite will magically fix everything. Suddenly you’ll ride upwind, jump higher, and look way more controlled. Sadly, no. Gear matters, but not in the way most beginners think.
What I wish I knew is that your first setup should be boring on purpose. “All-round freeride” is not a downgrade, it’s exactly what you want when your technique is still loading. You need predictability, not personality.
A stable kite with good depower gives you margin for error. A slightly bigger board helps you plane earlier, which means more riding and less swimming. None of this is flashy, but all of it works.
Common beginner gear mistakes:
Buying a twitchy big air kite too early.
Going too small on the board because it looks cooler.
Riding old or sketchy bars because “it still works”.
Choosing gear for dream conditions instead of real ones.
Here’s the technical part that changed my perspective. Early progression comes from repetition, not optimization. The more sessions you can safely finish without fighting your gear, the faster you progress.
A simple beginner gear mindset
Stable: Predictable freeride kite
Forgiving: Board that planes early
Safe: Bar and safety system you trust
If you want a checklist that covers the boring but important stuff, this one does exactly that.
Also worth mentioning, small gear details matter later. Line length, bar width, board stiffness, all change how things feel. Just don’t make them step one. Step one is getting comfortable and consistent.
2. Wind is not just a number
What I really wish I knew is that you should define a comfortable wind range for yourself, especially early on. A range where, if something goes wrong, you still feel in control.
For me, that range was roughly between 16 and 22 knots. In that window, I felt powered but not overpowered. I could make mistakes without instant punishment. That matters more than chasing “good conditions.”
Yes, you can kite in stronger wind. Yes, it can be epic. But in the beginning, stronger wind means things happen faster, and when accidents happen, they usually hit harder. That’s not fear talking, that’s physics.
Why being slightly underpowered helps:
More time to react.
Cleaner technique development.
Easier board control.
Less panic when something goes wrong.
Being a bit underpowered forces you to edge properly, fly the kite correctly, and use technique instead of brute force. Those skills transfer upward. Overpowered survival riding doesn’t.
Before you rig, check the wind:
Spread: Big difference between gusts and lulls means instability.
Direction: Cross-shore is forgiving, offshore is advanced.
Trend: Building wind can turn sessions fast.
Exit: Always know how you get back.
Taking wind seriously does not make you boring. It makes you ride more sessions over time. And for quick real-world checks, Windy is still my go-to.
3. Upwind is a skill, not a vibe
Everyone wants to jump. Totally fair. But riding upwind on purpose is the real gateway skill. Until you can consistently return to where you launched, every session has a countdown timer.
What I wish I knew earlier is that upwind riding is not about power. It’s about angles and control.
The concept that finally clicked: You go upwind by creating sideways resistance with your board edge, while the kite pulls you slightly forward. Too low and you get dragged. Too high and you lose drive.
Practical cues that help:
Kite: Park it around 10 or 2.
Board: Slightly down wind to gain speed, then edge.
Body: Look where you want to go and your body follows.
Pressure: Heels engaged, board biting.
Common mistakes:
Flying the kite too low.
Over-sheeting and stalling.
Flattening the board.
Looking down instead of where you’re going.
A simple drill that works is choosing a clear landmark upwind and riding toward it calmly for short runs. Don’t chase speed. Chase consistency.
4. Safety skills pay off forever
Nobody gets excited about safety drills. But this is the stuff that keeps sessions fun instead of stressful.
One thing I really wish I understood earlier is how important it is to slow down and double check your gear. If something feels off, ask. If you’re unsure, ask. Don’t rush into launching just because others are waiting.
Make sure your gear actually works:
Check your lines.
Check your safety.
Check your leash.
If unsure, ask someone.
That small pause saves sessions and sometimes skin.
Body dragging matters more than you think.
Body dragging is annoying. It’s tiring. It’s not Instagram-worthy. And I still profit from my body drag skills every single session.
Nothing kills confidence faster than losing your board and not being able to get back to it. Strong body drag skills mean freedom. You try more, because you know you can recover.
Also, be okay with relaunching your kite. You will need it a lot. Take your time. Let the kite settle. This is not a failure, it’s a core skill.
Relaunching well makes you calmer, more patient, and way more efficient on the water.
5. Progress is bigger than mindset alone
Mindset matters, but it’s not the full picture. What I wish I understood earlier is how much the people around you shape your experience.
Kiting alone is fine. Kiting with a small group makes everything easier. You check wind together, you rig together, you share feedback, and you laugh off bad sessions instead of internalizing them.
If you can, build a small kite circle. Even two or three people help.
Why riding with others helps:
Extra eyes on conditions.
Gear checks become easier.
Progress feels shared.
Sessions become more fun.
Also, celebrate small wins. Seriously.
Didn’t drop your kite this session? That’s a win.
Went upwind for the first time? Big win.
Body dragged back to your board smoothly? Win.
Progress in kitesurfing is a pile of small victories stacked over time. If you only celebrate the big tricks, you miss most of the journey.
Notes from future you
If I could talk to beginner-me, I’d say this. Take wind seriously. Choose gear that helps, not impresses. Train safety like it’s a real skill. Build a small crew if you can. And celebrate every step forward, even the boring ones.
Do that, and your sessions become calmer, safer, and way more fun over time. Kitesurfing teaches fast, but it really drives the point home when you ignore it.
xox Berito