Capture epic kitesurfing moments
Let's be real: Capturing kitesurfing photos is hard. Especially when you're mid-air, holding on for dear life, and your GoPro is pointed directly at your armpit. We kitesurfers cannot always afford professional photographers following us around, so we have to learn the hard way how to document our own adventures.
Whether you want to post better reels, shoot your first jump, or just show your mom you do in fact kitesurf and not just "stand around at the beach with a kite." The good news? You don't need equipment worth more than your kite or hiring a drone guy named Sven to get shots that make your Instagram followers stop scrolling.
The humble gear that gets the job done
You don't need a Hollywood rig to get cinematic. Most of the best DIY kite photos are a combo of decent lighting, solid framing, and knowing when to hit the button (or let your camera do it for you). Here's a list of equipment that works well, doesn't cost a fortune, and can survive a wipeout or two.
Basic must-haves:
Action camera: GoPro or DJI Osmo Action.
Mouth mount or board mount: For dynamic POVs or wide landscape shots.
Line mount: My go-to. Pop your GoPro into your lines—no need to mess with mouth mounts, and it just runs without stress.
Phone: Yes, your phone! With a solid waterproof case (like the ProShot Waterproof Case, rated up to 50 ft), your phone becomes a solid backup or even primary cam.
Nice-to-have upgrades:
Pole mount or 3rd person mount: Adds perspective and gives you that "someone is filming me" vibe. Pair this with an Insta360 for mind-blowing shots.
Waterproof remote, voice command or screen: So you're not yelling “GoPro, start!” into 25 knots of wind—and you can actually see what you’re recording. Nothing worse than 30 minutes of unintentional butt footage.
One tip: Don't underestimate a friend with a smartphone and a zoom lens. Especially one who owes you a favor and doesn't mind sand in their shoes.
Camera settings that don't suck
You don’t need a photography degree to look epic.
Just tweak a few key settings:
Resolution and FPS: Set to 4K at 60fps. This gives you sharp visuals and enough frames to slow it down if needed. Short on storage? 1080p at 30fps still works and is perfect for Instagram.
Field of view: Use wide or linear. Skip fisheye unless you're going for “kiting inside a fishbowl.” GoPro offers SuperView or HyperView for that stretched look. Personally, I love linear.
Aspect Ratio: Shooting for Instagram Reels? Use 9:16. If you're shooting 16:9, turn your camera vertically before your session.
Stabilization: On. Always. No one wants earthquake cam.
Protune settings (if using GoPro): Keep ISO max around 400–800, and use flat color for easier editing later.
Pro move: Clean your lens. Yes, even if it "looks fine." Saltwater smudges love ruining perfect landings.
Photo mode? Oh yes!
We all want that banger reel—but still shots can be gold too. And yes, you can pull photos from video.
But if you’re shooting photos directly:
Shutter speed: Start with 1/1000s or faster to freeze action without blur.
Burst mode: Always on—kitesurfing moves happen in milliseconds.
Sunset sessions: Drop exposure compensation to -1.0 to avoid blowing out the colors.
My tip: Try different settings, take note of what you like and what you don't like. Use presets, and remember you can always do a lot in editing. As a GoPro user, the GoPro app is your friend in post.
Timing is everything (and so is wind direction)
Even the best setup is useless if you shoot at the wrong time or in the wrong light. The golden hour isn't just for influencers in yoga poses—it's when your kite, your body, and your camera all look their best.
Here's how to pick your moment:
Golden hour magic: Shoot 1 hour after sunrise or 1 hour before sunset. Softer light = smoother shadows = cinematic vibes.
Side or cross-shore wind: Gives you dynamic angles without too much spray on the lens (or your camera flying away).
High tide + waves: More dramatic backgrounds, more splashy landings, more Instagram-worthy moments.
Position yourself for greatness
Mix it up during your session:
Shots of your kite, board, and you riding.
Low-angle water shots, dramatic upward angles.
Silhouette shots like rider between the camera and sunset.
Pro tip: The best kitesurfing photos often come from being in the water yourself. When the spray hits your lens just right, it creates that authentic "you are there" feeling that no Instagram filter can replicate.
Capturing the moment (with a little help from luck)
Watch for predictable moments that make spectacular images:
The apex of a jump (rider's body fully extended).
Spray moments (board cutting through water).
Keep sessions short and focused if you're filming yourself. And bring snacks. You're basically your own athlete and production team now.
Is this for you, or for me?
We all love that person on the beach who takes pictures and videos of us riding like pros. From experience, I know that you can bring your camera with you and take it out before or after your session. Take some pictures of other kiters on the water using the same settings as above. Play with it, and know that people love a good close-up shot or a video of their kiteloop backroll.
Want to make it extra fun for yourself? Take lots of pictures of people crashing. There's something magical about how bodies hit the water.
Share it or it didn't happen
Once you've got your reel-worthy shots, don't leave them rotting in your SD card. Use them in a video recap, a photo carousel, or as proof that yes, you finally nailed that backroll. Just don't forget to tag your location and your kite size—we're all nerds about that stuff.
Editing can be a pain in the ass or something fun. But remember, avoid over-editing that makes your images look like fantasy artwork rather than authentic sports photography. Your friends will call you out faster than a wind shift at your local spot. Try to focus on:
Contrast and clarity: Bump slightly to make water droplets and textures pop.
Color vibrance: Enhance blues and teals without making them look radioactive.
Want video editing tips too? We don't have rigid rules. Slap on some nostalgia filter? Perfect. Want to add that song? Go for it. Because, do it for you, and have fun with it.
Camera shy but wind ready
Kitesurfing photography combines technical skill with artistic vision—and sometimes a healthy dose of luck. Start with these fundamentals, experiment freely, and remember that every session is different. Your unique perspective as a kitesurfer gives you an advantage in knowing exactly when the epic moments are about to unfold.
Kitesurfing photography doesn't have to be expensive, complicated, or full of awkward angles. With a bit of planning, a dash of timing, and maybe a mouth mount that doesn't make you gag, you'll be capturing hero shots in no time.
And if all else fails, just yell "GoPro, take a photo!" mid-jump and hope for the best. Because in kitesurfing photography, as in the sport itself, sometimes the best shots come when you're winging it.
xox Berito