7 Good reasons to start learning kitesurfing

Are you considering something adventurous, exhilarating, and outdoors? If you’ve ever envisioned sailing over water with no motor or paddle by only the power of wind, then now is the time to begin kitesurfing. This unique water sport combines well-being, freedom, and fun all in one activity. Many people embark on this journey, not just for a sport, but for a life-changing experience that incorporates lifestyle and adventure (wellness).

Portugal has quickly become one of Europe’s top water sport areas, and Óbidos Lagoon is the perfect place to learn, whether you’re on a holiday trip, looking for a new challenge, or just trying to embrace a more adventurous lifestyle. In fact, kitesurfing for beginners is much easier and more accessible than most people imagine.

Here are seven good reasons to take up kitesurfing and why it might be your next big adventure.

1. It's Not as Hard to Learn as You Might Think

Many people think kitesurfing is incredibly hard. But the fact is, with the proper conditions and proper instruction, it's not that hard at all. In places like Óbidos Lagoon, you've got waist-deep flat water and consistent winds that make learning easy and worry-free.

So, is kitesurfing difficult? It doesn’t have to be, providing you learn with qualified instructors and begin in beginner-friendly waters. In a matter of days, most individuals are already gliding short distances and feeling in tune with their kite. In the very beginning, it might feel like a lot of information to piece together, and to coordinate everything at the same time, but it’s like learning to ride a bike; once you’ve got your balance on the bike, it feels like something has just clicked and instantly you relax and enjoy the ride. In kitesurfing, it’s about feeling the marriage between controlling your kite and your body positioning; together in perfect timing. It’s a moment that you FEEL; and when it clicks, it’s smooth riding from then on.

2. A Gym-Free Full-Body Workout

Why waste hours in a gym when you can work out in the ocean, under the sun? One of the best advantages of kitesurfing is the overall body workout.

• Core strength becomes stronger as you hold your weight against the kite's pull.

• Legs become toned while you edge and maneuver the board.

• Your shoulders and arms become more toned as you handle the bar and kite.

And the best part is that you'll be burning hundreds of calories without knowing it because you're having so much fun. No treadmill can match the sensation of cruising over the water.

3. A Boost for your Mental Health

It's not only your body that can benefit - your mind benefits as well. Hours spent outside, surrounded by water and wind, feel like a therapy session. Kitesurfing very uniquely has the ability to ground you in a moment, to put you into that "flow state" where all your stress is gone, because you have to focus on the present and connect yourself with the elements of nature. 

The mix of adrenaline and calmness is difficult to achieve in any other sport. For some people, and for good reason, this is one of the biggest draws to kitesurfing: it frees your mind, lifts your spirits, and restores your spirit.

4. Be a part of a worldwide network of free spirits

When you start kitesurfing, you are not just learning a sport; you are joining an international family. The kitesurfing community is welcoming and inclusive, made up of adventurous people with diverse backgrounds.

From the lagoon in Portugal, to the beach in Brazil, to the bay in Sri Lanka, you're going to meet people who share your passion for water, wind, and freedom. Many friendships (and relationships!) are formed at kitesurfing locations.

This feeling of connection is one of the most overlooked benefits of kitesurfing - it's not just a sport, it's a community.

5. A Great Reason to Travel

Seeking an excuse to explore more of the world? Kitesurfing will get you there. Beaches and lagoons all around the world that you might not have known of previously, now become new destinations on your radar; from Vietnam’s East coast to the Caribbean tropical islands.

When you learn kitesurfing, you're opening a completely new method of organizing your holidays. Rather than merely going to locations, you'll be actually experiencing them on an adventure. Óbidos Lagoon, for instance, offers you both calm waters to practice and a nice Portuguese town to discover when you're not on the water.

For couples or groups of friends, it's just the right mix of sport and travelling.

6. A Lesson in Mental Flexibility

One of the greatest lessons kitesurfing teaches is that not everything goes according to plan. You might schedule a perfect day on the water, only to wake up and find that the forecast has changed; or worse, you’ve planned an entire holiday and you’ve lugged your equipment half way across the world and the wind has decided not to show up at all. In kitesurfing, your lifestyle quickly becomes tied to the rhythm of nature. It’s a humbling reminder that despite our best efforts, we don’t control the environment around us.

Instead of resisting, kitesurfers learn to adapt. The wind forecast is never 100% accurate, and the ocean has a mind of its own. Sometimes that means swapping your session for a beach day, or finding joy in another activity while you wait for conditions to align. This practice of surrendering; of letting go of rigid expectations; builds mental flexibility. You learn to trust that nature’s plans are bigger than your own, and that by staying open to change, you often find unexpected joy in the process. 

7. Pure Fun and Freedom

Few activities allow you to feel flying, gliding, and at one with nature simultaneously. The whipping wind in your kite, the spraying water beneath your board, and the ability to sail wherever the wind leads you, that's what makes it so memorable.

For newbies, the initial feeling of standing up and pedaling a few meters is pure magic. That feeling in itself is worth all the hard work.

Conclusion

Kitesurfing is more than just another water sport. It's a lifestyle that combines fitness, freedom, travel, and community, and it is one of the best things you'll ever do if you're looking for a new adventure. Kitesurfing's benefits range from physical health-related to mental health, from meeting new people to the excitement of travel and exploration. The possibilities are endless!

If you have been waiting for a sign to make the leap, this is it! Whether you are new to the sport or just curious, Óbidos Lagoon, Portugal, is the place to start. Safe, beautiful, and welcoming, it has everything you need to get addicted!

Don't dream about it, do it. Book your initial lesson with Kitesurf Soul today and see why so many people worldwide are falling in love with kitesurfing.

FAQs

Is kitesurfing difficult for newbies?

Not really. Under ideal conditions and with proper instruction, most individuals can travel short distances in a few days.

How long does it take to learn kitesurfing?

An average of 12 hours of lessons is sufficient for most individuals to begin riding on their own.

Do I have to be fit to learn kitesurfing?

Having a general level of fitness is advantageous, but you don't have to be an athlete. Strength and balance are developed naturally as you learn.

What equipment do I require for my first lesson?

All of the equipment is supplied by schools such as the kite, board, harness, wetsuit, helmet, and lifejacket.

What's the optimum age to learn kitesurfing?

We get learners from ages 10 up to 70! Age is just a number. If you are well coordinated, have a reasonable level of fitness, then you’re ready to go!