Kiting, despite its similarities to a number of other sports, is unique in its own way. A characteristic feature is the use of a kite - a kite as a draft force.
In Thailand, kiting is really widespread, but the winds are variable here. Therefore, if one of the main goals of your trip to this country is kiting, then you will have to find out in advance what kind of weather awaits you.
The main best kiting spot in the country is Hua Hin. It has been voted the best kiting area in Asia. The optimal time to visit Hua Hin is from late October to late March. Sometimes until early April. The winds are perfect at this time.
We would like to draw your attention to the small town of Pranburi, which is located near Hua Hin. Few people know about it, but there is a gorgeous beach for kitesurfing. It is best to come here in March. Koh Samui and Koh Phangan are also great for kiting. Here you can learn to kitesurf without any problems. The wind and waves are small enough to guarantee safety.
In addition, there are professional kitesurfing schools in Thailand. One of the most popular KWA Phangan, located on Ban Tai. The KVA store is also located here. In Pattaya, the kiting season is November-May. Ten kilometers from Pattaya there is a kitesurfing school "Kiteboarding Asia", where classes do not stop even for a day during the season.
There are many shops in Thailand where you can buy all the equipment you need. If you don't need additional expenses, everything can be rented at the right time. The prices are more than democratic.
If you are new to this sport, we advise you to immediately determine how seriously you want to learn this breathtaking sport. Then decide what works best for you. Thailand is a land of great opportunities, each of which is open to visitors. Worth a try!
Not only pros will be able to, but also beginners. The main thing is to choose the right place for this.
When is the best time to go
The rainy season in Thailand starts in May and can last until the end of October. During this period, there are mostly heavy showers, there are also quiet days, but it is impossible to predict exactly when they will come. Therefore, the best time to catch a wave and compete with the wind is from mid-November to April.
It is recommended to immediately choose for this purpose the eastern coast of the exotic Gulf of Thailand, since it is here that such water sports as is most developed and boasts a developed infrastructure. You can get here from Bangkok, overcoming about 500 km. The road is not close, but the time spent on the road is worth it to enjoy the best vacation of your life.
Hua Hin and Cha Am spots
This picturesque area is a true decoration of the Gulf of Thailand. The spot has long been known to all real fans of kitesurfing, ideal conditions for ordinary amateurs and real pros have been created here. Hua Hin is distinguished by clean sand, there are no stones here. During honey ski breaks, you can enjoy your rest in numerous restaurants and bars that are located along the coast.
Beginners wishing to learn the skill of skiing should go to Cha Am, where a special school and station for kitesurfers is located. You can stay in one of the hotels, of which there are many. Beginners will especially appreciate this place due to the gentle slopes and shallow depth.
Tropical nature will be the perfect setting for outdoor activities among the ocean waves. Cha Am is the perfect place to finish the longest.
Koh Samui island
This paradise island, washed by the waters of the Gulf of Thailand, is a real nature reserve where you can still admire Thailand, untouched by civilization. The third largest of all islands, Koh Samui is covered in slender coconut trees and lush tropical vegetation.
Sandy beaches beckon with their amazing whiteness, and in the turquoise waters of the ocean you will not find rocks or jellyfish. Noisy bananas and tourists are rushing along the waves here, this island is a real eden for people looking for peace and quiet.
But even in this idyll, there are excellent places specially equipped for kitesurfing. There are also special schools for beginners, and ordinary tourists are offered all kinds of water activities. It is best to learn to kitesurf in shallow sandy coves protected by remote reefs. The water here is usually as smooth as glass.
You can settle in one of the picturesque bungalows right on the ocean shore.One of the best nightclubs in Thailand also operates on the island. Traditional restaurants offer excellent food, there are others. In short, kitesurfing is far from the only thing you can do on the island.
Chumpon city
Chumpon is one of the most beautiful cities in Thailand, the snow-white beaches of which, even at the height of the season, are not crowded with idle tourists. It is a calm place with a measured life, ideal for travelers looking for an experience away from the noisy resorts.
Here you can meet welcoming and hospitable people and catch the perfect wind for kiting. There is a school that teaches kitesurfing in the city, there are also shops where you can pick up all the equipment you need for this sport. There is a night market not far from the city, where you can buy the most exotic local products.
Phuket island
Perhaps this is one of the most popular in Thailand. The wind blows here almost all year round, the water in the ocean is clean, the beaches are wide and comfortable, and huge areas are reserved for skiing, where you will not find boats, scooters, jet skis and bananas. It does not rain often on the island, so you can come here almost all year round.
Since there is a lot of wind in Phuket, the island attracts professional athletes from all over the world. Beginners will also like it here, especially since schools are at their service, where real masters will quickly teach you how to ride the waves. The island has the best kitesurfing spots in all of Thailand, there are many specialized shops with kite equipment, and competitions are often held for athletes of all skill levels.
Phuket is not a sleepy fishing village, so no one will be bored here. The island offers bars, discos, nightclubs. There is also a huge selection of housing - from modest bungalows to luxury apartments.
Kiting is a water sport that involves riding the waves on a board with a guided kite. The movement of the kite (kite) is set using the lines attached to it. The larger the size of the kite, the more varied shapes and jumps can be performed on the water, and the higher the speed of movement.
The most suitable season for kiting is from April to September, although the sport can be practiced all year round if desired. The best conditions for such activities are on the beaches of Nai Yang, Rawai and Layan, since there are practically no high waves on them, but a constant moderate wind blows. The shallow-water Rawai beach is optimal for beginners.
Where to go
Thailand kiteboarding school
Official school website:kiteschoolphuket.com
KBA
Official school website: www.kiteboardingasia.com
KiteZone
Official school website: www.kitesurfthailand.com
North Kiteboarding Club
Official school website: www.northkiteboardingclub.com
Studying programs
Instruction in the schools is conducted by instructors with IKO (International Kitesurfing Organization) qualifications. The first step for beginners allows you to get basic skills, learn safety rules, terminology, assessment of the wind, its direction and strength, the concept of a wind window and its zones. Also, students get the skills to control a 2- and 4-line kite. For such classes, the group consists of 2 students, the duration of the classes is 3 hours, the approximate cost is 3500 baht per person.
At the end of the first year, students receive IKO cards. After completing the second course and receiving the second level of IKO, the athlete receives the appropriate certificate and the right to rent equipment and equipment at any IKO center.
On courses for beginners, which correspond to the 1st and 2nd levels of IKO, you need to spend 10 hours, the course lasts 3 days. The result of such courses will be the ability to independently control the kite and ride in a straight line. The cost of such a course is 11,000 baht per person, in a group of no more than 2 students.
Level 3 IKO can be obtained by completing an advanced kiting course - this is an individual three-hour lesson with a trainer, the result of which will be the skill of kiting upwind, turns, and more. If you wish, you can take a certain number of hours of work with an instructor. Each hour of work with an instructor will cost 1,500 baht.
Kitesurfing in Thailand is quite developed. Although there is an opinion that the beaches of this country only sunbathe and have fun. May-October is a rainy season with heavy or short-term precipitation. The optimal time with excellent wind is November-April.
The best spots for kiters and windsurfers on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand. The place is 500 km from Bangkok.
Kitesurfing in Thailand - the best spots
It is worth noting a few good places that are suitable for beginners and lovers of kite riding. The main spots for kitesurfing in Thailand:
- Cha Am and Hua Hin are located on the shores of the Gulf of Thailand. It is only three hours drive from Bangkok. To get there, it is worth taking a taxi or using public transport. You can hire a car at the airport, telling you where to go. The place is better suited for beginners and professional kitesurfing and windsurfing professionals. There are a lot of tourists and vacationers on the beach, compared to the skiers. Sandy beach without stones. It is best to visit this place between March and May. (Photo)
- Cha Am is the best option for lovers of peace. The 5 km long sandy beach is usually not crowded. February-April is wind time for 10-16 domes, so this period is great for training. In addition, the shallow depth allows for safe training. November-January is a quieter period, there is no strong wind, but despite this, there are quite large waves. There is a school and a station near the beach. (Photo)
- Pranburi is suitable for windsurfing and kitesurfing regardless of skill level. As a rule, there are not many people on a sandy beach. Strong winds in the period January-March, the blowing begins more from noon and closer to night. In the evenings, a huge number of parties are held in this place, so you will not have to be bored when there is no wind. (Photo)
- Ko Samui is a "wilder" island located in the Gulf of Thailand. You can get here by plane or save money and take the bus. The southeast coast is mostly quiet with few tourists. But there is a local school. A great desert place for kiters. Local spots are more suitable for experienced athletes because of the large and rather dangerous reef for beginners. The best period to visit this place is from January, as November and December are rainy times. (Photo)
- Chumphon is a popular kitesurfing destination in Thailand. You can get to the place without any problems from almost any city. The sandy spot is suitable for experienced riders. Here the winds are not very strong on kites of 10-14 m, sometimes even less - 10 m. It is better to come here in November and December. You can ride in the morning and at noon. By evening, the winds subside, and you should enjoy the quiet life of the town of Chumphon.
Kitesurfing in Phuket for beginners and professionals
Many athletes have heard of Phuket's white sand beaches. There are great kitesurfing spots with a wide windy area in a variety of directions (depending on the season).
The island will delight with its rich life not only amateurs of fun and intense rest, but also lovers of kiting. Kitesurfing in Phuket is suitable for holidaymakers with families and children who are not keen on kiting. They will definitely find something to do with themselves during their vacation. A trip to the island can be combined with a visit to other interesting places - Hua Hin (a large kite mecca) or Koh Samui.
Kitesurfing in Phuket has the following characteristics:
- the wind is directed in different directions;
- the spot is suitable even for novice riders;
- sandy shallow beach without large cobblestones or reefs;
- the long length of the beach suggests skiing in different directions.
There are many other entertainments here. Patong and Karon Beaches have a vibrant Asian nightlife. In addition to kitesurfing, you can also go surfing, sailing, canoeing and even elephant trekking. Also worth trying is mountain biking, karting, bungee, Thai boxing. Phuket is the perfect combination of extreme and relaxing holidays.
You cannot leave the country without appreciating the national cuisine. Phuket boasts a large number of restaurants, in this regard, it is the best in the whole of Thailand.
During the day, tourists will have a great time skating, and in the evening you can visit a colorful show, a performance or an interesting institution with live music.
Kitesurfing, or kiting, is one of the most popular sports hobbies today. For the first time they started talking about it back in the 70s of the last century, but only now kitesurfing has turned into a fashionable sport available to everyone.
The literal translation of the word from English means "riding the wave": an athlete glides on the water on a special board attached to his legs, and a kite connecting to the board sets the direction. It is an amazing sight especially when watching a group of kitesurfers.
What do you need to go kitesurfing?
To practice skitesurfing, the following permanent conditions are required:
- presence of wind (it is better if there is a different range in strength, this will facilitate the first steps of beginners);
- water - preferably a flat, smooth surface;
- bottom, beach - best of all shallow water without any stones, sandy beach.
The dream of the sky owners
These conditions are perfectly matched by nature itself in an unforgettable Thailand. Once this state was distant and mysterious, today it is one of the ten popular tourist destinations. Thailand in translation from the Thai language - "country of the free" - it was never colonized. That is why Thailand has a unique flavor. Thailand is washed from the west by the Indian Ocean, from the east - by the South China Sea. This is a safe country for tourists. Here you can successfully go kitesurfing. Pattaya - one of the famous resorts in Thailand - has several kitesurfing schools. Not so long ago, Russian instructors appeared there, which greatly simplifies communication and improves the technique of skating.
As a rule, kitesurfing schools are equipped with all types of educational, training and professional skites. Education in schools is strictly individual and under the supervision of a certified instructor. You can use your own skite.
Phuket island - ideal conditions
Good conditions for sky surfing can be found in Phuket. In the area of \u200b\u200bthe island, in different seasons, you can always get into an extensive wind zone. Plus, if avid fans of the sport are taking a trip with friends or family who don't skate, Phuket has a huge list of activities to suit all tastes.
The beach on the island is quite long, which provides a good basis for a varied range of winds generated. The shallow, rock-free lagoons make the island the perfect destination for beginners in the sport. You should definitely go to Hua Hin, which is not only a royal residence, but is known more as a kitesurfing center in Thailand.
Hua Hin and kitesurfing
Hua Hin is one of the oldest resorts in Thailand, offering a quiet family vacation. There are no nightclubs in this city. It is ideal for kitesurfing.
The wind season in Hua Hin lasts from about November to April, the average wind force is 6-7 m / s, but sometimes even more. The beach is quite long - 5 km, it helps to really enjoy riding the wave. The width of the beach is also sufficient to quietly learn all the intricacies of this sport.
There are several skitesurfing schools in Hua Hin. All school instructors have passed international certification. Each of the schools has its own offices on the beach and tries to meet international quality standards. Therefore, schools are equipped with all the equipment necessary for classes, an equipment store, a shower. There is a representative on the beach - Beach Boy.
Lovers of extreme sensations, seekers of novelty and keen kitesurfing will find everything for their favorite pastime in Thailand.