Florida is becoming a quiet giant for North American kiteboarding. Home to more kitesurfing beaches than any other state combined, with warm winds that blow all winter, it’s no wonder more people are taking kitesurfing vacations within the USA rather than islands far away or South America.

Every region of Florida has a massive kitesurfing community, world-class kiteboarconditions, and a welcoming climate! Northeast Florida is home to some phenomenal kitesurfing beaches. You can expect moderate winds and welcoming temperatures most of the winter. 

Most of the winter has welcoming temperatures for kitesurfing, but January and February can get into the 50º range. Essentially on par with a warm spring day in the Northern parts of the US

There are countless hidden gem beaches and a handful of famous spots worth a visit. Huguenot Memorial Park is one of these spots. It offers something for every discipline and works in every wind direction! In this blog, we’ll share everything you need to know.

Imagine a massive shallow kiteboarding lagoon along the ocean, complete with a campground, incredible waves, a flatwater jetty, and ocean flats with perfect wave kickers. Not only does it offer these ideal conditions, but it works in every wind direction. It might sound too good to be true, but this is what you can expect from Huguenot Park in Jacksonville, Florida.

The pond is a perfect location for new kitesurfers looking for shallow, forgiving conditions to learn. It has a large area known to the locals as the mudhole, where big air and freestyle kiteboarders can ride in butter-flat water and perfectly smooth wind. The ocean side offers deep water with areas of flat water and wave kickers. Huguenot Park is perfect for wingfoiling, kite foiling, and twintip riders looking for forgiving ocean conditions and wave kickers.

The Jetty sometimes produces a long, glassy, endless wave, perfect for surfing and kitesurfing. However, surfers have the right of way for waves. One of the best local secrets is using the outgoing tide to your advantage. On east winds with an outgoing tide, you can get a couple extra knots of power. If the forecast is light, you can use the current for additional power and ride when it would typically not be possible. If the wind is stronger, the current will give you extra power for big air kiteboarding!

The natural setting here is beautiful, and there is a campground. If you can book a site, camping is convenient for anyone visiting from out of town and looking for a kite vacation. Like all Florida campgrounds, it’s best to reserve a spot early as it can be challenging to get in. Booking a kite trip in advance is always a gamble, but the odds are in your favor, thanks to the pond that works in all wind directions and the ability to kite in lighter winds on an outgoing tide in east winds.

Kiteboarding at Huguenot Park is best with an east wind. You can ride the pond in any wind direction, but winds traveling over the land will be gusty. Depending on the direction, there can be long lulls and long gusts of wind.

The flat water spot known as the mudhole produces the best kitesurfing conditions on an east or northeast wind. You can expect glassy water and smooth wind for freestyle kiteboarding and the best takeoff for big air tricks.

The ocean can produce flat water conditions with wave kickers and extra power with an outgoing tide on an east wind. On a SE wind, the jetty on the south side of the park will reduce the chop and produce a glassy wave that runs down the beach. If you are going to kite foil or wing foil, look for a northeast wind, an east wind, or a southeast wind.

It is possible to foil the pond at high tide but it’s not recommended. The ocean is going to be best. Use the flat areas near the shore on an east wind to your advantage.

The park here has a total vibe and is the Kitesurfer's dream. You'll drive past the campground down a road along the lagoon, known as the pond. There is a small parking lot with easy access to this flat water heaven. You can drive further along the beach to the northern point.

There is a strict speed limit of five miles per hour, and it is possible to get stuck. Stick to the dry hardpack sand. This is the best access for wingfoilers, kitefoilers, and kitesurfers looking to ride the ocean side or the jetty. Be careful at high tide; do not drive on the dunes or disturb the wildlife.

The north point of the beach is where you will find the best flat water spot in the pond, known as the mudhole. In our opinion, this is the best part of kitesurfing in Jacksonville, Florida. There are many great flat water spots in the state, but very few have perfect glassy conditions and smooth winds. The water here is shallow and impacted by the tide.

This is a huge benefit when launching your kite after a crash, but it can be dangerous if it’s too shallow. There are lots of oysters on the bottom. You’ll notice a few islands downwind that might be tempting to jump. We do not recommend this as they are shallow and littered with oysters.

Huguenot is excellent, but there are a few rules to abide by. This is one of the best kiteboarding locations in Northeast Florida, so be sure to respect the rules so we can all enjoy it. There is a day pass fee of five dollars for up to six passengers to use the park. The dunes and wildlife are protected, so do not drive on them or disturb them.

Zone six does not allow wind or motor activities. The lagoon can be slippery when walking, and there are oysters, so take care and wear booties. As we mentioned, the islands in the pond are surrounded by shallow water, and there are many oysters around them.

Do not try to jump these islands. This is a public park, so be kind and courteous and give beachgoers the right of way. Respect the surfers and give them the right of way on the waves here. When driving on the beach, stay on the hardpack sand and obey the speed limit of five miles per hour.

• $ 5.00-day pass fee to use the park.
• Protected dunes and wildlife - Do not disturb either.
• 5 mph speed limit on the beach. - Avoid the wet sand.
• Beach goers. Give people the right of way.
• Shallow water on low tide - Take caution.
• Oysters and sharp objects on the bottom - always wear booties.
• The bottom of the pond can be very slippery - Take caution when walking.
• No alcohol.
• No pets unless you’re a registered camper.
• No kitesurfing in Zone Six.

Elite Watersports has served the Tampa and St Petersburg area for years. They offer kiteboarding and wingsurfing lessons. They also have a retail shop equpit with all of the latest kitesurfing gear. 

If you need help give us a call. .
(727)-800-2202