If you're a seasoned kiteboarder, there's another world waiting for you—kitesurfing.

As Aaron from Elite Watersports shares in this guide, making the jump from kiteboarding on flat water to kitesurfing in waves opens up endless new adventures. And don’t worry—whether in light wind or chasing surf, transitioning to a strapless surfboard is easier than you think.

Why Kitesurfing Is a Game-Changer: Kitesurfing isn't just about shredding waves. It's a discipline that can transform how you experience the wind, water, and freedom of kiteboarding.

A flat-water session on a surfboard, for example, becomes a perfect opportunity to practice tacks, jibes, and carves. Ideal to give your body a rest yet learn something new. 

It’s also a light wind weapon—letting you get out in conditions where other kiteboarders might be stuck on the beach. Switching to kitesurfing broadens your horizons.

Whether you’re riding clean waves or simply cruising in flat water, you’ll develop a skill set that elevates your kiteboarding experience to new levels.

Start with a Flat, High-Volume Board.

For your first season, it’s crucial to start with the right gear. As Aaron explains, “You want a nice flat surfboard with a lot of volume or surface area,” similar to a light wind board.

The extra surface area will help you plane faster in lighter winds, giving you the freedom to focus on mastering your board, not just the kite.

Most brands have a few different kitesurf board options. It’s okay to go a little bigger and its best to avoid the big wave board with a lot of rocker unless you already surf and have big waves in your location.

Consider the small to medium wave board or even the strapless freestyle model. Most brands will have each of these stye boards available. The Airush Amp is a good example of a small to medium size wave board that will work great in most locations.

In Aaron’s example, he’s riding in 10-11 knots with a 17-meter kite—a setup that allows him to concentrate on board control rather than aggressive kite movements.

 The goal is to take the kite out of the equation as much as possible so you can focus on the surfboard.

What about kites? Any kite will work but some kites work better than others.

If you have a 3-strut all around kite you’re set. If you have a 5-strut big air kite, that’s okay enough. If you are looking to get into the waves, consider an all around freeride kite or better yet, get a wave speciaty kite. Something like the Airush Session that is designed to drift in waves and turns faster with perfect response yet will not pull you off a wave.

Going Strapless: How to Get Started:

Positioning: Set up with your kite at one o'clock (right side) if you want to go left. Keep the kite steady and balanced to avoid overpowering yourself. 

Mounting the Board: When putting the board on, grab the rails (sides of the board) and aim for the tail, rather than the middle, for better control.

Balancing: Aaron suggests extending the board out in front of you with the kite pulling gently to help you maintain balance. Your front foot should go onto the board first. The downwind pull from the kite will keep the board on your feet. 

Constant Pressure: Apply constant pressure on the board to keep things stable, and then dive your kite to get up and riding.

Use your toes: Use pressure with your heels and toes to "grip" the board. The water pushing against the board will push it against your feet. 

Tips for Your First Kitesurfing Session:
 
Don’t Rush Transitions: It’s tempting to try tacks and jibes right away, but it’s best to focus on getting comfortable with your surfboard first.

Position Your Feet: Unlike kiteboarding, foot placement on a surfboard is much more flexible. Feel free to move your feet around to find what works best for you.

Use Your Fins: A key difference between kiteboarding and kitesurfing is how you use your fins. Instead of relying solely on your rail, use your fins to carve through the water and track upwind efficiently.

Yes and no: The best lightwind kiteboards are dedicated twin tips with lots of surface area, but a high-volume directional can be an incredible light wind board if you get the correct one.

Choose something with lots of surface area and minimal rocker, like a strapless freestyle kitesurf board.

If you want light wind efficacy opt for the biggest model with the least rocker. 

What is the best directional kiteboard for beginners? It depends on what your aim is. Do you want something for light wind? Do you want to ride the waves? What kind of conditions will you be using it in? These are all critical questions to ask before choosing a board.

You want to get the proper size for your weight and the correct model for the size waves you will be riding in.

Most kite brands have a dedicated kitesurf board for big waves and one for small to medium waves. If you are new, it is okay to size up in volume. A slightly larger board will be an easy and fun way to learn.

How does board size and shape affect performance?

 The size and shape of a directional board play a significant role in how the board performs. A flat wider board with more volume and minimal rocker planes faster and is better suited for light wind conditions.

Boards with less rocker (curve) from the nose to the tail will also offer quicker planing and better speed.

However, smaller boards or those with more rocker or are often better for experienced riders in larger steep waves because they offer more maneuverability and speed control in heavy conditons.

This is completely subjective to the individual. Quads or four fins are more locked in. Think of a twintip with large fins. These boards will be stable but less playful. Great for light wind or holding down lots of speed.

A thruster or tri-fin setup is more playful and common for kitesurf boards. You can throw the tail out of waves easier or do surf tricks better, like boardsliding the crest of a wave or throwing some spray.

Becoming a Kitesurfing Pro: What's Next? As you progress, you’ll start to experiment with foot placement, transitions, and wave riding. Remember, kitesurfing is all about flow—moving your board in harmony with the wind and water.

Each session will offer new lessons and, as you get better, you'll unlock more challenging maneuvers and techniques. In upcoming videos, Aaron will walk you through more advanced transitions and show you how to truly master the waves.

The expert team at Elite Watersports is here to serve. If you have any kiteboarding related questions call us. We can build custom kiteboarding packages, book kiteboarding lessons or simply offer helpful advice. We're your one stop shop for kiteboarding knowledge.

Swing by the shop and say hello!  

If you need help deciding on your first kiteboarding kite give Elite Watersports a call. We're happy to set you up with your first kiteboarding kite.
(727)-800-2202