Where to Learn
Real Kiteboarding // Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
It may be the largest school in the world, but Real is no assembly line. The three-day Zero to Hero program's methodical, safety-first approach features a two-to-one student–coach ratio and prime Outer Banks conditions. $995; 866-732-5548, www.realkiteboarding.com
New Wind Kite Schools // Hood River, Oregon
Held on the Columbia River Gorge in the summer and at Baja's La Ventana in the winter, New Wind's two-day Fast Track program boosts the learning curve by teaching you to adopt the same skills advanced riders use. $549; 541-387-2440, www.kiteschool.com
Broneah // Traverse City, Michigan
The two-day Northern Exposure camp uses exclusive teaching zones at the base of a 20-mile finger peninsula separating two bays on Lake Michigan, so no matter which way the frontal wind is blowing, there's a beginner-friendly beach nearby. $499; 231-392-2212, www.broneah.com
What to Buy
Kite: Best Waroo Pro // The Pro's revolutionary hybrid design allows you to harness the wind's power in increments and completely depower by simply pushing out the bar. $1,149; 866-700-2378, www.bestkiteboarding.com
Harness: Dakine Fusion // Don't be put off by the harness's diaper design. It supports your lower back and legs for launching and riding, and it's durable enough to have you surfing 20-foot waves by the time you need a replacement. $135; 541-386-3166, www.dakine.com
Board: Jimmy Lewis Model III // A lot of beginner boards are so "floaty" that you graduate almost as soon as you can get up. The twin-tip Model III's short but wide physique provides stability for early on and power so it stays in your quiver for light-wind days. $799; 866-732-5548, www.realkiteboarding.com
Where to Rip
British Virgin Islands // With steady trade winds and no hard-to-reach beach-access points, Real Kiteboarding's new boat-based BVI trips remove every potential hassle from your kiting vacation. You'll whip along a glassy bay, recharging on ripe mango while a 50-foot yacht doubles as your personal water taxi to the next idyllic island. Call for price; 866-732-5548, www.realkiteboarding.com
Cabarete, Dominican Republic // Kite Beach, on the DR's northern shore, has become one of the world's most famous kiting spots, for good reason: The year-round side-onshore winds rally between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., so riders can sleep late, play in the afternoon, then ease into happy hour. Check out the newly renovated Kite Beach Hotel. Doubles from $50; 809-571-0878, www.kitebeachhotel.com
Paros, Greece // This summer the pro tour came to Pounda Beach, on the southwestern coast of Paros, where the brilliant blue Aegean Sea is whipped into a malevolent froth by the powerful side-shore wind. But the shallows and wide golden-sand beach also make it a great place to learn. Paros Kite Pro Center offers weeklong lessons and rentals, packaged together with stays at the beachfront Holiday Sun Hotel. From $797; www.paroskite-procenter.com
