FAQ: Everything about Kitesurfing in Salento

Frequently asked questions about learning, conditions and gear for an unforgettable experience in 2026.

Welcome to our Resource Center

Whether you are a curious rider or a hesitant beginner, this page gathers everything you need to know before jumping into kitesurfing in Salento. From physical prerequisites to weather conditions, including gear and learning stages: every question deserves a clear answer.

200+ days of wind per year

The Prerequisites

Four essential conditions before touching a kite bar.

Age and Morphology

Minimum 10 years and 35 kg. Below, the kite traction is too high compared to the rider's weight, making piloting dangerous.

Knowing How to Swim

50 meters in open water without help. This is non-negotiable: in case of gear loss, you must be able to return to the shore by your own means.

Physical Condition

Kitesurfing mainly uses legs and abs, not arms. The harness absorbs 90% of the traction. A decent physical condition is enough.

Contraindications

Heart problems, severe back pathologies and pregnancy are formal contraindications. In case of doubt, consult your doctor.

Gear Simulator 2026

Enter your weight and wind conditions to discover the ideal kite and board size.

Gear calculator

How it Works

The Power of Wind

A kitesurfing wing works exactly like an airplane wing, but vertically. The wind creates a pressure difference between the intrados (inner side) and extrados (outer side) which generates a traction force called lift.

By modifying the angle of attack of the wing via the bar, you control the intensity of this traction. The closer the wing is to the "power zone" (facing the wind), the greater the force. This is what allows you to accelerate, jump or simply glide smoothly.

The Lagoon

Salento has several natural lagoons, especially in Torre San Giovanni and Porto Cesareo, where the water remains calm and shallow (50 cm to 1.20 m) for several hundred meters.

These conditions are ideal for learning: no waves, possibility to touch the bottom at any time and a flat water surface that allows focusing only on piloting. Progress is 3 times faster than in the open sea.

The Learning Path

Three structured stages to go from zero to autonomous on the water.

01

Piloting

Mastering the wing on the beach with a small trainer kite. You learn the wind window, power zones and bar handling. Duration: 3 to 4 hours.

02

Body-Drag

Traction in the water without a board. You learn to move in the water by being towed by the wing, to go upwind and to master self-rescue. Duration: 3 to 4 hours.

03

Water-Start

Adding the board and the first meters of gliding. The magic moment where everything connects: piloting, body position and board. Duration: 3 to 4 hours.

Estimated duration: 9 to 12 hours of lessons

The Equipment

What you need to bring vs what the school provides.

What you need to bring

  • Swimsuit
  • Towel
  • Sunscreen 50+
  • Water bottle (1.5L min)
  • Sunglasses with cord

What the school provides

  • Wetsuit 4/3mm
  • Adapted kite / wing
  • Twin-Tip board
  • Helmet + Impact vest
  • Radio communication

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions everyone asks before starting.

When is the best time to go kitesurfing in Salento?
The season runs from April to November, with a peak thermal wind (Maestrale) between June and September. Salento benefits from over 200 days of wind per year thanks to its position between the Adriatic and Ionian. Consult our spots guide for more details.
Do I need to take lessons with a professional?
Yes, absolutely. Kitesurfing is a risky sport that requires supervised learning. An IKO or FIV certified instructor teaches you safety rules, piloting and emergency procedures. Learning alone means putting your life and that of others in danger. Find our partner schools.
Are private or group lessons better?
Private lessons offer faster progress (1:1 ratio with the instructor) and are ideal if you have little time. Group lessons (2 to 4 students) are more economical and allow learning by observing others. For a beginner in a hurry, private lessons are recommended.
What happens if there is no wind?
No wind, no kite, that's the rule. But Salento offers many alternatives: SUP (Stand Up Paddle), diving, visiting the historical centers of Lecce or Otranto, tasting pasticciotto and primitivo. Serious schools reschedule lessons without extra charge.
Is gear included in the lessons?
Yes, all Salento schools include all gear in their packages: kite, board, harness, wetsuit, helmet and impact vest. You only need to bring your swimsuit, a towel and sunscreen.
Are there dangers (jellyfish, sharks)?
No sharks in the southern Mediterranean (zero recorded incidents). Jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca) are occasional in August but rarely dangerous, the wetsuit protects effectively. The main danger of kitesurfing remains kitesurfing itself: respect safety rules and ride supervised.

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