During my second kitesurfing Koh Phangan lesson I reached level 2, progressing to intermediate skills. The experience was both challenging and rewarding, as I learned to handle a bigger kite, navigate tricky situations, and take my first steps toward mastering the water start.
With a larger kite in this lesson, I felt the increase in power right away, which made it harder to control. The kite frequently ended up in the water, but that was all part of the process. Level 2 focused on water relaunch techniques, and I practiced getting the kite back up in different scenarios. When the kite fell into the wind window’s edge, the relaunch was fairly easy. However, when it landed in the power zone, it became much trickier—especially if the lines were twisted. Thankfully, my instructor, Ray, taught me some clever tricks for handling these situations, boosting my confidence for kitesurfing on my own in the future.
Another essential skill I learned was body dragging. This is crucial for retrieving your board if it gets lost or for maneuvering to a better spot for a water start. By positioning my body as a fin in the water, I even learned to move upwind, which is incredibly useful.
Safety is a top priority at Kite Club, DS Adventure Travels is impressed by how much emphasis was placed on it. I learned the right-of-way rules to ensure the safety of everyone on the water. Controlled stops were another critical skill—being able to power down and stop before colliding with someone or something is a lifesaver. Kite Club’s approach to teaching is clear: master control and safety first, then learn to harness the power for speed and excitement.
Toward the end of the lesson, we began working on the water start and steadypull. The idea is to let the wind pull you out of the water through your harness, without gripping the bar too tightly and over-controlling the kite. It’s a delicate balance that I haven’t quite mastered yet, but I’m excited for the next lesson, where I’ll focus on riding and advancing to level 3—independent kitesurfer.
Kite Club Koh Phangan is making this journey incredible. Their instructors are knowledgeable, patient, and committed to helping me become a safe and confident kitesurfer. I can’t wait to continue my adventure sports adventure and see how far I can go.
If you’re considering kitesurfing Koh Phangan, I highly recommend Kite Club. Their focus on safety, skill-building, and creating an enjoyable experience makes them the perfect place to learn.
