Please feel free to e-mail us any time with any question.

What is West Coast Kiteboarding?

WCK is a dedicated, professional Kiteboarding School.  Our only business is safely teaching you how to kiteboard, and we are now in our fifth year. 

Where do you teach lessons?

In San Diego, our lessons are taught at Enchanted Cove on Fiesta Island, which is located in Mission Bay Park.  Enchanted Cove has been designated as the "learn to kiteboard" location in San Diego by the San Diego Kiteboarding Association and the San Diego Lifeguards.  Once you have completed your lesson, you can continue to perfect your skills at a location that you are already familiar with.  This is in contrast to learning to kiteboard in San Diego Bay, which is surrounded by industrial and military facilities.

In San Quintin, our lessons are taught on an amazing, incredibly huge beach.  The beach is usually almost completely deserted, with sideshore winds and small waves.  It is an ideal place to learn to kiteboard.

Why Choose WCK for Lessons in San Quintin?

West Coast Kiteboarding helped to pioneer San Quintin as a kiteboarding location.  We are the only kiteboarding school to maintain a permanent facility in San Quintin.  Our "San Quintin Shack" is a year round base for instructing, training, and riding.  Our instructors are experienced Baja travelers, and are very familiar with the San Quintin region.  For each WCK trip, the trip leader is certified as a Wilderness First Responder, helping to ensure your safety in a remote location.

Is kiteboarding hard?

No, kiteboarding is not hard, but it is not easy either. However, if you take lessons from a competent instructor, you will be able to progress quickly. There is a very steep learning curve, but you should not expect to get into the water until you have had a great deal of practice on land.

Is kiteboarding dangerous?

Like any activity, there are dangers involved in kiteboarding. However, these dangers are minimized when you learn under the supervision of a competent instructor. Large kites can produce a huge amount of power and become dangerous to both the user and to bystanders when flown by someone who is not experienced. Because of this, we suggest that everyone who wants to kiteboard takes a lesson first.

I've wakeboarded and surfed before, can't I just get a kite and go?

While your wakeboarding or surfing experience will help, kiteboarding requires a completely different set of skills. Before you can try to ride a kiteboard, you need to first learn how to handle the kite.

What other sports is kiteboarding like?

Kiteboarding is an interesting blend of wakeboarding, surfing, windsurfing, sailing, and even skateboarding. However, kiteboarding is its own sport and is completely unique. Experience in any of the above sports will help (especially in windsurfing or sailing), but kiteboarding is an experience completely different from any other sport.

Do I have to be strong to kiteboard?

There is a lot of technique and finesse involved in kiteboarding, so you don't have to be really strong. However, you do need to be in good physical shape. You must be comfortable in the water and be a competent swimmer.

How much does kiteboarding equipment cost?

Depending on where you live and whether you buy new or used equipment, the cost of equipment varies. In San Diego, we have light winds, which requires big kites. A kite, board, and accessories can be cheap as $1000 (used), but expect to pay up to $1300 - $2000 for a new, complete setup. Remember, the wind is free, so once you have your equipment there are no more costs.

Where can I kiteboard?

You can kiteboard on snow and sand as well as on water. However, you cannot kiteboard everywhere. You should consult local shops or schools to find out what locations are safe and approved for kiteboarding.

Is kiteboarding fun?

Yes. Unbelievably fun.

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