FAQ

KITEBOARDING FAQ - for beginners

1. Can everybody learn kitesurfing ?
Yes, in our kite school in Tarifa we start kite surf lessons for children from age 8. But of course it depends on every child. To ensure the full safety for children during the lesson, we recommend taking a private kitesurf lesson, one to one with the instructor. In the group lessons (2-4 people) the instructor has to switch between the couples and he cannot spend the whole time with the kid.The other option is a semiprivate kite lesson (2 people), where one of the parents does the training as well. This way both learn all about, safety, weather, launching and landing the kite and all important information about starting kitesurfing.

2. Do I need any previous experience in kitesurfing for to start with the course ?
No, mostly people are complete beginners. You just need to know how to swim. During the kite lesson you use life jacket, so you don't need to be olympic standard.

3. What do I need to bring for the kitesurfing tuition ? I don´t have any equipment or wetsuit.
Bring just something to drink, swimming costume, towel, sun glasses, sunscreen (high factor !! in summer we use 50+). The rest, kite equipment, wetsuit, helmet, life jacket ect. is provided by Dragon Tarifa kitesurf school.

4. Has the lesson to be booked in advance ?
Yes, Tarifa is very busy during the summer and the lesson should be booked more less 1 week before. We need to allocate our instructors. You can book the kite course by email or by phone. Our staff in the kitesurf school speak English.

5. Is kitesurfing safe ?
Yes, if you learn it with experienced instructor in any kitesurf school. During the lesson you learn not just to control the kite and stand up on the kite board but also the necessary information about the wind forecast, kite spot, currents, tides...

6. Can I learn kitsurf in winter ?
Yes, our kitesurf center in Tarifa, Dragon, is open all year round. In winter we have temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees. The evenings are a little cooler, so you will need to bring your favourite hoody.

7. Where is the meeting place for the kite lesson ?
Meet us at Dragon kite-surf school Tarifa. The address is Polígono La Vega 203, 11380 Tarifa, Cádiz. See the map. If your GPS can not find it, try street C/ Linea de la Concepcion 10. Dragon center is just by the first exit from Cadiz or 2nd exit from Malaga direction.

8. What is it easier to learn, kitesurf or windsurf ?
Definitely kitesurf. Once you learn to control the kite and stand up on the board, the progress is very fast. To learn to turn you need 1 day. People who wakeboard or snowboard usually ride on the 2nd day of lessons.

9. How long I need to learn to kite ?
It depends on each person. If you have knowledge of wakeboard or snowboard, you will learn to kite faster. Most people need around 3-5 days.

10. Do I need kitesurf insurance ?
During your class you have 3rd party liability insurance and basic accidant insurance included in the price. We recommend for independent kiters and for those who travel a lot, to have kitesurf insurance in case something happens to you or you should hurt somebody else. If you take travel insurance during your holidays, check exactly if it covers kitesurfing. Stay safe on the water !

SURFING FAQ - Your personal surfing guide. What you need to know before you start with surf.

1. What do I need to bring at the start with the surf course ?
Just a sunblock, something to drink, a towel, swim wear and happy smile :-) In winter bring warm cloth.
Surf boards and wetsuits are provided by our water sport centre and are included in the prices.

2. Where is the meeting place from Dragon Tarifa surf school and what a time start the training ?
Meet us at Dragon Surf school in Tarifa, in Poligono La Vega, see the map. Please arrive 10 minutes early to fill out the booking form.
Surf sessions in the morning (spanish morning :-) start at 11:00am and afternoon sessions at 2pm. The exact start time will also depend on wave conditions.

3. Do I need to know to swim ?
Yes, you should be able to swim minimum 50 meters.

4. Is it safe to learn to surf ?
Yes, if you learn surfing with experienced staff. Surf instructors teach you not just how to stand up on the board and how to paddle but also all about waves, currents, tides, local spots and everything what you need to know for to surf safely.

5. How long I need to stand up on the board ?
It depends on each person, people are very different, but most of our students stand up on the first day surf session.

6. Is there age limit in surfing ?
Children can start from 8 years. The kids learn faster if he/she does another sport, like skiing, snowboarding etc. There is no upper limit, so if you are keen to learn surfing, just go on :-)

7. Is the surfing centre open also in winter ?
Yes, our water sport centre is open the whole year around.

8. Do I need to book the course in advance ?
Yes, it is better, so we can orginize the instructors and surf equipment.

9. Can I use my own wetsuit or surf board ?
Of course. The size of your surfboard should correspond to your level in surfing.

STAND UP PADDLE SURFING FAQ - How to get started with SUP, few tips

1. What is SUP ?
Called also stand up paddleboarding. It has its roots in Hawaii and was made very popular by surfer Laird Hamilton. It is kind of surfing, only with a paddle. It is very easy to learn and can be done in lakes, rivers, ocean and in flat water or waves. 

2. Can kids do SUP ?
Yes, it is sport for all family and suitable for all ages !

3. Do I need to know to swim and be experienced ?
You need to know how to swim. But don´t worry if you are not the best swimmer, we recommend using a floating device the whole time on the water. You don´t need to have any experience, you will be up on the board in your first SUP lesson. We also do sup trips.

4. What should I bring ?
Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses. In Tarifa SUP is done barefoot, so you do´t need water shoes.

5. How do I transport the surfboard on my car ? 
There are 2 kinds of board for paddlesurf. One is hard and the other inflatable. The inflatable one is so easy to put in the car, you just pump it up on the beach. The hard surf board you transport on the roof rack.