KiteFlip Koh Phangan Bantai Β· Koh Phangan
Before your first lesson

See it once,
then go and do it.

Welcome to your 3-day beginner course. We'll teach you every one of these things on the water β€” but riders who have watched them first learn noticeably faster, because the words already mean something. Ten short videos, in the exact order we teach them.

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Guidelines

A few things before you come

Short version: bring sun protection, turn up on time, and tell us the day before if you can't make it.

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Bring swimwear, sunscreen and sunglasses

We provide all the gear, lycra and a floaty strap for your sunglasses so you won't lose them. No sunglasses? We sell them in the shop for 300 baht β€” you want to keep those pretty eyes protected from the strong sun. :-)

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Please come at the agreed time

Koh Phangan is famous for the "go with the flow attitude" and time often gets lost. Our instructors usually have lessons booked back to back, so arriving on time keeps us from running late for the next student.

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Cancelling? Tell us the day before

If you cancel last minute we can't fill the slot and we lose precious teaching time. It isn't always windy here, so we have to manage our windy days wisely.

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Payment before the lesson, at the school

Cash, card (+3%), Wise or crypto β€” whatever suits you. Just settle it at the school before you head out.

Thanks β€” the KiteFlip team

Your lesson program

Ten videos, in the order we teach them

Tick each one off as you watch. Grab your own link below and your progress follows you to any phone or laptop.

Day 1 Β· On the beach
Day 2 Β· In the water
Day 3 Β· On the board
If you only rewatch one: make it the safety systems video. Everything else you'll learn by doing β€” but knowing without thinking how to depower and fully release the kite is what turns a bad moment into a boring one.
Cheatsheet

Gear, kite sizes & our wind

What to bring

  • Swimwear, and a long-sleeve rash guard if you have one
  • Reef-safe SPF 50 + zinc for your face; reapply every break
  • Sunglasses β€” we'll add a floaty strap (or buy a pair, ΰΈΏ300)
  • Reef shoes if you like; the lagoon bottom is shallow
  • Water and electrolytes β€” body dragging is thirsty work
  • Short nails, no rings or loose jewellery near the lines

We provide the kite, bar, board, harness, helmet, impact vest and lycra.

Kite size vs wind

Your instructor picks your kite β€” this is for later, when you're choosing your own. Rough numbers for a 75–85 kg rider; size down if you're lighter.

Wind km/h Kite Feels like
< 10 kn < 18 β€” Too light to learn on
12–15 kn 22–28 12–14 m Ideal first lessons
15–20 kn 28–37 10–12 m The sweet spot
20–25 kn 37–46 8–9 m Powered, not for day 1
25 kn + 46 + 7 m Experienced riders only

Our wind, month by month

  • Jan–Apr β€” the main season. Steady south-east wind, roughly 9–20 kn (17–37 km/h). The most reliable time to learn.
  • Jun–Sep β€” the summer south-west monsoon, 10–25 kn (18–46 km/h). Gustier and squally, with July and August usually the best of it.
  • Nov–Jan β€” steady north-easterlies; plenty of schools move here for it.
  • May & Oct β€” mostly light and unreliable.

We're on the south coast at Bantai: a wide, shallow, reef-protected lagoon with flat water you can stand up in β€” which is exactly what you want while you're learning.

Practical

Finding us

Where

Mac's Bay Resort, 64/5 Moo 2
Bantai, Koh Phangan 84280
Surat Thani, Thailand

Talk to us

WhatsApp +66 98 731 5940
info@kiteflip.com

Book & rentals

kiteflip.com β†—
Courses, wing foil and gear rental.