Cabarete for beginners: learning to kitesurf

Cabarete has three things that make it ideal for learning: reliably strong thermal wind from late morning, warm water and a shallow sandy area where you can stand while the kite is in the air. A standard beginner course runs nine to twelve hours over three days. Day one is kite control on land and body dragging in the water. Day two is water starts. Day three is your first rides, usually short and inelegant, and usually followed by an enormous grin. Choose an IKO certified school. It means the instructor has been trained in rescue procedures and that your progress is recorded in a passport recognised at schools worldwide. Bring a rash guard, reef safe sunscreen and sunglasses with a strap. The wind comes up around eleven and blows into the late afternoon, so mornings are free for breakfast and recovery.