All our lessons take place at Pinnaroo Point in Hillarys (Perth Northern Suburbs) Click the link above or click the map below for directions on Google Maps.
Please follow the detailed instructions below to find us easily. Click on the images to enlarge
Once you arrive at Pinnaroo Point, park your vehicle in the main car park, then walk past the large metal gate at the end of John Wilkie Tarn.
Once on the beach, take a left and walk SOUTH for 130 Meters. There you will find the KiteBud Windsock. This is where all lessons will start and finish:
Please follow the detailed instructions below to find us easily. Click on the images to enlarge
Once you arrive at Pinnaroo Point, park your vehicle in the main car park, then walk past the large metal gate at the end of John Wilkie Tarn.
Once on the beach, take a left and walk SOUTH for 130 Meters. There you will find the KiteBud Windsock. This is where all lessons will start and finish:
For the 2023-2024 season, the Kite School is Open 7 days a week from September 15, 2023, until April 14, 2024, Except for Christmas Day (Dec 25 - CLOSED), New Years Day (Jan 1st - CLOSED) and Australia Day (Jan 26 - CLOSED)
SCHOOL HOURS: 11AM to 7PM - 7 Days/Week from September to April
OFFICE HOURS: 8AM to 8PM - 7 Days/Week from September to April
WINTER OFFICE HOURS: 9AM to 5PM - Monday to Friday from May to August
In order to progress safely into kitesurfing, you need safe and reliable winds. In Perth, the only safe wind to learn is the Sea Breeze (aka Fremantle Doctor) which only blows in the afternoons from September to April. Winds from May to August are primarily generated by storm fronts and therefore are unsuitable and unsafe for learning.
Thanks to our new Online Booking System, once your lessons purchase is completed, it takes only 5 minutes to be able to book your first lesson online.
Step 1: Shop from the Lessons page and choose your lesson product. Add it to your cart and checkout, it’s that simple! KiteBud accepts PayPal, Credit Card and Direct Bank Transfers. All lessons must be prepaid and pre-booked, no exceptions. We do not accept cash.
Step 2: Login to our website by following the instructions that were automatically emailed to you after you finished your online transaction. You will then need to complete our mandatory online medical and waiver form. From there, you can start booking your lesson(s) using our Online Booking System and access our video tutorials!
Please check your SPAM/JUNK folder in case you don’t see our emails in your Inbox.
Please note that we do NOT accept walk-ins or last minute bookings
To check for available spots before purchasing lessons, you can visit This page
Password: airush2024 (no capital letters)
No we don’t, we only offer private lessons. If you want to learn with a friend, partner or family member, you can choose to take your lessons at the same time, each with your own instructor. You simply need to ensure that each student makes their own individual purchase as a unique student account is automatically created for each purchase. If you are serious about learning kitesurfing, you should know that group lessons are a waste of money. Group lessons only exists so schools can make more money and do not benefit the students in any way. Group lessons costs more than half the price of private lessons, but you only get to fly the kite half the time (or less if it is more than 2 students). Private lessons are actually cheaper as you will progress to the same level in less than half the time you would in group lessons. With one-on-one lesson, you get 100% of the instructor’s attention and you fly the kite 100% of the time. The course is dedicated to YOU and is adapted to your own learning speed, with equipment perfectly sized for you.
All KiteBud lessons are delivered in 2H BLOCKS. We have up to TWO Instructors Available (i.e. two lesson spots) for every time slot. We only teach in the afternoons because the summer sea breeze winds in Perth only start blowing by late morning / early afternoon. If you would like to check for live availability on our Calendar, please contact us. Lessons in the months of September AND April run on a reduced schedule due to earlier sunset times and wind scarcity.
Here is an example of our PEAK SEASON schedule (October through to March) * The 11:45AM Lessons from Monday to Friday only run occasionally, based on demand and wind forecast.
Here is an example of our early season and end of season schedule (September AND April)
| Monday to Friday | Saturday and Sunday |
|---|---|
| 11:45AM to 1:45pm* | 11:45AM to 1:45pm |
| 2pm to 4pm | 2pm to 4pm |
| 4:15pm to 6:15pm | 4:15pm to 6:15pm |
| Monday to Sunday |
|---|
| 1pm to 3 pm |
| 3:30pm to 5:30pm |
Kitesurfing is a weather dependent sport. We only teach if and when the wind conditions are safe and suitable for learning. As such, you must be prepared to have some of your lessons cancelled and rescheduled. As a responsible and safe operator with permits and insurance, we do NOT operate during the months of May, June, July or August due to the winds being primarily generated by storm fronts and the lack of safe sea breeze winds.
You will receive an automated SMS and EMAIL in the morning (in most cases between 8AM and 9AM) of the day of your lesson to confirm the wind conditions are appropriate. We only ask that you send us an SMS to 0423089906 with the word ''Yes'' so we know you got our automated messages (You CANNOT reply directly to our Automated SMS).
We may sometimes cancel your lesson due to unsuitable wind conditions (wind can sometimes be too light, too strong, too gusty or blowing in the wrong direction). If your lesson gets cancelled, your lesson credit will be automatically added back to your account so you can reschedule online right away. There are no fees for rescheduling lessons.
In case the wind conditions are uncertain on the day of your lesson, KiteBud may put your lesson On-Hold and give you as little as 1.5 to 2 Hours of notice before the start of the lesson.
The table below shows you the probability of getting suitable sea breeze winds for each month of the season based on our own school statistics from the past 10 years:
| Month | Wind Probability |
|---|---|
| September | 20% |
| October | 50% |
| November | 70% |
| December | 75% |
| January | 75% |
| February | 65% |
| March | 55% |
| April | 30% |
In compliance with State Law, All KiteBud Lessons and Shop gift vouchers must be used within 3 years (36 months) from the initial date of purchase. In case you are unable to finish your lessons before the end of the season (April) you can rebook them the following season starting from September/October. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions
The best way to find out if there are any cancellations is to subscribe to cancellation notifications below the booking calendar in your account page Simply check the box as per the image below:
To get regular wind updates, please Like/Follow our Facebook Page and/or our Instagram account. We will also often post spare lesson spots that become available on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
To get regular wind updates, please Like/Follow our Facebook Page and/or our Instagram account. We will also often post spare lesson spots that become available on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
They sure do! Each student will be provided with a harness, kite, life vest, Bluetooth radio helmet, board, etc. We have some 3/2mm shorty wetsuits (spring suits) available in sizes S/M/L/XL although it’s preferable that you bring your own Wetsuit if you have one.
If you chose to bring any personal effects * to the beach, please bring your own bag or backpack. We recommend you bring water and sunscreen with you to the beach. It's also a good idea to bring sunglasses, especially for your first lesson when flying the kite on the beach. You should arrive at each lesson ready to enter the water and KiteBud will take care of the rest. Pinnaroo Point has a toilet block with showers. * Please note that KiteBud will NOT take the responsibility to look after your valuables or personal effects before, during or after your lesson.
We understand not everyone can commit for multiple lessons right away. In this case, simply book a 2H Lesson. We will adapt this lesson to ensure you have as much fun as possible and spend as much time as possible in the water!
If this is your first lesson, KiteBud recommends to show up 10 to 15 minutes before the start of the lesson. If this is your second lesson onward, it’s best you arrive at least 20 minutes in advance to setup the kite.Unlike in other schools, KiteBud doesn’t like to charge you to get your equipment ready. We like to take this extra time to have a chat and prepare your equipment without rushing. This means that when the lesson starts your kite is already flying! Our schedule is usually busy, and we run a punctual business, so most late arrivals result in a shorter lesson duration.
In compliance with the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), KiteBud is not required to offer you a refund if you change your mind. Unused lesson hours can be transferred to another person *, used in the next season (for up to 3 years from the date of purchase) or be used as store credit. To find out more, please read our Terms and Conditions.You may self-cancel or self-reschedule your own booking(s) directly from your account page free of charge at least 48 hours before your lesson(s) starts. If you are using a mobile phone and cannot see the cancel button, scroll from right to left next to your booking or turn your phone sideways in landscape mode to reveal the cancel button. To avoid excessive use of the cancellation function, a limit of 5 self-cancellations has been set for every 2-month period, so please ensure you can commit for your bookings before placing them You cannot make changes or cancel your lesson less than 48 hours before your lesson start. If you do not show up to your lesson (''no show'') or if you cancel it less than 48 hours before the start (last minute cancellation), you will forfeit your entire lesson and will not be able to re-book that lesson.
* There are no fees for transferring lessons to an existing KiteBud student. A $15 admin fee will be charged to transfer your lessons to a new student who does not already have an account with us. This $15 transfer fee is to be paid by the new student receiving the lesson(s).
If this is the case, we strongly recommend you to book a 2 Hours One-On-One lesson . Your instructor will need some time to assess your skills and knowledge first. Before we teach you how to ride, you will be asked to demonstrate deep water skills such as a self-rescue, board recovery, water relaunch, etc.
It’s the same thing. Depending on where you are in the World, some prefer using one term more than another. In North America, the term ‘’kiteboarding’’ is the most commonly used whereas in Europe, the term ‘’kitesurfing’’ is more commonly used. In Australia, you will often find both terms being used interchangeably.
The initial investment to get into kitesurfing will be a combination of the cost of lessons + the cost of gear. To get good quality lessons and a basic set of equipment, you will need to spend a minimum of $2500 AUD (Approx. 1800$ to 2000$ USD or 1500 to 1600 Euros)
To get into kitesurfing safely you need to consider getting yourself at least 6 hours of lessons which will cost you approximately $600 AUD (Approx. 450$ USD or 400 Euros). Keep in mind that this is a minimum. It’s not uncommon for students to need more than 12 hours of private lessons before they become confident and competent enough to go out on their own. Also keep in mind that prices can vary a lot depending where in the World you take your lessons. In most schools around the World, you will get the best savings (paying less per hour of lesson) by getting a Package of lessons
If you are thinking of saving money by learning from a friend, learning by yourself or learning from an unlicensed operator, please read this blog post first.
In all kitesurfing schools around the World, equipment is already provided free of charge during your lessons, so you don’t need to worry about buying any equipment at first.
Once you reach a minimum level of independence you will need to get a kitesurfing package so you can continue to kitesurf on your own. This package will have the include at the very least the following items:
- Kite
- Control bar (sold separately from the kite)
- Safety leash(included with all brand new bars)
- Twin tip board (usually sold complete with fins, footstraps and handle)
- Harness
- Pump (necessary to inflate your kite)
- Hook knife (usually an optional accessory but a critical item to have for your safety )
If you are thinking of saving money by getting some used kitesurfing gear to start with, read this blog post first.
You may want or need to add the following items:
- Floatation vest (life vest)
- Helmet
- Wetsuit (if you kite in colder weather)
- Booties (useful in areas where your feet can get injured easily from rocks, reef or shells)
- More kites or boards to cover various ranges of wind
You can get the best savings by purchasing your equipment in a package deal or better yet, buying your lessons and your equipment in the same package!
KiteBud recommends to most students to book at least 6 Hours of lesson or 8 Hours of lesson to ensure you have enough time to practice getting up on the board. Please note that for some students 6 Hours might not be enough as each person learns at a difference pace. Your learning pace will depend mostly on your background in other sports, how comfortable and competent you are at controlling the kite and whether you watched the KiteBud videos tutorials or not. If you are starting from scratch, a 2 Hour or 4 hour lesson will most likely NOT be enough to get you up on the board.
For more information about this topic, we recommend reading our blog post How many lessons do you need to learn kitesurfing?
Learning to kitesurf is a medium to long term commitment. Lessons will only be useful if you eventually end up getting your own equipment and continue practicing on your own on a regular basis, especially at the earlier stages of your progression (learning to get up and ride).
Feel free to contact us if you need help deciding how many lessons you need.
To ensure an optimal progression, we recommend that you book your lessons closer together. For example, it’s a much better idea to book 3x 2H Lessons during the same week rather than booking a single 2H lesson per week – or worse, booking a 2H Lesson every 2 or 3 weeks. The more time you spend without flying a kite, the more likely you are to lose ‘’muscle memory’’ and have to go backwards in your progression.
Due to mental and physical fatigue, we do NOT recommend booking more than a single 2H Lesson per day.
We recommend that you spend at least a few hours watching the KiteBud video tutorials, especially before the first lesson. There is also a Quiz in your account which allows you to put your basic knowledge to the test. Answering these questions correctly could save you up to 30min of theory presentation in the first lesson! Since there is a lot of material to watch, it’s best to spread it across multiple viewings. For example, you should only watch the ‘’first lesson videos’’ before the first lesson and watch the other videos after.
After each lesson, spend some time reading your progression report available in your account page. Watch the photos and videos that we took of your progress during the lesson so you can visualize your strengths and weaknesses.
It’s best to avoid doing any strenuous physical activity on the same day as any of your lessons. It’s also a good idea to avoid booking a lesson the day after a big night out or when you just landed from an overseas flight.
Arriving to the lesson physically or mentally tired could drastically slow down your learning process and will also greatly increase the risk of an accident.
Kitesurfing is often considered as an extreme sport which would imply that the sport has inherent dangers. The truth is that kitesurfing isn’t more dangerous than other sports. A recent study demonstrated that the injury rate of kitesurfing is in the range of other popular contact sports. Most injuries are relatively mild, although, just like skydiving or paragliding, kitesurfing has the potential to cause serious injuries.
Don’t get put off by videos on YouTube showing dramatic kitesurfing accidents. Poor judgement and/or poor training and/or outdated equipment are to blame in the vast majority of the kitesurfing crashes videos. In your very first kitesurfing lesson as well as in our video tutorials , you will learn how to choose safe locations, safe wind conditions and how to select the appropriate size of kite.
With the latest safety enhancements in kitesurfing equipment manufacturing and the latest teaching techniques, there has never been a safer time to learn this amazing sport!
Compared to other sports, kitesurfing can be harder to learn at first. Contrary to popular belief, kitesurfing is a very technical sport that demands a high level of coordination. If you are the type of person that sees other people kitesurfing and thinks ‘’that looks so easy, I’d love to give that a go…how hard can it be?’’ be prepared to be disappointed. In order to get past the beginner stage, you must be willing to put in a lot of practice hours (50 to 100+ hours) on top of your lessons (minimum 6 hours). The good news is, once you get past the beginner stage (learning to get up and ride) you can expect to progress quickly. After only a few months of regular practice, most kitesurfers are ready to learn their first basic jumps and tricks.
You will often hear that kitesurfing is 80% kite control and 20% board control, which is true. Depending on your level of coordination and your overall motor skills, learning to control a kite is something that can be learned easily and quickly or, for some, that can be hard to learn and take a long time to master.
As we saw in the blog post: How many lessons do you need to learn kitesurfing?, there is no way to accurately predict how easily and how quickly one will learn to kitesurf. Your background in other sports (surfing, windsurfing, other boards sports) may help but remember that if you’ve never flown a kitesurfing kite before, you must be prepared to get challenged and learn some completely new skills.
Whether you are 7 or 70 years old, you simply need to be reasonably fit and be able to swim to learn this amazing sport. Click on the video below to see the average progression of a KiteBud student after 6 hours of lessons (3x 2H Lessons) 
Contrary to popular belief you do NOT need ”big arms” and a strong upper body to kitesurf. The power of the kite is held by your harness so you will be using your core and your leg muscles much more than your arms.
You do not need to have a high level of fitness to learn to kitesurf. For safety reasons, you should at least be able to swim a distance of 200 meters in case you get separated from your equipment and have to swim back to shore. Students with poor levels of fitness tend to get tired more quickly so being fit will often allow you to enjoy longer sessions, make the most out of your lessons and make the most of your time on the water. If you are heavily overweight you may have difficulty finding the right size of equipment for you. You may also have difficulty performing tasks that require a minimum level of flexibilty such as putting your feet in the board while flying the kite.
The World speed record for kitesurfing is currently held by Alex Caizergues with a speed of 107 Km/h (58 knots or 66 Mph)! That being said, the vast majority of kitesurfers cruise around at speeds between 25 and 40 Km/H (15 to 25 Mph). Kitesurfers who are consistently riding at speeds above 40km/h (25 Mph) are usually into racing and use equipment designed for this purpose.
The short answer is yes. Although kitesurfing is a solo sport, it is always highly recommended that you kitesurf along with others. For safety reasons, in case you ever got injured or in trouble, other kitesurfers can come to help and/or call emergency services to rescue you. As a beginner kitesurfer, we strongly advise that you do not kitesurf alone.
Unlike in paragliding or skydiving, you do not need a license to enjoy kitesurfing. It is however highly recommended that you get lessons from a licensed instructor. It is also highly recommended you get kitesurfing insurance in case, for example, you injure a member of the public.
We consider that 12 is a good age to start, but it is possible to push it as early as 9 years old, if maturity and commitment are both present. This topic is discussed in great details in one of our latest blog posts here