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oTHErside Boardsports

Kiteboarding/Kitesurfing in the Florida Keys

Kiteboarding in the Florida Keys is some of the best flat-water riding in the entire country. Through Islamorada, Marathon and Key West, the small chain of islands are connected with an intertwining web of sandbars and ‘flats,’ the knee-deep playgrounds for Florida Keys kiteboarders. The consistent wind and shallow, clear, warm water is ideal for learning to kiteboard, whether its your first kiteboarding lesson or that last guided session you need to make you an independent rider.

Kiteboarding season in the middle Keys is October through May, with the best and most consistent wind in the spring months. If you’re already and independent kiter, we can also help point you to the best launches in any given wind direction in our area

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Programs and Pricing

Beginner Lesson
Availability:Call for availability.
Rates: $300. Add a second person for $100
Requirements & Restrictions:No experience necessary. Prior board training at Keys Cable is highly recommended. Minimum winds of 15mph. Restrictions may apply

Intermediate/Advanced Lesson
Availability:Call for availability.
Rates: $300
Requirements & Restrictions:We will pick up where your last kiteboarding training left off. Minimum winds of 15mph
Sitter Session
Availability:Call for availability.
Rates: $100 with your own gear, $150 if you need gear
Requirements & Restrictions:Riders must be independent kiters and able to stay upwind. Minimum winds of 15mph

Boat Trip
Availability:Call for availability.
Rates: $49
Requirements & Restrictions:For experienced and independent riders only. $100 fee applies for downwind rescues. Minimum winds of 15mph.

FYI Sheet - Kiteboarding Lessons

WHEN CAN WE GO?
We need sustained winds at 15mph for beginners. If you walk outside and notice a nice breeze, that doesn’t cut it! When you walk outside and the trees are dancing and you say to yourself, “its windy,” that’s a kiteboarding day! Below are the links to the current wind graph, as well as a forecasting tool. It will give you a good idea of whats to come and how long it will last, but remember, it’s just a forecast, and not fact. Current Wind | Forecasted Wind

WHERE DO WE GO?
Reservations must be booked by phone 305-853-9728, but all trips will leave out of Hawks Cay Marina (look for the green X). Trips usually run 9am and 1 pm, but occasionally we need to adjust based on wind and occupancy. From here, we take a quick boat trip to one of the nearby flats, dictated for the day by the wind direction.

WHO CAN GO?
Contrary to what many people thing, Kiteboarding does not require a lot of upper-body strength because the kite hooks directly to a harness worn around the waist. BUT, it is an active sport and participants should be in decent physical shape and should expect to be tired after 3 hours. We have not put a restriction on age of participants, but children must have a very long attention span, and be extremely comfortable in the water. Wind Restrictions also apply for smaller participants.

HOW MUCH?
Beginner – intermediate lessons are $300, and $100 for a second person. BUT weight restrictions apply for the second person. When two people are participating together, they will be sharing time, instructor and gear. This means that they must be within 50lbs of each other to have a safe and efficient lesson. Otherwise the small person will be overpowered making the lesson unsafe and unenjoyable, and the larger person will be underpowered and frustrated. Other options are available for experienced riders- see Hawks Cay Experience Sheet. Gratuity not included.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE LESSON?
The lessons include all kiteboarding gear and booties for your feet.

WHAT SHOULD PARTICIPANTS BRING?
A bottle of water or other beverage, sun block (pre-applied) Cheap sunglasses with strap, towel and a wetsuit and sweatshirt for chilly days.

WILL I BE A KITEBOARDER AFTER ONE LESSON?
Our instructors will take you through a series of skills. The sooner the skill is mastered, the sooner the student can move onto the next step. With oTHErside’s highly experienced instructors, many students will get to the board riding skills in their first lessons. Some will not. Some will stand up and ride 10 feet, and some will ride 100’s of feet. (This is when a day beforehand at Keys Cable will come in handy!) Most kiteboarders feel that they need between 3-12 hours of instruction before they are confident enough to go out on their own.

ANY QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO CALL OUR FULL SERVICE RETAIL SHOP AT MM83 305-853-9728.

To see all that Otherside has to offer

oTHErside's Kiteboarding

Otherside’s kiteboarding instructors are PASA and/or IKO certified, licensed and insured. With more than 10 years of teaching kiteboarding for a living EACH, they are some of the most qualified instructors on the planet. These guys live, eat, and dream kiteboarding. If you’ve had lesson elsewhere and have been less than satisfied, try oTHErside, where the grass is greener. Do your homework before you book with other schools, learning to kite is not something you want a bargain instructor for!

Please be aware that part of learning kiteboarding is learning how to best read the wind and weather conditions and make good decisions based on the available info. At oTHErside Boardsports, we are commited to making the most of your time and money spent with us. For beginner lessons, we look for winds sustained at 15mph or more. Although it is possible to kiteboard in lighter winds, the skills needed are a bit more refined. We don’t want to take your money if you’re not going to be able to actually learn!

Kiteboarding and Kitesurfing lessons in the Florida Keys. Conducted in the shallow waters around Duck Key, Our professional and friendly staff are ready to help anyone from a complete beginner to a seasoned kitesurfing pro. Let us help you make your vacation a memorable one!

Phone: (305) 853-9728

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