Kitesurfing vs. Windsurfing in Kappalady, Sri Lanka: Which is Right for You?

As a promoter of kitesurfing and former windsurfer, I will try my best to remain objective in this introduction and overview of these two thrilling watersports.

When trying out a new sport, I usually do lots of research to make sure it’s going to tick all the proverbial boxes before spending time, money and energy on something that doesn’t meet my expectations. I look at the equipment requirements vs associated cost, and the ease of getting going vs rate of progression.

If you're looking to learn an exhilarating water sport while visiting Sri Lanka, the chances are you are wondering whether it's kitesurfing or windsurfing around Kappaladi/Kalpitiya or learning to surf in Arugam Bay or the plenty spots on the south like Mirissa, Weligama, Hiriketiya etc. For the purpose of this post, we are going to unpack kitesurfing vs windsurfing and will leave the surfing consideration to you (but remember you can always do both).

At first glance when you observe someone flying along the water's surface at great speed, powered by nothing but the wind, kitesurfing and windsurfing may appear to be fairly similar sports. However, as with most things in life, there is much more to it. 

Both sports offer a unique experience, but they each have their own set of pros and cons. In this post, I'll break down the key differences between kitesurfing and windsurfing so you can decide which one is right for you.

What's the Difference Between Kitesurfing and Windsurfing Equipment?

Let’s start by taking a look at the equipment and how you interact with it.

• Kitesurfing
  • You use a large kite that is tethered to a harness you wear around your waist. The kite is controlled using a bar that you hold in your hands while standing on a board. 
  • Due to its popularity there is a lot of innovation and technological advancements happening with the kitesurfing equipment all the time (You can try some of the latest demo kites at our Duotone Pro Center in Kappalady).
  • The equipment, apart from the board which typically is 130 -160cm long, folds up much smaller and is therefore a lot easier to travel with.
• Windsurfing
  • You use a sail that is attached to a mast that is mounted on the board. You control the sail by moving your body weight and adjusting the angle of the sail.
  • Equipment is generally cheaper as many people are exiting the sport and moving to kitesurfing or wingfoiling.
  • The equipment is all very rigid and requires a lot of space, as well as being quite finicky to pack when traveling. Generally, setting up the windsurf equipment requires similar effort to kiting, the main difference is the much longer board, the rigid mast and sails that can not be folded but must be rolled. However, there are less lines to get tangled. 

Which Sport is Easier to Learn?

There are a few factors which will greatly influence the ease of learning both kitesurfing and windsurfing, previous experience with board sports, suitable stable learning conditions, and your physical fitness levels. Making use of a qualified instructor will increase the speed at which you improve your coordination and balance, but many people generally find kitesurfing to be slightly easier, as the kite is more intuitive to control than the sail. 

Kitesurfing

• Kitesurfing is much faster to progress than windsurfing, but initially it is more difficult to learn. We recommend taking the IKO 1/2/3 12 hour course. 
• When kitesurfing, you use the kite to pull yourself through the water, making it a dynamic and acrobatic sport.
• You can kite in a wide variety of weather conditions, due to the large selection of kites, you simply adjust your equipment based on wind strengths.
• You need more space to launch your kite due to the long lines, in general 19 - 24m.
• Kiting is considered an extreme sport so we always recommend starting with lessons with a qualified instructor and school.
• Kitesurfing uses a lot more core and leg strength which you will always need no matter how much you progress. 

Windsurfing

• Windsurfing is easier to learn in the early days, but much harder to progress at, therefore you tend to plateau quite quickly. With some dedicated time with a good instructor you should be up and riding within 3 to 5 hours. 
• With windsurfing, you use the sail to push yourself forward, making it more about balance and technique, which requires you to conceptualize what you are doing with the sail in order to move forward.
• Windsurfing allows you to launch from tight spots with less launch space.
• Much safer and therefore you can attempt to self teach when starting out.
• Windsurfing is very doable in cold winds, as you generally spend less time in the water.
• Windsurfing requires much more upper body strength initially, as you are constantly using strength to get the sail in position, this eases once you advance and learn to beach/water start. 

If you are only going to do the activity for 5 days and never again, I'd pick windsurfing. If you plan on doing this activity for the rest of my life, I’d say kitesurfing is superior.

Which Sport is More Exciting?

Both kitesurfing and windsurfing are incredibly exciting sports, but they offer different thrills. Kitesurfing is often described as a more adrenaline-fueled experience, as you can be launched high into the air and perform a variety of aerial maneuvers. Windsurfing is also a lot of fun, but it's generally a more grounded experience.

Transportation of Equipment?

I will touch on this again, as it is a very important factor to consider when deciding if you’ll pursue windsurfing or kitesurfing.

• Kitesurfing quiver typically consists of a board, harness, bar and kite(s) which can be packed away in a bag that looks like the type used for carrying golf clubs. Of the two, kitesurfing gear offers fewer hassles than windsurfing equipment as it is smaller and can be packed away tightly.
• Windsurfing gear appears to be more cumbersome than that of its counterpart as it usually comes with a much longer board compared to kiting, a mast and sails that must be rolled. Besides the size of the gear, weight also plays a critical factor with windsurfing gear being heavier and bulkier than kitesurfing equipment.

Best spot to learn Kitesurfing and Windsurfing in Sri Lanka? 

In my opinion the Kappalady Lagoon is the perfect spot for learning both sports. Kappalady, located on the North West coast of Sri Lanka, has constant and predictable wind conditions, while the water is shallow and flat, making it easy to learn and practice.

The best time to go kitesurfing and windsurfing in Kappalady lagoon is Winter (End of December until Mid March) and Summer (May until September), when the winds are strong and consistent. More on this in our next post…

What to Bring

If you settle on kitesurfing, KiteKuda Kite Resort has all the equipment you can rent at our Duotone Pro Centre, Kappaladi. However, if you are windsurfing or are a more experienced kitesurfer, I encourage you to bring your own gear along. 

Additional Tips

• It's important to take lessons from a qualified instructor before you try either kitesurfing or windsurfing. 
• For kitesurfing, KiteKuda offers beginner courses to advanced lessons with our IKO certified instructors in English, German, French and Sinhala.
• Be aware of the wind conditions and only go out when it's safe.
• Always wear safety gear and ensure your equipment is in good condition.
• Be respectful of other water users.

Only you can come to a conclusion on whether you start your water sports journey with windsurfing or kitesurfing. If you are still unsure, I recommend taking a lesson in each one to see which you prefer. At our Duotone Pro Centre we offer a 2 hour Discovery Lesson for €80,- which can help make your decision easier.

Final Note

I hope this blog post has helped you learn more about kitesurfing and windsurfing in Kappalady. As one of two approved Duotone Pro Centers in Sri Lanka, we pride ourselves on giving back to the kitesurfing community and upholding the highest standard across our school. If you're ready to book a learn to kitesurf course, introductory lesson or rent our latest equipment please contact us at Kitekuda Kite Resort. Our experienced team will help you choose the right equipment for your skill and experience level.

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About the Author

Hi, I'm Mike, a passionate Australian windsurfer and kitesurfer, also the owner of Kitekuda Kite Resort and the Duotone Pro Centre. I have called Sri Lanka home for the past 30 years and I love sharing my knowledge and experience of this beautiful island with all our visitors. I've been living at Kitekuda situated on the diverse Kappalady lagoon for the past 10 years, and I know this unique little ecosystem like the back of my hand. I'm committed to promoting sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka by building deep relationships in the local village and running initiatives that will lead to long term benefits in the area.

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