Speed & Control Drills

Push your comfort zone with targeted speed runs while keeping precise kite and edge control.

Speed is one of kitesurfing's most thrilling dimensions. The rush of carving across the water at 30 knots, spray flying behind you, is addictive — but more speed means less margin for error. This lesson teaches you to push your speed safely, maintaining precise control even as the numbers climb.

Speed Technique

Riding fast isn't just about bigger kites or stronger wind — it's about technique. You'll learn the body position for high-speed riding: low centre of gravity, extended arms, weight committed to your back foot, and your board's rail locked in at a tight angle to the water. Small adjustments in these areas can add five or ten knots to your top speed without any change in conditions.

Your instructor will set up speed runs along the beach, using GPS tracking to give you real numbers. There's nothing like seeing your speed tick up run after run as you refine your technique. We'll work on straight-line speed first, then add powered turns and transitions at speed — which require a completely different balance and timing from slow-speed manoeuvres.

Control at Speed

The critical skill in speed riding is knowing how to manage unexpected power. A gust at 20 knots is manageable; a gust at 35 knots can launch you. You'll practise sheeting out at speed, edging hard to bleed off excess power, and the "speed brake" technique of flattening your board momentarily to slow down without crashing. These reflexes need to be automatic — there's no time to think when you're moving that fast.

"I never thought of myself as a speed rider, but the drills in this session were incredible. I hit 32 knots and felt completely in control. The GPS feedback was brilliant — you can see exactly how each technique change affects your speed." — Daniel W., intermediate kiter

Kiter in an aggressive speed stance creating a spray wall

This session is for riders who want to explore the upper end of their capabilities. Whether you're interested in speed records, racing, or simply want the confidence to ride comfortably when the wind picks up, the techniques you learn here will make you a faster, safer, more controlled rider in every condition.