Kitesurfing Essex 15 prices and offers 2025

We’re not going to say that the best thing about Essex is that it’s close to London, but that proximity is certainly an advantage when it comes to kitesurfing. This sport - which combines surfing, wakeboarding and, well, flying a kite - is the coolest watersport to come to the beaches this century. You need certain conditions to make it possible - long sandy beaches, wide expanses of water that you can stand up in, and reliable winds - and you won’t find these in the nation’s capital. Here on the other hand, with its North Sea coast, there are several locations that are ideal for catching the wind and gliding across the water.

What’s more, there are kitesurfing enthusiasts with a passion for opening up their sport to as many people as possible based around the coast of Essex. They run academies which offer initiation sessions, multi day training courses, and advanced coaching, to allow kitesurfers of all abilities to enjoy the wind and waves on this part of England’s east coast. As well as providing good conditions for experts to pull off some wicked stunts, this county is also a tried and tested training destination. In fact, Richard Branson himself trained here in preparation for his Guiness World Record breaking crossing of the English Channel in 2012. If it’s good enough for the Virgin mogul, it’s good enough for us - can we count you in?

Where are the best places to go kitesurfing in Essex?

• Southend-on-Sea: At just an hour from central London, Southend-on-Sea can be considered as the capital's very own beach. Londoners certainly seem to think so, as this seaside town is bucking the trend of falling visitor numbers that similar towns are facing around the coast of England. Perhaps part of its popularity is down to the fact that there are two beaches here where expert instructors help Southenders and visitors ride the waves doing this activity. One thing that you need for this sport is space, so kitesurfers steer clear of the seafront in the town centre, and instead head for Shoeburyness, to the east of town. Shoebury East Beach is a great place to get started, with a large area of water that’s knee to waist deep. That’s perfect when you’re going to spend several hours moving around in the water, and makes it easier to get up onto the board when you catch the breeze. The other option is Shoebury Common, which is south facing and therefore preferable in certain wind conditions.

• Clacton-on-Sea: The other focal point of Essex’s kitesurfing scene is further up the coast around Clacton-on-Sea. A couple of highly recommended academies operate here, who offer high quality training that’s enjoyable and effective. It’s possible to get kitesurfing from the beach at many locations around town, including near the town centre, and the neighbouring suburb of Seawick, where Martello Bay is a great spot for beginners. But there are times when the wind isn’t perfect for any of these places. That’s no cause for concern, because all you need to do is hop in a boat and go a little further afield.

• Other locations: Apart from Southend and Clacton, there are other beaches and destinations around the coast that instructors might select for their lessons based on the weather, or that experienced kitesurfers might go in order to escape the crowds. Good options include Frinton-on-Sea, St Osyth, and on the Blackwater and Colne Estuaries near Brightlingsea, when the tide’s right.

What are the options for organising an experience?

- Whether you’re a strapless kitesurfing pro, or someone who’s just enjoyed flying a kite at the beach and wants to have a go, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for here. In fact, if you fall into the second category, flying a kite at the beach might be the best introduction to the sport. Not just any kite, but a power kite. This is the driving force of kitesurfing, and learning to harness the wind with one of these is one of key skills that you need to learn. That’s why some schools offer 2 hours, land based introductions to the sport that don’t even involve getting your feet wet. These sessions are open to the whole family, children of any age can take part as long as their big enough to hold a kite.

- If you’ve taken a power kite session and loved it, you’ll be keen to get into the water. You can do this by booking a 3 hour lesson, or a full day course. In both, you’ll put your kiting skills to the test in the waters of Essex’s beaches, first by body dragging - travelling through the water without a board - then making your first runs with full equipment. This training is suitable for teens and adults who are comfortable in the water, though it’s a good idea for those under 18 years old to book with an adult. We should add that it’s possible to continue your kiting journey on land if you prefer, by getting into the sports of kite buggying, or kite landboarding.

- After a day in the water learning the techniques and practising the manoeuvres, you’re not going to be a professional kitesurfer. It takes between 12 and 20 hours to learn all of the skills associated with this sport, and many more hours to master them. We don’t want to put you off, but it’s worth being honest about it. The good news is that the whole process is fun and rewarding. As you continue training with one of the academies, you’ll see yourself develop and start progressing from short rides across the waves, to long runs down the beach. You might decide to continue with courses, get some one to one tuition for a couple of hours - which might include the use of a boat - or even branch out into windsurfing or wing foiling.

- Another way to get those practice hours in, or just to enjoy this sport if you find yourself without your own equipment is to rent everything that you need. There are various locations around the county with rental services, and you can hire out the kit for a matter of hours, or arrange longer rentals.

Requirements to do this activity

You don't have to worry about anything, everyone is welcome to do this activity. Schools will provide you with the material that they update regularly to always be up to date, as well as the BKSA insurance required. What must be taken into account is that the minimum age to start in this sport is 12 years old and you must be of legal age to take the more advanced courses.

We’ve got wind and waves here, can we count on you?