A little Taste of Kiteboarding

At St. Joris Bay, you learn the part of kiteboarding that matters most at the start: controlling the kite. The two-hour lesson moves from setup and safety to steering the kite in the water, where wind power begins to pull you along. The bay’s mix of shallow and deeper water gives you room to practice without turning the first session into a full technical course.

I like the private format, since your instructor can focus on your pace instead of splitting attention among a large class. I also like that the price includes current kite gear, water shoes, rash guards, sunscreen, and an intercom radio, so you can concentrate on the lesson rather than assembling equipment.

The main consideration is physical. You need to swim and have a moderate fitness level, and the first session can involve swallowing some salt water while you learn. A past lesson with Lara ended with one quick learner standing on the board on the first day, but that result is not something you should count on.

Key Points Before You Book

• St. Joris Bay offers both shallow and deeper water, useful for practicing basic kite control and early board work.
• Lara may be your instructor, and her upbeat teaching helped make one birthday lesson especially memorable.
• A radio keeps you in contact with your instructor while you work with the kite on the water.
• The $195 price covers a private two-hour introduction, equipment, protective clothing, and water shoes.
• Return transport from your accommodation is available, but bring your own swimwear and drinking water.
• You must be able to swim, and the activity can be canceled or moved if weather conditions are poor.

Starting With the Kite at St. Joris Bay

The lesson begins at Awa Salu Kiteboarding Curaçao, at The Spot on the road to St. Joris Bay near Willemstad. You meet your instructor there, and the activity ends back at the same point.

The first stage is not about jumping on a board. It is about learning how the kite responds to your hands, the wind, and small movements of the control bar. That may sound simple, but kiteboarding has a machine-like quality: the kite creates the power, while you direct it. Get the control wrong, and the kite can pull suddenly or lose power altogether.

Your instructor first helps set up the kite and explains the wind. The safety briefing is an important part of the lesson, not a formality to rush through. You need to know how the kite generates force, how to reduce that force, and how to respond if the wind shifts or the kite moves too quickly.

This introduction gives you a useful test of the sport. If you like the feeling of handling the kite, you have a sound reason to continue with more lessons. If the controls feel tiring or confusing, you learn that before paying for a longer course.

Why the Bay Works for First Lessons

St. Joris Bay has shallow and deeper sections, which gives the instructor more than one kind of teaching space. Shallow water can help you get comfortable with the kite and your body position. Deeper water lets you work toward moving with the kite without being limited to standing on the bottom.

That variety matters because kiteboarding changes as soon as the kite starts pulling you. You are not simply learning a static skill. You are managing balance, wind, water, and the kite at the same time.

The bay also gives you a scenic setting without requiring a long excursion away from Willemstad. Before and after the lesson, you can watch local kiteboarders practicing in their usual spot. This is a nice extra because you get to see the sport at a higher level, then return your attention to the smaller movements that make that level possible.

Still, a pretty setting does not make the lesson easy. Wind-powered sports can be tiring, and your first hour may involve more concentration than speed. Expect a real introductory class, not a quick photo stop with a kite.

The Two-Hour Lesson, Step by Step

The session starts with equipment and preparation. You receive the year’s kite gear, water shoes, a rash guard, and access to sunscreen. The water shoes are especially practical around a water-based lesson, while the rash guard gives you another layer of protection during a long period in the sun.

After the equipment is ready, your instructor covers safety and wind conditions. This is when you learn how the kite behaves and what your control inputs do. The intercom radio allows you to hear instructions while you are working in the water, which is useful when wind and distance make normal conversation difficult.

Next, you and the instructor go into the water. The stated goal of this first course is to steer the kite and use wind power to propel yourself. You may spend much of the time learning the kite rather than riding smoothly on a board, so keep your expectations realistic.

A strong first session is not necessarily the one that produces a long ride. It may be the one where you understand how to launch the kite’s power, steer it through the wind, and bring it back under control. Those skills form the base for later board work.

Some people progress quickly. One customer described getting onto the board on the first day with Lara, while also admitting to drinking plenty of salt water in the process. That is a useful picture of the sport: progress can come quickly, but it may arrive with a few awkward splashes.

What the Radio and Equipment Add

The included equipment makes the $195 price easier to assess. You are not paying only for two hours of instruction. The package also supplies the kite gear, water shoes, rash guard, sunscreen, and radio.

The intercom is one of the more valuable inclusions. A beginner needs frequent corrections, and a radio can let your instructor speak to you while you are positioned away in the water. That can reduce the need to paddle back for every instruction, though you should still expect plenty of hands-on guidance at the start.

The equipment is described as this year’s kite gear, which is reassuring for a sport where the kite and control system matter greatly. You do not need to pack your own technical equipment, and you can try the activity without making a large gear purchase before knowing if kiteboarding suits you.

You do need to bring swimwear and water. The activity information also lists sunscreen among the items to bring, even though sunscreen is included with the gear, so packing your own supply is the safer plan. Leave valuables at home. A water lesson is a poor place for phones, jewelry, and anything you cannot afford to lose.

Meeting Lara and Finding the Right Teaching Pace

Lara received especially warm praise for making a birthday lesson fun and personal. Her name is worth noting if you are hoping for an upbeat instructor who can keep the mood light while you work through a demanding new skill.

The private format is useful here. One person may need repeated practice steering the kite, while another may move toward board work sooner. With only your group participating, the instructor can adjust the pace rather than forcing everyone through the same sequence.

That does not mean every participant will leave standing on the board. Kiteboarding progress depends on comfort in the water, coordination, wind conditions, and how quickly the controls make sense to you. Book this as a lesson that introduces the sport, not as a guarantee of a complete ride.

I would especially consider this activity for someone who has watched kiteboarders at Curaçao’s beaches and wants to find out what the sport actually feels like. It also works well as a birthday activity or a private challenge for two or more people who are comfortable getting wet.

Is Two Hours Enough?

Two hours is enough for a serious first look at kiteboarding, but not enough to master it. The session can introduce the kite, safety, wind direction, steering, and the first steps toward using the kite to move through the water.

The short format is a plus if you are fitting the lesson between other Curaçao plans. It is also helpful if you are unsure about the physical demands. You can test the sport without committing to a full-day course.

The tradeoff is that the introduction may feel brief if you are progressing quickly. Once you understand the basics, you may want more time to practice. The available advanced courses focus on skills such as walking, launching, and landing the kite on land, so this two-hour activity is best viewed as the first rung rather than the complete ladder.

You should also allow time to arrive ready for the water. The lesson itself lasts about two hours, but setup, safety instruction, and returning equipment are part of the experience. If return transport from your accommodation is arranged, confirm the pickup details when you book.

Who Should Book This Curaçao Activity?

This lesson suits you if you meet several basic conditions:

• You can swim.
• You have moderate physical fitness.
• You are willing to spend the session in the water.
• You want instruction rather than a passive beach activity.
• You prefer a private lesson with direct attention.
• You are curious about kiteboarding but do not own equipment.

It is less suitable if you cannot swim or if you want a dry, low-effort excursion. The wind may do much of the pulling, but you still need to control the kite, maintain your position, listen to instructions, and handle repeated attempts.

It is also not the best choice for someone expecting guaranteed board riding during the first lesson. You might get there quickly, but the advertised focus is kite handling and safety. That is the honest value of the class.

How the $195 Price Measures Up

At $195 per person, this is not a casual add-on like a short beach rental. You are paying for a private two-hour introduction, instruction, equipment, protective gear, water shoes, and radio communication.

The private format is the key value point. If you want one-on-one attention, the cost is easier to justify than a cheaper group class where you spend time waiting. It also removes the need to purchase or transport specialized kite gear for a first attempt.

The price makes less sense if you are already an experienced kiteboarder and only want equipment access. The course is built around teaching the basics, so beginners and curious first-timers gain the most from it.

Return transportation from your accommodation is available, adding convenience if you do not want to arrange your own way to St. Joris Bay. Since the details do not state that transport is included in the $195, check that point before booking.

Weather, Cancellation, and Practical Planning

Kiteboarding depends on suitable weather, so poor conditions can affect your date. If the activity is canceled because of weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff uses Curaçao local time.

The activity also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not met, you are offered another date or activity, or a full refund.

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since this experience is often booked about 60 days ahead, I would not leave it until the last moment if the lesson is important to your schedule.

What to Bring to the Bay

Keep your packing list short:

• Swimwear
• Drinking water
• Sunscreen
• A willingness to get wet
• No valuables

The operator supplies the kite gear, radio, water shoes, and rash guards. Even so, your own sunscreen and water are sensible choices for a two-hour outdoor lesson.

Wear swimwear you can move in. The session involves water work and repeated attempts, so comfort matters more than appearance. Leave valuables at your accommodation because the activity information specifically advises against bringing them.

Should You Book This Kiteboarding Lesson?

Book it if you want a private, practical introduction to kiteboarding in Curaçao and you can swim. The strongest reasons are the direct instruction, included equipment, intercom radio, and St. Joris Bay’s mix of shallow and deeper water.

I would book this for a first attempt, a birthday activity, or a small private group that wants to learn a new sport rather than simply watch one. The experience gives you a genuine feel for kite control and wind power, with enough support to make the first session approachable.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed board ride, cannot swim, or prefer a calm activity with little physical effort. The most sensible expectation is not instant mastery. It is leaving with a clearer idea of how kiteboarding works and whether you want to take the next lesson.

FAQ

How long does the kiteboarding lesson last?

The introduction course lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the activity start and finish?

It starts at Awa Salu Kiteboarding Curaçao, The Spot at St. Joris Bay, on the road to St. Joris Bay near Willemstad. It ends back at the meeting point.

Is equipment included?

Yes. The activity includes the current year’s kite gear, an intercom radio, water shoes, and rash guards. Sunscreen is also included.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, drinking water, and sunscreen. Leave valuables at home.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. The activity is not recommended for people who cannot swim.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.