Kiteboarding - the ultimate in freedom - the ultimate challenge - even when you’re relaxing on holiday!

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South Carolina is one of the original American Colonies with a rich history and culture shaped by European, African and Caribbean influences. With sunny beaches, crystal lakes, historic towns, and scenic mountains, South Carolina is not just a “place” it’s an adventure. Extreme Sports Café have teamed up with a well-established Kitesurfing School in South Carolina to offer you an adventure in Kitesurfing.

With over 20 years power-kiting and Kitesurfing experience and Certified PASA & IKO Experienced Kiteboarding Instructors, Extreme Sports Café’s new partner kitesurfing School is the only dedicated kite sports shop and school in South Carolina. In fact, it is the only dedicated kiteboarding store between North Carolina and Northern Florida.

Extreme Sports Café’s partner Kitesurfing School in Charleston, South Carolina is located in the best spot for kitesurfing with Lowcountry wind conditions being just one reason. With huge sandy beaches and surrounding barrier islands, we can offer kiteboarding lessons year round up the southeast coast, from northern Georgia to southern North Carolina. The South Eastern Lowcountry offers us an incredible array of seasons with pristine beaches and beautiful winds. Kiting is a year round sport and since our coastline is angled, optimal wind directions are cross-shore Southwest (typically steady) followed by Northeast (usually gusty).
You can fly off beaches, waves, & flat water in any season. The climate of Charleston is classified as temperate to subtropical, with four mild yet distinct seasons. Spring boasts steady warm southerly winds averaging 15-25 kts. Fall & Winter offer similar speeds but from often gusty northeast frontals. Summers typically rely on afternoon thermals ranging 10-15 kts. The barrier islands provide a variety of flying spots for any wind direction. Low tide sandbars create flat water with Atlantic swell breaks on the outside.
Charleston, South Carolina, a city rich in history, tradition, and Southern culture. Also known as The Holy City (due to the numerous steeples which dot the city's skyline), Charleston brims with the culturally unique, Charleston is a tourist Mecca with nearly 4 million visitors a year consider the greater Charleston area as their destination of choice, which is no surprise after taking into account its reputation for outstanding accommodations, entertainment, cuisine and streets lined with grand live oaks draped with Spanish moss. Along the waterfront are many beautiful and historic pastel-coloured homes. The city is also an important port, boasting the second largest container seaport on the East Coast and the seventh largest port in the United States. It is also the second most productive port in the World behind Hong Kong.

Kitesurfing is a sport and compared to other sports, you can learn fast, but there are many skills that must be learned and it takes more than a few hours to learn these. We understand what it's like to learn a new sport but with proper safety, guidance Knowledge and understanding, you will progress quickly & safely into the fantastic sport of kitesurfing.
This is why Extreme Sports Cafes Charleston Kitsurfing School structures the kitesurfing classes on 5 core skill levels. First, determine your level, browse our kitesurfing courses and choose the one best meeting your skills and goals. Kite classes are designed with sensible lesson plans based on your skill level.

Kitesurfing Courses in South Carolina USA

Which Kitesurfing level are you?

Kitesurfing level 0 - New Kiter
You are totally new to kitesports (power and sport) or you are currently training with smaller power kites along with a kite control class and/or DVD.

Kitesurfing level 1 - Novice Flyer
You just learned the ropes and can properly set up and launch with assistance. You’re body dragging with control and are now working on smooth starts & riding skills. This is where most students are after their first "on-the-board" lesson.

Kitesurfing level 2 - Intermediate Pilot
You’re up and riding, though may be stopping during direction changes. Staying upwind is not your goal as you’re probably focused on keeping your kite stabilized in the air, and out of the water.

Kitesurfing level 3 - Advanced Rider
Making basic turns and riding in both directions is comfortable. You’re staying upwind more and are experimenting with different power techniques. “Water launch fear” is behind you as you might be trying your first jumps.

Kitesurfing level 4 - Progressive Kiteboarder
Staying upwind is second nature. You’re actively jumping, landing and working on specific tricks. Your kite rarely crashes and you have mastered basic techniques. You are now addicted and have become an avid wind chaser.

 

Kite-Zen – Introduction to Kitesurfing 1 $99pp
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This Kitesurfing class is for Level 0 New Kiters and is a 1hour kite control workshop. To learn the basics, you don't have to be on or near the water. But you do need to first reach.. Kite-zen.
Get ready, you're about to become the pilot of a single wing. In becoming a power kiter, your first step is mastering total kite control.

In this 1-hour kitesurfing workshop, you'll study primary power kite control techniques and learn about:
• Power Kite Basics - basic safety, rigging, launching, control, and landing.
• Concepts, Theories & Control Techniques - In this class, we'll review 10 techniques and the exercises you'll practice to reach kite zen. From power strokes to simulated vehicle riding, your homework is then to get out and master how to step on the gas, let off the gas, and hit the brakes...all using your kite, till you're flying blind!
Lesson Times: Mon 11am Wed & Sat 2pm

Intro To Rigging and Safety Class – Introduction to Kitesurfing 2 $179pp
This kitesurfing class is for Level 1 Novice Flyers and is a 2hour class focusing on Safety and Proper Rigging.
You've been trained in kite control and are practicing with a small kite. Now it's time to get a taste of the big stuff in our second essential Kitesrufing class. Here, you'll study safety protocols, proper weather conditions, self-rescue procedures and proper rigging techniques.

Extreme Sports Café’s South Carolina Kitesurfing School will supply all the gear (inflatable kites, boards, and harnesses) and teach you critical techniques for:
• Choosing when and where to ride.
• Selecting proper gear and getting it ready.
• Launching and landing with and without help.
• Water re-launching your kite.
• Important self-rescue techniques after a crash.
• Maintaining your gear in a safe flying condition.

If you have your own gear, we highly suggest bring it to class so we can show you details specific to the make and model of your kite, board, and harness.
Lesson Times: Tue & Sat 11am

Kitesurfing Intro To Riding 3hrs $259
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Level 1 Novice Flyers, it's time to ride!
Put on your sunscreen and bring your towel...you're about to become a kiteboarder! Your patience in studying and practicing is all about to pay off. In this final essential kiteboarding class, you'll combine everything you've learned to put yourself gliding on a board behind a kite.

Extreme Sports Café’s South Carolina Kitesurfing School will bring all the gear (inflatable kites, boards, and harnesses) so you can put it all into action with:
• Self-rescue drills. (safety first!)
• Controlling your fully powered kite on a body-dragging course.
• Handling both your kite and board in the water.
• Water starting - getting up out of the water and on your board.
• Sustaining your ride with proper body and board position.
If you have your own gear, we highly suggest bringing it to class so you can get a good feel and understanding of your kite / board riding characteristics.
Once on the board, it'll only take a few sessions before you're riding comfortably for hours! Should you like a little help with specific skills, be sure to sign up for a
skill booster class. (Private Coaching) Lesson Times: Wed & Sat 11am

Skill Booster – Private Coaching 2-3hrs - $149p/h 4+hrs - $119p/h
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This kitesurfing Private Coaching is for Level 2-3 Intermediate Pilots and can be 2-3 hours or 4+hours focusing on specific kitesurfing skills.

It's simple, you tell us what you need help with the most and we'll customized instruction to strengthen those skills. Most common skill boosters include:
• Perfecting water starts. Changing directions.
• Self launching & landing.
• Staying up-wind.
• Going up-wind.
• Riding new vehicles.
• Water re-launching.
• Riding switch.
• General guidance.
Done on an hourly rate (minimum two hours), custom classes are typically one on one with an instructor for riders who want certain kitesurfing skills improved. Demo gear is available so you can try the latest, though we highly suggest bringing your personal kite, board, and harness.

Kite Surfari $49pp
This kitesurfing surfari is for experienced kiters, Level 3-4 kitesurfers and takes you to remote secret kiteboarding spots.

If you love kiteboarding in Charleston, then taking a kitesurfing trip out to one of the lowcountry's uninhabited barrier islands is a must!

Step aboard with up to 6 of your friends on our 19' creek boat for a sensational session in one of the lowcountry's secluded barrier islands. We head to uninhabited remote kitesurfing spots around capers, the sandy hook, and bird key. Ride amongst sandbar flats, hit the hook for incredible wave action, or dare the sand moguls with a ground board. Price includes beverages and light snacks.
Rental kitesurfing gear is available but you can bring your kitesurfing gear.

 

All of our kitesurfing courses in The USA can be booked online.

Kitesurfing in South Carolina USA - Getting there...

Our kitesurf centers in The USA are located in some of the best locations for sun, surf, kitesurfing, windsurfing and extreme sports of all kinds, not to mention some of the best night spots..

We also have Drop Zones for skydiving, Windsurfing locations, Wakeboarding and Paragliding / Paramotoring available at some locations..

Extreme Sports Cafe is now proud to be able to offer our UK customers discount flight services, hotels and car hire at great rates through Expedia.co.uk.

 

For those with a US address please use this service...

 

Weather conditions for Kitesurfing in South Carolina USA

Water temperatures: Typically, you can get away with only very minimal warmth protection for 7-8 months of the year.

Summer water temps reach as much as the high 80's near shore.

Winter temps average low 50s and many kiters just wear a full 3mm wetsuit. However, certain fronts may change currents and waters have been in the mid - lower 40s on occasion. (Jan - Feb).

Spring suits are in fashion usually by the end of April (sometimes earlier), skin no later than mid May, and back into shorties by October. The really thick rubber (4/3), booties, gloves, and hoods don't usually come out until December through February, but it varies.

Best season spring - Early summer, fall 

Important notes for Kitesurfing Bahamas with Extreme Sports Cafe.

Region South Carolina – South East USA

Closest airport Charleston - SC USA (CHS)

Nearest town - Isle of Palms

Important notes for Kitesurfing South Carolina USA with Extreme Sports Cafe.

Kite-zen
Important class details and statistics -
The Kite-Zen class will be held outside either on the beach or a field depending on weather conditions. If weather is bad, the class will be held in the classroom at air's shop. It will not be rescheduled.
Kite Zen is a class with a set lesson plan and is not a kiteboarding "ride." With proper guidance, you can learn kiteboarding quickly and safely. However, Kiteboarding and other kite-sports require more than a few hours to learn and perfect the basics. If you're just wanting to check things out, we highly recommend starting with a kite zen class.
People skipping basic kite control training (kite zen) significantly increase their kiteboarding learning curve. Our stats show those who skip kite control average a 10% success rate (see below). Those students taking kite zen and mastering the simulation exercises show a 90% success rate.
Success is defined as being able to get up on a kiteboard and sustaining a short distance ride in the final class: intro to riding. We measure it by recording kite zen participation and comparing it to board riding success.

Intro to riding
Important class details and statistics -
The Kiteboarding Rigging & Safety class is held outside on the beach or a field depending on weather conditions. If weather is bad, the class will be rescheduled.
Safety & Rigging is a class with a set lesson plan and is not a kiteboarding "ride." With proper guidance, you can learn kiteboarding quickly and safely. However, Kiteboarding and other kite-sports require more than a few hours to learn and perfect the basics. If you're just wanting to check things out, we highly recommend starting with a kite zen class.
People skipping safety & rigging significantly increase their risk of injury. Our stats show those who skip kite control average a 98% error rate (see below). Those students mastering proper rigging and safety techniques show a 2% error rate.
Error rate is defined as a students needing assistance during self-rescue drills in our final class: intro to riding. We measure it by recording safety and rigging participation and comparing it to those who are able to self-rescue.

Skill Booster
Important class details and statistics -
The Kiteboarding Skill Booster class is held outside on the beach depending on weather conditions. Class will be rescheduled if winds are less than 5 knots or greater than 25 kts, severe weather is in or near the area, or temperatures are below the 110 degree rule (if water temperature plus air temperature = 110 or more...class is on!).
Skill Booster is a class with a custom lesson plan defined by the student's desire to perfect certain kite flying and/or board riding skills. This class is not a kiteboarding "ride." With proper guidance, you can learn kiteboarding quickly and safely. However, Kiteboarding and other kite-sports require more than a few hours to learn and perfect the basics. If you're just wanting to check things out, we highly recommend starting with a kite zen class.
We can only coach and guide you in power kiting and kiteboarding techniques. It is up to you to practice what you learn until you master the skills.

All extreme sports cafe kitesurfing courses in the caribbean follow the IKO (International Kitesurfing Organisation) assessment system. Our instructors are IKO qualified and at the end of each course students will receive an IKO card with their achieved level. All the necessary equipment is provided for students (excluding food and drinks) and the courses last between 4 and 5 hours per day depending on the wind conditions. Students are advised to wear a hat and apply sun-cream as they will be spending a lot of time in the sun. Students must be 16 years or older, although we can teach children under 16 with their parent’s permission and presence.