Kitesurfing in Greece for beginners. Kitesurfing in September: where to find the best places in Europe for unforgettable flights. National characteristics of Greek kitesurfing

In the warm season, the Ionian, Aegean and Mediterranean seas attract people who love active recreation at sea and extreme sports like a magnet. Kitesurfing is also well developed in Greece.

National characteristics of Greek kitesurfing

The Greeks welcome tourists who want to do it with open arms. There are equipment rental points and schools all along the coast. You can go kitesurfing without going far from Athens; there are also spots and kite schools here. Amateurs will be able to work out with an instructor and get acquainted with the features of Greek kitesurfing, and pros will be able to conquer the waves.

Beginners are advised to start exploring off the coast of the islands of Lemnos and Karpathos. In summer, the meltemi wind constantly blows there, and the water warms up well. The main thing is to overcome fear and believe in yourself, and then luck will follow.

The main ski season lasts from May to September. But there is an influx of tourists during the summer months. This is due to the temperature of the water, the direction and strength of the wind. And also the opportunity to combine active recreation with beach recreation, excursions and other entertainment. At the same time, tourists who prefer to come to Greece.

Where is the best place to go kitesurfing?

It is considered a real mecca for kitesurfing. And this is not surprising, the local ones are not only diverse, but also very beautiful.

The island of Rhodes attracts more experienced kitesurfers. Here you can ride in both the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. The season lasts from the second half of May to September, it is at this time that a tailwind, Meltemi, blows along the coast, the speed reaches 20 knots. Experienced kiters prefer the second half of the day, this is when the best wind blows.

Spots of Rhodes Island:

Kremasti

Prasonisi

The Kremasti spot welcomes tourists from the second half of May until September. A nice feature is that the wind blows here every day. The beach is wide, there are stones at the bottom, but the depth begins almost immediately (you need to take care of safety shoes). The surface of the water is either choppy or wind waves.

On the shore there is a kite equipment rental station, lifeguards, equipment storage and a school.

Spot Prasonisi is unique place, created by nature for kitesurf lovers. There is both a calm sea and waves here, which is suitable for both beginners and professionals (there is shallow water and a wave zone). The reason is the sand spit (it’s quiet on one side and the wind is blowing on the other) and the landscape. Meltemi wind (with thermal effect) blows almost every day. The speed is 20-30 knots, in July-August the wind gets stronger. The spot has the best rescue service and representation of international kitesurfer communities.

The Fanes spot is located next to a small village not spoiled by beachgoers. Almost all narrow Sandy shore made available to athletes. There are no strong waves, the water surface is choppy. The wind blows smoothly along the coast. This spot was chosen by experienced kiters who prefer good wind conditions. There are two kite centers with equipment rentals and schools.

The small island of Kos welcomes tourists from May to October. Kitesurfing enthusiasts have long been in love with beautiful island with dedicated ones for sports. There are three main spots, and they vary greatly.

Spots on Kos Island:

Psalidi

Kefalos

Marmari.

The Psalidi spot is located in the lagoon and is designed for experienced kiters and professionals. The surface of the water is choppy, the waves reach two meters. The Meltemi wind blows here from May to October. Constant wind during the season is the main feature of the spot. There are two equipment rental points and a school.

The Kefalos spot is in a very picturesque place and is more popular among beginner kiters. The season here starts in May and lasts until early October. The waves reach one meter. The main feature of the spot is ideal smooth water. You can come here with your whole family and learn to ride. On the shore there are two stations with equipment rental points and a school.

The Marmari spot is more universal; both beginners and professionals can ski here. Kitesurfing is possible from May to October. There is a long cape nearby, so the north wind blows more evenly. The pleasant Meltemi starts at lunchtime and stops blowing only at sunset. The surface of the water is choppy. The features of the beach make launching and landing a little difficult. There is a rescue station and rental station.

The island of Crete is last place, where the meltemi wind blows. The best time to kitesurf here is during the summer months. At this time of year the water is warmer and the wind blows constantly.

Popular spots:

Amudari Bay

Palaikastron

Agia Marina

Elafonissi.

The spots here are designed for beginners (there are schools) and professionals.

They say that Greece has everything. So every kitesurfing lover will find his own spot and his own wind in this country.

Kitesurfing simply couldn’t help but appear in Greece. In Europe, this place is considered the best for kite riding. The country has everything necessary for the development of this sport: bright sun, sandy beaches, clean seas. But the main advantages are in the peculiarities of the terrain and territory in which the country is located. Firstly, there are almost 1,500 islands in Greece. Secondly, the country is washed by three seas at once. These two factors provide a wide variety of conditions. Any kiter will find something suitable for himself. Therefore, kitesurfing in Greece is ideal for beginners. Moreover, it is not at all necessary to sit in one place for the entire vacation. You can travel throughout the country and try the wind on various Greek islands.

There are a lot of kite schools. They are located along the entire coast of the mainland and islands.

5 reasons to visit

Skiing level

There are many spots for any level of skiing

Kite schools

Many schools and stations both on the mainland and on the islands

Infrastructure

Developed. Has everything you need

Accommodation from approximately 1000 rub. in the hostel. Price for an individual lesson – from 4000 rub.

Season

Greece is located in the subtropical climatic zone. The climate in the country varies depending on the region. On the coasts it is predominantly Mediterranean, in the central part it is already continental, in the western part it is Alpine.

Thanks to geographical location The sun almost always shines in Greece. The country even received the nickname “sunny”.

Summer in the country is hot and dry. Winter is warm, with occasional cold snaps. In spring and autumn the weather is changeable, there is a lot of precipitation.

In winter there is little snow, but it rains often. There is snow and frost only in the north of the country in the mountains. There is especially a lot of rain in western Greece. Temperatures in winter vary from region to region. Throughout the country it ranges from -3℃ to +3℃. To the south the temperature rises and becomes warmer. In warmer areas the temperature reaches +10-11℃. Water temperature in winter varies from +12℃ to +16℃.

Summer heat also depends on the region of the country. On islands and coasts it is felt less due to sea breezes. And in the central part it can be unbearable. Temperatures in summer usually reach +31-33℃. But sometimes it can reach + 35-36℃.

The kite surfing season in Greece lasts from May to October. Schools and stations usually open during this period. The rest of the time the air and water temperatures do not allow for skiing.

Another important question is when is the best time to rest. After all, many people combine sports with beach holiday. The largest influx of tourists and kitesurfers is observed in the summer months, mainly in July and August. also in summer time The seasonal wind Meltemi blows. Kiters who prefer comfortable temperatures and conditions go to Greece in the summer. The water temperature in summer ranges from +24℃ to +28℃.

And those who cannot stand crowds of tourists, and who prefer free space - in late spring or early autumn. Kiting in Greece in September is also popular, but not so much.

Maybe you'll get lucky

Spots

Kitesurfing spots in Greece annually attract kiters of all levels. There are too many places to ski in the country. You can find a beach either near Athens or just outside greek islands. Among all the diversity, there are several of the most popular places. Although, due to the fact that there are too many islands, not all of them have kite schools.

Spots of Rhodes

Review of Rhodes kite spots.

There are many on the island great places for riding. The following have proven themselves to be the best:

Prasonisi. Located in the southern part of the island. The spot is suitable for any level of skiing. The winds are strong and blow mainly from June to October. But there are always a lot of people here.
Kremasti. Located in the northwest. It is more suitable for experienced kitesurfers. The shore here is rocky. Winds are moderate, blowing in the afternoon.
Ialysos. It is famous not only for its excellent skiing conditions, but also for its wide variety of entertainment.

Spots of Crete

Most south island Greece - Crete. There are no too strong winds there. Therefore, both professionals and beginners can go there. The island of Crete is often compared to the Halkidiki peninsula. Conditions for kitesurfing in these places are similar. You can try skiing in both places and decide for yourself which is better.

Where are the most popular spots in Crete concentrated:

Elafonisi. In the southwest of Crete there is separate island Elafonisi. The two islands are connected by a sandbar. The spot is located on this spit. The beach itself is a great place to relax. You can come here with children. There is a beautiful lagoon nearby that is absolutely safe. Dedicated for kitesurfing small area, separated from public beach. There is also a kite school.
Falasarna. This place is suitable for professionals. It will be difficult for beginners there. In addition, the spot only has a windsurfing station. So you will have to bring your own equipment for kiting.
Golden beach in Chania. Kitesurfing in this place is a pleasure: stable waves and wind, sandy beach. There is an equipment rental station. But you need to take into account that it closes at the beginning of September.

Spots Kos

The island of Kos is also included in the list of the most popular islands for kitesurfing. There are many spots on it. And here are the most popular ones:

Psalidi. Located in a picturesque lagoon. This spot is for advanced kiters and professionals. Strong winds blow here, and waves reach 1-2 meters in height. During the kitesurfing season the wind blows constantly. There is a kite school and 2 stations.
Kefalos. This spot is also located in a rather picturesque place. Unlike the previous one, it is perfect for beginners. Entire families come here to learn to ride. The spot also has a school and 2 rental points.
Marmari. And this spot is suitable for both beginners and professionals. Meltemi appears from lunch and does not stop until sunset. North wind more even. The only unpleasant thing is that due to the nature of the beach, launching the kite is a little difficult.

Spots of Mykonos

The island has advantages compared to many other places. The main one is that in summer the wind blows almost every day.

The best spots in Mykonos:

Ftelia. This spot is more popular among windsurfers. But there is also a place for kiters. The main advantage is that there are almost always few people there, even in August.
Korfos. Popular beach among kitesurfers. Also sparsely populated, but for a reason. The place is not very clean. Although this does not bother lovers of secluded skiing.

Spots of Thassos

The island of Thassos has many ski areas with a wide variety of conditions. There are even beaches awarded " Blue flag" - an award meaning the best environmental conditions.

Schools and camps

Kite training in Greece is very well developed. But not all schools are open all the time. Most open only in season. Also, schools may be closed due to a lack of conditions for skiing, for example, when there is no wind. Although such situations happen very rarely, and the wind blows almost constantly in many places in Greece.

Most kite schools in Greece offer individual and group lessons. But there are also those in which only individual training is possible. It will cost more. But the instructor’s focus on only one client allows you to master the program faster.

Most often, an individual lesson costs about 5,000 rubles. Typically, clients pay this price when purchasing a full course of training. Some schools have come up with a feature called a trial lesson. In some cases it may be one lesson for the same price, and in some cases the price may be slightly higher.

There are kite schools that offer to choose a tour from home on their websites. When purchasing a kitesurfing tour in Greece, the client usually pays the cost of all services included in the training program at once. For example, accommodation, meals, equipment rental, transfer to spots. Without purchasing a tour, some services may be paid separately. Kiters who have been riding for a long time and do not plan to stop, it is advisable to purchase their own equipment. This will help you save money in the future. Moreover, some schools offer students good discounts on the purchase of equipment.

Price

from €35 per group lesson

Provide assistance in finding housing

Equipment rental:

There is everything necessary equipment

Flight

The cost of a flight from Moscow to Greece is low. You can find tickets for 3-5 thousand rubles one way. You won't always be able to save money on roundtrip tickets. The price depends on the airline. Duration direct flight– from 3.5 to 4 hours.

There is no better place in Europe for kitesurfing in September than Greece, it simply doesn’t exist. Warm sea, gentle sun, picturesque views, numerous beautiful beaches and ideal winds - what else is needed to enjoy a free “flight” on the water? And to this is added European comfort, cultural and historical values, and an excellent gastronomic component. Therefore, if a vacation is planned in September, then a kite lover does not even need to doubt: his direct route is to Greece!

For water recreation there is not one, but three sea coasts - Mediterranean, Aegean and Ionian. Climatic conditions allow you to enjoy the sea and sun from May until the end of September, but in July and August the strongest winds blow here (Meltemi), but in September the ideal combination is achieved specifically for kitesurfing - calm warm water with moderate wind.

Kitesurfing in Greece in September

Greece is called the “country of a thousand islands”; there is sea water everywhere, so it is simply created for active water activities and local residents kite riders and windsurfers are welcomed with open arms. There are special schools all along the coast; you can rent any equipment or seek the services of an instructor (conveniently, it is not at all problematic to find training in Russian here, unlike in third world countries).

Almost everywhere in Greece you can find excellent places for kitesurfing: both near Athens and on the islands. A real paradise for kite lovers are the islands: Ionian, Rhodes, Corfu, Kos, Crete. This is the best place for both beginners and pros, but off the coast of Karpathos and Lemnos, beginners are not recommended to learn the basics of skiing due to the unpredictability of the winds.

We can separately mention Rhodes, which has many excellent spots, and its unique part Prasonisi (its southern point). Distinguished by the area where the waters of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas the fact that here there is an opportunity to ride in two styles at once: on one side of the isthmus there is a lagoon and calm waters, which is suitable for kiting, and on the other side there is a wave spot for windsurfing.

There are also many excellent places on the mainland, and you will definitely choose your favorite by visiting the spot:

Edem,
Agios Serafim,
Oropos Chalkoutsi,
Faros,
Elafonissos Beach,
Agelochori.

Kitesurfing in Crete

One of the favorite and popular places for kitesurfing in Greece is Crete. It is the southernmost, largest and last of all the Greek islands to be blown by the Malthermi, but surprisingly there is not too much wind and the water is perfect for skiing. There are enough spots for skiing on the island, you can find them, for example:

in Elafonisi, which is located on the southwestern coast of the island and benefits from a beautiful lagoon, where even with far from weak winds, the calm sea surface allows you to master and improve your skiing technique. The area is not crowded, the bottom is sandy, there is a reef,
in the Amudar area, located west of the capital islands. There are stable winds and excellent terrain for skiing, there is equipment rental and instructors, the resort offers hotels of different levels for accommodation, so kite lovers have a great holiday with the whole family, including children,
in Paleokastro - a small village located on the north-eastern side of the island. There is a famous surfing station here, but kites can also be launched and the conditions are ideal for mastering the water launch. The only thing to keep in mind is that there are no kite rentals here yet.

Kitesurfing in Crete is one of the most common hobbies among amateurs active rest. But besides this, you will have something to do, because here you can visit places that myths tell about Ancient Greece. This island is the birthplace of Zeus, the names of Icarus and Daedalus, and the labyrinth of the Minotaur are also closely associated with it. There are many historical monuments of different eras, palaces, fortresses. A big plus for this is the picturesque beauty of the coast, a favorable climate and a lot of positive emotions!

One of the best places for windsurfing in the Mediterranean- these are the Greek islands, and, perhaps, the most accessible of them - Crete. Many charters fly here, hotels for every taste from 2 stars to 5. In short, getting to the island is not a problem. Three and a half hours and you are there.

Tourists are greeted here very warmly, atmosphere in Crete friendly and civilized.

Northern coast of Crete.

The landscape resembles South coast Crimea: sea and mountains.

But the main thing is that there are good wind conditions for sailing in general and for windsurfing in particular. Meltemi (seasonal wind in the Mediterranean) blows, as expected, almost all summer from approximately the northwest. More information about wind can be found at WindGuru. There is also a lot of historical attractions, which are worth visiting.

The trick was to find the right one surf station. It turned out that although in Crete more than a dozen places for windsurfing, but not all of these places can be easily reached, since the island is very large, and not all of it is covered by our tour operators. The most affordable hotels are not too far from the airport Heraklion.

In terms of proximity to these hotels, George Samniotis Station is very conveniently located.

The station is located near the popular resort town Hersonissos(Limenas Chersonisou). This place in the catalogs of our tour operators is sometimes more accurately called Anissaras. But they often say that the station itself and the nearest hotels, on the territory of which it is actually located, are located in Hersonissos. This place is marked here on the map.

This is roughly what it looks like from the height of a sea gull.

Territory of the hotel "ALDEMAR CRETAN VILLAGE 4*+ All Inclusive"

Since we're talking about hotels, let's look at this in more detail. Several accommodation options are possible:

1) "VIP": You can live in the mentioned 4*-5* hotels directly next to the station. As an example, I will name the 3 best of them:

"ALDEMAR KNOSSOS ROYAL VILLAGE 5*",

"ALDEMAR ROYAL MARE VILLAGE 5*",

"ALDEMAR CRETAN VILLAGE 4*+ All Inclusive."

2) "VIP FREE": At the last listed hotel (ALL INCLUSIVE) windsurfing is also included, but only for holders of a VDWS windsurfing certificate. There may be some other sports included that do not require a certificate. Unfortunately, the freebie does not apply to the sailing catamaran.

3) "ECONOMICAL": You can live in the city of Hersonissos in an inexpensive hotel, taking advantage of special offers, of which there are many.

In this case, to come to the station, it is better to rent some kind of transport: a car, a motorcycle, a scooter, an ATV or a bicycle - whichever you prefer.

Wherein:

Firstly, hundreds of euros are saved compared to the first two options;
Secondly, you have freedom of movement;
Thirdly In addition to sailing on the sea, you can enjoy sailing on land, especially in the mountains. Skiers should appreciate this summer replacement for skis - you don't even need a lift.

It would be worth talking about transport rental in more detail, but this is a separate topic. I’ll just note that the car is very cool, but for long trips it’s better to take a car (if further than 30-50 km, although it all depends on the level of personal extremity).

I stayed at the last hotel listed "ALDEMAR CRETAN VILLAGE 4*+ All Inclusive"

However, let's return to windsurfing.

The station has 2 ski areas.

One place (base-1)- on sandy beach, open to the wind and waves. The wind, as a rule, blows onto the coast from the left at a slight angle, i.e. almost along the coast. It is very convenient both to start and to return. Just need to be careful in the surf area if it is strong. Catamarans are also based here.

Second place with flat water (base-2) located in St. George's Bay.

The photo shows the working chapel of the 14th century, to which the bay owes its name.

If you need help getting back to shore, motor boats are always ready.

In addition to windsurfing, the station offers professional training in catamaran sailing. What a fast vessel! If you are not yet ready to operate such a thing on your own, then you can take a walk with an instructor. On Monday mornings this test drive is offered free of charge.

In both sailing disciplines you can take an exam and receive VDWS certificate. The station has an atmosphere of hospitality and cordiality. A professional international team works here.

This is George (Greece) and his charming assistant Patricia (Poland). George is the boss here. He provides each guest with attention and an individual approach.

Chief windsurfing instructor Uwe (Germany) is a windsurfing professional and a good teacher.

Commander of the catamaran squadron Bernie (Germany). He's great too windsurfer, but for some reason he prefers catamarans. Bernie showed me all sorts of things, like how you can steer a catamaran without rudders, just by moving your weight.

Work language - English. Each team member speaks one or two languages in addition to English. At least two or three speak Russian.

A distinctive feature of the station is that it is not limited windsurfing. In addition to boards and catamarans, there is also a small sports yacht, water skis, wakeboards, jet skis, paragliders (towed behind a boat), kayaks, pedalos, etc.

Apparently for this reason there are relatively few boards here, probably two or three dozen (although this may have been due to the fact that I was there in May, i.e. the season had not yet begun, and not all the boards were in combat readiness) . However, here you can find boards and sails for any level of riding: wide centerboards for beginners; wide bevelles for those who feel more confident and want to master planing; small boards for advanced ones. Sails - from small children's to 7 m2.

Concerning training, then the usual surfing tradition is followed here: there is course for beginners and individual lessons for advanced students. Particular attention is paid to children here. Especially for them there are small sails from 2 m2. In my presence, instructor Uwe taught two boys to ride, who looked to be 10-12 years old.

I really regret that I was lazy and missed a great opportunity to master the water start. But I passed the test here VDWS and received windsurfing certificate. I hope it will be useful in the future.

And it’s also a pity that all good things come to an end quickly.

And finally, last but not least.

Prices at the station are very flexible.

Base price for board rental for a week 180 euros- this is if you take the board on the spot. If the board is reserved in advance, a discount is offered. Please note that this pricing policy is exactly the opposite of that accepted at most other surf stations, where the stated base price applies only in case advance reservation, and otherwise + from 10%.

Special discounts may also be provided:

for families;
early in the morning;
when registering in advance;
in May, September, October;
holders of a VDWS certificate (windsurfing or sailing catamaran);
well, and, of course, wholesale prices – i.e. when there is a lot at once.

For special pricing, feel free to contact George personally. Say hello to him from Eugene from Russia and ask for a discount.

Good luck to everyone, good wind and good mood.

Surfing in Greece is a wonderful holiday, with the opportunity to develop physically under the hot sun, in cool sea water. Every year, many people from all over the world come here to brave the elements. Some people prefer one particular beach, but there are quite a lot of those who do not prefer one thing, Greece, or, for example, surfing in Rhodes or surfing in Crete.

Greece is not only about beautiful beaches and high waves that just beg to be ridden. Greece is the homeland, one might say, the cradle of world culture and philosophy. Here great amount museums of antiquity, monuments and ancient sculptures. Therefore, after surfing, you can arrange a small tourist detour.

But let's get back to the board. Which beaches are best suited for this sport? Let's compare several coasts and look at hotels in order to answer this question.

Surfing in the Aegean Sea in Rhodes

It is generally accepted that the best place to surf the waves is in the Aegean Sea, as the summer Meltemi wind blows here, which is very favorable for surfing in Greece. The Aegean Sea is located between the Greek mainland, Crete and Rhodes. Most surfers prefer Rhodes, since there the angle between the normal to the shore and the Meltemi direction is minimal, and therefore the waves are the highest there. And Rhodesian entrepreneurs actively take advantage of this, and therefore new entertainment infrastructure facilities and tourism business, such as hotels, clubs, bars and even brothels, which, despite the large number of holiday romances, are in great demand. In Rhodes there are three most popular places for surfing in Greece. Let's look at them in detail.

1. Ialyssos with its world famous club Mistral. Ialysos is located in the north-west of the island and is a city that is more than three and a half thousand years old. That is why there are so many ancient Greek architectural monuments here, among which the most famous are the temples of Zeus and Athena.
From Ialyssos to the capital it is only 8 kilometers - half an hour’s walk. From the airport it is only 6 and a half kilometers. In winter it is warm here, +8 degrees Celsius, in summer the temperature rises to forty. Beach season- from May to October. In general, surfing in Rhodes, where everything is already wonderful, will become completely unforgettable thanks to the wonderful service.

There are a lot of organizations and private instructors here who are ready to teach boarding to people of any skill level. Therefore, surfing in Greece will not present much difficulty for beginners either.

Among the city's hotels there are expensive five-star ones, there are mid-range ones, but there are also quite a lot of economy class hotels.

Economy class includes, for example, Blue Bay Beach Hotel, which, in principle, is not a bad hotel without frills, prices range from about 3,000 to 6,500 rubles. per day.

Averages are like Sun Beach Resort Complex. Here, a day's accommodation for surfers in Greece will cost an average of 35,000 rubles.

2. Next you can consider the Ixia resort. Ixia and Ialyssos are separated from each other by Mount Filerimos, on which there are ancient temples of two ancient gods of the Greek pantheon - Zeus and Athena. From the airport to the resort the drive is the same as to Ialyssos - only 6 kilometers.

There are approximately 21 hotels in this city, among which there are both hotels for middle and business class tourists. One of the most famous five-star hotels here is Ixian All Suites by Sentido 5. The service here is very extensive High Quality, which can be judged not only by independent assessments of specialists, but also by a large number reviews on the Internet. But here, as in any 5-star hotel, the rooms are very expensive. The minimum price for a single room is about 20,000 rubles. per day, rooms for the rich are already valued at hundreds of thousands of rubles. It is also worth noting that almost all hotels have a base of instructors, so surfing in Greece for beginners is also very popular.

The three-star Solemar Hotel Apartments is a more affordable option have a nice rest. There is a gorgeous swimming pool, tennis courts, Gym, and a lot of things that they don’t even know about on the Internet. This pleasure is inexpensive - only 5000-6000 rubles. in a day.

Surfing in the Aegean Sea on Crete

For surfing on the island, famous for its epic minotaur, the most suitable town is Amoudara, which is only 8 kilometers away from Heraklion. There are many expensive and not so expensive hotels, good services and everything you need for entertainment. The waves here are not as high as in Rhodes, but still, amateurs and professionals come here for whom classic surfing in Greece has become a way of life.

Among the hotels in this city, the most famous is Creta Beach Hotels and Boungalows.
This is an expensive hotel with a high level of service, but there are also cheap rooms. Minimum price – 15,000 to 25,000 rubles. per day. But the hotel is located close to the beach and it is very convenient.

By the way, if you need to find a board instructor, you can enter in Greece, including surfing for beginners. But, as in any other business, you should first look at the reviews and ask around his former students.

It might be useful to read: