Kitesurfer on the Columbia River.

Essentially any locale where consistent, steady winds (10 to 35+ knots), and large open bodies of water are available are suitable for kite surfing. Most kitesurfing takes place along the shore, but it can also be practiced on large lakes and occasionally on rivers. Since kiteboarding relies heavily on favorable, consistent wind conditions, certain geographic locations tend to become popular and sought out by experienced kiteboarders.

• Iles de la Madeleine, Québec, Canada
• Aberdeen, Scotland
• Cagliari, Petrol Beach - Sardinia Island, Italy
• Maui, Hawaii
• Jekylls Island, Georgia
• St. Peter Ording, Germany
• Eiderstedt, Germany
• Cabarete, Dominican Republic
• Tarifa, Spain
• Cape Hatteras, NC, US
• Safaga Bay, Egypt
• Chumpon, Thailand
• South Padre Island, TX, US
• Santa Cruz, CA US
• Hood River, OR, US
• Columbia River Gorge, Columbia River, Northwestern US
• Geraldton, Australia
• Port Douglas, Australia
• Tranque Puclaro, Chile
• Ayamonte, Isla Canela near Ayamonte, Spain
• Costa Calma, Fuerteventura, Canary Isles, Spain
• Nitinat Lake, British Columbia, Canada
• Western Cape, South Africa
• Traverse City, Michigan, US
• Jupiter, Florida, US
• Atlantis Beach, Bonaire, Dutch Antilles
• Noordwijk Beach, The Netherlands
• Poole Harbour, England
• Fortuna Beach Rydebäck, Sweden
• Lagan Båstad, Sweden
• Lake Silvaplana, Switzerland
• La Ventana, Baja, Mexico
• Silver Sands, Barbados
• Lake Mille Lacs, MN, US
• Combuco, Brasil
• El Yaque, Isla Margarita, Venezuela
• Oneye, Le Morne, Mauritius
• Paros Island, Greece
• Naxos Island, Greece
• Guincho Beach, Portugal
• Boracay Island, Philippines
• Penghu, Taiwan
• Kuantan, Malaysia
• Pellaro, Italy
• Bintan, Indonesia
• Saipan, Marianas Islands
• Ulsan, South Korea
• Ocean Park, Puerto Rico
• Walvis Bay, Namibia (Location where world speed record for kitesurfing set in 2006)
• Dakhla, Western Sahara (One of the world's best flat water spots)
• Lanzarote Famara is the ONLY safe place to Kitesurf on this tiny Island
• Bay of Puck, Poland

Many of these popular kitesurfing destinations have year-long kitesurfing training and provide equipment rentals.

Restrictions

Kite surfing is restricted or banned in some locations. This is generally the result of safety and liability concerns, excessive general beach traffic and poorly organized practicing of kiteboarding. Bans have been reversed when kitesurfers have organized, prepared riding guidelines and negotiated with authorities for resumption of this sport. The primary reason why many experienced kite boarders stress safety and adequate quality professional instruction is to keep their sport from being banned or unduly restricted at their favorite location.

Not all locations will have explicit bans posted. Usually a simple warning from a park ranger, lifeguard or other official will let you know that kite surfing is not allowed. As a general rule, if you see other kiteboarders on the water, it is probably permitted. When new to an area or visiting be sure to ask about area restrictions and precautions before rigging up and riding. This simple courtesy should aid you in having a better riding session, avoid friction with locals and help to preserve kiting access for all of us. If riders offer suggestions, including not using a certain sized kite, relocating to a safer launch or not going out in current conditions, take what they say to heart. Ignoring well intended advice can cause unnecessary accidents and incidents.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Kitesurfing".