What happens if I'm stuck out at sea and the wind drops?+
Self-rescue. During your training, we'll have a dedicated day where we simulate exactly this on a lake, from a boat. You'll learn emergency pack-down and how to use your kite as a sail to get yourself back to shore safely. This is a genuinely important skill to have in Latvia, given how quickly our weather can turn.
What's that board that flies above the water?+
That's foiling — a hydrofoil mounted under a board lifts it clear of the water once you're moving, so it looks like it's flying. Kiteboarding, wingfoiling, and the foil simulator all use this same underwater wing. It's one of the fastest-growing water sports precisely because it feels like flight.
What's the difference between kiteboarding and wingfoiling?+
Kiteboarding uses a large kite flown on lines to pull you across the water. Wingfoiling uses a smaller, handheld inflatable wing instead — no lines, easier to rig, and generally a faster sport to pick up. Both can be ridden with a hydrofoil for that "flying" feeling. Not sure which fits you? Try the path-choice section above.
Do I need any experience to try the foil simulator?+
No — the simulator is specifically for complete beginners. A boat tows you at a controlled speed so you can focus purely on balance and pumping the foil, with radio coaching the whole time. Most people are flying independently after one or two sessions.
Is a foil simulator session a good gift for someone who's never tried it?+
Yes — it's one of the most popular gift requests I get, precisely because it doesn't require the person to already know how to kiteboard or wingfoil. See the
Foil Simulator Gift Card for pricing and how it works.
Where do lessons take place?+
Sessions run out of Jaunciema osta on Ķīšezers, about 15 minutes from central Riga — flat water, a consistent wind window, and everything (gear, warm showers, parking) on site.
Do you teach complete beginners one-on-one?+
Yes — most sessions are one-on-one or small groups, at your own pace, whether you've never touched a board before or you're refining advanced tricks. See the four paths above to find where you'd start.
I don't know the technical terms — how do I even learn to fly over the water?+
You don't need to know the vocabulary going in — that's what an instructor is for. Whether you call it kiteboarding, kitesurfing, wingfoiling, or wing foil, it starts the same way: an individual, land-based briefing, then patient, one-on-one water time until you're comfortable. I coach all of it personally, in Riga, from complete zero.
Looking for an unusual gift idea — is this good for a dad, a friend, or a couple?+
Very much so — it's one of the most requested "experience, not an object" gifts I get, for dads, friends, partners, and couples alike. See the
Foil Simulator Gift Card for the couple's option and pricing.
How long does it take to learn kiteboarding?+
The general standard across kiteboarding schools is around 6-10 hours of lessons, spread over several days, before you can ride independently. But that number matters less than it sounds - everyone learns at a different pace, depending on practice frequency, fitness, and wind conditions, and I don't think it's fair to put a fixed expectation on yourself before we've even started working together. What actually matters more is wanting to learn it properly, not hitting some imagined deadline.
