What to Pack for Your First Kiteboarding Lesson

Name: YogaSlackers Teacher Training | Jan 8-21, 2027
Start: 2027-01-08
End: 2027-01-21
Location: Kaomai Lanna Resort

Home | Blog | What to Pack for Your First Kiteboarding Lesson

Raquel Hernández-Cruz

So, you’re heading to Puerto Rico for your very first kiteboarding lesson with us. How exciting! We can’t wait to welcome you to the water. Before you pack your bags, we recommend checking out our Traveling to Puerto Rico blog for helpful tips on navigating this beautiful island. Once you’re up to speed, here’s your essential packing list to help you stay comfortable, safe, and ready to ride.

If you have questions or would like to purchase Ozone, Nobile, Duotone, Ion & Lift gear, send us a message. YogaSlackers offers discounts on our kiteboarding retreats with kiteboarding gear purchases.

Quick Packing List

Beach Must-Haves

Swimsuit and/or board shorts
Flip flops
Quick-drying beach towels
Extra set of clothing

Protection from the elements

Wide brim hat
Sunglasses with a string.
We like Ombraz
Zinc Oxide Sunscreen
Lip balm with SPF
Mosquito repellent

Kiting Wear

Full Sun Cover Suit or wetsuit
- Sun shirt
- Long tights
Very thin-soled water shoes

Vehicle & After Kiting Equipment

Bins or dry bags for wet items
Face soap
Body lotion & hand salve
After sun lotion

Food & Hydration

Water bottle and/or water bladders
Electrolytes
Snacks

Safety & Communications

First aid kit
Travel insurance card
Health insurance card

Prepare well, stay safe, and enjoy the thrill of kiteboarding!

Essential Gear

Start by ensuring you have everything for a comfortable beach day. Remember, your practices or lessons will last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours, which means a lot of sun exposure. So, start by packing clothing and accessories to protect you from the wind and sun.

Wind & Sun Protection

Swimsuit and/or board shorts

Choose a swimsuit or board shorts that are comfortable, provides freedom of movement and is made of quick-drying materials.
Flip flops or sandals

Ensure these are quick-drying and slip-resistant.
Quick-drying towels

We bring at least two. One to use at the beach and one for rinsing off and/or to cover the vehicle seat if we don't feel like changing out of our wet clothes.
Change of clothes & jacket

After being in the water all day, your body temperature will drop, making it harder to handle the air conditioning in restaurants, grocery stores, and even the car. A jacket will help keep you warm and comfortable. Make it a wind-proof jacket if you run cold.

Wide Brim Hat with a String

A wide brim hat will help protect your head and neck from direct sunlight. We really like Tilley Hats because they are durable AND they offer a lifetime warranty.
Sunglasses with a Secure Strap

Sunglasses with UV protection, polarization, and a secure strap are a must. You’ll be wearing them both on and off the water, so make sure they stay put, no matter what. We personally use and recommend Ombraz Sunglasses for their comfort, durability, and adventure-ready design.
Zinc Oxide Sunscreen

This type of sun protection doesn't run into your eyes and stays on for a long time! Use it on your face, neck, lips, and the back of your hands.
Lip Balm with UVA & UVB Protection

We use JTree Organics Mountain Mint before and after kiting.
Mosquito Repellent

Mosquitos can be an issue when the wind dies off or in wind-sheltered areas. We will have have both a Deet-free repellent and a concentrated Deet repellent (for when the Deet-free doesn't work!) But pack your own if you like a particular product.

Kiting Wear

Full Body Sun Cover

Sunblock alone will not protect you from a sunburn for the amount of time you will be exposed to the sun. We suggest investing in a full body suit such as Slipins. They are comfortable, will not move around while kiting, and will keep your entire body protected from the sun. If that's not your style, at least bring a comfortable sun shirt, rash guard, or wetsuit top. How well you manage your sun exposure will highly determine if you will be able to kite again tomorrow and the next day.
Very Thin-Soled Water Shoes

Essential for the first classes (Discovery), which will be on land or in shallow water. These classes focus on flying the kite, and water shoes provide necessary protection for your feet against hot sand, sharp objects, rocks, and other underwater hazards. They are also great for those of us who get grossed out by algae and seagrass. Thin-soled water shoes are best, as thick ones will interfere with your board handling skills. Make sure the shoes fit you well and will not come off while walking in shallow water.

Hair Bands

If you have long hair, consider packing extra hair bands to keep it securely contained. Braiding your hair or styling it in a way that fits comfortably under a hat and helmet will help manage tangles and keep your hair out of your face and gear.

After Kiting Gear

These are our beach essentials when traveling by vehicle for a beach trip. It is basically ways to keep our vehicle dry and free of sand.

A Way to Contain Wet Items

We like traveling with an ultra-large dry bag like the 65L Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag. They are durable and easy to handle. We mainly use them to keep our car clean while transporting wet and sandy gear.
Lip Balm, Hand Salve & After Sun Lotion

Pretty much anything that will heal your skin after hours of sun and salt water exposure. We enjoy using lip balm, lotion, and hand salve from Joshua Tree Organics. We find their Healing Salve a lifesaver after holding the control bar for long hours.

OTHER PREPARATIONS

Here’s a list of videos we recommend watching before your first kiteboarding lesson. Don’t worry if you don’t have time as everything will be covered during your lesson. But if you want a head start or would like to come more prepared, these are a great place to begin!