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Guides & Expert Tips
Everything you need to choose the right gear — from kite sizing charts to wetsuit guides, written by our team.
Best Kite for Big Air & Jumping 2026 — Expert Picks
The best kite for big air and jumping in 2026 is one that gives you explosive pop off the water, predictable bar pressure, and smooth depower on the dive. Look for a hybrid or freestyle-wave crossover kite with mid-range sizes (11-15m), a responsive feel in the top-end wind window, and proven control during loaded rota...
Can You Learn Windsurfing Without Lessons? — Honest Answer
You can absolutely learn windsurfing without formal lessons--thousands of self-taught windsurfers prove it's possible. However, expect a steeper learning curve, more wipeouts, and a longer timeline to real competence than with instruction. The difference between "learning alone" and "progressing fast" comes down to how...
How to Choose a SUP Board Size — Length, Width & Volume Guide
Choosing the right SUP board size comes down to three things: your body weight, your experience level, and what you want to do on the water. A board that's too small will feel unstable and sink under your feet; one that's too large becomes difficult to control and exhausting to paddle. The sweet spot is a board with en...
How to Pump Up a Kite Correctly — Inflation Pressure Guide
You pump up a kite using a hand pump or electric pump to inflate the bladder tubes to the pressure marked on the kite itself--typically 6-8 PSI for most modern kites. Always check that all valve stems are tight, inflate slowly to avoid over-pressurising, and use a pressure gauge to hit the sweet spot between responsive...
What Wind Speed Do You Need for Wing Foiling? — Knot Guide
The short answer: you need a minimum of 8-12 knots of wind to get airborne on a wing foil, depending on your body weight and wing size. However, 12-18 knots is the realistic sweet spot where most riders enjoy progression and control. Below 8 knots, even light sailors struggle to generate enough lift; above 25 knots, th...
How Long Does It Take to Learn Wing Foiling? — Realistic Timeline
Most people learn basic wing foiling within 10-20 hours of water time. If you have prior kitesurfing or windsurfing experience, you'll progress faster--often reaching independent flight in 15-25 hours. Complete beginners typically need 25-40 hours to feel genuinely confident. The key factor is not calendar days but qua...
How to Choose a Kiteboard 2026 — Buyer's Guide
01 -- CRITERIA What to Look For 30-42L Typical beginner volume 135-150cm Common beginner length 4 Main board styles 2026 Latest season designs • ◈Volume & Buoyancy -- Beginners need boards with enough float to help you get upwind and maintain control. Look for 30-42L; too small and you'll tire fighting fo...
Kite Bar Buying Guide 2026 — Which Bar Should You Buy?
Choosing the right kite bar is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a kitesurfer. Your bar is your primary control interface—it affects how responsive your kite feels, how safely you can depower, and ultimately how much you'll enjoy being on the water. In 2026, the bars available at Surf-Store.com repr...
Women's Wetsuit Guide 2026 — Best Fit & Warmth
01 -- CRITERIA What to Look For 2-6mm Thickness range 4-25°C Water temperature 3 Main styles 2026 Latest models A women's wetsuit guide 2026 should focus on what actually keeps you warm and comfortable in the water--not just specs. After 20+ years stocking gear here in Maribor, I've learned that the right su...
C-Kite vs Bow/Delta Kite — What's the Difference?
The core difference: a C-kite has a curved wingtip-to-wingtip profile that delivers direct, aggressive feedback and lightning-fast turning. A bow or delta kite has a flatter, more swept design with a deflector at the centre, offering stability, easier relaunches, and a more forgiving ride. Your choice depends on your s...
Wetsuit Brand Comparison: ION, Duotone, NeilPryde & Cabrinha
Choosing the right wetsuit brand in 2026 comes down to your primary water sport, local conditions, and how much you value specialisation over versatility. At Surf Store, we stock four exceptional brands—ION, Duotone, NeilPryde, and Cabrinha—each with distinct strengths. If you're new to wetsuits or upgrading your gear,...
What Is a Kite Leash? — Safety System Explained
A kite leash is a safety tether that attaches your harness to your kite, allowing you to release it instantly if you lose control, get dragged, or face dangerous conditions. It's not a safety device that keeps you connected to the kite for comfort--it's an emergency release mechanism that can save your life. Every seri...
Windsurfing Kos — Marmari Spot Guide 2026
01 -- THE SPOT Why Kos -- Marmari, Greece Is Worth the Trip 12-22 Avg wind (kts) May-Oct Peak season 22-26°C Water temp 3-5h Typical session Marmari is the windsurfing capital of Kos -- a shallow, sandy bay on the island's south coast that's sheltered from heavy swell and blessed with consistent thermal wind...
Kitesurfing Mykonos — Kalafatis Beach Guide 2026
01 -- THE SPOT Why Mykonos -- Kalafatis, Greece Is Worth the Trip 12-22 Avg wind (kts) May-Sep Peak season 20-24°C Water temp 4-6h Typical session Kalafatis, on the eastern shore of Mykonos, is the Aegean's most consistent kitesurfing destination. The beach faces northeast, capturing the famous Etesian wind ...
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Windsurfing Lefkada — Vassiliki Spot Guide 2026
01 -- THE SPOT Why Lefkada -- Vassiliki, Greece Is Worth the Trip 12-25 Avg wind (kts) May-Oct Peak season 18-22°C Water temp 4-6hrs Typical session Vassiliki Bay in Lefkada is the reason thousands of European windsurfers plan their summers around Greece. The bay's unique geography--mountains to the west, op...
Kitesurfing Limnos — Keros Spot Guide 2026
01 -- THE SPOT Why Limnos -- Keros Beach, Greece Is Worth the Trip 12-22 Avg wind (kts) May-Sept Peak season 20-24°C Water temp 4-6 Hours per session Limnos--a quieter Aegean island north of Lesbos--hosts Keros Beach, one of Greece's most underrated kitesurfing destinations. The beach faces northeast, catchi...
Kitesurfing Rhodes — Prasonisi Spot Guide 2026
01 -- THE SPOT Why Rhodes -- Prasonisi, Greece Is Worth the Trip 12-25 Avg wind (kts) May-Oct Peak season 18-24°C Water temp 4-6h Session length Prasonisi--the "Green Island"--sits at the southernmost tip of Rhodes, where the Mediterranean meets the Aegean Sea. What makes kitesurfing Rhodes Prasonisi excepti...
Windsurfing Gran Canaria — Pozo Izquierdo Guide 2026
01 -- THE SPOT Why Gran Canaria -- Pozo Izquierdo, Spain Is Worth the Trip 15-25 Avg wind (kts) Jun-Sep Peak season 18-22°C Water temp 4-6hrs Typical session Pozo Izquierdo on Gran Canaria's north coast is Europe's most reliable windsurfing destination -- full stop. The trade wind corridor funnel here create...
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Kitesurfing Paros — Golden Beach Spot Guide 2026
01 -- THE SPOT Why Paros -- Golden Beach, Greece Is Worth the Trip 14-22 Avg wind (kts) May-Oct Peak season 20-24°C Water temp 3-5 Hours per day Golden Beach on Paros is one of the Aegean's most reliable kitesurfing destinations, and I've spent enough summer weeks there to know why. The Etesian winds roll in...
Windsurfing Naxos — Mikri Vigla Spot Guide 2026
01 -- THE SPOT Why Naxos -- Mikri Vigla, Greece Is Worth the Trip 12-18 Avg wind (kts) May-Oct Peak season 18-22°C Water temp 2-4hrs Typical session Mikri Vigla, on Naxos's east coast, is one of the Aegean's most forgiving yet exhilarating water sports destinations. Sheltered from Atlantic swells by the isla...