• Uncrowded beaches.

Learning to safely control a kite on land and in the water is critically important and requires a very large, obstacle free area.   Since other beach users definitely qualify as "obstacles", winter affords many more opportunities for uninterrupted and safer practice - both on the land and in the water.    

In fact, in the L. A. area, crowded beaches are such a severe and worsening problem in summer that it can be difficult to find safe practice areas.

Uncrowded beaches also means no parking hassles and less beach area traffic to deal with.

• Pre season learning pays off big.

By starting in the winter, you'll have extra time to gain knowledge and experience which will enable you to utilize more of the summer for kiting.  

By increasing your experience and skill, you will be able to go to  more beaches because you'll be able to cope with the problems that stymie less advanced kiters.    Since conditions usually vary from place to place and on any given day some may not be kiteable, the more locations you have to choose from, the more likely you'll be able to get in a session.   In summer, this situation becomes especially important because crowds effectively increase the difficulties associated with all beaches thereby raising the level of skill required and possibly putting some beaches out of reach.   Additionally, lifeguards are restricting kitesurfing at some beaches when they get crowded. 

The bottom line is that the more skill you have when summer comes around, the more likely it is that you'll be having a blast kiting instead of sitting on the beach watching others.

• More comfortable air temperature.

Although many people enjoy luxuriating in the sun during summer,  learning to fly a kite on the land when it's hot tends to be substantially more fatiguing and uncomfortable than when it's cool.

Most people find that learning to control a powerful kite on the beach is initially very tiring.   It's similar to learning swimming in that it requires constant coordination of unusual and strenuous movements and until these motor skills become somewhat semiautomatic, everything from the toes to hairline  tenses up and uses  lots of energy which causes body temperature to rise.   In winter, sweat won't pour into your eyes and cause sand to stick all over you while you try to concentrate on flying the kite  and you'll avoid fatigue caused by overheating.

• Less UV exposure.

In summer, you have to worry about getting sunburned into a crispy critter who then has to be extra careful for weeks so that the tender new skin isn't quickly fried by the nuking summer rays.  Winter sun isn't strong enough to be an issue.

• Clearing winds.

Clearing winds are comparatively strong and often reasonably steady winds that frequently follow storm systems.   For people who are ready to try handling stronger wind, winter clearing winds can be particularly useful.   Additionally, the increased safety afforded by uncrowded beaches makes it more feasible to experiment with the stronger wind.

• Off season.    

Winter is the off season for all water sports including kitesurfing.  This means that besides the advantages of uncrowded beaches, scheduling lessons is usually easier and  it may also be possible to find better deals on equipment - especially used equipment.

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