Kiteboarding Tampa Bay is a full service kiteboarding/kitesurfing school, located in Pinellas County, Fl., (St. Petersburg/ Clearwater area) and based at Sunshine Beach House- on Florida's original Kite Beach! The Tampa Bay area offers some of the best Gulf Coast riding spots around shallow, butter flat water around, accessible on ANY wind direction, and perfect for learning to kiteboard! Average water/air temps in the 80's most of the year are a major bonus also!

We have a well-structured lesson plan with a focus on KITEBOARDING SAFETY. Our lesson program is based on the IKO (International Kiteboarding Organization) teaching program, which is recognized worldwide, and every student receives an official IKO Kiteboarder Card to certify his or her level. We have added additional tips and tricks to the curriculum, based on our many years of experience in kiteboarding and other water sports.

Kiteboarding Tampa Bay is a full service kiteboarding center, offering kiteboarding lessons, wakeboarding lessons, kiteboarding vacations, and downwinder excursions  in the Tampa Bay area. October through June are the windiest months, and we also get sea breezes lasting 2-5 hours during summer months, as well as wind associated with tropical systems. Our list of non-windy activities includes wakeboarding, surfing, skim boarding, skateboarding, BMX etc.. We are all crossover athletes, and need something to do when it's not blowing. There's also great parasailing, jet ski, kayaking, fishing, dining, nightlife, shopping, tours, etc. around here. Live local music can be heard at several beachside bars and clubs 7 nights a week, and we are more that willing to help you plan your vacation according to your tastes.

Sunshine Beach House is a good place to go kitesurfing, do "down winders" in the Gulf of Mexico, and soak up some sun. It's a laid back beach house parked right on the sand, and the backyard has 20-mile Gulf downwinders waiting for you, complete with a kiter friendly beach trolley back to your own beachside Tiki Bar. It's also a great place to bring the family, bring the kids, and just relax with your toes in the sand. Guests are also provided with beach toys, bicycles, snorkeling and fishing gear for the whole family.  The Beach house also shares a large pool and poolside bar with another of our nearby partner hotels, and is of course, right on the beach!  We can help you find accommodations of any kind, or help you set up a Florida kiting tour of choice riding spots with some of our partner shops and schools listed on the links page.

We offer very affordable, beginner to pro-level lessons and lodging to fellow kiters, and we hope you consider Kiteboarding Tampa Bay for your first (or next!) kitesurfing adventure! Bring your kiting gear, or rent our newest 2008 gear and save the hassle with the airlines. We provide everything except booties and wet suit (optional).

Check our rates page for more details.

We are also a waterfront demo center for Freak Dog Kites(EH), Ocean Rodeo, and Eclipse Kiteboarding. Give us a call to schedule a "test drive" of the latest gear!

The goal of Kiteboarding Tampa Bay is to welcome you safely into kiteboarding, and to welcome you to the Tampa Bay kiting scene. The Tampa Bay area local kiters are some of the finest, friendliest people, you will ever meet! We have a large crowd of knowledgeable kiters who pride themselves on helping others and making visiting kiters feel welcome.

If you are a new or veteran kiter, and ready to progress to the next level, or looking to become more competitive on the racing circuit, we have what you need! Go on a guided Downwinder with professional kiteboarders Billy Parker and Mike Hall, they are consistently two of the fastest kiters around in Boardercross and distance racing, and have helped all of our locals take it to the next level! You can schedule a downwind ride of any distance in the Gulf with a pro kiter right there with you to share their advanced techniques for speed, distance training, style, big air, wave riding,  and wake-style moves. Please see our rates page for more info.

For anyone wanting to experience a downwinder and have someone there to look after you, we can also set you up with a safe, friendly tour guide or professional instructor to advance your skill level. Distances of 5- 20 miles, depending on wind direction.

We have many choices of places to kite, and only ask that you respect our beaches, our guidelines, and our efforts to maintain access. If you are a traveling kiter, please introduce yourself to experienced locals who will be happy to help get the most of your visit.

Thanks for viewing the website and we look forward to seeing you on the water!!!

More well deserved thanks:

Thanks to all the local Tampa Bay kiters who help look out for our launches and keep them open. We appreciate your support, and have our commitment as instructors to  bring EVERY kiter on the water into this sport safely and properly. Check back to the site once in a while for new info, news feeds, videos, and pics, (you might see yourself!) We will try to keep updated for ya! Enjoy!

A VERY SPECIAL thanks to Amber Platowski. of Kitesurfingpics.com and Roy Shaw of Epickitesurfing.com for their photo contributions. Their pics are featured throughout this website, please take the time to view their sites as they have MANY more great kite pics to look at. They both sacrifice their "H2O-Time" to make us all look like Rock Stars! Please support their efforts, and tip your hat to them on the beach, they deserve it!

Another HUGE thanks goes out to Rick Iossi of fksa.org for his continued efforts to promote safe kiteboarding in a positive manner, and for his contributions to this website. If you have ever read anything about kiteboarding safety and access, it was probably written by Rick. Please view his website fksa.org for a library of information safety, access, weather, launch sites, travel info, etc. Thank you Rick, your efforts are truly noble!

One more thanks to Scott Polera, of Freak Dog Kites, a Florida kiter who promotes and supports safe kiters, schools, and clubs everywhere, as well as local, collegiate, and national events. Rock on Freak Dog!!!

LET'S RIDE!!!

Classic Board-Off by Steve S.

Chad lays out picture perfect Railey

Billy Parker AKA Wild Bill throwin' down a handlepass or two...

Another quality action shot of Billy Parker from Amber of kitesurfingpics.com