East Kent Kitesurfing Community (EKKC) is proud to announce the successful completion of the first two Wind Futures youth kitesurfing taster sessions, introducing 12 young people from Thanet, Whitstable and Canterbury to one of the UK’s fastest-growing watersports.
The Wind Futures programme was created to help remove financial barriers that often prevent young people from accessing kitesurfing and other wind sports. Through funded opportunities, professional instruction and community support, the programme aims to inspire the next generation of kitesurfers while encouraging healthy outdoor activity, confidence building and engagement with the coastal environment.
First Wind Futures Session Held at Minnis Bay
The first youth kitesurfing taster session took place at Minnis Bay in Thanet, where nine participants attended a structured introduction to kitesurfing and kite safety.
Young people were divided into small groups and rotated through a series of practical learning stations covering:
- Kite setup and equipment familiarisation
- Inflating and preparing an inflatable leading-edge kite
- Launch and landing safety procedures
- Bar and line safety
- Understanding how a kitesurfing kite functions
- Wind awareness and weather conditions
- The wind window and how wind direction affects kite control
- Kite rigging and pre-flight safety checks
- Practical trainer kite flying and kite control
By rotating through each activity, participants gained hands-on experience while developing a deeper understanding of how kitesurfing equipment works and how to stay safe on the beach and in the water.
Fantastic Conditions for Second Session in Ramsgate
The second Wind Futures session was held in Ramsgate, Kent, with three additional participants.
Conditions were ideal, providing sunshine, steady wind and excellent learning opportunities for the group. Working as a single team allowed participants to build confidence while reinforcing many of the skills introduced during the first session.
The practical nature of the sessions helped participants understand not only the fundamentals of kitesurfing but also wider topics such as weather forecasting, coastal conditions and safe decision-making around the sea.
A Diverse Group of Young People United by Adventure
One of the most exciting outcomes of the programme has been the variety of young people attracted to kitesurfing.
Participants came from a wide range of sporting and community backgrounds, including:
- Sea Cadets
- Air Cadets
- Sea Scouts
- RNLI Lifeguards
- Martial artists
- Skaters
- Horse riders
- Parkour athletes
- Snowboarders
- Gamers
Many had previous experience in watersports such as rowing, sailing, surfing, paddleboarding and wing foiling, but for almost all participants this was their first introduction to kitesurfing.
The programme attracted young people from across Thanet, Whitstable and Canterbury, demonstrating growing interest in youth kitesurfing opportunities throughout East Kent.
Six Young People Progress to Professional Kitesurfing Lessons
Following the success of the taster sessions, six participants have now been selected to progress into fully funded professional kitesurfing lessons.
These lessons will provide a structured pathway into the sport, helping participants develop the skills, knowledge and qualifications required to become independent kitesurfers.
EKKC is currently seeking additional funding and sponsorship opportunities to enable the remaining students to continue their kitesurfing journey and to expand the Wind Futures programme in future years.
Community Impact So Far
The first phase of Wind Futures has already delivered significant impact:
- 12 young people introduced to kitesurfing
- 2 youth kitesurfing taster sessions delivered
- Participants from Thanet, Whitstable and Canterbury
- 6 young people progressing to funded lessons
- Dozens of practical learning activities completed
- New connections created between young people from different backgrounds
- Increased awareness of coastal safety, weather and environmental conditions
Looking Ahead
The enthusiasm, commitment and positivity shown by every participant has been incredibly encouraging.
Wind Futures is about much more than learning a sport. It is about creating opportunities, building confidence, developing lifelong skills and helping young people connect with the sea and natural environment on their doorstep.
East Kent Kitesurfing Community would like to thank all participating families, volunteers, instructors and supporters who have helped make the programme possible, along with Vattenfall for supporting the pilot project.
With continued support, Wind Futures hopes to give even more young people across Kent the opportunity to discover the exciting world of kitesurfing.
If you or someone you know would like to take part in the Wind Futures programme, please sign up on the form one this page.
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