Once you’ve taken your first Aruba kitesurfing lesson and felt the rush of being powered by the wind, a whole new world opens up. Kitesurfing isn’t just one sport—it’s a family of styles and disciplines, each offering its own unique thrill. Whether you’re here to try something new or aiming to become a seasoned rider, understanding the different types of kitesurfing in Aruba can help you find your passion on the water.
- Freeride – The All-Around Favorite
Freeride is the most popular and beginner-friendly discipline. It’s all about enjoying the ride, improving your control, and having fun on the water. This is what most students experience during their first kitesurfing lessons in Aruba. With our flat waters and steady winds, Aruba is the perfect place to start freeriding.
- Ideal for: Beginners to advanced riders
- Focus: Board control, carving, cruising
- Freestyle – Tricks, Jumps, and Style
Once you’re comfortable riding, you might be tempted by the creative side of kitesurfing: freestyle. This discipline involves unhooked tricks, spins, and big air jumps. Aruba’s consistent wind makes it a great place to practice freestyle safely as you progress.
- Ideal for: Advanced riders
- Focus: Tricks, jumps, technical skills
- Big Air – Go Higher Than Ever
Aruba’s trade winds and open space are perfect for Big Air kitesurfing—a high-adrenaline style that focuses on boosting high jumps and staying in the air as long as possible. You’ll need strong wind, excellent technique, and the courage to fly!
- Ideal for: Advanced riders
- Focus: Height, hang time, high winds
- Wave Riding – Surf with a Kite
If you love surfing, wave kitesurfing (or “kitesurf wave riding”) blends the flow of surfing with the power of the kite. While Aruba isn’t a big wave destination, we occasionally get conditions for small to medium wave riding—especially on the east coast or during winter swell.
- Ideal for: Intermediate surfers and kiters
- Focus: Riding waves with a directional board
- Hydrofoil – The Future of Kitesurfing
Hydrofoil kiting uses a special board with a foil under it that lifts you above the water. It’s ultra-efficient and lets you ride in lighter winds. While it’s more advanced and requires great balance, many kiters are switching to foils for smooth, quiet gliding—even in low wind conditions.
- Ideal for: Advanced riders
- Focus: Efficiency, low wind performance, smooth ride
- Racing – Speed and Strategy
Kite racing is all about speed, tactics, and control. It’s a competitive discipline where riders follow a course, often using foil boards or race-specific gear. While not as common for casual riders, it’s a growing part of international kite competitions.
- Ideal for: Competitive riders
- Focus: Speed, control, race tactics
Which Style Is Right for You?
At Aruba Active Vacations, we start you off with the freeride basics during your first Aruba kitesurfing lesson. Once you’re riding comfortably, you can decide what style suits your personality. Want to fly high? Try big air. Love smooth, technical skills? Go freestyle. Prefer laid-back cruising? Stick with freeride.
Whatever your goal, we’re here to help you get there—one lesson, one ride, and one windy day at a time.
Ready to find your style?
Book your Aruba kitesurfing lesson and explore the discipline that inspires you most. The wind is calling.
