KITESURFING LESSONS
Learning to kitesurf in Galway with Paddyintheelements BKSA Kitesurfing School is an unforgettable experience. Set along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, Galway offers stunning scenery and ideal winds. Paddy, a BKSA-certified instructor, provides expert, personalised coaching to help you build skills and confidence, whether you're a beginner or advancing. The mix of adventure and Galway's coastal charm makes it truly special!
We take complete beginners from zero to hero. We only do 1:1 private coaching for safety and you get all the time on the kite, without sharing it with 3 or 4 other people like other schools. In our experience this is the quickest way to learn, and each lesson can be tailored to suit you as an individual, maximising your learning and progression.
Welcome to Paddyintheelements, Galway’s newest kitesurfing school based on the Wild Atlantic Way, where we’re passionate about sharing the thrill of kitesurfing in a safe, comfortable, and fun environment.
We’ve gone above and beyond to ensure our students have access to the best, most up-to-date gear, including premium harnesses, helmets, and buoyancy aids.
Unlike other schools, we prioritise 1:1 private lessons to maximize your learning experience, giving you the undivided attention you deserve and the most time on the kite. This approach not only accelerates your progress but ensures your safety and enjoyment on the water.
Led by Paddy, a BKSA-certified instructor with years of experience in windsurfing, sailing, and emergency roles, you’re in the safest of hands. With expertise as an advanced paramedic, RNLI crew member, and helicopter pilot, Paddy brings a wealth of knowledge in weather, safety, and instruction. Our school also boasts a retail shop stocked with the finest Mystic gear and is proud to be Ireland’s exclusive distributor for North Sails, Core Watersports, Vantage Kites and LIEUWE Custom Kiteboards and we're also one of the first retailers in Ireland to stock harlem kites.
Whether you're just starting or gearing up with your own equipment, we’re here to ensure you have everything you need for a warm, comfortable, and unforgettable experience on the Wild Atlantic Way.
At Paddyintheelements we fall under the British Kitesports Association teaching system.
We are the only BKSA affiliated school in Ireland presently. The BKSA has been teaching kitesurfing since 1999, and is trusted worldwide. If you produce your BKSA independent card you can rent gear worldwide.
In our experience it usually takes students between 6-20 hours to become competent at kitesurfing.
Students with prior wind sport experience tend to learn a bit faster.
With our personal 1:1 private tuiton we can tailor the lesson to suit your needs and experience level, whether you are a complete beginner or a snowboarder/wakeboarder.
BKSA Kite Scheme (Lesson Breakdown)
LEVEL 1 - INTRODUCTION TO KITE FLYING - 1 DAY APPROX
- Part 1 - Basic Kite Handling
- Part 2 - LEI Rigging
- Part 3 - Basic Body Dragging, generating power
- Part 4 - Directional bodydragging, control and self rescue techniques
LEVEL 2- INTRODUCTION TO THE BOARD - 2 DAYS APPROX
- Part 1 - Introduction to boards and board start technique
- Part 2 - First board starts
- Part 3 - First rides including prolonged power delivery
- Part 4 - Independent kiteboarding - riding with others
INTERMEDIATE - Available privately
- Advanced launch, land & rescue techniques
- Equipment tuning
- Riding upwind
- Turning & Transitions
- Basic jumping
- Wing
33 x 5 Star- Google Reviews
Diarmuids lessons at Paddyintheelements
Diarmuid bought the package for €620 and flew through teaching. He now has one additional lesson to go before being fully independent and just bought his beginner gear from us here at Paddyintheelements.
We use radio headsets to enhance the teaching- meaning we can give calm instruction and make minor tweaks to the student as they are learning.
Frequently asked questions
Kitesurfing would be a similar learning curve to snowboarding. After a set of lessons and becoming independent learning will be much easier.
Learning without lessons is extremely dangerous and could lead to someone being hurt.
Get a lesson package in your local kite school up to the level of independent.
If you have a background in any wind sports such as sailing or windsurfing the sport will be a bit easier.
But equally complete beginners with no experience can learn with some structured lessons.
Kitesurfing would be a similar learning curve to snowboarding. After a set of lessons and becoming independent learning will be much easier.
Learning without lessons is extremely dangerous and could lead to someone being hurt.
Get a lesson package in your local kite school up to the level of independent.
If you have a background in any wind sports such as sailing or windsurfing the sport will be a bit easier.
But equally complete beginners with no experience can learn with some structured lessons.
At Paddyintheelements we teach in a safe sandy lagoon which makes it ideal for teaching kitesurfing.
This offers flat water - blocked by a sandbank, meaning your first rides on a board are nice and easy with no chop or waves to content with
We also have the best of both worlds- with the butter flat lagoon and the main beach with rolling swell on an incoming tide or small kickers. So depending on where you are in your kitesurfing journey we have everything you need here in Galway Bay.
At Paddyintheelements we teach in a safe sandy lagoon which makes it ideal for teaching kitesurfing.
This offers flat water - blocked by a sandbank, meaning your first rides on a board are nice and easy with no chop or waves to content with
We also have the best of both worlds- with the butter flat lagoon and the main beach with rolling swell on an incoming tide or small kickers. So depending on where you are in your kitesurfing journey we have everything you need here in Galway Bay.
Personally speaking I have broken both my hips in separate accidents (not kitesurfing) and I learned with no problems.
People often think that you need good arm strength to kitesurf but that's not true. All the steering of the kite is done with your arms, but does not require significant strength.
The kite is connected to you through the bar and harness.
Personally speaking I have broken both my hips in separate accidents (not kitesurfing) and I learned with no problems.
People often think that you need good arm strength to kitesurf but that's not true. All the steering of the kite is done with your arms, but does not require significant strength.
The kite is connected to you through the bar and harness.
A reasonable level of fitness is acceptable.
You don't need to be an athlete to learn how to kitesurf. Obviously the fitter you are the easier it will be, but you can build on your fitness with kitesurfing.
Learning is the most difficult (Like any sport), but once you become independent you will use less energy and become more proficient in the sport.
A reasonable level of fitness is acceptable.
You don't need to be an athlete to learn how to kitesurf. Obviously the fitter you are the easier it will be, but you can build on your fitness with kitesurfing.
Learning is the most difficult (Like any sport), but once you become independent you will use less energy and become more proficient in the sport.
In our experience it generally takes students 3-5 days to learn how to kitesurf. Between 10-20 hours depending on how close or far apart the lessons are.
Students with a background in sailing, windsurfing tend to learn quicker as they understand the wind.
Then at the board riding stage- students who have a background in wakeboarding pick this up a bit quicker as a kiteboard is ridden in teh same way.
Because we only do 1:1 lessons, our instruction can be tailored individually to each student.
In our experience it generally takes students 3-5 days to learn how to kitesurf. Between 10-20 hours depending on how close or far apart the lessons are.
Students with a background in sailing, windsurfing tend to learn quicker as they understand the wind.
Then at the board riding stage- students who have a background in wakeboarding pick this up a bit quicker as a kiteboard is ridden in teh same way.
Because we only do 1:1 lessons, our instruction can be tailored individually to each student.
Here you can place an explanation or answer to the question.
Here you can place an explanation or answer to the question.
Kitesurfing is an extreme sport and a sport that keeps on giving.
There are many different disciplines, so you can keep the sport interesting over years and years of fun-
- Wave riding
- BIG AIR
- Free Style
- Kite foiling
- Freeride
Kitesurfing can change depending on the location, whether there are waves or it's a flat water spot.
It has long been the fastest growing wind sport behind windsurfing.
When you progress you can battle with your friends on the water- who can go the highest, you can learn back rolls or front rolls, kite loops, mega loops
Kitesurfing is an extreme sport and a sport that keeps on giving.
There are many different disciplines, so you can keep the sport interesting over years and years of fun-
- Wave riding
- BIG AIR
- Free Style
- Kite foiling
- Freeride
Kitesurfing can change depending on the location, whether there are waves or it's a flat water spot.
It has long been the fastest growing wind sport behind windsurfing.
When you progress you can battle with your friends on the water- who can go the highest, you can learn back rolls or front rolls, kite loops, mega loops
At Paddyinthelements we have our very own retail shop.
We stock everything-
- Harnesses
- Wetsuits
- Impact vests
- Technical Jackets
- Helmets
- Surf Ears
- Kites
- Twin Tips
- Surfboards
- Control Systems
We are the largest stocked kitesurfing shop in Ireland with over €150k of stock available in the shop.
With this we can advise on your first kite quiver as a beginner, when it's time to upgrade and what to upgrade to.
We also offer a bespoke fitting service with our changing room in store. We can fit you for your first harness, helmet, impact vest, wetsuit
At Paddyinthelements we have our very own retail shop.
We stock everything-
- Harnesses
- Wetsuits
- Impact vests
- Technical Jackets
- Helmets
- Surf Ears
- Kites
- Twin Tips
- Surfboards
- Control Systems
We are the largest stocked kitesurfing shop in Ireland with over €150k of stock available in the shop.
With this we can advise on your first kite quiver as a beginner, when it's time to upgrade and what to upgrade to.
We also offer a bespoke fitting service with our changing room in store. We can fit you for your first harness, helmet, impact vest, wetsuit
In short no. Kitesurfing is an extreme sport and requires systematic structured teaching.
Would you go skydiving without any prior experience?
Kitesurfing needs to be taught by a valid kitesurfing instructor, a school with valid commercial insurance and a school with up to date equipment
At Paddyintheelements we have invested in premium equipment for our students. All brand new kit that has been tested thoroughly on the West Coast of Ireland in the harshest conditions
In short no. Kitesurfing is an extreme sport and requires systematic structured teaching.
Would you go skydiving without any prior experience?
Kitesurfing needs to be taught by a valid kitesurfing instructor, a school with valid commercial insurance and a school with up to date equipment
At Paddyintheelements we have invested in premium equipment for our students. All brand new kit that has been tested thoroughly on the West Coast of Ireland in the harshest conditions
We provide-
- Premium 5/3mm Wetsuit
- Brand new harnesses
- Buoyancy aids
- Premium helmets that are adjustable
What you should bring
- Booties or old shoes
- Towel
- Sun Cream
- A bottle of Water
We have a changing room in our shop where you can put on your wetsuit.
In the village there are 3 cafe's where you can get lunch after your lesson.
We provide-
- Premium 5/3mm Wetsuit
- Brand new harnesses
- Buoyancy aids
- Premium helmets that are adjustable
What you should bring
- Booties or old shoes
- Towel
- Sun Cream
- A bottle of Water
We have a changing room in our shop where you can put on your wetsuit.
In the village there are 3 cafe's where you can get lunch after your lesson.
You can book our supervised lessons if you feel you need more support or if you want to practice a specific skill that you just can't seem to crack
We will also add you to our whatsapp group where you can link up with other kitesurfing students who have just finished their lessons. This means you have a group where you can ask questions with fellow kitesurfers at the same level, organise kitesurfing together
We also have 2 advanced riders at paddyintheelements- when you get better and want to progress to an intermediate kitesurfer or advanced you can get advice from our riders.
We will also organise rider sessions when the wind is too much for lessons.
If you join our mailing list or do lessons with Paddyintheelements we will email you about future events and trips, early discounts, exclusive member discounts and other news before anyone else.
You can book our supervised lessons if you feel you need more support or if you want to practice a specific skill that you just can't seem to crack
We will also add you to our whatsapp group where you can link up with other kitesurfing students who have just finished their lessons. This means you have a group where you can ask questions with fellow kitesurfers at the same level, organise kitesurfing together
We also have 2 advanced riders at paddyintheelements- when you get better and want to progress to an intermediate kitesurfer or advanced you can get advice from our riders.
We will also organise rider sessions when the wind is too much for lessons.
If you join our mailing list or do lessons with Paddyintheelements we will email you about future events and trips, early discounts, exclusive member discounts and other news before anyone else.
The booking policy is flexible to accommodate the effects of weather. We cannot however take any responsibility for the lack of wind/adverse conditions.
Any lessons cancelled by Paddyintheelements due to no wind can be rescheduled.
If a customer cancels less than 48 hours before the lesson starting or does not show, then no refund or alternative date is offered.
No refunds are given, Customers have 1 year to take their lesson
The booking policy is flexible to accommodate the effects of weather. We cannot however take any responsibility for the lack of wind/adverse conditions.
Any lessons cancelled by Paddyintheelements due to no wind can be rescheduled.
If a customer cancels less than 48 hours before the lesson starting or does not show, then no refund or alternative date is offered.
No refunds are given, Customers have 1 year to take their lesson
