Frequently Asked Questions

Learn about Kiteboarding Lessons and Kiteboarding in San Diego.

Currently, Initial start up costs for Kiteboarding are around $1900 for new gear. Initial start up costs for WingFoiling are around $2900. After that, wind is free. Before or after you buy equipment, get proper training and learn what gear and sizes are best for you. History has shown that people who buy before training , purchase the wrong size or type of gear for their needs. Proper training will include equipment evaluations and suggestions. Your certified kiteboarding instructor can guide you in the right direction to select the proper size and style for your individual needs. Special student discounts on equipment can be obtained through, MantaWaterSports.com. With the “student discount”, you could save as much as 40% off normal retail prices.
No. However, you do need to be in good physical condition. Always consult with your doctor before beginning activities that have the potential to be physically demanding. Always wear and utilize the proper safety equipment. When done properly, neither sport require excessive strength.
Like other action sports, there is an inherent danger to you and "others around you" if the proper safety systems, equipment, training, and techniques are not fully utilized. You should seek out certified, experienced, and professional kite board or wing foil  instruction. Always use the proper safety equipment, and techniques. for your conditions and environment. Stay well away from others who could be injured by you or your equipment. Always exercise good judgment, and know your limitations. Manta Water Sports provides you with the required safety equipment and warnings during our lesson programs.
There are no equipment rentals available in San Diego. We do provide use of equipment during most of our lesson packages. If you want to practice using the real equipment, it’s always best if you buy your own, and become familiar with that equipment. Avoid using unfamiliar gear or obsolete safety systems. You should initially practice under the direct supervision of a, certified and highly experienced kiteboarding instructor. This will provide a much safer and more productive kiteboard or wing foil experience.
Based on the thousands of students taught. It takes an average kiteboarding student, approx. 4-8 hours of professional instruction with ideal wind and water conditions to learn the basics. It then takes about 10hrs of individual practice in light winds to develop the feel and coordination to ride consistently.  However, Wing Foiling,  takes approx. 2-6 hours of professional instruction with ideal wind a water conditions to fee comfortable going forward on your own.  Your instructors primary concern is your safety and enjoyment. Your primary concern should be the same. Please understand that Kiteboarding is 90% kite flying skill and only 10% board riding skill. Take the time to learn the kite and riding will be easy. Wing Foiling is 33% wing skill, 33% board skill and 33% hydrofoil skill. Good instruction will teach you up to 40 times faster and gives you the proper techniques to be safe and independent in either sport..
It best to take a quality lesson before you purchase gear.  However, If you consult with our lead instructor and schedule a beginner lesson. The reason you should take the lesson first, is that you experienced instructor will evaluate your skills, abilities, and goals, as you progress through the class. He will advise you on the best size and models of gear suited for you, and the conditions you plan to ride in. If you want to get a head start and practice some essential skills on your own consult with your instructor on the safest path to such training.
As long as you seek out and obtain the proper instruction, utilize the proper equipment and of course, get permission, you can Kiteboard and Wingfoil is commonly performed in water, on the snow and even on land. These sports is growing so fast … the possibilities are limitless. The  equipment that Manta Water Sports sells, is perfect for all these versions of the sports. Kiteboard, Kitesurf, Kitefoil, Wingfoil, Wingsurf, Wingboard, Snow Kiting, Snow Winging, etc.
Yes. Please visit the home page of this website and click on the link that reads "Request a Lesson" , then fill in the appropriate boxes and submit your request for a lesson. or you can Email us at: info@MantaWaterSports.com, or call us at: 858-610-6000, to consult with our head Instructor ( John Arthur ). He will help you determine which lesson program is best suited to our abilities and goals. We do teach all year and most days of the week.
Depending on your size and the equipment you select. Kiteboarding and Wingfoiling  are being performed by beginners in as little as 5mph on land and 7mph on water with a hydro-foil board. It’s best to keep all your initial training activities, and riding skills, to winds less than 15mph. As your skills improve and your experience grows, you may be skilled enough to kiteboard or wingfoil in winds somewhat higher than that. Wind speed is a major factor in the save handling and control of the kite. Learn and train in slower winds speeds for added safety.
Safety: Certified and experienced instructors are required to teach you the essential skill sets and to follow approved safety standards. They are accountable for their actions, or lose there certification. The best instructors have been teaching full time for more than 4 years or part time for 10 years. It takes at least that long to get good at teaching these sports.  Be safe, take lessons with a certified instructor. Save Money: You will need fewer kiteboard lessons overall, and you will use the schools equipment, to learn the basic skills, before you buy your own. - Save time … with proper instruction, you will learn up to 40 times faster. Our instructors show you the fastest way to Kiteboard safely. Proper instruction produces results. If you’re not learning the skills quickly … you might not have the “right” instructor. - Knowledge… Our instructors know the best techniques and the most common errors that beginners make. It takes years of teaching this sport to develop the knowledge and wisdom to teach kiteboarding in the most practical and safe way. John Arthur has been teaching this full time for over 18 years. Rookie instructors or friends are not a safe, or practical choice. You deserve the the safest and most productive lesson, don’t settle for less. Best Equipment: you get to use the most advanced, and safest equipment, in the proper sizing , during your lesson. Manta teaches with numerous kite sizes. We use kites as 3 meter, all the way up to 17m, as needed. This allows you to learn the sport with the proper size kite for your comfort, and skill level, in any wind condition. Inferior kite schools only have one or two kite sizes available for your training. - Positive Experience: Our instructors are concerned with your safety and enjoyment. You will have fun and learn in a safe and nurturing environment. Faster Learning: Most of all, you will learn faster and safer than with anyone else. Your certified experience instructor obviously loves their job since they have been teaching the sport to so many students for so many years. They will know all the tips, tricks, and hacks to make your learning essential skills and safety must faster and more productive per hour than any other option. History has shown that taking lessons from an flyby night instructor, to be counter productive and even unsafe. Honestly, Learning either of these sports will be more enjoyable if your instructor prepares you for the reality of the sport rather than just taking your money to watch you flounder in the water time and time again. It's simple: You will learn faster and safer if you go with the most experienced, certified, and insured instructor, in the area you plan to ride.
Yes …We sell Kiteboard Lesson Gift Certificates. Choose from 2 hour or 4hr lessons. Ready to buy a gift certificate ? You can purchase a Lesson gift certificate by clicking here.
Discover Wing Foil Board lessons are water skills lessons with most of our students riding the board out and back in the first 2hr lesson. // Discover kiteboarding lessons are land based lessons where students learn the kite skills that prepare them to qualify for water skills training in a follow up lesson. // Beyond Basics Kiteboard lessons are water skills kiteboard lessons that teach people how to body drag an ride a board on water. //   All of our lessons are performance based. If the students learn the prerequisite skills quickly and safely … Yes, you may get to board riding skills in the water skills type lesson.  Group lessons are sharing the time and do not always progress as quickly as private lessons.  Bottom line;  Take the first lesson and see how fast you can learn.
Manta Water Sports is San Diego’s “Only” experienced, licensed and insured kiteboarding school and authorized equipment dealer. We have also been the new sport of Wing Foiling for the past 4 years with great success. All our lessons are taught by, John Arthur, the founder of Manta Water Sports. John is a PASA and IKO certified kiteboarding instructor. He is one of the most experienced kiteboard instructors in the nation. He is passionate about turning you into a kiteboarder or wingfoiler, faster and much safer than anyone else can, all while keeping a smile on your face. John Arthur started teaching this sport in 1999. He wrote the book on how to learn to kiteboard and wingfoil in San Diego's light winds. His mission is to show you the safest, and most enjoyable, path into these exciting sports. If you want to learn the secrets on how to kiteboarding or wingfoil quicker and safer than anywhere else … sign up and take your lesson with John Arthur, at Manta Water Sports, in San Diego.

Where to Kiteboard and Wingsurf in San Diego

San Diego has several locations that are designated as Novice level, Beginner level, Intermediate level, High Intermediate level, and Advanced level riding areas.

We have put together an easy-to-use guide to determine your skill level should you attempt to ride in San Diego specific kiteboarding and wingsurfing areas.

Check your skill level and see what is the ideal San Diego kiteboarding and wingsurfing location for you.

Kiteboarding and Wingsurfing in San Diego

Equipment

MANTA provides use of the following "Wing Foil" equipment items during selected* lesson programs:
  • Wing
  • Wing Foil Board
  • Hydrofoil / Training Foil
  • Helmet
  • Board Leash
  • Booties
  • Impact Vest
  • Wet Suit - (available for rent by prior request $15) 

Directions to the Training Site

All lessons are held on Fiesta Island in Mission Bay, San Diego 92109.
  • Discover Kiteboarding lessons are located at the North West Corner of Enchanted Cove, on Fiesta Island.
  • Discover Wing Foil Surfing lessons are located at the South West Corner of Enchanted Cove, on Fiesta Island.
  • Beyond Basics Kiteboard lessons are located at the South West Corner of Enchanted Cove, on Fiesta Island.
Discover Kiteboarding Lesson Site
Beyond Basics Kiteboarding & Discover Wing Foiling Lessons Site