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Hello All,
I know there have been multiple variations on this post before and I apologize for bringing it up yet again but I am looking for the perfect place in the world to take my wife to learn to kite board. I am willing to spend whatever it takes, travel wherever necessary. We will be retired in 265 days so we will have the time to stay for months if necessary. I am going to have only one shot at this so it needs to be as perfect as possible. Nice weather, nice accommodations, nice people, good food, wine, things to do if the wind doesn't cooperate, safe enough that we are not going to fear for our lives getting out of the airport, warm shallow flat water.

We have gone to south padre a couple of times. It has great conditions once you get to the water it rather lacks in the other attributes. Texas sports bars not withstanding.

Thank you for your suggestions,
Griz

Hi Griz,

So are you looking for a place to go after you've both retired, ie 265 days from now, which is the start of January? Time of year will decide where is best to go so let us know if you mean then or sometime before that?

Grizwald wrote:Hello All,
I know there have been multiple variations on this post before and I apologize for bringing it up yet again but I am looking for the perfect place in the world to take my wife to learn to kite board. I am willing to spend whatever it takes, travel wherever necessary. We will be retired in 265 days so we will have the time to stay for months if necessary. I am going to have only one shot at this so it needs to be as perfect as possible. Nice weather, nice accommodations, nice people, good food, wine, things to do if the wind doesn't cooperate, safe enough that we are not going to fear for our lives getting out of the airport, warm shallow flat water.

We have gone to south padre a couple of times. It has great conditions once you get to the water it rather lacks in the other attributes. Texas sports bars not withstanding.

Thank you for your suggestions,
Griz

Kailua is a great spot to learn. If the wind isn't up then make sure you have put to head over to Maui. Send me a PM if you need some recommendations on either Oahu or Maui instructors.

I would look for a shallow flat water place. There are a lot of places people swear up and down by but if your wife can stand up then it will make her feel more confident. Texas Gulf Coast Houston, Corpus, and SPI are all good for this. I have heard Hatteras is similar as well. Hood river would be good for you if it was not gusty or cold. You are going to get a lot of different places from everyone but just remember. Shallow, flat, and probably lighter steady wind would be idea for your wife to really stick with it.

forget it ....the place you are looking for does not exist!
retired too and searching too

I think Brazil is an awesome place.

You will find all kind of spots, and the flat water spots are just perfect to learn. Perfect warm water in the northeast of Brazil.

Best time is June til January.

For me the best spot is Cumbuco, small village with many foreigners, nice dining and a big city with all amenities you need when retired.

That place exists. Shallow. Warm water. Steady winds. No sharks. Not too crowdy (because pretty expensive).
Turks and Caicos.

I will second Turks and Caicos, you can rent a nice house on Long Bay. They have lots of lady instructors and the water is warm and shallow with a sandy bottom. Nice place to just relax on the beach and watch the kiteboarding and see how it is done while resting up for the next lesson.

What's wrong with south padre islands exactly. "other" is quite vague

my wife is learning too, body dragging is ok in deep water but everything else will be easier in waist deep water.
Her last lesson was in St Barth, great spot in lagoon and school, there are ways to make it relatively inexpensive but if you don't know where to stay and eat it will be very expensive.

I haven't done only a handful of island but so far the best place for my wife to learn was in Isla Holbox. Great virgin island without a huge crowd, nice hotel and great kite school at Las Tortugas. A lot of people travel there for a week but end up staying for monthS.
We stayed at las Tortugas.