Kitesurfing in Knysna

Life Kitesurfing Coach Stuart Barnes enjoying time in the air.
Life Kitesurfing Coach Stuart Barnes enjoying time in the air.

Kitesurfing in Knysna is world class. It’s a dream. The wind works well throughout the year. Summer season from spring all the way through mid summer to autumn has fantastic South Easterlies. The wind tends to be a lot more moderate than the Cape Town winds. Bigger kites and boards are therefore recommended to make the most of the conditions on offer. 10 m, 12 m and 14 m are usually good size kites. That said, we do have our stronger days too so 8 m, 7 m and even 6 m kites are sometimes perfect.

The Knysna Lagoon is tidal so the water depth varies. This can be quite dramatic during spring tides on full and new moon and more moderate during the neap tides. There are quite a few spots with sand banks of standing depth which makes learning easier. Hydrofoiling and wingfoiling / wingsurfing work best on the highest of spring tides or in the deeper channels at lower tides.

There is nothing like the guidance of experienced local knowledge so booking lessons is the best way to have the most fun learning whilst keeping safe.

Join coach Stuart Barnes for lessons on Knysna lagoon and many of the other lagoons, estuaries, lakes and beaches along this pristine Garden Route coastline.

With over 16 years of kitesurfing coaching experience in the region we pride ourselves in strict safety standards and expert world class coaching. Our training is super fun and it will accelerate your learning.

email onreturn@gmail.com or call 060 757 4414 or contact us for more information about kitesurfing in Knysna, to chat about your lesson or make a booking.

Kitesurfing Gear 2020

Kevin Langeree, Red Bull King of the Air 2018 and 2019 champion. The first person to win three Red Bull King of the Air titles. All wins on Naish Gear.

We are the proud riders and suppliers of Naish Kites and Boards here on the Garden Route. The 2020 range is about to arrive in South Africa and will soon be available for pre-order. Contact us for your new and used gear requirements and we will deliver the ultimate gear to suit your body, match your riding style and make your kitesurfing dreams a reality.

Good used gear is sometimes available too to meet every budget.

The latest new gear always delivers the safest experience with the highest level of performance and riding pleasure.

Lip Kitesurfing Sunglasses Garden Route

Lip Surge Sunglasses

Protect your eyes from the extreme elements while you ride in style on The Garden Route this summer 😎

Phenomenal LiP Sunglasses

Now available at Life Kitesurfing!

2018 Autumn and Winter Lessons


Coach Stuart Barnes enjoying flying in the evening light

Now is the perfect time to start learning kitesurfing here on the Garden Route!

The autumn light is beautiful, the days are still warm and the winters are mild. Most importantly, there’s plenty of wind for learning!

Join coach Stuart Barnes for lessons at Myoli Beach in Sedgefield and many of the other beaches, lakes and lagoons along this pristine Garden Route coastline.

With over 11 years of kitesurfing coaching experience in the region we pride ourselves in strict safety standards and expert world class coaching. Our training is super fun and it will accelerate your learning.

email onreturn@gmail.com or call 060 757 4414 for more information, to chat about your lesson or make a booking.

Knysna and Sedgefield Spring Lessons

Welcome to spring! Awesome flying and riding conditions so far!

Join coach Stuart Barnes for lessons at Myoli Beach in Sedgefield and many of the other beaches, lakes and lagoons along this pristine Garden Route coastline.

From Plettenberg Bay to Knysna lagoon to Lake Brenton to Buffels Bay to Myoli Beach, Sedgefield to Wilderness to Great Brak to Little Brak to Hartenbos to Mossel Bay – we have all the spots covered. We ride, fly and coach at all of them.

With over 11 years of kitesurfing coaching experience in the region we pride ourselves in strict safety standards and expert world class coaching. Our training is super fun and it will accelerate your learning.

email onreturn@gmail.com or call 060 757 4414 for more information, to chat about your lesson or make a booking.

Brutal Firestorm Winter

Each winter I monitor forecasts and track every major storm that sweeps our Garden Route coastline, hoping to ride the most furious ones that come through. In early June I saw a massive 40 – 50 knot storm on the radar. I was determined to ride it and started to get my body, mind and gear ready. There was a feeling of some chaos and disruption on the day of this storm and there were some logistical issues getting to the beach from Knysna. I had heard that there were a few fires in the morning and was concerned due to the magnitude and duration of the forecast storm. But I had no idea of just how devastating it would be. I did my yoga and meditation practice and headed out for a quick ride. It was a bit gusty but nothing really too intense. Nothing over 40 knots when I rode and I was quite comfortable on a 5.5 m kite. After my session I did a quick trainer kite flying lesson with my assistant. Then someone in the Sedgefield Myoli Beach car park said the road to Knysna was closed and the fires were raging out of control. What a devastating disaster it turned out to be. Deep condolences to those who lost lives. Material things can always be replaced. We let go of what we have lost, we learn and we move forward.

2017 Lessons

2017 is the year to learn the magical sport of kitesurfing!

Join coach Stuart Barnes for lessons at Myoli Beach in Sedgefield and many of the other beaches, lakes and lagoons along this pristine Garden Route coastline.

With over 10 years of kitesurfing coaching experience in the region we pride ourselves in strict safety standards and expert world class coaching. Our training is super fun and it will accelerate your learning.

email onreturn@gmail.com or call 060 757 4414 for more information, to chat about your lesson or make a booking.

Summer 2015 / 2016 Lessons

Myoli Beach Kitesurfing Summer 2015

Summer is here! It’s the perfect time to learn kitesurfing here on the Garden Route.

Join coach Stuart Barnes for lessons at Myoli Beach in Sedgefield and many of the other beaches, lakes and lagoons along this pristine coastline.

With over 9 years of kitesurfing coaching experience in the region we pride ourselves in strict safety standards and expert world class coaching. Our training is super fun and it will accelerate your learning.

email onreturn@gmail.com or call 060 757 4414 for more information, to chat about your lesson or make a booking.

Spring to Summer!

Kitesurfing Lessons Garden Route

Spring is here and so are the spring winds! It’s the perfect time to learn kitesurfing here on the Garden Route.

Join coach Stuart Barnes for lessons at Myoli Beach in Sedgefield and many of the other beaches, lakes and lagoons along this pristine coastline.

From Plettenberg Bay to Knysna lagoon to Lake Brenton to Buffels Bay to Myoli Beach, Sedgefield to Wilderness to Great Brak to Little Brak to Hartenbos to Mossel Bay – we have all the spots covered. We ride, fly and coach at all of them.

The mostly moderate winds make it a magical place to safely introduce yourself to this awesome sport.  For intermediate riders, the conditions are also perfect to comfortably work on your jumps and turns in the waves or at one of our local flat water spots.  Waveriding conditions along the coastline are truly epic and our uncrowded downwinders are almost endless!

With over 9 years of kitesurfing coaching experience in the region we pride ourselves in strict safety standards and expert world class coaching. Our training is super fun and it will accelerate your learning.

email onreturn@gmail.com for more information, to chat about your lesson or make a booking.

Winter Fun

Winter Fun

Kitesurfing and surfing lessons continue throughout the winter season here on the Garden Route. Conditions are excellent for safety training and beach-based flying lessons – brilliant preparation for the coming summer winds. Soon it will be spring.

It’s wonderful to get outdoors and keep active through the mild winter and the weather is still fair and warm most days.

email onreturn@gmail.com for further information, to chat about your lesson or make a booking.

See you on the beach and in the water!