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ST KILDA WEST BEACH · MELBOURNE

Learn to kitesurf or wing foil in St Kilda

✓ No experience needed

Safety-first lessons with IKO-certified instructors. It’s not as extreme as it looks.

★★★★★ 4.9 on Google

from 140+ reviews

2,000+ students

taught from complete beginner

IKO accredited

and permitted by City of Port Phillip

Free rescheduling

we only run in good wind

Kite or wing?

Both start from zero. Pick your sport and see how you’ll progress.

Kitesurfing

More accessible than it looks. You start on the sand with a small trainer kite and build up step by step, at your own pace. No board sports background needed.

  • 10hr · ride on your own$1,199Save $296 + a free gear hire
  • 6hr · your first board rides$749
  • 2hr Flex · taster or refresher$299
  • 4hr half-day · solo or with friendsfrom $189 each

HOW YOU’LL PROGRESS

  1. Kite control.
    Safety, then flying and steering the kite. Hours 1 to 2.
  2. Body drags. Let the kite pull you through the water. Hours 3 to 4.
  3. Board riding.
    First rides around hours 5 to 6. Riding on your own by around 10.

Typical times. Everyone learns at their own pace.

Wing foiling

The new one. Calm, simple and easy to pick up. A light handheld wing with no lines, and a board that lifts you gently above the water.

  • 6hr · ride on your own$749Save $148 vs three 2hr lessons
  • 2hr Flex · taster or refresher$299
  • 4hr half-day · solo or with friendsfrom $189 each

HOW YOU’LL PROGRESS

  1. Wing handling.
    Beach and foil safety, then controlling the wing. Hours 1 to 2.
  2. Board riding.
    Balance on the board and feel the pull of the wing. Hours 3 to 4.
  3. Foil riding.
    Lift up on the foil. Riding on your own by around 6 hours.

Typical times. Everyone learns at their own pace.

Try 2 hours first.

Loved it? Upgrade to a package within 14 days and just pay the difference.

All equipment providedAges 10+2-person rates available

What students say

Posted on Google Google
Craig Moir profile picture
Craig Moir
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My son had a lesson with Josh. He went from flying the kite to getting in the water within the first hour. The team at THE ZU were so professional and made our son’s birthday special. Highly recommend this mob. We look forward to the next lesson
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George Colcomb profile picture
George Colcomb
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I had a great time with Eric on a 4hr learn to kite course. I have experience with wind sports before and Eric was able to adapt his teaching to my experience levels, making me feel comfortable and confident. Eric was able to get me almost ready to ride a board within the 4hr session, despite light and fickle wind making flying the kite a challenge! I’d recommend the Zu (and Eric particularly) to folk wanting to try the sport and I would have booked more lessons if I wasn’t so unfortunate with the wind during my stay in Melbourne. Thanks to the team for a great few hours!
Posted on Google Google
Paloma González profile picture
Paloma González
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Amazing experience! The vibe is super friendly, relaxed, and very professional. It’s the perfect place to start if you want to have a great time! My instructor Francesco is such a legend, he explains everything in a super simple way and always keeps an eye on you in the water. Highly recommend if you’re in Melbourne and want to have fun 🙌
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Maud Mathieu profile picture
Maud Mathieu
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Je recommande vivement cette école de kite 👍 j’ai fait 4h de cours avec Jess qui est un super instructeur, attentif, impliqué, très sécurisant. J’ai enfin réussi à rider plus de 30 secondes wouhou! L’école est certifiée IKO ce qui est important aussi pour certifier et garder une trace de votre progression peu importe la zone du monde où vous ridez
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Andy Mursell profile picture
Andy Mursell
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Had a lesson with Jessy a few weeks ago and he’s given me the confidence to get out there by myself! These guys care about what they do and Jessy was a great teacher
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Bilal Ait Maamar profile picture
Bilal Ait Maamar
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Amazing kite school, all the instructors are super friendly and knowledgeable! I had Jess as an instructor and he was extremely helpful and really sped up my learning with his tips. Overall great community would recommend to anyone wanting to learn kitesurfing!
Posted on Google Google
Samuel Klingner profile picture
Samuel Klingner
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Friendly, efficient and patient instructors in a well organised business - big thanks to Francesco for the lessons so far!
Posted on Google Google
Chris Strong profile picture
Chris Strong
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Highly recommend the team at The Zu Kite Club, they’re awesome! Carlos and his team (special mention to Xavier, Kevin & Josh) are simply the best! Professional, knowledgeable, supportive and super friendly/happy! Recently our son (17) started his kite surfing journey from zero experience right the way to riding and loving the sport, thanks team!
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Ashley Van Rosmalen profile picture
Ashley Van Rosmalen
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10/10 recommend for kiting lessons! I had 3 instructors who were all super amazing and got me up to scratch with the skills I was working on. Really enjoyed it and excited to go back for much. The absolute best. Thanks Jess, Kev and Carlos
Posted on Google Google
Matthew Crisp profile picture
Matthew Crisp
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I had a great experience with the Zu Kite Club and couldn't recommend them more. I went into Kitesurfing with no board experience and was pretty nervous at the start, but the Zu Team made every lesson fun, relaxed, and easy to understand. Carlos was great from day one, he helped with all the bookings, arrangements, any questions I had and even gave me heads-ups when the conditions were looking ideal for lessons. I had lessons with a few different instructors including Kev, Julz, Francesco, and Jess. At first, I was a bit worried that changing instructors might slow my progress, but it actually worked out better. Each instructor followed the same approach but added their own insights and tips, which really helped everything click faster. Everyone was incredibly patient and supportive. On two ocassions, the wind completely dropped halfway through the lesson. Instead of just calling it bad luck, Carlos refunded those lessons straight away without me even asking, which really goes to show how eager they are to make sure you get the most out of every lesson. Overall, the Zu Kite Team made it really fun and worthwhile. They are genuinely passionate about about what they do. Thank you to the whole team, I will definitely be back.

LIVE AT ST KILDA WEST

Is it windy today?

Check live wind and the week’s forecast. Good day coming up? Grab a lesson before it fills.

More than lessons

We want you to love this sport as much as we do. Come down any summer day at St Kilda West for a session, a laugh, a drink and a beautiful sunset. After your lessons there’s gear hire, clinics and kite trips to keep you riding.

Questions

Do I need to be strong or fit?

No. We match the kite or wing size to you and the conditions, so it’s about technique, not strength. If you’re comfortable in the water, you can learn.

How long does it take to ride on my own?

Around 10 hours of lessons for kitesurfing and around 6 for wing foiling, though everyone progresses differently. Most people get their first rides around hours 5 to 6. Riding on your own means launching and landing safely, riding upwind and being able to self-rescue.

What happens if the wind isn’t right?

We only run lessons in good, safe conditions. If the wind is too light, too strong or blowing the wrong direction, we’ll contact you and reschedule for free. If the wind drops during your lesson, the remaining time is credited to your next one.

Do I need to buy gear first?

No. We provide everything, including wetsuits. Wait until you’ve finished your lessons, and we’re happy to give you advice on what to buy for your level, weight and budget.

Is there an age or weight limit?

Ages 10 and up are welcome. For kitesurfing, riders need to weigh at least 35 kg.

Can I upgrade after my first lesson?

Yes. If you upgrade from a 2hr Flex or 4hr half-day lesson to a 6hr or 10hr package within 14 days, you just pay the difference.

See all FAQs