Eesti Lohesurfiklubi / Kitesurf Estonia

It takes more than wind to find an ideal kiteboarding spot. Granted, that’s a big part of it, but there are other factors to consider, like how flat, choppy, or wavy the water is, the weather (other than the wind conditions, of course), and location’s overall vibe. Sure, if you have your own kite, board, and harness, you can go kiteboarding at a place close and convenient to you — may it be a lake or your local beach — but when you’re looking for a destination to go to get your fill of this increasingly popular water sport, here are ten picks from around the globe.

People often talk about whether kitesurfing boards have too much flex or too little. But what is too much or too little flex, how do you know and what effect will it have on your riding?