Windsurfing is one of the most intuitive wind sports to start: the sail is in your hands, connected to the board, and you feel exactly what the wind does. Here is how the first days go, what the courses cost and when to come to Koh Samui.
📖 3 min read · Updated September 2026 · By Sergei Sharvarok · Founder & Head Instructor
Day One: Balance and the Sail
- Rig set-up and the parts of the sail on the beach.
- Balance on the board and pulling the sail up out of the water (uphauling).
- Holding the sail in the "secure position" and your first straight lines.
- Stopping, steering and turning the board around.
Beginner rigs are small and light, so the focus stays on technique rather than strength.
The Next Steps
- Sailing both ways — reaching across the wind in each direction and getting back to where you started.
- Tacking — turning the nose of the board through the wind.
- Harness and footstraps — using your body weight instead of your arms, the key to longer sessions.
- Upwind sailing — the skill that makes you independent.
Courses and Prices
| Course | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery lesson | 2 h private | 5,000 THB |
| Beginner course | 6 h private | 14,000 THB |
| Independent course | — | 20,000 THB |
| Refresh lesson | 2 h private | 5,000 THB |
All equipment is included. Details are on the windsurfing lessons page. Once you sail independently, windsurf sets can be rented from 2,000 THB per hour.
Bend your knees and keep your back straight when you pull the sail up. The legs do the work; a curved back gets tired in minutes.
When to Learn on Koh Samui
From December to April we teach at Nahai Beach — shallow, flat water where the wind is NE in December, turns SE during January and blows from the SE until the end of April, typically 12–20 knots and most consistent January–March. From May to October the school moves to Nathon Beach on the west coast, where the SW monsoon is lighter and more variable (10–18 knots). Water is 27–30 °C all year, so no wetsuit is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is windsurfing hard to learn?
The first steps are quick: most beginners sail short straight lines in their first lesson. Upwind sailing and tacking take longer.
How much do windsurfing lessons cost on Koh Samui?
At Kite Club the Discovery lesson is 5,000 THB (2 h private), the beginner course 14,000 THB (6 h private) and the Independent course 20,000 THB, equipment included.
Do I need to be strong to windsurf?
No. Beginner rigs are light, and good technique — straight back, bent knees, using the harness later — matters more than strength.
What is the best month to learn windsurfing on Samui?
January to March at Nahai Beach, when the wind is most consistent and the water flat.