Learn Kitesurfingthe Right Way
In Portugal's Best Flatwater Spot
Private lessons with Federico M. Kessler — IKO Level 3 instructor with 11+ years, 5,000+ teaching hours and 1,300+ students taught. Big-wave rider in Nazaré, with full focus on your progress.
Private Kitesurf Lessons at Óbidos Lagoon
Learn one-on-one with a certified instructor and Nazaré big-wave kitesurfer. Over 1,300 students taught — with full focus on your progress.
Kitesurf Lessons Structure – Óbidos Lagoon, Portugal
Explore our kitesurf lessons in Óbidos Lagoon and find the right course for your level. Whether you're a beginner or advanced rider, we've got a course for you.
Perfect for first-timers. This beginner-friendly kitesurfing lesson introduces you to essential techniques in the calm waters of Óbidos Lagoon.
📋 Lesson Breakdown:
- 20 minutes: Kite setup and safety briefing
- 2:30 hours: In-water – kite control, launching/landing, body drag, relaunching, self-rescue
- 10 minutes: Pack down & feedback
Go from zero to riding confidently in this structured 3-day beginner course. Learn at your own pace with personalized guidance.
📅 Day 1:
- 20 minutes: Kite setup and safety briefing
- 2:30 hours: In-water – kite control, launching/landing, body drag, relaunching, self-rescue
- 10 minutes: Pack down & feedback
📅 Day 2:
- Body drag downwind & upwind
- Body drag with board
- Enter/exit water safely with one-hand control
- Intro to waterstart
📅 Day 3:
- Power strokes with control
- Waterstart practice, board recovery
- Controlled start/stop, riding upwind
- Work toward independent riding
Already riding? These intermediate-level kitesurf lessons are customized to your progression goals. Perfect your transitions, upwind riding, and more.
- Upwind riding, transitions, board control, basic tricks
- Video feedback, progression planning
Sessions are structured based on your level to maximize learning.
📲 Get More Info on WhatsAppPush your limits with advanced kitesurf coaching including wave training, technical tricks, and feedback by a Nazaré big wave kitesurfer.
- Ride with a Nazaré big wave kitesurfer
- Video analysis + skill progression
- Flat water or ocean sessions
Haven't kited in a while? This refresher kitesurf lesson is tailored to your past experience and goals — get back on the water confidently.
- Kite control, safety refresh, smooth riding
- Custom plan based on your level
👨👩👧👦 Coming as a group of 3 or 4?
I run group sessions for families and friends too — just message me directly and I'll build the right plan and price for your group.
📲 Ask about group lessonsEverything You Need to Know
What's included, payments, cancellations and how lessons work.
🎒 What's included
- •All kite gear and wetsuit
- •Radio helmets for coaching (when needed)
- •IKO certificate upon completing 9+ hours
💳 Payment methods
Cash · Cards · Bank transfer · Crypto (just ask if unsure)
🗓️ Changes & cancellations
- •Free change/refund if you cancel > 7 days in advance
- •50% refund if you cancel 48h–7 days before
- •No refund if you cancel < 48h before or no-show
- •Medical emergencies: full refund within 24h (with certificate)
🌬️ Weather guarantee
- •If there's no wind or conditions are unsafe, we'll reschedule or fully refund. Your safety comes first.
👥 Ratios & lesson flow
- •Applies to 1:2:2, 1:3:2 and 1:4:2 (two kites in the group)
- 1First-ever lesson: roughly the first 1 hour on a shared kite to cover safety checks and basic kite control
- 2After the basics: continue the session with two kites in the air
- 3Waterstart / early riding: the board may be shared until riders can go upwind safely
- 4After upwind: it's possible to use two boards simultaneously
Why learn with We Are Salty People?
What Makes This School Different?
You always learn one-on-one with me — not a rotating team.
With over 5,000 hours of teaching experience across kitesurfing, surfing, and scuba diving, my focus is always the same: safety, real progress, and fun.
I use radio helmets to guide you in real time, and only take you out when the wind and forecast are perfect for your level.
Add to that a calm, shallow lagoon, and you've got the ideal setup to learn fast and feel confident on the water.
11+ years certified instructor
1300+ students taught
Solo instructor, no rotation
IKO safety standards
Radio coaching included
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Meet Your Instructor
Hi, I'm Federico — an IKO Level 3 certified instructor with over 11 years and 5,000+ hours teaching kitesurfing in Óbidos Lagoon and around the world.
Teaching is what I do best, and it's my full-time profession — but the ocean is also my life. In the Portuguese winters you'll find me chasing storms along the coast, surfing and kiting big waves in Nazaré and other extreme conditions. That experience in heavy water is exactly what makes me calm, patient and safety-obsessed when I'm teaching you in the flat, friendly lagoon.
I've worked with over 1,300 students of every age and background — always focused on helping people learn to ride safely, confidently, and with stoke. Whether it's your very first time holding a bar or you're coming back to level up, I'll meet you exactly where you are.
Why Learn with Me?
- ✅ Lessons Designed Around You
Every session is adapted to your level, your learning style, and your pace — always following IKO safety standards and focused on real progress. - 🌊 Real Ocean Experience
From big-wave sessions in Nazaré to extreme winter conditions, I bring genuine water knowledge to every lesson — so you learn from someone who truly lives the sport, all year round. - 🌍 Global Experience, Personal Coaching
I've taught across the Caribbean, Brazil, Spain, and now Portugal — international experience with a local, hands-on approach to every lesson. - ❤️ Full-Time Passion, Not a Seasonal Job
This is what I do — all year, every year. Teaching kitesurfing is my full-time profession and has been for over a decade.
✅ Credentials & Languages
🎓 IKO Certified Instructor Level 3
11+ years | 5,000+ hours of teaching experience in kitesurfing, scuba diving & surfing across 10 countries
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🌍🌎🌏
Sharing this passion with 1300+ students from every corner of the world
🌍 LESSONS AVAILABLE IN:
🇪🇸 Spanish 🇬🇧 English 🇵🇹 Portuguese
What Our Students Say
Real reviews from people who learned to kite with us at Óbidos Lagoon.