Frequently asked questions and answers 
Everything you need to know about kitesurfing on Lake Garda with Wind Riders!
How to manage your booking (3)
What happens if because of weather/ wind conditions you did not finish your lessons/ lifts.
What happens if you still have credit but you are leaving?
Your credit stays valid also for the complete next season. You can give your credit as a gift voucher to anyone else. (just inform us). You can use your credit in our kiteshop or our online web kiteshop.
Why do I have to pay the whole course upon arrival?
Why do I have to pay the whole course upon arrival?
- If you want the packages price, you pay the pachage and you get the package.
- If you want to pay day by day. You can, the day before we will ask you to make a downpayment for the next day and than before we go on the water you will pay the rest. Only this way you do not pay the discounted package, but you pay the day price.
Why do I have to make a down payment?
Why do I have to make a downpayment?
Because it is difficult for us if we reserve you an instructor and a place in the boat and than you do not show up. In high season we are often fully booked and we have send no to other people. It is not fair that we tell no to someone and than because you do not show up the boat goes on the water with one empty place.
Kitesurf lessons with Wind Riders (1)
What time do the kitesessions start?
What time do the kitesessions start?
From Mai to September the morning session start at 7 am. And we expect you at the school at 6:45. In April and October sometimes we start later because the sun comes up later. You will receive an email with the up to date time.
Afternoon sessions start all year around at 13 pm.
If you have your own kite to prepare than you can do that before the session starts. So you come 10 minutes earlier and attached the lines to the kite.
Kitesurf Lift with Wind Riders (5)
What time do the kitesessions start?
What time do the kitesessions start?
From Mai to September the morning session start at 7 am. And we expect you at the school at 6:45. In April and October sometimes we start later because the sun comes up later. You will receive an email with the up to date time.
Afternoon sessions start all year around at 13 pm.
If you have your own kite to prepare than you can do that before the session starts. So you come 10 minutes earlier and attached the lines to the kite.
Which sizes boards are used?
Which sizes boards are used?
Lake Garda has no waves. Just small chop. In general a slightly bigger twintip is used. 135 cm is standard. In the afternoons with lighter with also bigger boards are used. The kiteschool always gives boards for free to use incase your own is to small for the conditions.
Which kites sizes do I need to bring?
Which kites sizes do I need to bring?
For a person of 70 kilo’s we recommend the following sizes. 7,8 or 9 for the mornings and a 11,12, 13 or 14 for the afternoons.
In general you can say that if you are 10 kilo’s heavier you need a meter more. If you are lighter you need a meter less.
The kites size you use will also depend on which size board you use. The smaller the board the more power you need in your kite.
Sometimes the wind is to strong for a 7 and than you will have to use a 5 or 6. Sometimes an 11m is not enough in the afternoon and you will have to use a 13 or 14.
We have all sizes available for rent.
If you do not want to use your lift because you do not have the ride kitesize we see it as a late cancellation.
For situation in which you bring all your kites, but you do not have a 5 m. We will offer a very low and friendly rental price.
If you expect to use your 14 m in the morning and you need to rent a 7. Than you will pay the normal renting price.
How does it work to launch from a boat?
How does it work to launch from a boat?
It is nothing to worry about. The first time we will help you prepare the kite for a boat launch. Have a look at this movie to see how it works.
Am i allowed to use a boardleash?
Am i allowed to use a boardleash?
No, you are not allowed to use a leash for securing your board. Too many accidents happen because of the use of boardleashes.Your board can hit ur head after a crash wenn it is coming back towards you!
We offer you Go-Joes that act like a sail on your board. You gonna find ur board easy without a leash!
location (4)
Where can I park my car?
Where can I park my car?
You can park at the parking of Hotel Leonardo Davinci only for unloading kite equipment. After that you have to move it to a public free parking at via Tamas, 10 minutes walking away or at the higher parking of hotel Leonardo Davinci. This parking is called parking number 2.
Are there toilets and hot showers?
Are there toilets and hot showers?
Yes. You can use the toilets and the hot showers of hotel Leonardo Davinci.
Can we use the beachbeds from hotel Leonardo Davinci?
Can we use the beachbeds from hotel Leonardo Davinci?
No, these sunbeds are only for hotel clients. We have beanbags and chairs that you can use. Also at the public beach right next to the kitesurf school you can suntan with a towel.
If you want to use a sunbed you can walk to the other side of the harbour (3minutes) and rent a sun chair from the Cherenguito beachbar.
Is there a bar close by?
Is there a bar close by?
Yes. The Cherenguito beachbar is 3 minute walking. They sell drinks and food. Most Wind Riders Team members are there for lunch and sometimes for a aperetive after the kitesurf lessons in the afternoon.
Weather and Wind on Lake Garda (2)
Which time is the best time to come?
Which time is the best time to come?
Every month is different. In the colder months there are less people on the water and the north wind blows stronger in general. In the warmer months it is more busy on the water. You will get wind every month that we are open.
What is the weather and wind like in March, April, Mai, June, July, August, September and October?
How is the weather and the wind in March, April, Mai, June, July, August, September and October? Which wetsuit do I need?
- March: cold it can be sunny, it can be cloudy. The North wind blows almost daily and on sunny days the south wind blows as well. Bring your wetsuit, shoes, gloves and neoprene cap to keep you warm. If you take lessons with us we provide you with all the neoprene to keep warm. If you like to use a drysuit than you need to bring your own termo underwear (the same as for wintersport).
- April/ October: The morning wind and the afternoon wind blow daily. It can be cold and it can be warm. Sometimes shoes, gloves and cap are necessary. Specially in the first week of April.
- Mai, June, September: No shoes, gloves, cap are needed. Just bring your wetsuit. (a shorty is nice for most afternoons, a long wetsuit is nice for most mornings). Both winds blow daily.
- July, August: bring a shorty for the mornings and boardshorts for the afternoons. Both winds blow daily.
webshop (1)
Do you sell equipment?
Do you sell equipment?
We sell boards, kites, wetsuits, harnesses, impact vest, shoes, gloves, neopreen caps and lots more new and used. Have a look at our webshop.
Here we will answer the most asked questions. If your question is missing, just send as an message and we will answer you and update this section.
- When is the best time to come?
Every month is different, but every day of every month we have reliable wind. Read here about each specific month.
- Where do I check the weather?
The best website for checking the general weather is www.meteotrentino.it and www.windfinder.com. Usually thanks to the mountains the weather is better than in the forecast There are websites that always forecast Limone 10 degrees colour and more negatieve that it is. To see how it is check the webcam of Capo Reamol.
- Where do I check the wind?
There is NO WIND forcast. Windguru and windfinder are not correct. They do not see the thermical winds. No one can guarantee the wind but in general it blows. If you look out of your hotel/ tent in the morning the water is super flat and zero wind. But up at Capo Reamol there can already be 30 knots of wind. This because the wind is starting around 6 or 7 a.m. in the North.
If there is no wind, you will receive a textmessage or call. If you do not hear anything than you show up in time for your kitesurf session!
Since a short while there is a beta version of a website who forcast the wind quite good. www.3lab.it and www.meteoallerta.it. We have been observing them for a year now. When 3lab.it gives 30% or more change for wind, than we have wind at Capo Reamol. If 3lab.it gives 80 or more percent change for wind than bring your smaller sizes because it is going to be a strong wind! Meteo Allerta has not divided the mornings and afternoons so clear so it is a bit more confusing to read. In general any value (positieve or negatieve) of 1 and more means wind.
For example today (18 March 2013) we have: Extreem Strong North wind in the morning and now around 3 pm, it is going down. That is very normal for a cloudy day. If it is sunny the north wind stops a lot earlier and around 13 pm the South wind comes up.
wind forecast lake garda
wind forecast lake garda
- Should I do morning sessions or afternoon session?
When you are learning we recommend to take both. That way you learn to fly a small kite in strong wind and a big kite in light wind. This makes you more independent by the end of your course. If you are lifting. And you only have a 13 meter kite. Than you should not sign up for mornings because your kite will be to big. You should sign up for an afternoon.
- What do I need to bring?
Water, suncreen, sunglasses or a cap (to wear on the boat, not in the water), a boardshort (to wear over the wetsuit) and swimming wear for under the wetsuit. When you are a beginner then in April, Mai and October you can also bring thermo wear for under your drysuit. We also have really warm wetsuits and 99% of our students prefer to wear the wetsuit.
- Why do I need to make downpayment?
Because we reserve you a place in the boat. The places are limited. If you do not show up, 1 place stays empty. This is not fair for us, and not fair for the people we might have said we are full.
- Why do I have to pay all in advance at the first day?
Because we do not have plenty of time before we start with our morning session. The wind will stop at 10 or 11 am. So we want to get on the water as soon as possible.
- What happens if there is no wind?
When you are doing a lesson, we will use this time to learn the self rescue or practise the board feeling by wakeboarding.
If you do a test lesson, it get’s rescheduled.
If you do a jump lesson, then it get’s reschedeled.
If there is no wind for a second time, then it get’s reschedeled.
You can count on 70% of the sessions to continue. For this reason we always put you for 5 days on the schedule when you do a 4 day course. If you had wind all the first 4 days then you are free to cancel the 5th day or you use the reserved place in the boat for having a kitesurf session under supervision or an extra lesson.
- What happens if I do not finish the course because of no wind?
If you do not finish the course you get a voucher with the left hours on it. You can use this voucher to come back this season or the next one. Or you can spend the value of the voucher in our shop, webshop or give it as a gift voucher to anyone else. (Just inform us)
- What happens if I do not show up or cancel in less than 24 hours in advance.
We charge 50%.
Why should you choose Wind Riders?
Quality is garanteed. In 5 days you will be riding consistent downwind. Consistent means more than a lucky 10 meter. If you do not reach this level you get a 6th lesson for free.
You will learn: downwind bodysurfing, upwind bodydragging to recover your board, relaunching your kite in deep water, the self rescue, waterstart, downwind riding.
We use radio helmets and a microphone to communicate with the student in the water.
- What makes Wind Riders unique regarding safety?
We use a go-joe instead of board-leashes. All our equipment is of high quality. Our instructors teach in small groups and have a lot of training and experience. Every students gets a radiohelmet and a good and comfortable wetsuit. Every instructor and assistant has a valid first aid certificate and an IKO instructor or assistant diploma.
Before you get hooked up to your kite you will learn how to activate the safety systems on the control bar of your kite. Also will you learn in which situation you must use them and that you are always to use them when ever you feel unsafe.
- How much time during a lesson are you in the water?
Everyday is split in a theory lesson and a water lesson. Your first lesson you do one hour theory to learn all about the safety systems, preparation of the equipment, communication signals, how the bar works, how to relaunch a kite and the theory of the windwindow
How big are the groups?
Maximum 4 students per teacher.
In which languages are the lessons?
English German, Italian and Dutch.
What is IKO?
IKO is the international kiteboard organization. All our instructors and assistants are IKO qualified. This means they have their medic first aid diploma and the skills to teach kiteboarding according to the IKO standards.
Where do I learn to kitesurf from a beach?
At any IKO school you can learn how to kitesurf from a beach. In holland we recommand Antix Sports. They know the lake and they know what kite of lesson you need.
Good links:
need2kite. the social travel network for kitesurfes only
