What Type of Kite Should I Get?

What type of kite should I get is the most common “I’m about to spend money, please save me” question in kiteboarding. You don’t need a spreadsheet, you just need to match a kite category to your skill level, the conditions you actually ride, and what you want to do out there.

Brand names aside, the decision comes down to three big buckets: freeride, surf, and foil-oriented. Each one has a different personality, and you’ll feel it on day one.

Quick Answer: Which Kite Type Fits Most Riders?

If you’re stuck asking what kite should I get and you want one “default” answer, it’s freeride.

• Most riders, especially newer riders: a freeride-oriented kite.
• Riders dealing with gusty wind, or chasing forgiving handling and drift: a surf-oriented kite.
• Riders prioritizing lighter wind efficiency: a foil-oriented kite (with tradeoffs).

To connect riding goals to what people actually do on the water, Kiteboarding Styles Explained

Best Kite Style for Beginners (Why Freeride Usually Wins)

For most people learning, freeride kites are the easiest path to consistent sessions. Think “stable, predictable, and not trying to surprise you.” That’s exactly what you want while you’re building fundamentals.

A solid freeride kite for beginners usually delivers these beginner-friendly traits:

• Predictable power delivery: when it pulls, it pulls smoothly, not in random spikes.
• Stability when parked: it hangs where you place it instead of wandering around like it’s bored.
• Easy relaunch: when it drops, it tends to come back up without a full negotiation.
• Good depower range: power can be reduced when the wind bumps up.
• Forgiving turning: it turns cleanly without feeling twitchy or overly aggressive.

Freeride kites also stay useful as you progress. Cruising, transitions, and small jumps all live happily in that lane. They’re the jeans-and-hoodie of kite categories. Not glamorous. Always useful.

To map skill progression in a simple, real-world way, check out Learn to Kitesurf: The 4 Stages Every Rider Goes Through.

To set expectations for early sessions without drowning in theory, see Kitesurfing for Beginners: What to Expect.

When a Surf Kite Is a Better Beginner Choice

Freeride is the default, but a surf kite for beginners can be a smart pick in two common situations:

• Your wind is gusty and messy: calmer behavior matters more than a “race car” feel.
• You want forgiving handling and drift: especially if you ride swell, carve a lot, or hate twitchy steering.

Surf-oriented kites often feel “softer” in the way they deliver power. Many are tuned to drift better, meaning they can follow you without racing ahead when you’re riding down the line. Even if you’re not truly wave riding yet, that forgiving nature can feel great while learning.

The tradeoff is that some surf kites feel less locked in for fast cruising and boosting compared to freeride-focused options. That’s not a flaw, it’s a choice. If your local water is bumpy and the wind is spicy, that choice can be your friend.

Intermediate: Match the Kite to What You Actually Do Most

Once riding feels comfortable and upwind is consistent, the question shifts from what type of kite should I get to “what do I do most days?” Intermediate riders usually land in three buckets.

Cruising + small jumps

If sessions look like steady riding, carving around, practicing transitions, and popping small jumps, freeride stays the clean match. A stable kite that builds speed easily and feels predictable when sent for lift makes progress feel smoother.

Clean wind, or you want more drift and forgiveness

If you ride in cleaner wind and you like a kite that feels responsive without being yanked around, a surf-oriented kite can fit well. Many riders like the forgiving turning and the way these kites behave when conditions aren’t perfectly steady.

Lighter wind priority

If “windy” often means “kind of windy,” foil-oriented kites start to make sense. They’re built to stay efficient and remain airborne in lighter conditions, so marginal days can become real sessions.

To understand why different kite categories feel different without chasing brand chatter, Kite Design Styles and Tradeoffs

Low Wind Riders: When to Consider Foil-Oriented Kites

A foil kite for light wind (foil-oriented kite) can be awesome, but it won’t turn glassy nothingness into a full-power session. It does make lighter days more usable, especially once your technique is steady.

Foil-oriented kites usually prioritize efficiency and staying airborne. They often feel light in the sky and happy to keep flying when the wind gets marginal. That’s why they show up for riders who want to maximize lighter days and spend more time gliding than grinding.

Common upsides:

• Better light-wind “stay in the air” behavior than many all-around options
• Efficient pull once you’re moving, helpful in marginal wind
• A great fit for riders chasing efficiency over raw punch

Common tradeoffs:

• Less forgiving when overpowered: big gust swings can feel less chill than freeride or surf options.
• More precision required: trimming and technique get noticed faster when conditions change.
• Not always a one-kite answer: many riders still prefer an all-around kite as the main workhorse.

To connect conditions, gear choices, and setup decisions in one place, see Kiteboarding Size, Setup, and Design Tradeoffs.

Common Mistakes When Choosing a “First Kite Type”

Most bad picks happen for totally human reasons. Here are the usual suspects.

Choosing the “cool” kite instead of the useful kite

It’s tempting to buy the most aggressive option and “grow into it.” Usually that just means a harder learning curve and fewer good sessions. Start with predictable. Progress faster. Flex later.

Over-optimizing for a rare day

If you pick a kite type that only shines on your top 10% wind days, the rest of the season feels frustrating. Choose for your most common conditions, not a fantasy highlight reel.

Ignoring gustiness and water state

If your spot is gusty, calm behavior matters. If your spot is choppy, predictable power and forgiving steering matter. Performance that only shows up in perfect conditions won’t help when the ocean is doing ocean things.

Thinking “type” replaces learning

A beginner-friendly kite helps, but it doesn’t replace time on the water. The right type simply makes sessions more consistent, and consistency is what builds skill.

Sizing and learning considerations

Kite type is only part of the puzzle. Two quick reality checks matter before pulling the trigger.

1) Make sure the size makes sense for your weight and wind

To compare sizes across wind ranges and rider weights, see Kite Size Chart by Weight and Wind.

To see how sizing logic changes for new riders, check out Kite Size for Beginners.

2) Match the kite type to your current stage

To map skill level to the stages riders typically go through, check out Learn to Kitesurf: The 4 Stages Every Rider Goes Through.

To set expectations for early sessions and what normal progress looks like, read Kitesurfing for Beginners: What to Expect.

3) Keep riding goals realistic

To connect riding goals to discipline choices without the marketing fog, check out Kiteboarding Styles Explained.

FAQ

What type of kite should I get as a beginner?

For most new riders, a freeride-oriented kite is the simplest, most forgiving choice. It tends to feel stable when parked, delivers smooth power, and relaunches easily. In gusty places or if you want extra forgiveness, a surf-oriented kite can also be a strong beginner pick.

What kite should I get if I want to cruise and do small jumps?

A freeride-oriented kite usually fits that goal best. It’s built for steady speed, predictable lift, and an all-around feel that works across a wide range of normal sessions.

Is a surf kite only for waves?

No. Surf-oriented kites can feel great even if waves aren’t the priority. Many riders like them for forgiving turning and how they behave in gusty or bumpy conditions.

When does a foil-oriented kite make sense?

A foil-oriented kite makes sense when light wind sessions are a big priority and efficiency matters. It’s not always the best “one kite for everything,” but it can add a lot of rideable days to your calendar, even if you're not foiling. 

Is there a “best kite for beginners”?

Only if “best” means “best fit for your spot.” In most places, a freeride-oriented kite wins because it’s stable, predictable, and easy to relaunch. In gusty wind or swell, a surf-oriented kite can be the better match.

What’s the biggest mistake people make when choosing a kite type?

They choose for an advanced goal instead of their current reality. A predictable kite optimized for your actual riding level and conditions gets you more good sessions, and more good sessions is how you actually improve.

Bottom line

What type of kite should I get comes down to matching a category to your real sessions. Freeride is the best default for most riders and most beginners. Surf-oriented kites can be a better beginner choice in gusty conditions or if you want extra forgiveness and drift. Foil-oriented kites make sense when light wind efficiency is the priority, with tradeoffs. Pick the type that makes your common days fun, and the progress usually takes care of itself.