Is it ever too late to learn to Kite surf?
At the start of this year, our Managing Director, Alice, and Alex headed to Kenya to master a new skill. Read on for Alex’s account of those wobbly, wind-swept days on Diani Beach.
Learning to Kite Surf in my older years: My Adventure at Diani Beach, Kenya
At 60+, there’s a certain expectation that you’ll be slowing down, perhaps taking gentle beach walks, or settling under a palm tree with a good book; honestly, there’s nothing wrong with that. But, when I found myself on Diani Beach in Kenya, something in the warm coastal air made me want to try something a little different. I decided, somewhat nervously, to learn to kite surf. With the wonderfully patient team at H2O Kitesurfing School to guide me, it turned into one of the most memorable adventures of my life.
Kitesurfing on the Kenya Coast
Discovering the Magic of Diani
If you haven’t visited, Diani Beach is simply beautiful. Stretching along Kenya’s south coast, it’s the kind of place where turquoise waters lap at soft white sands and a gentle ocean breeze seems to lift your spirits the moment you arrive. It’s easy to see why kite surfers are drawn here — the open space, warm water, and steady winds create a wonderfully forgiving place to learn. Yet as I stood watching those colourful kites drifting above the waves, I found myself wondering: could someone my age really do this?
Diani Beach – photo credit: Alfajiri Villas
Meeting the H2O team
Any doubt I had melted away the moment I met the instructors at O2 Kitesurfing School. They were warm, reassuring, and so genuinely enthusiastic that I found myself believing, perhaps for the first time, that I really might be able to do this. My instructor Ken was endlessly patient and seemed to understand my mix of excitement and nerves without me having to say very much at all.
H2O Instructor with Alice on Diani Beach
We began on the beach, learning about wind direction, safety, and how to feel the kite rather than fight it. What struck me most was that this wasn’t about strength, but about sensitivity and feel. As the breeze tugged gently at the lines, I began to understand what kite surfers call the “wind window,” that quiet conversation between power and control.
The Learning Curve
The second day involved quite a lot of time face-down in the water; I won’t pretend otherwise. I swallowed more than my fair share of the Indian Ocean and made some rather ungainly landings. But every small improvement — a smoother body drag, a slightly longer glide — brought a quiet, genuine satisfaction. Ken had a lovely instinct for knowing when to encourage and when to simply let me find my feet. He never made me feel rushed or out of place.
By day four, I was up on the board. Not for long, and very much in one direction, but up nonetheless, skimming across the water, laughing to myself, feeling more alive than I had in quite some time. My legs were shaky, my arms were tired, and I couldn’t stop smiling.
Progress has been made!
A Lesson Beyond the Sport
Learning to kite surf at 60+ (or at any age for that matter) turned out to be about something a little bigger than the sport itself. It was a quiet reminder that adventure doesn’t really have an age limit, and that while our bodies change over time, our curiosity and spirit don’t have to. The team at H2O never once treated my age as an obstacle. To them, it was simply where my journey was starting from.
Kitesurfing is for all ages
On the final evening, watching the sun settle over Diani’s shimmering shoreline, I realised I was taking home far more than a new skill. Kite surfing had given me a renewed sense of freedom, a boost of confidence, and a feeling of connection — to the sea, the wind, and myself — that I hadn’t expected to find.
If you’re ever on Diani Beach and wondering whether to give it a try, whatever your age, my advice is go for it. The wind is patient, the team is wonderful, and the experience is one you won’t forget.
Alex stayed at Kinondo Kwetu, Diani, Kenya, south of Mombasa and Alfajiri Villas, Diani, Kenyan Coast
The Garden Villa, Alfajiri
What next?
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