KITESURFING

Kitesurfing with Mona Mai

Kiting in Norway has exploded in popularity in the last few years. During winter, people head to the mountains to snowkite, while in spring and summer, it's all about kitesurfing on Norway's almost endlessly long coast.

An area especially known for fantastic kitesurfing opportunities is Jæren, south of Stavanger in Fjord Norway. With mile-long, white beaches and lots of wind (really, a lot), the place is ideal for water sports.

Mona Mai, chair of the kiting club in Stavanger, grew up in Fjord Norway. She started kiting in 2007, after attending a course with a friend.

"I was hooked right away," Mona explains.

She spent the next years kiting all over the world, including in Australia, Spain, Portugal and Mexico. In Spain, Mona started working as a kite instructor, and in Portugal she managed a kite camp. Later, she worked as a kite instructor in Mexico.

"After two years of drifting around, I moved back home. I now kite on a hobby basis and am chair of the Stavanger Kiteklubb. I might not be neutral, but the Stavanger area is one of the best places to do cold water kiting," says Mona.

A real kiting paradise

"One of the things I like so much about Jæren is that the beaches there are so accessible for everyone. You'll find big car parks right by many of the beaches, and there are often paths down to the water. Some parking lots even have showers and a place to hang up your equipment for drying," Mona explains.

In the Jæren area, you'll have plenty of kiting spots to choose from. Just keep in mind that the Jæren beaches are protected as part of the Jærstrendene landscape conservation area. Some parts of the beaches are also plant and bird protection areas, which means kiting (and any type of surfing) is prohibited from 1 October to 31 March.

In the area, kiting is only permitted on Sola beach, Hellestø and Byberg beaches, Bore beach, and Brusand beach.

"Sola beach is one of the most popular beaches in the Stavanger region and is fantastic for wind and water sports. The location, right by the airport, is just incredible. You can fly in and almost walk straight to the water. There are almost always other kiters at Sola, so if you have just started learning kiting, it can be a good place to go to get some advice," Mona says.

In the area, the kiting season usually lasts from May to September. Remember that when autumn arrives, it usually gets more windy, and the waves get bigger.

Check out these amazing Jæren beaches:

Don't give up!

Mona recommends everyone who is trying to learn water kiting to give it a week.

"When you kite on water you have to think about both current, waves and wind. It's therefore very ambitious to try to learn everything over a weekend. My best piece of advice will always be to take a course, and keep practising. Kiters are also very friendly people. For help and for everyone's safety, do reach out to other kiters in the area if you're a beginner," Mona says.