Panamá
january 2025
After three days of kitesurfing lessons I learned that I need more lessons.
I spent four hours learning the water start and most of that time was spent crashing in to the water and being dragged by the kite. Luckily I only did a superman crash twice, other times it was mostly on my side or backwards. I left with bruises all over my legs. However, I was able to get up on the board and go for some distance, just not consistently and only on my right side.
Learning how to kitesurf has been on my to-do list for a long time and I had previously searched for places to learn in the states but the prices were a bit out of reach. Then last year I applied to a petsit in Panamá, which I didn’t get, but during the quick search of things to do in the area I found the Panamá Kite center and their eight hour beginner lessons package was about half the price of those I had looked up in the states. And so Panamá had been on my mind ever since.
There’s just something so captivating about kitesurfing, lifting off the water and flying. I really wanted to be good at it, but I guess I just need more practice. And to save up money if I’m ever gonna be able to buy a kite-I didn’t realize how expensive they are!
But overall I’m really proud of putting myself out there to learn something new. It’s one of my favorite qualities about myself. Not everyone wants to step out of their comfort zone and feel scared or anxious or to struggle, and I do feel all of that, but after spending my whole life putting myself in those positions and situations over and over again I’ve learned it’s always worth it. Doesn’t mean it gets easier, just that I have a stack of memories that proves I’ve done it before so I can do it again and that gives me strength.
Panamá Kite Center
My accommodation
My instructor
My four two-hour lessons were spread over four days
