--- title: "Cape Fear Surf Kite — Kitesurfing Lessons in NC" description: "Professional kite surfing and instruction, time to fly!, Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach, Surf City" lang: en json-ld: | { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://capefearsurfkite.com/#website", "name": "Cape Fear Surf Kite", "url": "https://capefearsurfkite.com/", "description": "Professional kite surfing and instruction, time to fly!, Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach, Surf City", "publisher": { "@id": "https://capefearsurfkite.com/#business" } }, { "@type": "LocalBusiness", "@id": "https://capefearsurfkite.com/#business", "name": "Cape Fear Surf Kite", "description": "Professional kite surfing and instruction, time to fly!, Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach, Surf City", "url": "https://capefearsurfkite.com", "image": "https://capefearsurfkite.com/assets/hero-kite-DL6XTk7v.jpg", "email": "ride@capefearkites.com", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressRegion": "NC", "addressCountry": "US" }, "areaServed": [ "Wilmington, NC", "Carolina Beach, NC", "Wrightsville Beach, NC", "Fort Fisher State Recreation Area", "Masonboro Island", "Surf City, NC" ], "founder": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Drew Rathgeber" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.instagram.com/capefearsurfkite", "https://www.instagram.com/drewsurfkite" ], "priceRange": "$$", "hasOfferCatalog": { "@type": "OfferCatalog", "name": "Kitesurfing Lessons", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "The Discovery", "description": "2-hour introduction covering kite theory, safety systems, and beach-based flight control.", "provider": { "@id": "https://capefearsurfkite.com/#business" } }, "price": "180", "priceCurrency": "USD" }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Water Start", "description": "Focusing on power strokes, board positioning, and your first downwind rides in the sound.", "provider": { "@id": "https://capefearsurfkite.com/#business" } }, "price": "350", "priceCurrency": "USD" }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Independent", "description": "Advanced techniques: riding upwind, transitions, and basic jumping maneuvers.", "provider": { "@id": "https://capefearsurfkite.com/#business" } }, "price": "450", "priceCurrency": "USD" }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Private Coaching", "description": "Refine technique with 1-on-1 sessions.", "provider": { "@id": "https://capefearsurfkite.com/#business" } }, "price": "150", "priceCurrency": "USD", "unitText": "hr" } ] } }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is the best season to learn?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "April through October offers our most consistent wind. Spring brings strong SW thermals; fall delivers clean NE breezes and warm water into November." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need any experience?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. Most of our students start at zero. If you can swim 100 yards and feel comfortable in open water, you're ready for The Discovery lesson." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long until I can ride independently?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Most students achieve their first independent water starts within 6–9 hours of instruction. Riding upwind comfortably typically takes 10–15 hours." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What if the wind doesn't cooperate?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "We monitor forecasts 72 hours out and reschedule at no cost. You only ever pay for actual on-water time." } } ] } ] } --- [ Cape Fear Surf Kite ](#top) [Lessons](#lessons)[Locations](#locations)[About](#about)[FAQ](#faq)[Course Outline](https://capefearsurfkite.com/__l5e/assets-v1/2fecd548-da4d-4310-89dd-6a9a98aa81ce/CapeFearSurfKite_Syllabus.pdf) [Book Lesson](#book) Carolina Beach • Wrightsville • Masonboro • Surf City # MASTER THE ATLANTIC Professional PASA-certified kitesurfing instruction on North Carolina's premier coastline. From your first flight to advanced air. [Start Learning](#book)[View Conditions](#live-report) ![Kitesurfer launching into the air off the North Carolina coast](/assets/hero-kite-DL6XTk7v.jpg) 13kts Wind Speed WSW Steady ## Instruction Programs Structured progression designed to get you riding safely and confidently in the shortest time possible. Scroll to Explore 01 ### The Discovery 2-hour introduction covering kite theory, safety systems, and beach-based flight control. $180 02 ### Water Start Focusing on power strokes, board positioning, and your first downwind rides in the sound. $350 03 ### Independent Advanced techniques: riding upwind, transitions, and basic jumping maneuvers. $450 Private Coaching — refine technique with 1-on-1 sessions. Gear Included — Harness, helmet, board, impact vest. ![Calm sound-side water near Wrightsville Beach](/assets/location-sound-C6VRLuIL.jpg)![Atlantic surf breaking at Carolina Beach](/assets/location-atlantic-igLj9_BU.jpg) ## Our Training Grounds We choose our locations daily based on wind direction to ensure the safest and most productive learning environment. From the flat waters of the sound to the rolling surf of the Atlantic. - Wrightsville Beach, South End - The Basin, Fort Fisher Boat Ramp - Fort Fisher State Recreation Area - Carolina Beach -- Tennessee Avenue - Kure Beach — Off-season sessions ![PASA-certified lead instructor on the beach](/assets/instructor-BZQdyrU6.jpg) PASA Certified Level 3 Senior ## True Waterman. Real Coaching. Cape Fear Surf Kite was founded by Drew Rathgeber, a true lifelong waterman. From the beaches of California as a competitive surfer to the East Coast in 2010. He competed in numerous Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) competitions, qualifying for the coveted "Easterns" in Outerbanks, NC. Nationally ranked "Masters" swimmer. Also completed 10-mile swims competitively in Ocean City, MD, in the "Ocean Games." So in 2022, he became a certified PASA kite surf instructor via Kitty Hawk Kites. With his lifelong addiction to ocean watersports, you won't find a more experienced, capable instructor getting the job done, and you kite surfing safely. 40+ years in the water 2.4k Safe Launches 2:1 Student Ratio [@capefearsurfkite](https://www.instagram.com/capefearsurfkite?igsh=NmdjYWxkZnA2em11&utm_source=qr)[@drewsurfkite](https://www.instagram.com/drewsurfkite?igsh=YjN6OXVnOWJycnU3&utm_source=qr) ## Questions, Answered When is the best season to learn?+ April through October offers our most consistent wind. Spring brings strong SW thermals; fall delivers clean NE breezes and warm water into November. Do I need any experience?+ No. Most of our students start at zero. If you can swim 100 yards and feel comfortable in open water, you're ready for The Discovery lesson. How long until I can ride independently?+ Most students achieve their first independent water starts within 6–9 hours of instruction. Riding upwind comfortably typically takes 10–15 hours. What if the wind doesn't cooperate?+ We monitor forecasts 72 hours out and reschedule at no cost. You only ever pay for actual on-water time. ## Ready to Fly? Drop us a note with your dates and experience level. Name Email Phone Number Experience Level Absolute beginner Some experience Independent rider Advanced / unhooked Message Send Inquiry Data Protected by reCAPTCHA ## Live Report [ Carolina Beach, NC Surf Report ](https://surfcaptain.com/forecast/carolina-beach-north-carolina) Surf conditions are 1+ ft and slightly choppy right now - ![](https://surfcaptain.com/images/wx-icons/wi-day-sunny.svg) WEATHER 90° WSW @ 10 → 15mph - LOW / HIGH TIDE 5:48pm 11:35pm - BUOY 41110 2.3 ft @ 3sec - WATER TEMP 82° Trunks/Bikini [![surf captain logo](https://surfcaptain.com/images/sc_logo_horizontal_blue.svg)](https://surfcaptain.com) [Add Widget](https://surfcaptain.com/services/widgets) Cape Fear Surf Kite Southeastern, NC Premier Kite Surfing Instruction [Instagram](#)[Email Us](mailto:capefearsurfkite@gmail.com)[Risk Disclaimer](#)[Course Outline](/__l5e/assets-v1/2fecd548-da4d-4310-89dd-6a9a98aa81ce/CapeFearSurfKite_Syllabus.pdf) © 2026 CAPE FEAR KITES. RIDE RESPONSIBLY.