Beginner kitesurfing in Somone takes place on a protected lagoon, with shallow water and no strong current, led by a certified instructor. The equipment is provided, no sporting level is required and the activity is open from age 12.

A session in three stages

The session begins on the beach, with an introduction to the equipment and the safety basics. You then move onto the water, in the mouth area of the lagoon, for the first glides. The lessons are personalised: some focus on handling the kite, others on balance and steering, and you progress at your own pace, in a relaxed atmosphere. Allow about three hours for the briefing, the exercises on the beach and the practice on the water.

The equipment and the instructor are included. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection and water. A basic level of swimming is needed. The wind in Somone is steady but gentle, which suits beginners. The shallow water and the absence of strong current reassure anyone who has never held a kite, and the certified instructor stays within reach throughout the session, on the beach as on the water.

A lagoon to learn on

Somone is a village built on an estuary, about ten kilometres south of Saly. The lagoon, a community nature reserve, offers shallow sea and a peaceful setting, away from the crowds. During the session, you enjoy the scenery: mangrove trees, the reserve’s seabirds, changing light on the water. If you live in Dakar, it is a half-day course that slips into a weekend on the coast; if you are visiting, an activity that is both sporty and contemplative, a change from the open beaches. The page on the Somone lagoon details the mangrove and its birds.

Around the session

After the session, lunch in a restaurant on stilts, a visit to the bird reserve or a stroll to Ngaparou extend the day. Other ways of gliding are possible on the same coast: surfing, paddle and kayak or towed sports. The Petite Côte gives the overall setting.