About
World Class Kiteboarding Academy is a college-preparatory 9th through 12th grade high school built around students’ passion for kiteboarding. Each school year our teachers, coaches, and students travel to four of the world’s top kiteboarding destinations, learning during the day and riding after class.
The Kiteboarding Academy is grounded in academic progression, mentorship, teamwork, and life experience. We are first and foremost a school, and we are brought together by a common passion for kiteboarding. Our experienced faculty, who double as coaches and mentors, are some of the strongest athletes in the sport of kiteboarding and bring a demonstrated passion for learning and progression to the classroom.
Our athletic program develops well-rounded riders. Daily training combines kiteboarding sessions with strength, cardio, and flexibility work designed to promote progression and prevent injury. Students arrive at the Kiteboarding Academy at a range of skill levels and leave prepared for the next chapter of life, on and off the water.
The Kiteboarding Academy is one of five programs within World Class Academy, a 501(c)(3) private high school founded in 2001. Our five academies (Kayak, Kiteboarding, Climbing, Surfing, and Mountain Biking) share a belief that the best education happens when learning and passion go hand in hand.
Destinations & Schedule
2026-2027 Destinations
Brazil

South Africa

South Africa
Oct. 25th - Dec. 12th
Q2
October 25th
Students arrive in Cape Town, South Africa (CPT)
October 26th - December 11th
Quarter Two in South Africa
December 12th
Students depart from Cape Town, South Africa (CPT)
December 13th - January 16th
Winter Break
Colombia

Canary Islands (Spain)

Canary Islands (Spain)
Mar. 21st - May. 9th
Q4
March 21st
Students arrive in Gran Canaria (LPA)
March 21st - May 7th
Quarter Four in Gran Canaria and Tenerife
May 8th
Graduation in Tenerife
May 9th
Students depart from Tenerife (TFS)

2026-2027 Schedule
Semester 1
Quarter 1: August 23rd - October 3rd
August 23rd
Students arrive in Fortaleza, Brazil (FOR)
August 24th -26th
Student Orientation and Start of Classes
August 24th - October 2nd
Known for its steady and reliable wind. The team will start in Taiba, Ceara, home to the world famous lagoon and wave riding on the ocean. Then transition to Macapa, Piaui, on the mouth of Rio Camurupim with sandbars and mangroves that create a flat water playground at low tide.
October 3rd
Students and faculty depart from Fortaleza, Brazil (FOR)
October 4th - 24th
Fall Break
Quarter 2: October 25th - December 12th
October 25th
Students and faculty arrive in Cape Town, South Africa (CPT)
October 26th - December 11th
The quarter starts in Witsand, a renowned flatwater spot in the Breede river estuary with day trips to wave spot Stilbai. Before making a base in Blouberg, Cape Town, renowned for its strong southeaster wind – the ‘Cape Doctor’- and clean waves and home of Red Bull King of the Air.
December 7th - December 11th
Finals Week
December 12th
Students and faculty depart Cape Town, South Africa (CPT)
December 13th - January 16th
Winter Break
Semester 2
Quarter 3: January 17th - February 27th
January 17th
Students arrive in Barranquilla, Colombia (BAQ)
January 18th
Student Orientation & Start of Spring Semester
January 18th - February 27th
The itinerary begins in Santa Veronica, before transitioning to La Guajira desert region on the Caribbean coast. The team will be based in Cabo de la Vela, a remote spot renowned for the relentless northeast trade winds accelerated by the peninsula and the desert thermal effects.
February 27th
Students and faculty depart from Santa Marta, Colombia (SMR)
February 28th - March 20th
Spring Break
Quarter 4: March 21st - May 9th
March 21st
Students and faculty arrive in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands (LPA)
March 21st - May 8th
Alisios, the northeast trade winds and Atlantic swell hits the Canary Islands in the northern hemisphere spring months. The itinerary kicks off in Vargas, Gran Canaria, with exploration missions to Maspalomas Dunes, and the more advanced, Pozo Izquierdo. Then, the team flies to neighbouring Tenerife, to El Médano, to enjoy the sideshore winds and kickers of South Bay, Harbour Wall and Cabezo.
May 8th
Graduation Ceremony in Tenerife
May 9th
Students, parents, and faculty depart from Tenerife, Canary Islands (TFS)
2027-2028 Destinations
Denmark

Brazil

Vietnam

Dakhla / France

Dakhla / France
Mar. 26th - May. 7th
Q4
March 26th
Students arrive in Western Sahara
March 27th - May 5th
Quarter Four
May 6th
Graduation in Barcares, France
May 7th
Students depart from France

2027-2028 Schedule
Semester 1
Quarter 1: August 22nd - October 2nd
August 22nd
Students arrive in Denmark
August 23rd -25th
Student Orientation and Start of Classes
August 23rd - October 1st
The team will start the year taking advantage of the prevailing westerly winds from the North Atlantic to ride waves on the Hvide Sande coastline and boost in the flat water spots of the Ringkøbing fjord, like Kloster. Then they will head up north to Vorupør – aka Cold Hawaii – to ride the ocean swell and explore the extensive network of fjords which offers flat water for every wind direction.
October 2nd
Students and Faculty depart from Denmark
October 3rd - 23rd
Fall Break
Quarter 2: October 24th - December 11th
October 24th
Students and faculty arrive in Brazil
October 25th - December 10th
Northeast Brazil is famous for its consistent, steady southeasterly trade winds. The team will be sharing the training grounds with professionals who will be preparing for the competition season. The quarter will begin in Praia do Macapa, Piauí. This remote kite spot is located on a river mouth with sandbars that create flat water at certain tides and a backdrop of mangroves. Then the team will head to Guriu, Ceara, renowned for its big air potential.
December 6th - December 10th
Finals Week
December 11th
Students and faculty depart Brazil
December 12th - January 15th
Winter Break
Semester 2
Quarter 3: January 16th - March 4th
January 16th
Students and faculty arrive in Vietnam
January 17th
Student Orientation and Start of Spring Semester
January 17th - March 3rd
The northeast monsoon season combined with the dry, sunny area of Ninh Thuan means reliable, steady north, northeast winds accelerate along the coast at this time of year. The team will be based at the My Hoa Lagoon, Phan Rang. A reef creates a protected flat-water spot on the inside with waves on the outside.
March 4th
Students and faculty depart Vietnam
March 5th - 25th
Spring Break
Quarter 4: March 26th - May 6th
March 26th
Students and faculty arrive in Western Sahara
March 27th - May 5th
The 40 km long Dakhla lagoon on the edge of the Sahara desert catches the northeast trade wind, the Alizé to create the perfect training ground with the option of venturing over to the butterflat water of the famous ‘Speed Spot’. At the end of the quarter the team will head to the south of France to ride the notorious Parc des Dosses at Le Barcarès. A lagoon rideable in both the strong northwest Tramontane wind that comes off the Pyrenees and the southeast Marin sea breeze.
May 1st - May 5th
Finals Week
May 5th
Parent Appreciation Dinner
May 6th
Graduation Ceremony
May 7th
Students, parents, and faculty depart France
Ready to start your adventure?
Kiteboard Faculty
Coaching & Equipment
Training
At World Class Kite Academy, kite training is structured around three pillars: kite training, physical preparation, and mental preparation. Our athletic program is designed to help students meet their individual athletic aspirations. Some of our athletes work to compete at a professional level, while others challenge themselves to progress without adding the pressure of competition. Throughout all our training, we emphasize enjoying the sport and kiting as a team sport.
Students participate in daily kite sessions designed to strengthen foundational skills, improve their technique and expand their trick repertoire. We emphasize training tricks across disciplines — freestyle, big air, old school, wave — and in all wind conditions. Each quarter, we hold fun school-wide competitions to help students gain competitive experience. Students are coached through technique-building drills, on-water analysis, practice competition heats, filming and evening video review, and freeride sessions. The team may be split into groups based on ability or session goals.
Equipment
Students need to arrive at World Class Kite Academy with everything they need for school, daily life, and kiteboarding. A commitment to staying organized and taking care of gear and equipment is essential. WCA will provide online textbooks for individual courses, however students will be required to purchase their own books each quarter for all Literature classes.
Each student is expected to bring their own kite gear. This includes:
- Two or three kites
- Bar and lines with a spare set of lines
- Harness and safety leash
- Kite line knife
- Kite pump
- Helmet and impact vest
- Basic kite repair kit
- Wetsuit
A more comprehensive list is found in the pre-course packet. Discounts are available through the school for North Kiteboarding, Mystic Boarding, Duotone, and Ion water products.
We require students to carry their own personal first aid kits for minor ailments or needs such as aches, pains, blisters, and scratches. In addition to these personal kits, the faculty will maintain the school’s advanced first aid kits for more serious concerns and emergencies while in the field.



















