What makes a great kitesurfing location? Unlike surfing, you don’t want huge waves coming in off the open ocean - unless you’re really experienced. That’s because the driving force in this sport is the wind and so what you need is something that seems paradoxical - calm waters, but a good sea breeze. Luckily, mother nature has provided us with some zones which provide both. We’re talking about natural harbours: inlets of the sea that are protected from oceanic swells, but are surrounded by low lying landscapes that don’t block the prevailing winds. Two such harbours are found in Dorset.

County’s southern border is defined by the English Channel, where the land meets the sea in a beautiful and varied coastline, much of which is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Dramatic cliffs and rocky outcrops give way to sandbars and sheltered inlets, making kitesurfing just as popular here as sports like coasteering. Poole Harbour, in the east of the county, is one of the most popular destinations in the UK, with a large area that’s well suited for training, and open sea not far away. The most southerly point of Dorset is Portland Bill, an island that’s connected to the coast by the bank of Chesil Beach, which forms a barrier to the waves. There are schools at both of these locations, who combine ideal conditions with expert tuition and great value for money.

Where are the best spots to go kitesurfing in Dorset?

• Poole Harbour: Some say that this drowned river valley is the second largest natural harbour in the world, but in terms of volume it’s not a high scorer. This is because, apart from an artificial navigable channel, it’s extremely shallow - with an average depth of around half a metre. But this makes it fantastic for learning to kitesurf. Off the shore of Sandbanks, Poole, there’s a huge area of waist deep water where you can get used to handling the kite and start to make runs across the water’s surface, and you’ll have enough room to do so despite the fact that it’s one of the most popular destinations for this sport in the UK. Once you’ve got the hang of the basics, it’s a short walk over land to the open sea, where you can start to pull off some stunts on the waves.

• Portland Harbour: The natural landscape here makes the perfect location for a port. The Isle of Portland is connected to Weymouth by the shingle bank of Chesil Beach. The west side of this is a sheltered area which was first a fishing port, then a naval station, and now a fantastic zone for watersports which hosted the sailing events of the London 2012 Olympic Games. It has ideal conditions for kitesurfing, in almost all wind conditions, but the best days for beginners are those when it comes gently from the east. A large part of the harbour is designated for wind-powered water sports which means you don’t have to share the water with swimmers, but you need to get a permit before you head out. If you sign up for lessons with a school, this is included in the service.

• Beaches: There are a number of beaches along the region's coast that don’t have any facilities for kitesurfing, but where you can enjoy the water if you have your own equipment - and the experience and know-how necessary to stay safe. These include Ringstead Bay and Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth Bay, and Branksome Chine and Durley Chine, which are part of the long sandy expanse of Bournemouth Beach.

What are the options for organising a course?

- The sea breeze in your face, the spray of the waves, and the sensation of flying, these are the rewards of this sport. But to get to the point where you can enjoy these things, you have to put in some time and effort. The good news is that learning to kitesurf in Dorset is an enjoyable experience in and of itself, motivating you to improve and giving back what you put in. If you’re curious about this sport, you can get an idea of one of the key elements - the kite, without even getting your feet wet. A 1 hour power kiting session will help you to get to grips with flying a kite, with tips about how you can use one in the water. Water-based taster sessions, which last between 2 and 2.5 hours, are also available.

- Those activities should be enough to convince you to take up kitesurfing as a hobby, and you’ll be looking for some tuition to build up your skills and confidence. You can find courses in Poole and Portland Harbours, which can be a full day designed to get you up on your feet and making short runs, or a programme of training spread over several days which introduces you to all aspects of this activity and gives you plenty of time to practise. The most complete package is the Zero to Hero option, which includes a 3 day course, some one to one coaching and extended equipment hire.

- Lessons aren’t just for beginners. There are plenty of instructors in the county who are happy to work with those who already have some experience in this sport, with sessions usually organised by the hour. You can even arrange a training experience with a boat in Portland Harbour, which will take you to the best points in the area and take you into the wind to set up another perfect run for you. Or, if you’re not looking for classes and just want to enjoy the water, equipment rental is another service that’s offered.

Who can enjoy the experience?

As we’ve mentioned above, there are services to suit people of all abilities here. If you’re wondering about whether to try your hand at this sport, you might be wondering about how fit you need to be. Well, the truth is that high level kitesurfing is an intense activity which requires core strength as well as upper muscles and stamina, but you don’t need to be a pro athlete to enjoy the learning process. As long as you can swim, and spend a couple of hours moving around in the water, you can get involved.

Finally, this activity is a great sport for youngsters to get involved with, developing their confidence and coordination - and making them the coolest kids in the playground. The watersports schools generally start offering tuition at the age of 12 years old. These can be individual sessions, or week-long camps in the summer.

What more do you need? Water, wind and waves are waiting for you - book your experience today.