Right in the city centre, Pelican Point sits on the northern bank of the Swan River while Lucky Bay lies diagonally opposite on the south bank. Both offer slalom sailors room for long runs with silhouetted views of downtown, and a predominantly cross-onshore SW sea breeze and shallow standing-depth sandbar downwind make it safe for learning. But get up early on the weekend, as parking is limited and the rangers issue $80 tickets. There’s more room both on and off the water in Safety Bay, and the wind’s less gusty on the coast too. It’s a safe sailing environment protected by a long sandbank in all wind directions, there’s even a grassy bank for rigging by the yacht club. Outside the bay there’s some swell, but for real waves drive 30km south to Mandurah. It needs a big swell for the reef at 'Avalon’ to work but then it’s a perfect left-hander. In west or northerly wind head for 'Geeries’ – a beach-break whose waves might not be so clean, but can be a lot bigger. 'Garden Island’ protects Woodman’s Point, making conditions much tamer. This jutting peninsular has beaches on all three sides; kites dominate 'South Beach’ with its cross-onshore wind, while the windsurfers rule 'West Beach’. 'North Beach’ offers freestylers a mirror-flat playground, although novices shouldn’t stray beyond the standing-depth area in the cross-offshore winds. Crazy Waves, south of the marina in Fremantle is a winter spot. When it’s really going off, wind and swell serve a wild mixed-up wave cocktail over a sandbank that extends way out sea – bump-and-jump nirvana! Leighton is a sandy beach south of Cottesloe, good for jumping with plenty of space. Small swells will teach you all about shorebreak, but be very careful when it’s big. Dutch Inn is one of the best spots near the city with a clean wave over a reef 200m offshore. Watch for rocks just under water in the shallows. A whole row of potential launches line the beaches of Scarborough, the sandbars are always shifting so follow the locals. It might look fairly tame from shore, but the currents can get strong. Sometimes windsurfers head 3km out to Little Island from the beach above Hillary’s Boat Harbour searching for the sick waves behind the island. If you feel the urge, never try this alone and let the harbour know when you’re back. It’s more relaxed at Pinnaroo Point with easy learning conditions in front of a plush car-park with grassy areas and showers. That’s the end of the urban spots – then it’s another world north of the city limits, getting hotter and dryer with each passing kilometre. The adventure begins here, both for surf tourists and Perth locals keen for a change of scene. Only a few set up camp at Ledge Point, best known as the starting point for January’s annual long-distance race to Lancelin – one of Western Australia’s favourite and most adaptable spots. Lancelin Bay is protected by a reef 500m out, offering an ideal training arena including 150m of standing-depth alongside comfortable parking, grassy areas, showers and toilets. Depending on the swell, chest to mast-high waves peel onto Lancelin Reef. Four breaks offer some choice: left is 'Main Break’, to the right 'Passage Shallows’ (better with kite fins – there’s a clue why in the name) then 'Hole in the Wall’, a right-hander so not ideal for riding. At the northern end of the bay, the perversely named 'South Passage’ is the cleanest wave: launch next to the pub to save a long upwind slog afterwards. In the next bay north there’s loads of room, and plans for another kite beach. If Lancelin gets full, take a 4x4 about 30 minutes along a rough track to Wedge Island – a sick break with no crowding guaranteed.

This one’s devoted to nature’s beauty up in the mountainous interior. The magnificent Canyon du Verdon flows along a high plateau into the man-made lake of Sainte-Croix. In the local afternoon thermal, Force 5 winds create a playground in the triangle between Sainte-Croix, Bauduen and the concrete dam. In Mistral, the anemometer hits maximum with amazing consistency. Launch from the small beach north of Hotel Les Cavalets, or the picnic area on the edge of the little village of Bauduen.

This big freshwater lake offers a perfect standing-depth area; generally rideable in all wind directions. Avoid the northernmost part though, as it's a nature reserve. Also, the bank north-east of the launch is very rocky! Superb mirror-flat speedsailing inches from shore in a south to south-westerly wind – with reaches over a mile long! The water isn’t always deep enough though, as the lake's occasionally drained to avoid flooding.

'Gurteen Bay’ is Roundstone's most popular venue. Horseshoe-shaped and facing almost due south, it feels quite safe. There’s barely any current so it’s hard to get swept out to sea – and therefore rare, although not impossible. The water's usually super-flat, maybe a bit choppy in strong wind. When the wind really kicks in, you’ll need to watch out for shorebreak: it might look tame, but will break kit given the chance. Yet overall it's a great beginner spot, if perhaps a bit dull for experts as the water stays flat. The atmosphere is idyllic: dolphins have been known to swim with windsurfers here. Access is pretty good too; you can usually drive right down to the beach to rig up on grass or sand. To get here, take the main road out of town (towards 'Ballyconneely’) for about 10 minutes, turn left to 'Gurteen Bay’, then 'Dogs Bay’ is just beyond the campsite. Roundstone itself is a nice town – good food and great pubs that aren't generally too fussy about closing time. Then again, beware of the 'Surfers’ Curse’: the best conditions will always arrive the morning after an all-night party!

Access is right behind reception at Sandy Bay Caravan Park – but be warned that heavy rain can render the route in impassable. In common with other spots in Brandon Bay, the wind can be gusty close inshore at high tide so you might appreciate a slightly bigger rig to get out through the impact zone. Rigging is on grass in the dunes.

Here's a beautiful beach for flat-water fans, although it's not without its risks as gusty offshore winds aren't the safest for kiting. Après-surf tip: the taverna serves the best fish on the island – pricey, but straight from the boat to your plate.

This is a real swell magnet – actually more of a surf-spot, but increasingly popular with kiters and windsurfers too. The sandy beach provides plenty of room, except at high tide when it gets a bit narrow for launching. It’s also gentle enough for wave newcomers in medium swell. In a south-westerly, it’s better at 'Cross' at the southern end of the beach. In a westerly or offshore easterly, little Lough Roonah offers perfect flat water that kiters particularly appreciate. If there hasn’t been much rain, it can get very shallow though.

The most easterly of Brandon Bay’s mighty beach-breaks – if the wind direction’s not quite right, just follow the sweeping coastline round to a better launch. Dumps offers perfect jump-ramps and a stunning view of Mount Brandon and Brandon Head; the most spectacular scenery in the area.

The 1km-long Playa Covas in the protection of Ria de Viveiro is one of the region’s few spots that work in a rare northerly. Thanks to a thermal, in fine weather you can even count on a few knots more here.

To be precise, this spot is at the 'Strandbad Edam’ campsite. Winds between north and easterly are sailable and for beginners there’s a 100m-wide expanse of shallow water. Once the wind dies off for the evening, why not enjoy some warm Dutch hospitality in nearby Volendam?

The only viable spot in the west of Paros is one of Greece’s best and most popular kite beaches. The 1300m wide strait between the island and neighbouring Antiparos offers perfectly flat water, constant wind and a whole lot of safety. The only downside is that, like all over Paros, it gets very busy in high season.