Mejillones also needs south-westerly wind and NW swell – it's a very rare combination though, even in winter. Easterly is also sideshore and ridable, but the lefthander section is the better wave. Anyway, unless you make your money in the sport, think twice before sailing out to these dimensions. The jacks up from the deep in no time which forms a very fast bowl. What's more, this volcano ride is typical 'North Shore' – it's near the reef, and if you fall the rip sucks you repeatedly into the impact zone. High tide offers the best chance of launching and landing unscathed over the urchin-infested rocks.

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.

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.

Scraggane is ideal for beginners and intermediates as its horseshoe-shaped bay protects against swell, chop and currents, particularly in prevailing westerly winds. You’ll find grass for parking and rigging right next to the beach, plus a great view out to the Magharee Islands and the little harbour. Sheer class!

Keel is a popular surf-spot year-round – and there's plenty to enjoy with a sail or kite too. It’s best in a north-westerly wind with W to SW swell. The launch is at the second car-park, by the campsite. The waves are smaller in the north of the bay, increasing in size further south. But you’ll have to contend with gusty conditions as the imposing Mount Minaun to the south creates dirty wind. Accommodation's no problem in Keel either: campsites, B&Bs, holiday homes – this place has it all.

Bang Saphan is the first stop on the road south. The beach is well placed for NE winds, but there’s not much else to it. Lined with large palms and ringed by lush green hills, the long sandy Tung Wa Laen Beach near Chumpon is well worth a visit. There’s a good chance of 10-25 knots NE from November to January, and strong winds can even deliver a beach-break. A fun alternative to carrying on overland is to catch a boat from town and island hop. The first port of call is Ko Tao – a thickly forested island, just 7km long, with only a few developed bays. The tiny beaches are more suited to windsurfing than kiting, the best being Mae Haad Bay on the west coast. There’s more space on Ko Phangan, an island known for the legendary full moon parties that attract up to 20,000 revellers to Haad Rin Beach every month – thankfully it’s not so rammed the rest of the time. The turquoise lagoons of Thong Sala Beach and Ban Tai Beach are the main spots, the inside tip is a land bridge to the small island of Ko Maa up north. At 280km², Thailand’s third largest island of Ko Samui is one of the country’s major tourist strongholds – thankfully, unlike Phuket and Pattaya, the hotel complexes are restricted to the height of the palm trees. The main towns are on the west coast, otherwise the island has endless coconut forests (2-million coconuts are harvested each month, mainly by trained monkeys), bizarre rock formations, small villages and even a few secluded beaches. Kiting is most popular on Ko Samui in November to January’s NE wind – it veers ESE to SE in February. The main spots are Ko Samui, Orchid Resort, Ko Samui, Hua Thanon Beach, Ko Samui, Lamai and Ko Samui, Chaweng Beach. Back on the mainland at Sichon the NE breeze is perfect for beginners in the morning before picking up in the afternoon. The long sandy beach and relatively light tourist development is reminiscent of Hua Hin 10 years ago. In contrast, the large island of Phuket is the tourist industry’s 'pearl of the south’. Always pretty, but crammed and far from peaceful, especially on the west coast’s 14 pure white beaches. But at least waves can break here when Indian Ocean groundswell makes it around the tip of Sumatra, reinforced by windswell from the Andaman Sea. The east coast shelves much more gently and low tide exposes the muddy seabed that gives the water its brown colour. Phuket ranks among the windiest places in Thailand, blowing NE in winter and SW in summer. The southern beaches rule in NE-E, when the go-to spot is Chalong Bay at Friendship Beach Resort. Unfortunately it’s dry at low tide, in which case relocate to 'Coral Island’ 35 minutes away or Baan Had Rawai. Ao Sane in Naiharn Bay works in both prevailing wind directions, but only for windsurfing as the beach is really small. Most west coast locations are very near the tourist centres, but the windy summer months are also rainy season so totally off-peak. Kata Beach and Karon Beach can throw up hip to head-high beach-breaks that even attract surfers. Beginner kiters are particularly partial to the lagoon protected by a small island at the north end of the Layan Bay. Hat Nai Yang Beach (or 'Airport Reef’) attracts wave-hunters to its two offshore breaks. Kiters should keep well clear of the nearby airport’s flightpath! Further north, Nai Yang Beach Nord offers a pretty quiet atmosphere by Phuket standards. Or on the road to the mainland, Pukhet Bridge is well hidden from the crowds beyond a forest on the northern tip of the island. A real 'secret spot’ that works in both seasons.

A good cross-onshore wave spot in easterly winds. From the sandy beach and car-park you'll have to make a few tacks upwind to La Tour. In strong easterlies, logo-high waves can break on the rocks; so pull out of your waverides early. Alternatively also a nice freeride spot with views of Saint-Tropez. Launching kites is officially banned year-round, although nobody cares in winter.

The waves here are usually smaller than Gowlane, which can be a relief! Best between mid and high tide. At low tide the remains of a shipwreck can expose to the left of the little stream, but stay to the right and you’ll be fine.

It’s gusty inshore here, so it's wise to sail a little further out in the bay. But be careful – it’s an offshore wind, so think about getting home. These long sands are popular with sunbathers, so use the marked surf zone mid-way along the beach.

Another spot that suffers gusty wind at high tide, when the water almost reaches the dunes. Otherwise, Stradbally can deliver wavesailing perfection – endless lines of swell breaking onto a beach backed by lush green hills. There's not much room for parking though.

The Medemblik scene has relocated to a small beach south of Stoomachine Museum. The breakwater, originally built for the bygone tourist ships, shields particularly flat water in north-easterlies. Nice waves build in strong onshore winds. The only drawback is some sharp shells on the beach and sandbanks, so boots are a good idea.