Kitesurfing — Torre San Giovanni, Lecce Province

Kitesurfing at Torre San Giovanni, on the Ionian coast of the Salento peninsula in southern Puglia, takes advantage of one of the region's best learning grounds: a shallow, flat lagoon sheltered from the open swell, with deeper sea conditions nearby for those who progress. Kite Zone Salento, based on Via del Mare, runs lessons and equipment hire from the beach at Ugento. Complete beginners can start here because the waist-deep water lets them practise board starts safely while staying within their depth, and the school's instructors teach kite control, water relaunch, body-dragging and self-rescue in a structured progression. Lessons begin from around €80 (~$86) for two hours, and full-day board hire for independent riders costs about €45 (~$49). Board, kite, harness and a buoyancy aid are provided; participants bring swimwear, sunscreen and a wetsuit top in the cooler months. A wetsuit is advisable in May–June and October when the sea is colder, while July and August are warm enough for boardshorts. The season runs from May to October, with the most reliable wind from June to September, when the Tramontana and Sirocco deliver consistent thermal and synoptic breezes that usually build through late morning. Safety briefings cover right-of-way rules, the depower and quick-release systems, and what to do if the kite is lost; lessons are typically one-to-one or small-group, and instructors follow students by boat or jetski on open-water sessions. Participants should be able to swim confidently, and most schools accept teenagers with parental consent. Because the activity depends entirely on wind, dates should be kept flexible: many schools rebook missed sessions free of charge on windless days. The flat lagoon, gentle entry and steady summer wind make Torre San Giovanni a forgiving place to learn a demanding sport.