About XL KITES

Born out of a lifelong passion for water sports, XL KITES started in 1999 and has been perfecting the art of teaching kiteboarding ever since. With 18 years of experience, we give the best kiteboard lessons in the business. We are a professional full-time school and shop in continuous operation since the beginning of kiteboarding.  We are dedicated to your riding safely and effectively. From your first minutes on a trainer kite to those amazing seconds of your first ride, we make sure you are learning safe effective techniques.

Our beach location is perfect for learning.  We have shallow water, smooth wind, and a huge uncrowded bay.  Right across from our excellent teaching area are the beautiful beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.  The beautiful clear waters of the Gulf are amazing for your first wave rides. 

Simply put, XL KITES is unmatched in kiteboarding experience and expertise.  We provide friendly professional service that is a reflection of our love of kiteboarding and our commitment to treat people with love and respect. Kiteboarding is our passion!

In addition to kiteboarding, XL Kites is also a first rate provider of flyboarding, powered paragliding and soon, stand up paddle board rental and sales! The reason is simple: we're always looking for ways to create opportunities to enjoy our amazing beaches and crystal clear water!

Flyboarding is an awesome way to inject a LOT of fun into your families summer vacation, and is also perfect for company gatherings or any other social event! Flyboarding is safe, affordable and very easy to schedule. Check it out here at our website in the "Light Wind Activities" section!

Powered Paragliding is an exhilarating, safe and affordable way to fly! It involves a small motor and an overhead foil wing, controlled by YOU, with very intuitive control handles. XL Kites has been teaching Powered Paragliding for the past 15 years, right here on our beautiful beaches! Come enjoy the amazing views and peaceful serenity only possible with Powered Paragliding!

At XL Kites, we embody strong values, respect and integrity in all we do. We understand the decision to take on kiteboarding, flyboarding and/or powered paragliding is not a trivial thing for most people. We will treat you with kindness and supportive advice in our lessons, just as we'll always keep in mind your best interest when discussing sales. We believe that customers who are treated as we would want to be treated ourselves, helps ensure our customer relationships thrive and continue for many years. So give us a call, or come to our store - give us a chance to earn your business and your trust - you'll be glad you did!

Connor brings years of sales and training experience to XLKITES.  Count on him to help you get the right equipment and get you trained on how to use it.  

Connor is known for his gentle, patient teaching style.  But as calm as he is off the water, when he rides, it’s a whole different story.  He has an aggressive riding style. He rides hard and jumps high. The kite looping animal comes out! With ink like this, it’s easy to tell Connor is completely dedicated to kiteboarding:

Through years of experience Connor has scaled his skills and teaching abilities to an Ultimate High. Not only is he a well trained Kiteboarder. His teaching skills will have you Exploring the water with ease and confidence. On top of being a respectable trainer, Connor also knows the in’s and out’s as far as what you will need when going to purchase your setup along with the in depth challenges of fixing broken or injured gear. After years of adventure XLKites is proud to Call Connor one of its Finest Trainers.

Michael Percy - Owner/Founder of XLKites

Michael is the Owner and Creator of XLKites. Starting in 1997 Michael has had over 20 Years of Experience and training with Kiteboarding Flying and more. He was one of the first Instructors in The United States after passing the first ever Instructor Course. He also took 2 of his Instructors with him making XLKites a well known place to find well trained Kiteboarders to learn from. However His Resume doesn’t stop at kiteboarding . Michael has a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and is also a FAA Certified Flight Instructor and Flight Examiner. He has mentored hundreds of other across the map to help teach and start their own businesses as well. Due to Michaels wide range of specialties he continues to prosper in add the newest best sports to his company whether it’s for the Skies or the seas, You can count on XLKites to have the assistance you are looking for. 

Bridget Percy - Shop Manager/Coordinator 

 Bridget manages inventory and makes sure the team survives.  Without her, we would be hungry, thirsty and sunburned way more often than we are.  The world would be a dreary place.

 Steve - Kiteboarding Instructor

Steve has been with us for a while now and has only grown in his ability to teach. After kiteboarding for years Steve has acquired an intense sense of teaching ability which he relays to you through his lessons. His son works with us as well and assists his father with other activities related to the company. If you have never held a kite and feel as if there is no hope. You can rely on Steve to teach you the necessities to get you up and going.

Emel - Kiteboarding Instructor Assistant

Emel has lived here for a while now and is familiar with the different assortments of Kite Gear and consistently is learning and growing in his knowledge of kiteboarding. As he grows he also helps others grow in understanding of the best gear available and assists in teaching when needed.