Those who spend their free time kitesurfing don’t need an article telling them the benefits – they’re clear from the moment you experience the stoke of a kite session with consistent wind and flat water.

But for those who are looking to learn (or just want to read about kitesurfing on a no-wind day), these are the insane benefits you’ll get as soon as you go fly a kite.

Kitesurfing relieves stress

When you’re kitesurfing, your worries are left on shore. There are no bills, work commitments, or issues to follow you into the water. Spending time in nature is a proven stress reliever, and what better way to do that than to kitesurf?

Kitesurfing teaches navigation

We’ve all gone through the learning phase where we pump up our kite and launch it in terrible conditions – too gusty, too light, offshore, or inconsistent. The only way to prevent this from happening in the future is to learn how to read a wind and wave report and how to fly a kite. Before you know, you’ll be able to kite upwind, downwind, and know how to get from one point to the next with your newfound navigation skills.

Kitesurfing keeps you fit

Kitesurfing gives you a full body workout every time you launch your kite. The core, arms, and legs are all engaged as you kite over the water. If you’re one that hates to hit the gym, kitesurfing is a great way to stay toned without noticing that you’ve gotten a workout.

Unlike wakeboarding, the harness from kitesurfing helps relieve excess strain on your back and shoulders, making it a sport that is both easy on the joints yet strength-building.

Kitesurfing helps with mindfulness

When you’re kitesurfing, it’s essential that you remain completely in the moment. Focusing on your kite position, your surroundings, and where you’re going ensures that you don’t have any brain power left for your mind to wander. As every kitesurfer knows, it only takes a small arm movement to steer the kite in a new direction. This focus on small movements trains your brain to be hyper-alert in the moment that you’re in.

You’ll be able transfer this skill to your land-locked life, making you happier and more productive.

Kitesurfing releases endorphins

Endorphins are the neurotransmitters that create a natural high and can even act as a pain-killer. It’s why you might have heard about a “runner’s high” or know someone who might be obsessed with exercise. Endorphins are linked to stress relief and the ability to cope with stress. Why reach for an artificial — and damaging — high when you can get a natural boost after a single kite session?

Kitesurfing builds community

What kite are you riding? How has the wind been? Can you launch me? Can you land me?

Kitesurfing is inherently interactive. Since kitesurfing at crowded spots relies on respect and communication, kitesurfers tend to be easy to talk to and approach. If you travel to a new destination, you can always find a friendly face within the kitesurfing community. Kitesurfers tend to enjoy kiting together not only for safety reasons but also for the camaraderie.

Kitesurfing inspires you to travel

Even if you’re home kitesurf spot is a flatwater paradise, it’s only a matter of time until you’re going to want to try kitesurfing in waves – and vice versa.

Where there’s wind and water, there’s potential for kitesurfing. Once you learn to kitesurf, you’ll never look at a map the same way again. Kitesurfing will inspire you to travel to places you might have never considered before. Little-known destinations like Western Australia, parts of Egypt, the Dominican Republic, and more might not have been on your to-go list if not for kitesurfing.

Kitesurfing increases balance and coordination

The more board sports you learn, the better you get at each of them. Kitesurfing teaches balance and coordination arguably better than many other board sports out there. You need to control your kite, control your board, navigate, and observe your surroundings – all without falling. Each of these skills helps you balance better and multi-task once you’re out of the water as well.

Kitesurfing pushes you to persevere

Learning how to kitesurf can be a frustrating experience. For the first few hours, you’re constantly losing your board, failing to go upwind, walking the lap of shame, face planting, and figuring out how to control the kite (instead of letting the kite control you). Through all this, you learn to push through the discomfort and frustration.

Perseverance and persistence are two of the most important – if not the most important – traits in those who reach their goals. Your ability to pursue kitesurfing even when it’s not comfortable to do so is a skill that will help you every single day to overcome nearly every obstacle.