KITELOOP

KITELOOP is the kitesurfing school of Samuel "Säm" Abt, an instructor based in the canton of Uri. A mechanical engineer by training, he discovered kiting in Australia, then trained as an instructor and taught for four years at various spots before running his own lessons. The kite business is carried by his company Abt-Technik GmbH, registered at Isleten (Bauenstrasse 5, municipality of Seedorf).

The main offer is a one-day lesson on Lake Uri, for beginners and for kiters who are progressing. Students meet at Flüelen marina, next to the railway station, for a short theory session; the group then heads out by boat, where kites are launched and everyone can take a break. A shuttle-and-coaching option is aimed at independent kiters, and equipment (kite, wetsuit, twin-tip or surfboard, harness) can be rented by the day.

In winter, KITELOOP runs two-day snowkiting courses at the Bernina Pass in the Engadine, in small groups of up to four people per instructor, for beginners as well as kiters coming from the water. For new equipment, Säm gives advice and refers customers to his partners (Harlem, Duotone and ION through the importer Sideshore, Peter Lynn) and sells used equipment through classified ads.