How Kitesurfing Lanka Was Born: Our Story

From a Calling to a Kite Camp

The story of Kitesurfing Lanka begins with a calling — not a business plan, but a dream to build something meaningful while enjoying the sport we love, Kitesurfing and Wingfoiling

We are Dilsiri and Leo.

Dil discovered kitesurfing during his student years and began documenting his passion in a blog. Over time, he became not just a rider, but the first Sri Lankan IKO‑certified kitesurf instructor — and possibly the first Sri Lankan to write about the sport online. At that time, kiteboarding in Sri Lanka was still in its very early stages, and Kalpitiya was barely on the map.

Meanwhile, Leo was in Europe, researching kite destinations around the world. One day, while searching for wind in Sri Lanka, he came across Dil’s blog. He sent an email. And that simple message changed everything.

Not long after, we met for a kite trip to Kalpitiya — a place with hidden potential, flat lagoons, open ocean, and very few riders. On that trip, we didn’t just ride kites — we became friends. It was clear that something bigger than just a holiday was happening. Shortly after, we decided to start a kite company together.

The Start: Tents, Trust, and Big Ambitions

At first, our idea was simple: make some money doing what we loved.

We had very little capital. We borrowed a friend’s trailer, bought an antique Series 1 Land Rover, and loaded it with furniture from Dil’s house in Colombo. With that, we drove up to Kalpitiya to start the season — unsure, excited, and completely committed.

We had:

• No investors expect for loans from our family
• No experience in tourism
• A few tents and big dreams

To help us get off the ground, Dil’s mother even pawned her gold jewellery so we could buy the first stock of rations. Dil reached out to friends he trusted and knew from beach — Clywd, Thilak, Rajitha — people who knew and were willing to  go on an exciting journey

In that first season, we planned for around 15 guests, but 20 arrived. It was chaotic, exhausting, joyful, and unforgettable. We packed tents and huts onto somebody else’s land, and for a while, the landlady wasn’t too happy about it. Within a couple of seasons, she changed the contract and increased the rent — and that challenge pushed us to look for a new place.

That’s when we stumbled upon what would become the permanent home of Kitesurfing Lanka — a beautiful 8‑acre beachfront property between the lagoon and the Indian Ocean.

Our Own Kitesurfing Lanka

Kitesurfing Lanka — our own piece of paradise — is a reflection of our hard work, passion for kitesurfing, connection to nature, art and belief in community.

Everything you see in the camp — every rock in the garden, every pathway, every wall painted — was created by our hands or with help from the people who came through these gates.

We didn’t want to just build a kite school — we wanted to create a place that feels alive; a place that belongs to its people.

In the early years, we built the restaurant area, four premium rooms, and part of the kitchen. We pitched camping tents inspired by a place close to our hearts — Borderlands in Kithulgala — and guests loved them. Over time, the tent concept became part of the KSL identity.

Every rupee we earned went back into the business. Dil lived in a simple coconut leaf hut, embracing a humble life while the camp evolved into something people from around the world began to seek out.

And then we made another discovery: Kalpitiya had not just one, but two kite seasons. In summer (May–October) it blew consistently every day. In winter (mid‑December to March) the wind filled in daily in front of the camp’s lagoon. Suddenly, what we thought was a seasonal business became something far more enduring.

More Than a Kite School: Community & Regenerative Tourism

From the start, we wanted KSL to be more than a place to ride.

We worked closely with the local community — hiring people without hospitality experience and training them on the job, respecting their individuality, and giving them the chance to thrive. This wasn’t outsourcing; this was partnership.

Over time, the camp became woven into the life of Kalpitiya:

• Local fishermen became instructors
• Families opened guesthouses
• Young people found new paths in tourism and service
• Children learned skills they never thought possible

We also felt a growing responsibility toward the environment that held us up — the beaches, the mangroves, and the ocean that gave us wind and joy. What began as small beach cleanups naturally grew into larger conservation efforts.

We partnered with schools, worked on pollution awareness, and began mangrove restoration. Those efforts later expanded into international collaborations — sending students to conferences in Berlin, and fostering exchange programs that connected Sri Lankan youth with global perspectives.

This evolving work eventually outgrew the name that began it all. What started as the Kite Green Initiative became something broader and deeper:
The Kommune Collective — an umbrella for environmental protection, cultural exchange, educational pathways, and community empowerment.

Here, kiteboarding isn’t just a sport — it’s a bridge between cultures, experiences, and impact that reaches far beyond the waves.

Evolving Through Time and Values

Kitesurfing Lanka has never stopped evolving. We’ve faced moments of uncertainty and change, and through it all, we stuck to our values — authenticity, care for people and place, and mindful growth.

As the camp matured, we made thoughtful upgrades: adding comforts where appropriate, expanding spaces for art and community activities, while always respecting the natural rhythms of Kalpitiya.

Our dream list keeps growing:

• Solar power for the camp and an E Tuk Tuk
• More educational opportunities for local youth and new ideas for new and novel tourism experiences
• A future where Kalpitiya is recognized as a sustainable tourism destination

Dil continues to channel his creativity into art and garden spaces across the property — turning KSL into a living gallery. Leo balances fatherhood with keeping the vision alive. And the core spirit of this place — its people — continues to define who we are.

Gratitude and the Road Ahead

To every guest who has walked through our doors, we say thank you.
Most of our growth has never come from marketing dollars — it has come from the stories you share with your friends and communities. That is the greatest compliment we could ever receive.

We also want to honour:

• Our families, who stood by us
• Our early friends and helpers
• The pioneers of the sport in Sri Lanka and beyond

Your belief, encouragement, and support planted the very seeds of what this place has become.

We invite you to be part of the next chapter — not just for the wind or the waves, but for what we can build together.