TRAVEL GUIDE
TRAVEL GUIDE FEATURING 46 OF THE WORLD’S BEST KITESURFING HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS
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CONTENTS 2017 014 – INTRO 016 – USEFUL TRAVEL ACCESSORIES 020 – A GUIDE FOR FIRST-TIME KITING HOLIDAY MAKERS 024 – AFRICA 026 – LANGEBAAN, SOUTH AFRICA 030 – CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA 036 – LE MORNE, MAURITIUS 038 – BELLE MARE, MAURITIUS 040 – DAKHLA, MOROCCO 042 – ESSAOUIRA, MOROCCO 044 – SOMA BAY, EGYPT 046 – MARSA ALAM, EGYPT 048 – THE AMERICAS 050 – CAPE HATTERAS, USA 056 – CRYSTAL COAST, USA 060 – SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, USA 062 – HOOD RIVER, USA 064 – PITTSBURG, USA 066 – LA VENTANA, MEXICO 068 – LOS BARRILES, MEXICO 070 – URUAU, BRAZIL 072 – CUMBUCO, BRAZIL 074 – TAIBA, BRAZIL 076 – ICARAIZINHO, BRAZIL 078 – PREA, BRAZIL 082 – JERICOACOARA, BRAZIL 084 – BARRA GRANDE, BRAZIL
086 – THE CARIBBEAN 088 – THE CAYMAN ISLANDS 092 – CABARETE, THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 094 – ST MARTIN 096 – BONAIRE 098 – UNION ISLAND, THE GRENADINES 102 – ST LUCIA 104 – EUROPE 106 – ESPOSENDE, PORTUGAL 108 – LISBON, PORTUGAL 110 – THE ALGARVE, PORTUGAL 112 – TARIFA, SPAIN 116 – SANT PERE PESCADOR, SPAIN 120 – FLAG BEACH, FUERTEVENTURA, SPAIN 122 – SOTAVENTO, FUERTEVENTURA, SPAIN 124 – HANGLOOSE BEACH, CALABRIA, ITALY 126 – LO STAGNONE, SICILY, ITALY 128 – PORTO POLLO, SARDINIA, ITALY 132 – KEROS, LIMNOS, GREECE 134 – RHODES, GREECE 136 – ACHILL ISLAND, IRELAND 138 – AUSTRALASIA 140 – MANNAR, SRI LANKA 144 – KALPITIYA, SRI LANKA 148 – MUI NE, VIETNAM 154 – PALAWAN ISLAND, THE PHILIPPINES 156 – THE COCOS ISLANDS, AUSTRALIA 158 – FOCUS ON FOILING SPOTS 160 – FOCUS ON WAVE SPOTS 162 – FOCUS ON BOOSTING SPOTS
COVER: JERRIE VAN DE KOP AND FRIENDS, JUST OUTSIDE CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA PHOTO: SVETLANA ROMANTSOVA / RRD CONTENTS: AIRTON COZZOLINO, THE ESSENCE, ONE EYE, MAURITIUS PHOTO: TOBY BROMWICH / NORTH KITEBOARDING
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THE 2017 KITEWORLD TRAVEL GUIDE kiting holiday unites our fun-loving flock at locations that are perfectly set-up for blissful sessions where we can ride to euphoria, and beyond. Disconnect with the day-to-day world and re-connect with your body, mind and soul on a refreshing and inspiring level. There really is nothing like kiting for successive days to learn some solid skills. Indeed, the warm weather and water help compared to what you might be used to, but more than anything it’s the reliable and consistent conditions that really help you to progress. Kitesurfing equipment packs small and is ideal for travelling with. The scope and range of equipment designs and riding styles are often inspired by certain locations. Riding in perfect conditions can make things easier,
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your closest family – kiting holidays lead to special memories and moments that last forever, and we have over 40 destination run-downs to scour your way through and find the right spot for you. This is our 11th annual Travel Guide and the descriptive juice for each spot and the surrounding areas is rigorously researched and filtered by our experts out in the field. On each destination page we provide you with up-to-date information to help narrow down your choices. Handy wind charts and useful stats will let you get an overview at-a-glance for vital information, such as wave quality, flat water availability, suitability for learning and how warm the water is. We hope we can ignite your desire to get
or add increased performance possibilities. The feeling of riding in spots like that is a sensation that never really lets you go, while the improvements you experience there will only serve in helping you become a better rider in the conditions back home. So taking a kitesurfing holiday really is a win-win situation. This guide isn’t just for those looking for the ultimate in off-the-beaten track adventure. We have stacks of recommendations to combine luxury with daily kiting, too. Whether you’re going alone, with a pack of friends or
out there and improve your riding in some of the best spots in the world, or indeed to take up the sport from scratch and learn on holiday. If you’re about to book your first kitesurfing trip, then flip to page 20 first where we have some vital advice to help you make the right selection as we answer some of the most frequently asked questions for first time kite-travellers. See you on the water!
THE KITEWORLD TEAM
Steven Akkersdijk finding confidence in the conditions in Mauritius Photo: Taylor Holl
THE BEST KITESURF HOLIDAYS ON THE PLANET The absolute authority on kitesurf holidays worldwide. Online quotes in 30 seconds. 60+ destinations. Hand-picked accommodation. Expert advice.
Mauritius Experts Up to 55% off luxury hotels & villas
South Africa Experts Amazing value on tailormade tours
Morocco Experts From Dakhla's lagoon to Essaouira's waves
FREE T-SHIRT WITH EVERY BOOKING! Call: 01273 921 001 or visit: planetkitesurfholidays.com The world's very best kitesurf holiday locations and resorts. We arrange flights, transfers, quality accommodation, tailored tours, equipment hire, storage & courses. Full ATOL Protection.
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TRAVEL ESSENTIALS VERY APPROVED FOR VOYAGE
LIP SPORTS s The LiP Surge watershade comes with PC polarized lenses that are hydrophobic, scratch resistant and offer 100% UV protection. The TR90 frame is flexible, light weight and durable with inbuilt vents to prevent fogging and has complete peripheral vision. The shades are secured in place by LiP’s Bombproof clip-on safety leash and retainer system and come complete with an EVA case and microfiber cleaning bag. www.lip-sunglasses.com
NORTH s Luggage takes a beating when you travel so it’s worth having bags that are up to the task. The North Combi Bag is available in a range of sizes to fit twin-tips or surfboards from 139 to 190cm and is lightweight and compact to help you stay within your baggage allowance. The smaller sized bag comes in at 3.6kg while the biggest is only 4.6kg. For your carry-on items consider the Daypack which has an easy access computer pocket, a hidden wallet compartment and a waterproofed section for soggy boardies! www.northkiteboarding.com
PIQ t
PATAGONIA u
Developed in association with the North Kiteboarding team, the PiQ motion sensor is the most advanced wearable kiteboarding technology on the market. The real-time display allows you to check out how big your last jump was as you line up for the next one and the PiQ app also provides analysis and insight into your session once you’re back on the beach. www.piq.com
The Houdini Jacket is a light, highly compressible shell jacket for outstanding protection from the elements. An effective barrier to the wind, it will keep the chill off you after a session and it’s also an ideal light layer that blocks UV rays. Weighing just 102 grams, it won’t push you over your luggage allowance and the chest pocket doubles up as a stuff sack so that you can literally stow it in your pocket if you want. www.patagonia.com
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PROGRESSION v With all that unfettered time on the water, kite trips are the perfect time to really progress your riding. If you’re travelling somewhere with waves this year and want to improve your skills in the surf then check out the new series of wave riding instructional videos from the guys over at Progression. They cover everything from riding and control to carving turns and backside and frontside riding, so why not watch all their videos in between kite sessions on your digital device? Even on the beach right before your session! Their full library for all riders is at: www.progression.me
STOKED PUBLICATIONS u SEASPECS t Seaspecs Classic Jet Specs are lightweight with polarized grey lenses that offer 100% UVA and UVB protection. The frames float so if you drop them in the water you won’t lose them and the lenses are impact resistant and shield your eyes from the sun’s glare, preventing scorched retinas when looking up at your kite. www.seaspecs.com
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The Kite and Windsurfing Guide features 1,200 spots from almost 100 regions across nine continental chapters and is, unquestionably, the most extensive kitesurfing spot guide ever written! It includes detailed maps, photographs of individual spots and information about weather and wave conditions throughout the year to help you plan your trip. There’s also practical non-kiteboarding information about each region, including hints and tips on car hire, accommodation and insider tips as well. www.stoked-publications.com
Although you’ll be kiting our ass off on holiday, you will have some chill time. Playing everything from the latest action videos, interviews and profiles with the top riders to equipment tests, event reports, technique tips and more besides – the Kite Show is your free TV-style show with unbeatable content to get you fired up! You can watch it on your laptop, or on a tablet or phone via the free apps for guaranteed portable kite candy wherever you go. Oh, and it’s ours, so we highly recommend it, obviously! But if it wasn’t we would anyway! Really. www.thekiteshow.tv
KITEWORLD s
WINDGURU u Upgrading to the Windguru Pro account is a must if you want to be able to score the most regularly updated forecasts during your next trip. Upgrade to Windguru Pro and you get ad-free access to their most frequent and accurate WRF forecasts that are updated four times a day. You can also create your own custom spots on their forecast maps. www.windguru.cz
Kiteworld magazine is the ideal travel companion. Get insight into the sport, read the most detailed equipment tests and experience guaranteed good times every issue. Subscriptions start from as little as £9 / US$14 / €13 for digital subscriptions and £33 / US$56 / €43 for the print magazine delivered to your door six times a year. Buy a combo subscription to both print and digital versions for £35 / US$60 / €45 and we’ll send you next year’s Travel Guide free as well as a Kiteworld T-shirt that will definitely let everyone on your kite trip know, that you know, what’s up! www.kiteworldmag.com
Matt Elsasser
INNOVATION THAT MATTERS Nick Jacobsen
F. Berthuot, J. Boulding, M. Elsasser
James Boulding
Damien Leroy
CABRINHAKITES.COM
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KITEWORLD’S ‘HOW-TO HOLIDAY’ HIT LIST HANDY TIPS FOR THE FIRST-TIME KITEBOARDING HOLIDAY-MAKER
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eading away on your first kiteboarding trip is a special time and a rite of passage. There’s the flurry of excitement as you thumb through back issues of the Travel Guide comparing wind stats, the excitement as you imagine what the conditions will be like, the discussions among friends about which destination will have the best après-kite scene and the endorphin rush as you put your faith in the wind gods and book your trip. We’ve compiled some tips and things to consider that might help as you plan your first kiting holiday!
CHOOSING YOUR DESTINATION The main advantages with choosing to learn kitesurfing on a holiday are that the wind conditions are usually more favourable than home and, combined with you having taken the time off to dedicate to the cause, means that you’re well-geared up for success. Plus, it’s usually warmer! Bonus. Outside of those benefits, here are a few things to bear in mind when selecting where you should go: AVOIDING CROWDS: Very well-known and popular spots can get very busy in the peak
season, presenting an extra challenge for you in the early stages. Just because everyone else goes there doesn’t mean you have to. Consider going at the start or the end of the season to avoid feeling overawed by the crowds, or check out one of the many upand-coming destinations that you’ll see in this guide. Note that traveling at the start or end of a season could affect the chances of wind, but being just out of peak season could also cost you less financially. Study the Windguru sites for historical data and speak to the schools to get an accurate idea for the real number of
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Theo Demanez and Evan Netsch... made it! Find the guide to St Martin in the Caribbean on page 94 Photo: ThierryDehove.com
days you can expect to be on the water and book plenty of time to allow for some days without wind in which you can do other things. WHEN TO BOOK: The sooner the better really. Not only does it get you committed and focused, but Planet Kitesurf Travel say that the days of last minute deals have largely been turned on their head with the advent of booking algorithms which are set to push prices higher closer to time of departure. Plus, if you book early then you know you’ll get the lesson structure, equipment and accommodation that suits you.
WAVES. There are some places in the world where you’ll encounter waves at almost every beach. However, really dedicated wave spots are worth avoiding until you’re a little more confident in your skills. Kiteboarding is challenging enough when you’re learning, so adding the extra obstacle of masses of water charging towards you isn’t going to help. Also, the ‘right of way’ at wave spots isn’t the same as at regular spots as you have to take into account what people are doing on a wave as you make your way off the beach. Until you get into wave riding yourself, this can seem quite confusing.
DON’T OBSESS OVER FLAT WATER. It’s great to ride in lagoons and it’s especially helpful if you’re a total beginner but, as you progress, you shouldn’t be afraid of riding in choppier conditions. Few spots in the world are perfectly flat and riding in chop is not only ‘normal’, but learning to use the chop to your advantage, such as for small jumps, is a great benefit. Also, lagoons and perfect flat water areas tend to be small and therefore crowded with good riders. You don’t need to be contending with every kiter at the spot who’s trying to nail their latest upside down spinny handle-pass manoeuvre right in front of (or over) you.
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Colleen Carroll in the Philippines. More on page 154 Photo: Toby Bromwich / North Kiteboarding
I 0 23 I CHOOSING A SCHOOL Whether you’re a total beginner, looking for a bit of guidance or booking onto an advanced wave or freestyle coaching course, it’s important to choose the right school. We feature some of the best schools in the world in the pages of this guide, so here are a few things to consider: THE STUDENT TO INSTRUCTOR RATIO: It’s frustrating being stuck in a big group of people when you’re learning as you might not get much time on the kite or as much attention from the instructor, so find out in advance. Two students per instructor is the norm for many schools and works well as it’s often nice to have a buddy on your lessons as you also learn from their mistakes, too. THE EQUIPMENT: Most schools update their equipment every season, or just when it gets too worn. It’s no fun learning on tatty, malfunctioning kit, so ask if it’s up to date. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE? Most schools work to a three day schedule, during which time they’ll get you flying a kite in and out of the water, with and without a board, for 12 to 15 hours. At the end of that the hope is that you’ll be able to stand up and ride on a board. It’s rare you’ll be able to ride upwind straight away and you will usually find it easier riding in one direction, but you can get further tuition once you’ve cracked the basics. Once you’re safe and confident, it then comes down to putting in practice time on the water! INTENSIVE COURSES: An intensive course can be a good option because several back-toback days in the water will help you progress more easily and helps the concepts that you’re learning to really ‘sink in’. Intensive courses aren’t vital though and the wind can be a fickle thing, so this isn’t always an option. It’s perfectly possible to learn without committing to a full week of instruction. LEARNING WITH KIDS: Some schools (not all) will teach children. There are various age limits imposed in different countries, and some schools are comfortable teaching
TAKING YOUR OWN KIT children as they have experience. Ask your school about the options before you book. HAVING REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS: The wind is never guaranteed, even in the world’s most reliable locations. A school will usually make every effort to get you to an independent standard during your time with them, but the weather conditions might not always play ball, so discuss this with them beforehand to see what their ‘no wind day’ policy is. PICKING AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL: There are several certifying organisations around the world (IKO / BKSA / PASA / VDWS) and it’s important that your school and its instructors are certified by at least one of them as they ensure the school will be teaching you safely by following a proven criteria. HIRING / BUYING: Many schools will offer use of their gear after your lessons for an extra fee. If you then decide to buy gear from them at the end of that hire period, they may offer to knock the price of the hire off the gear. So ask about that. It’s a good idea to continue using their beginner gear as it’s designed to make your initial hours as easy and progressive as possible. Do your time on that and then you’ll be ready to progress onto different equipment sooner. GEAR STORAGE: You’ll see that many schools and centers offer gear storage for a relatively small fee if you’re bringing your own. This often includes use of their facilities, such as air compressors and launching / landing area... and avoids you having to carry your gear back and forth to where you’re staying. It is a holiday after-all! BOOTIES: Some tropical locations have small, sharp shells underfoot and when you’re learning you’ll do quite a lot of walking along the beach with your kite. Booties make this more comfortable. Many schools will provide them or sell you some, but it’s nicer to have your own clean, comfortable footwear, isn’t it?
If you do have your own gear then you may want to take it. Kiteboarding equipment is comparatively easy to travel with, and if you’re an improving rider you’ll probably feel more comfortable progressing on your own gear that you’ll be using in the future. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Check your airline’s baggage and dimension allowances. Kite gear weight can add up and a twintip bag is going to be around 150cm and bulky once it’s packed. Some airlines are difficult about sporting gear, some are very accommodating. You’ll usually have to pay around £50 / €60 for an extra sports bag, but this varies according to flight distance and the airline. Most airlines state their sports baggage allowances and charges on their website. BOOKING EXTRA BAGS: If you’re booking extra baggage then try to book and pay for it in advance as it’s almost always cheaper to do it the day before online rather than at the airport. HAND LUGGAGE: Some airlines allow you a very generous amount of hand luggage weight, including BA who recently let us check in with an extra 23 kilo bag as it was hand luggage size (as well as our regular hand luggage). Bonus. KEEP IT LIGHT. If you’re struggling for spare weight then a good tip is to leave your individual kite bags at home as they can weigh over a kilo each which is quite a lot if you’re taking two or three kites. TAKE A PUMP! We’ve all left one at home thinking we’ll find one at the beach, but you’d be surprised how much time you waste borrowing them. They’re a valuable commodity and a way of making new friends, especially if your kite has a specific nozzle, so just take your own and avoid the hassle of always having to ask to borrow one.
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