Activities
Activities
“The sky and the strong wind have moved the spirit inside me till I am carried away trembling with joy.” – Uvavnuk
Wind Power by Susan Campbell Thanks to Aruba’s constant 20-knot trade winds, which caress the seas, sands, and land all year round, enjoying a multitude of pastimes powered by the wind here is a breeze!
As Chicago is called the windy city, maybe Aruba should be called the windy island! With a range of anywhere from 18 to 35 knots blowing strong due to the unobstructed trade winds of the eastern Caribbean, this island is seldom still and calm. Though some can find the Aruban wind a tad irksome – it wreaks havoc on those trying to keep a well-coiffed “do” – their best bet is to wear a hat or adopt a “beach hair don’t care” attitude! And depending on how gusty it is, you might have to learn to keep a good grasp on your drinks, sunglasses, and even your towels at times!
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The constant wind is also responsible for the bend and twisted sculpture of the island’s famous fofoti and divi-divi trees. Had they grown up in less breezy locales they would stand straight in an umbrellalike bonsai fashion. But that’s all part and parcel of what makes Aruba so unique. And though the wind does prove a perfect foil for the hot, tropical sun, don’t let its cooling effect fool you into thinking you are not getting sunburned. Sunscreen at all times is a must! Yet, overall, the Aruba trade winds are really a blessing, since without them it would be impossible to partake in some
of the island’s most pleasurable pastimes that depend on their power. Here are just a few of them that can make your holiday stay so much more enjoyable when you learn to embrace the ever-present breezes with total abandon…. Windsurfing and kiteboarding bliss
It’s not an inflated claim that Aruba offers some of the absolute best conditions on the planet to learn to windsurf. Just ask 10-time women’s world windsurfing champion, Aruba’s Sarah-Quita Offringa! The queen of the waves says, “The Fisherman’s Huts Beach on Aruba is world renowned as one of the best places to learn windsurfing, and that’s where I trained since I was a young girl. I still practice there often too. The water is very shallow, which makes it ideal for
learning because it’s easy to get on and off the board, even for kids. There’s wind basically all year-round, which means you’ll seldom find yourself ‘dead in the water.’ We have both winds in the same spot: close to shore the winds are light, which are great for beginners, and as you go farther out, the chops get bigger and the wind gets stronger, which appeals to the more experienced sailors. Plus, we have excellent instructors for all skill levels, and quality equipment for rentals.” Kiteboarding (or kitesurfing as some call it) is also very big at that beach; the same type of conditions appeal to those wishing to learn and perfect the trending new sport. (Although the really experienced boarders often head out to the much wilder Boca Grandi for bigger challenges.) !
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