Kite Life

Excess, Oversize and Overweight Baggage and Fees

We realize that at times it may be necessary to travel with an item that exceeds the size or weight limitations or is in excess of the free allowance. Additional charges apply to this type of baggage.

Baggage connecting to other airlines will also be subject to the connecting airline’s excess charges and/or oversize, overweight charges in addition to American Airlines charges.

All charges are calculated on a one-way basis and are collected at the airport ticket counter.

The following information for excess baggage applies to flights within the United States and Puerto Rico. For excess baggage information for all other destinations, please contact an American Airlines representative.

Excess Baggage
Checked baggage in excess of the free baggage allowance will be charged as follows:

$80 per piece for the first three additional pieces
$105 per piece for the fourth, fifth, and sixth additional pieces
$180 per piece for the seventh and any additional pieces

Windsurf, Kitesurf

1 board, 1 mast, boom and sail

$80
Can be two pieces

70 lbs. 115 inches each piece

- Acceptance conditional on aircraft size and load conditions
- Up to 3 pieces (as described at left) count as one piece for excess baggage charges.
- If this item is in excess of the number of pieces allowed in the free baggage allowance, excess baggage charges apply in addition to the $80 special items fee.

Posted in Fly American Airlines | No Comments »

Kitesurfing Travel using Emirates

No comments20 January 2007 in Fly Emirates

1. What are the allowances for baggage which is checked-in?

The following free baggage allowances apply on Emirates flights, for adults or child paying a child fare :

First
40kg/88lbs.
Two checked bags for which the length plus breadth plus height (L+B+H) should not exceed 45ins/115cms per bag.
Maximum weight 32kgs/70lbs per bag.

Business
30kg/66lbs.
Two checked bags for which the length plus breadth plus height (L+B+H) should not exceed 45ins/115cms per bag.
Maximum weight 32kgs/70lbs per bag.

Economy
20kg/44lbs.
Two checked bags for which the length plus breadth plus height (L+B+H) should not exceed 45ins/115cms per bag.
Maximum weight 32kgs/70lbs.

Infants
10kg/22lbs. Infants (not entitled to a seat) are allowed 10 kg/22lbs free baggage regardless of class of travel (one checked bag not exceeding 45 inches or 115 cm in total dimension).

To ensure proper handling and safety of the baggage handlers at the airport, passengers travelling through London, Mauritius, Colombo, Johannesburg, Birmingham, Manchester, Larnaca, Australian and New Zealand airports must ensure that each piece of checked baggage does not exceed 32kgs (70lbs). This restriction imposed by the airport authorities, however, does not affect the overall free baggage allowance per passenger but allows better distribution of baggage.

2. Is a weight or piece baggage allowance system used for flights to/from the USA and Canada?

The piece baggage allowance applies for journeys to and from Canada, the USA and US Territories.

If the piece baggage allowance applies, it applies to the entire journey, even though a through journey may be broken by a stopover. The piece concept still applies when the passenger re-checks in at an intermediate station to continue travel.
Weight baggage allowance applies otherwise.

3. What is the free baggage allowance to/from Canada?

Kitesurfing Travel Specialists

No comments20 January 2007 in Kiteboarding Holidays & Kite Travel

- Club Mistral (Skyriders Kitesurfing)

Web Site: http://www.club-mistral.com

Destinations:

Alacati, Turkey
Barbados, Caribbean
Cabarete, Caribbean
Dahab, Egypt
Djerba ,Tunesia
Essaouira, Morocco
Golf de Roses, Spain
Gran Canaria, Spain
Isla Margarita, El Yaque
Karpathos, Greece
Mauritius, Indian Ocean
Ras Sudr, Egypt
Safaga, Egypt
Sal, Cape Verde
Tarifa, Spain

Info: German based kite holiday and kite centre chain that offers IKO & VDWS courses.

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- Sportif

Web Site: http://www.sportif-uk.com

Info: English based company that re-sells the Club Mistral program

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- Planet Kitesurf

Web Site: http://www.planetkitesurf.com / www.planetwindsurf.com

Info: English based company that re-sells the Club Mistral program

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- Extreme Holidays

Web Site: http://www.extremeholidays.com

Info: English based company that runs kite trips to Fuertaventura

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- Waveriders

Web Site: http://www.waveriders.biz

Info: English based company that runs worlwide kite surfing holidays.

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- Sport Away

Web Site: http://www.sport-away.com

Info: French based company that that re-sells the Club Nathelie Simone program

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- Sun & Fun

Web Site: www.kitetravel.de

Info: German Based Kite Travel Company

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- Surf & Action

Web Site: www.surf-action.com

Info: German Based Kite Travel Company

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- Viva Sportreisen

Web Site: www.go-viva.de

Info: German Based Kite Travel Company

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An extensive lists of Kite Schools and Kiteboarding Holidays can be found on the Kiteboarding Holidays website

www.kiteboardingholidays.com www.adventureholidays.com

Just make sure that you read between the lines and ignore the growing amount of rubbish on the site.

Posted in Kiteboarding Holidays & Kite Travel | No Comments »

Kiteboarding Texas - South Padre Island Report

No comments19 January 2007 in Kite Surfing USA

South Padre Island Report
March 24 - April 03, 2003
November/December, 2004

Location: South Padre Island is located just north of Brownsville Texas, at the very southern end of the Gulf Coast. The Island itself is a barrier which separates the Gulf of Mexico from the protected Laguna Madre. The weather is tropical and the winds are reliably strong.

Season: The kiteboarding season lasts from early spring until December. The winds tend to taper off in December, January and February and evening temperatures in the 30’s wouldn’t be uncommon. Spring break periods are very crowded on the island and you may want to totally avoid this place during the big parties. Also, summer is prime time for Texan’s to come to “The Island.”. Expect crowds. From Labor Day through Thanksgiving and again March through May (excluding Spring Break), expect little to no crowds and excellent deals on lodging. Prices tend to double on the weekends as the summer and peak periods approach.

Getting in and out of town: South Padre Island, SPI, is located at the end of the Rio Grande Valley. Along the valley you have several larger airports. The closest to “The Island” are Brownsville Airport and also Harlingen Airport. Farthest away is McAllen, which is apx 1:35 min from SPI. American serves MFE, McAllen with large jets and not commuter flights. Southwest serves Harlingen with large jets as well. Other options might include a commuter flight. All flights connect somewhere like Dallas or Houston. The McAllen Airport offers free parking out front, making it easy to unload your gear and check-in for your flight before returning your rental car.

Hotels and other options: I have stayed at:

The SPI Travelodge had very clean rooms although they smelled like mold, which is common in humid damp areas.. The room cost averaged apx. $45 per night plus tax. My ground floor room included a large tiled dinning area just inside the door. This was a great storage area for my gear. Also the ground floor drive up access was nice. Large continental breakfast included.

On a return trip, I stayed in Le Casa Rosa Motel, a brand new place located on the main boulevard through the island. The cost here was $29/nt including free local calls, coffee in the morning with doughnuts. The owner is adding free high-speed internet access soon. Also, there was a great hot tub and pool right outside my door. Poor quality breakfast, but the Whataburger is near and you can have breakfast for $4.

Recently, we stayed at La Copa Resort, located just across from the causeway. The Hotel is 1 year old and the rooms are an exact copy of La Casa Real’s rooms and other La Copa Properties. I paid $63 per night while friends were charged $79 and others $89. I booked this through Travelocity and had to pre-pay the week to get the lower rate. No drive up rooms are available. The staff here was kind of indifferent. There is a happy hour from 5:00-6:30 which includes free beer and wine along with chips and salsa! Breakfast is included with 3 hot waffle makers and an assortment of juice and cereal.

Super-8 Motel – Located in the middle of the strip this is one of a string of budget motels. My room was a mini-suite that cost $59 on the weekend and was available during the week for $29. The room was fairly clean and quiet. Free Breakfast but only one Waffle iron for too many guests.

There are several other budget options including, The Beachside Inn, Motel 6, and other discount chains. Most of the larger upscale hotels and resorts are represented here as well. I used the internet to book my room. If you are here during a non-peak time, you can easily drive up the road and check out the hotels which post their nightly rates on their signs. Expect to pay from $19/nt at the EconoLodge up to the $100’s for First Class accommodation. Reservation Trap: It seems that those booking reservations can expect to pay more than those walking in off the street during the non-peak periods. I recently stayed at the Motel Super 8 where the internet rate was $79 and I was offered $59 when I walked up to the desk and enquired. The walk-in rate during the week was $29!

Another option would be to book out a condo for the week. SPI looks like a mini Miami Beach or Waikiki. The Parkshore Condos just behind the Travelodge were located on the beach and had secure parking. Again, the internet would be a great source for booking lodging. Search the net for condo options.

Kiteboarding-

Winds- Bring all your kites! I used the 16, 12, 10, and 8.

There are several locations where you can kiteboard. Actually, there are little or no restrictions on kiteboarding, so you can go anywhere off the beach on the gulf side of the island. I had several great rides right off the beach next to the hotel.

North Flats- Located just north of the Convention Center at the far North end of town, you will find the private windsurfing/kiteboarding area called The North Flats. There is a $15/yr user fee for this private area. There area two rigging areas, one for kiteboarding and another for windsurfing and plenty of room for both. The water is SHALLOW, from a few inches to a maximum of about three feet quite far out from shore. The shallow water isn’t all that bad as it provides for the flattest water you have ever seen. Also, when you dump the kite or have a problem all you have to do is stand up and walk back. Works on all winds.

South Flats- Located right next to the convention center, this is where you ride on north winds. The water is very shallow in spots.

Jetty’s- Back on the Gulf side located in the park at the southern end of the island is an area called Jetty’s. I didn’t get to kite here. The ocean current is reported to be less here and the winds are clean. $4.00 fee to enter the park. Best on a SE. Deep water.

Holly’s- Across the Laguna Madre, apx 20 min from the island, you will find Holly’s. Located down a nasty dirt road, in the middle of shrimp farms and swampy tidal pools, this place has an industrial feel. The sand is muddy and stinks like swamp gas. However, on a SE the wind comes all the way across the laguna and is very clean. Again, very shallow conditions 1-3 feet make for very flat water. Directions: From SPI go across the causeway and through the towns until you reach the 510 Road North split-off. Drive through Laguna Vista on the 510 Road for about 2 miles. The golf course will be on your right. At the end of a white wooden fence, there is a dirt road, turn right on this dirt road. Follow the road back quite far. Finally there is a “Y” in the road stay left into the kite area. Note: There are secure shrimp farms in the area that don’t welcome visitors. Look for the kites and get better directions when you are in town.

Shop: South Padre Island Kiteboarding is located about 2/3 of the way North going from the causeway north through town. The crew runs a nice shop and encourage friendly kiteboarding in SPI. They offer free advice and have a fully stocked shop. Naish , Slingshot, Airush, and NSI are their major brands. Also they offer instruction, and this is an ideal location for learning. This should be your first stop before hitting the water. You can check on local conditions etc. Also you can get you membership sticker so you can use the North Flats area. www.southpadreislandkiteboarding.com

Dinning: There are all sorts of foods available on the island. My favorites included Texas Barbeque, Mexican, Giant Burger at Parrot Eye’s, Dirty Al’s Shrimp Baskets, and Palmedo’s for Mexican. All things considered, the Island isn’t a groumet paradise. If you are looking for a nicer dinning experience you might drive the 30 min to Brownsville.

Crowds: SPI and the entire Texas gulf coast can get very crowded during spring breaks. So much that you may want to avoid this time on the island. Traffic backs up and the spring breakers party all night, all day, everywhere. Sleep might be hard to get during this time. There is a US Break and also a Mexican Break which draw giant rowdy crowds. Plan accordingly. During my visit the place was empty, between the two break times.

Necessities: You can get everything you need at or near the island. There are two large grocery stores, drug stores, and a Hardware store which have everything you need. Shopping malls are back in Harlingen and Brownsville. There is a Walmart Supercenter under construction near the causeway.

Car Rentals: My 11 day rental came to over $300 dollars. I rented with Advantage. It is noteworthy that there were over $80 in taxes and fees which are charged by all companies. On my second trip I paid $90/wk plus tax and was upgraded to a mini-van. I booked through Travelocity.

Summary: I really enjoyed South Padre Island. The conditions are very kite friendly. The costs are quite low compared with other destinations. Sandy warm water beaches on the gulf side, and shallow warm waters on the Laguna are near perfect conditions. The local riders are very friendly. As far as I am concerned, I will be back as soon as possible.

Posted in Kite Surfing USA | No Comments »

Kiteboarding Cuba - Hasta La Victoria Siempre

No comments19 January 2007 in Kite Surfing Cuba

Kiteboarding Cuba - Hasta La Victoria Siempre:

Cuba a small, communist-dictator-and-his-military run island just 90 miles south of Florida. So close, but yet so far. The paradox of it’s geographic location should not be lost: Cuba is, both literally and figuratively, between two seas: The north shore touches the waters of the Atlantic, while the south shore enjoys the Caribbean. The island is gorgeous and tropical and verdant and wild and full of potential. The �new� and mostly modern Cuba that most tourists see contrasts sharply with the 1950�s Buicks, Russian 2-strokes and ox-driven carriages on the highways and by-ways. Do not be fooled, Cuba is also an island with amazing people of great beauty and spirit, a rich cultural history, great possibilities and… incredible kiteboarding!

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Cuba remains full of mystery and intrigue, largely due to the few Americans who venture there. Since President Kennedy severed diplomatic relations in 1961, US citizens have been prohibited from general touristic travel to the island. Most notably, in 2004 President Bush tightened further the restrictions, making it virtually impossible for the curious traveler to journey to Cuba. (The embargo and its rules/regulations/enforcement is handled by the Treasury Department�s Office of Foreign Assets Control. For details regarding the embargo, please visit, www.ustreas.gov.) It should be noted that the Cuban government welcomes everybody, regardless of nationality.

Any good trip to Cuba begins in Havana!! Old Havana (Habana Vieja) was founded in 1514 and is one of the oldest settlements in the Americas. It is absolutely charming and beautiful and romantic, with hidden treasures found on every street and in every narrow passageway. Churches, museums, galleries, cafes, open plazas, inner courtyards adorned with fresh flowers. Habana Vieja defies your expectations of Cuba and entices you with thoughts of classic European cities mingled with a bit of Spanish Colonialism, tropical air and a bit of any Hemingway novel you have ever read � or wished to read! Here, you will find a fantastic spirit and joie-de-vivre: People sitting for hours in cafes; local Cubans chatting on about something or nothing at all; passionate musicians entertaining passersby with jazz, salsa or an original rendition of an old classic; and old man completely intrigued by his smoking cigar, and young children playing makeshift baseball with a serendipitously found 2×4.

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Days in Habana Vieja are best spent strolling the streets and alleyways, popping in to get a closer look at an artisan’s wares or a beautiful courtyard, and stopping at your leisure to enjoy a drink- or, better yet, a coffee � at any number of restaurants or cafes. The food is excellent (as is the coffee!) and you can find anything from a simple cheese sandwich to a full meal with �moros y cristianos�, Cuba�s black beans and rice.

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Nightime, Habana Vieja comes alive with the hustle and bustle of people and music. The bars at some of the more popular tourist hotels are the center of action, and you can venture out, too, to one of many clubs, where interactive entertainment shows share the evening with dancing and music. Many clubs have dress codes, so check before you go. If you want to just walk and hang-out, well, that�s good, too! And a great way to get an idea of what �daily life� is all about.

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An excellent and easy day trip from Havana will take you to the Playas del Este (Beaches of the east), just 15k east from Havana. They are: Playa Bacuranao, Playa Tarara, Playa El Megano, Playa Santa Maria del Mar, Playa Boca Ciega and Playa Guanabo, from east to west, and run for about 12 kilometres! Intermittently you will find a hotel or palapa, so there is plenty of room to rig and ride. In winter time, the winds are predominantly NE, which provides for very nice side-on conditions. The beaches are beautiful, with soft, white sand, and the water unbelieveably clean and clear � perfect!

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There are all-inclusive hotels in the Playas del Este, but to get the �real� Cuba experience, choose, rather, to stay in a Casa Particular. These are rooms, in private homes, that are legally available to rent on a nightly basis. (Do make sure that they have the official sign posted, however; staying illegally may get you awakened and booted at any hour of the night, as every neighborhood has government �spies� that make the rounds and check to see that everyone and everything is as it should be.) Prices vary according to type of room (some have shared baths, some private; some come with kitchens and sitting rooms), but range between 20-30 CUC per room/ per night*. This is a wonderful way to see how the locals live, and to get a chance to speak with them directly!
(*Currently, the exchange rate is about US$1 = CUC 80. However, there is a surcharge of 10% to exchange US Dollars.)

In 1994, the Cuban government declared legal some self-employed businesses, and in 1997, the Casas Particulares became a possibility for foreign travelers. The home owners must pay 50 CUC�s a month for the �official sign�, and an additional 100-250 CUC�s per month �tax�, regardless of the actual number of guests. Considering that the average Cuban worker makes only 15 CUC�s a month, this is a significant venture!

Another fantastic opportunity for foreign visitors is the �Para-Dar�, a small restaurant operated out of a private home. Owners are restricted to 12 chairs, and they, too, must pay a �tax� to the State. Here you will find friendly owners offering a fantastic selection of fruits, vegetables, meats, chicken, fish, coffee… and another opportunity to chat with the locals. Fantastic!

You will notice that the rooms in a Casa Particular and the meals at a Paradar are offered to foreign travelers; Cuban citizens are not allowed to partake of these services.

140 kilometres east from Havana is the very popular peninsula commonly referred to as, Varadero, Cuba�s premier beach resort! Here, you have more than 20 kilometres of gorgeous, white sandy beach, and can find all sorts of beach and touristic activities � from scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing and kayaking to jet-ski and even helicopter tours!

The kiteboarding possibilities in Varadero are amazing. The water is breathtakingly beautiful, and the many hues of blue and green make for an incredible sight. The beach is comfortably wide, and, towards the eastern end of the peninsula takes a slight turn towards the east and opens up to about 50-60 metres wide! The shape of the peninsula makes a N wind side-on, so you can ride the north side of the island on any wind from WSW to ENE. For E and ESE wind, head to the Marina Palace Beach, towards the aforementioned east end. As you can imagine, downwinders can be fantastic! 20k of coastline from end to end � just organize you pick-up with a taxi or a tour operator, and you�re good to go!

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There is a small, intermediate launch on the south side called, 36th street. (image 570) It�s more of a cove, and the safest way to launch is to walk out in the shallow water, getting as close to the �mouth� as possible, then heading to the open water.

No matter where you choose to ride, no doubt you will attract lots of attention! Kiteboarding and kiteboarders are not completely unknown, but are a rarity, so expect lots of curious and friendly inquiries.

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Accommodation choices in Varadero are vast. (No legal Casas Particulares, though.) The eastern half of the island is where you�ll find the large, popular all-inclusive resorts. Cuba began marketing itself as a tourist destination in the mid-80�s, and European and Canadian charters bring millions of tourists here per year. You�ll certainly recognize the names of the all-inclusives: Barcelo, Melia, Sandals� They have a partnership agreement with the Cuban government, in which Cuba maintains 51% ownership and the foreign entity 49%; or, Cuba may own the property outright, hiring the �name� company to provide the name and management. The staff at each of the hotels is very friendly, and most speak fluently two, three or four languages! Those having one-to-one contact with guests probably studied tourism, knowing that the best money to be made comes from being in this industry. (Some hotel employees are former doctors or professors.) The monthly salary they receive pales in comparison to the tips that many tourists leave. It is not uncommon, in any part of Cuba, for foreigners to �leave behind� the change, understanding the economic situation of most natives.

(There are those Cubans, though, who know well how to guardedly navigate the sea in which they find themselves: There is a huge, active black market in Cuba, and it offers anything and everything you can � and even cannot � imagine. From yogurt and milk to cement and seafood, the Black Market drives an underground economy that is not insignificant. The penalties for dealing on the Black Market, though, are! Everything is �owned� by the government, so, in essence, Black Market items are stolen property of the government. The penalty for selling chewing gum may be a fine, while the penalty for slaughtering a cow and selling the meat may be execution.)

There are many fantastic small hotels in Varadero, as well. Beginning in the middle of the island, around 53rd street, are those with 15-30 rooms; most include breakfast, and prices are significantly less than an all-inclusive. A triple room, for example, may run about 75 CUC per night. These small hotels are very well located- one to two blocks from the beach and right in the middle of town, providing easy walking access to shops, restaurants, bars (with fun, lively dancing after-hours!) and art bazaars. (Art/craft bazaars rotate their artists daily, so you�re likely to find something different on any given day! Artists are considered �self-employed�, and they, too, pay a tax to the State, You can negotiate prices, but you may not want to.)

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Evenings in Varadero are as much fun as the days! The restaurants along the beach and main road are excellent, and there are over 100 bars and nightclubs, for your post-dining pleasure! �Espectaculares� (crude translation: Big Evening Spectaculars!) are the popular Cuban shows, and most clubs have two or three performances a night, usually beginning around 11pm. Music and dance are as much a part of the Cuban culture as coffee and cigars, so you will have no problem dancing the night away!

Varadero Beach is a must for any trip- especially a kiteboarding holiday!- to Cuba! It is, �espactacular�!

Getting around Cuba:; You will find many interesting means of transportation, not all of which you will want to experience first hand! The State-owned and run taxis are, of course, clean and abundant, and are the easiest and safest way of getting around. The large tour agencies operate buses, which are also clean and efficient, and easy to access. What you will also find are: horse-driven and ox-driven carts and carriages, which are used not only for local transportation, but for intra-island transport, as well! (The well-maintained national highway provides two lanes for motorized vehicles, and one for non-motorized!). Cuba also has a most interesting �vehicle�, which can best be described as a carnival �whirly-gig� taken from the fair and put on the road! These operate as private vehicles and as legal taxis. Rental cars are also available. Navigating around the island (or, for example, the drive from Havana to Varadero) is quite easy, as there is one �carretera central� that runs the length of the island. If you rent a car, take note: Cuba is very strict regarding rules of the road, and there are Policia just about every 500 metres! They are very quick and very random in pulling over vehicles, so make sure that you and your papers are all in order.

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Public transportation comes in many forms, one of which is the �camello�, named for its visual likeness to the two humps on a Bactrian camel. These �camellos� are basically two old double-decker train cars that pack �em in like a can of King Edwards ready for export! (Note to the curious traveler: When cosidering a camello as a means of transportation, please refer to sentence #1 under, �Getting around Cuba:�.)

In Varadero, you may want to consider renting a moto! The roads are very safe, relatively speaking, and it�s a great way to head out and explore.

Solicitation of transportation is strictly forbidden, so be very wary of offers.

Internet and telephones: Many of the larger hotels purport to have internet available, but the service is rather questionable. The best bet for tourists is to find an Internet/Phone Box, scattered infrequently in Havana, but easily found in Varadero. These are air-conditioned, free standing �boxes� that offer internet and phone use. Internet service is very good, and costs about 3 CUC�s per 15 minutes. Phone calls are VERY expesive, running about 2.50 CUC�s per minute!

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Electricity: Both 110 and 220 are available, sometimes in the same hotel room.

Food and Water: The food in Cuba is delicious! Menus are extensive and fish and seafood are specialties! Foreigners, though, are discouraged from eating at the very, very local �holes in the wall�, as the food may be more suitable for the locals� digestive system. Water is best enjoyed out of the bottle. Coffee is abundant and some of the best in the world, so enjoy it!

Cuba is at once interesting, beautiful, eye-opening, thought-provoking and challenging; if you keep your eyes and ears and mind open, you will be rewarded with an experience unlike any other.

Posted in Kite Surfing Cuba | No Comments »

Excess & Sports Bag Charges with Flyjet

No comments18 January 2007 in Fly FlyJet

30th January 2006

Can I take my sporting equipment?

Yes

Flyjet Customer Services must be contacted at least 7 days prior to departure and pre-payment is required for some items.

The below items are accepted for carriage, subject to available space and weight.

- Bicycles
Prior notification of carriage and pre-payment required.
Charge: Single journey £20.00 GBP Return £40.00 GBP
Bikes MUST be correctly packaged / boxed for carriage by air and suitably insured.

- Canoes
Carried if collapsible construction.
Prior notification of carriage and pre-payment required.
Charge: Single journey £20.00 GBP Return £40.00 GBP

- Golf Clubs
Prior notification of carriage and pre-payment is required.
Charge: Half set Single journey £10.00 GBP Return £20.00 GBP
Charge: Full set Single journey £20.00 GBP Return £40.00 GBP

- Paragliders
Prior notification of carriage and pre-payment required.
Charge: Single journey £20.00 GBP Return £40.00 GBP

- Scuba Diving Equipment
To be carried within free baggage allowance, or thereafter charged at excess baggage rates. Excess charges can be waived if, diving is the purpose of the holiday. Prior notification and confirmation is required. Air tanks must be empty and valves set to open.

- Surfboards / Surf Skis
Prior notification of carriage and pre-payment required.
Charge: Single journey £20.00 GBP Return £40.00 GBP

- Water Skis
Prior notification of carriage and pre-payment required.
Charge: Single journey £20.00 GBP Return £40.00 GBP

- Wind Surf Boards
Prior notification of carriage and pre-payment required.
Charge: Single journey £20.00 GBP Return £40.00 GBP
Drain plugs must be removed, the ‘fin’ removed / retracted and length not be exceed 4.75m (notional weight 27.5 kgs)

If you item is not listed, please contact Flyjet Customer Services for information

Posted in Fly FlyJet | No Comments »

Kiteboarding Orient Beach on St. Martin

No comments17 January 2007 in Kite Surfing St Martin

Kiteboarding St. Martin

02 Nov 2006

In spite of its crystal-turquoise waters and consistent sideshore trades, Orient Beach, St. Martin, isn’t widely known as a kiteboarding destination. Rather, it has international renown as a “naturist” paradise, or, in more common terms “nude beach”. However, team riders assured us that it had great riding potential, so we set out to conquer the unclothed masses, or at least ignore them and get some sick riding done.

Dano See, our head tester, came directly from China with factory-fresh 2006 gear in tow. He met me at the airport in a massive Renault Traffic passenger van, courtesy of Jumbo Car Rental in Sandy Ground. At first sight, it appeared this massive vehicle would be sufficient to shuttle our entire crew around the island, but a closer look revealed a van packed floor-to-ceiling with kites, boards and accessories.

Our first stop was for supplies – a couple of six packs and some water for good measure. Dano and I had a full 12 hours to kill before the rest of the team arrived and we planned to use our time wisely, in typical Canadian/Australian fashion.

From Philipsburg on the Dutch side, we crossed the border into French St. Martin, traveling through the capital Marigot, past Grand Case to our destination of Orient Bay on the eastern side of the island. Then, back around Grand Case, through Marigot again, and back to Philipsburg. Ok, we were lost in our first hour on the island. After passing the airport for the 3rd time, we were confident that we had found the right road, or rather the right direction of the road… 3 hours later, we finally pulled into Orient Bay.

In spite of its small size, it’s easy to get lost on St. Martin.

Our home base, the Palm Court Hotel, stood 500 meters from the beach, right around the corner from the tiny village of Orient Bay. Cecile Lucidarme, the hotel manager, was quick to point out how easily accessible everything was – once you’ve settled into your room, you don’t really need to drive anywhere, as restaurants, shops and, of course, the beach are all situated within a few minutes walk.

Exhausted after 23 hours of travel, I decided a swim was necessary. Road pops in hand, Dano and I headed down to the beach.

Orient Beach is a spectacular sight – miles of glistening, perfectly smooth white sand giving way to the most incredible turquoise water. Small outlying islands form a break wall that shelters the inner beach from rough water – making it an ideal learning spot for kiteboarders, as well as a great place to swim, sail or act like an idiot on a jet ski. A popular day trip for cruise ship passengers, the beach is full of chairs and umbrellas for rent - for between $6-$8 you can relax in the shade whilst sipping cocktails and watching the entertaining beach scene. Planted firmly on our beach chairs, we stared in awe at the first group of naked dudes that walked past – and they kept coming, in between clothed groups - singles, and couples, families strangely resembling aliens.

Interesting naked people fact #1:
Don’t expect to be perving on a parade of Pamela Anderson-esque hotties and David Beckham look-alikes. Most of the textile-free beachgoers are close to retirement age – imagine your grandparents without their clothes on.

Midway between Orient Bay Village and clothing-free Club Orient is the CNS (Club Nathalie Simon) Orient Beach. Run by French transplant Manu, this centre is the main kiting spot in the area, offering a comprehensive lesson program. We set up camp at CNS – which is where you’ll find most of the local kiteboarders – it’s definitely the hub for the local scene. The wireless network was a great benefit to us, as we’re a bunch of geeks.

One of the great things about St. Martin is the relatively mellow kite scene. Unlike the popular and crowded beaches of many Caribbean kite spots, Orient Beach has a small scene made up of friendly locals, and tons of space to ride. We were anxious to shoot the then top-secret Crossbow kite, and the lack of kiters on the water made this spot a great choice.

Beach traffic is another story. There are lots of people in various stages of dress strolling up and down Orient Beach – the kite launching area at CNS is marked, but be very wary of launching and landing, as beachgoers are quite oblivious to what’s going on around them.

Crew arrives, no wind in sight
The rest of the group arrived the next day, anxious to bust the gear out of the van and get on the water. The forecast looked promising, so we decided to rig and wait around for something to happen. Damien and Pete took the Crossbow 12’s out – in the light breeze they were the only kites on the water. The conditions never materialized that first day, so we packed it in and cruised through the beach bars for happy hour. There are string of beach bars along Orient Beach, each one goes off on a specific night of the week and caters to a particular crowd. We checked out the scene at Bikini Bar (Tuesdays) and Kon Tiki (Sunday). Lots of dancing, drinking and a young European party crowd – as in Europe, things don’t get going until late, show up after 10pm for the best crowds.

The next day our crew assembled at Le Fish Bar for a traditional French breakfast of strong coffee and croissants – the pace on Orient Beach is very slow, so our anxious group was usually the first to arrive at the restaurant each morning. The forecast showed no wind, but there was a swell, and we piled into CNS’s zodiac to surf a break just off Tintamarre Island. Since the waves are only accessible by boat, we had a great, uncrowded spot to surf. After a few hours, we headed to Pinel Island where we were treated to a massive lunch at the island’s outdoor restaurant. After lunch we caught a few more waves, then headed back to Orient Beach to see if there was any late day wind. Nothing. But, the forecast for the next day showed promise, so we had an early night and planned to hit it early the next morning.

Interesting naked people fact #2:
For some reason, nude doesn’t work well for the fitness-minded naturist. Expect to see a fair share of runners wearing nothing but socks and running shoes. Running. Ah, the freedom.

We were all up at sunrise to check the wind - , always one of the first guys out, got out on the water on a 12 Crossbow – he seemed to be having a good time, and was certainly causing a ruckus on the beach, as small groups of clothed and un-clothed people stopped to check him out. Manu took Tracy out to Green Cay, where she could shoot the guys from a different perspective. Although the wind was pretty light, Pete, Andre, Damien, Susi, Dano and Gianni managed to get some moves down for the cameras, riding until the wind shut down.

We decided to check another spot – Le Galion a few minutes south. This bay was incredible – absolutely glassy, shallow water, with a small swell at the southernmost point. It looked like an ideal place to shoot, but it would have to be an early morning call, as the beach fills up with families by mid-morning, making launching and landing a bit sketchy.

With the intention of meeting at Le Galion for a dawn session, we went our separate ways for the rest of the day – re-grouping at CNS that evening for a few drinks.

I had picked up a cooler in Marigot, and filled it with ice and Carib. 3 days into the trip, I quickly discovered that at $10.75 per case, beer was cheaper than water, and we should drink more of it, to keep hydrated. Sitting around the deserted CNS clubhouse that evening, a few of us managed to get through 2 cases of hydration before dinner. With a sunrise call at the beach the next morning, Le Galion was going to be pretty ugly.

Wind Sacrifice – it works!
If you’re planning a major session, make sure you drink copious amounts of alcohol the night before. You are practically guaranteed epic conditions the next morning.

This is exactly what happened after our beach beverage-fest – right on cue at sunrise, the wind kicked in and everyone was scrambling to get out on the water. A floating dock not far from shore looked like a great spot for our photographer to capture the action, but proved to be more dangerous than anything. Pete pulled a tweaked indy, nearly taking Dre out on his landing, and then Dano ate shit, tangled his lines and had to walk back to the beach. He was picking splinters out of his butt for the next week. Sucker. Meanwhile, down by the fishpond, Gianni and Damien were busting tantrums with one-handed down loops.

With a full day of shooting under our belts, we decided to hit the town hard, heading a few minutes up the road to Grand Case. Tuesday nights the main street is closed off to traffic, pedestrians, vendors and marching calypso bands dominate the narrow road. After grabbing a bite from a local barbeque stand, a few of the group headed into Philipsburg to check out some real action and piled into the overstuffed van for the drive.

The following day didn’t live up to its promise of wind, so Susi, Tracy and I drove into Philipsburg to shop and gawk at duty-free hungry tourists. Steaming hot and filled with people, there isn’t much unique Dutch culture left in this town – a couple of hours were enough for us. On the way back to Orient Bay, we stopped at Ma Dou Dou rum shop in Cul-de-Sac. A riotous mix of colorful bottles filled with homemade rum punch – this tiny retail outlet is a great spot to shop for gifts.

Upon arriving back at the Palm Court, we were greeted by the Orient Bay Gendarmes…none of whom spoke a word of English. In my best Franglais, I tried to figure out who they were looking for and why. “Les garcons” was all they would tell me, and I came to realize that “les garcons” were Dano and his apprentices Damien and Gianni, the three who were on their way to Phillipsburg the evening before. With no luck finding them in their rooms, I headed down to the beach in the police truck looking for the kids. Sure enough, they were out on the water, doing flips off the floating trampolines. The interchange that ensued was comical, to say the least. The police were smoking cigarettes and speaking entirely in French, while the lads continued to drink their beers, attempting to understand the foreign language. Eventually, they realized there had been a misunderstanding, so everyone piled into the police truck, and headed back to the hotel, laughing hysterically. The police enjoyed hanging out with our crew, and wound up in an impromptu photo shoot with handcuffs, and other interesting props. Bizarre.

The next day we decided to do a bit of sightseeing, and check the conditions on other parts of the island. Cruised into Marigot for the afternoon to check out the market and have lunch at the harbor. Not as overrun by tourists as Phillipsburg, Marigot has a distinctly French personality – offering plenty of shopping and great places to eat. The traffic is outrageous – the two-lane highway is congested from noon until after 5pm, most days.

After a stop at Supermarche Match to stock up on more Carib, saucisson secs, cheese and baguette, we headed back to Orient Beach for late afternoon cocktails. Rum punch, flavored or not, is a popular libation at all beachfront bars – many will offer samples of various flavors…and sell you a bottle if you like it. For around $10, you can take home a delicious concoction of chocolate, coconut or fruit-flavored rum.

There all plenty of small shops along the beach, selling local handicrafts and interesting beach attire – like most St. Martin retailers, the shopkeepers on the beach are open to a bit of haggling – you can often pay less than the sticker price for most merchandise.

Interesting naked people fact #3:
No shirt, no shoes, no service does NOT apply on Orient Beach. The many small shops on the beach have staff in various stages of undress, often wearing no more than a string of beads around the waist. Thankfully, restaurant wait staff is fully clothed.

Thursday was windy enough to ride, and the crew headed out from Orient Beach on C02’s, Revolvers and Crossbows. Back at the CNS, Manu was taking a few students out for a kite lesson. CNS offers a great lesson program, where beginners are taken by zodiac out to deserted Green Cay so that they can learn to launch and body-drag away from beach and boat traffic. Manu and his instructors will guide the student from the zodiac while body-dragging and getting started with a board, stopping to relaunch, and pick them up if they need assistance. This teaching method takes the fear out of learning, as there is always someone nearby to help if things go awry.

On no-wind days, there is a multitude of things to keep you occupied. Aside from heading to Marigot or Philipsburg, you can head to nearby Pinel Island via boats that run from Cul de Sac or some of the watersport concessions, including CNS, on Orient Beach – they will drop off and return at a set time to pick you up. There are some beautiful sandy beaches on the island, so bring shoes and hike to the 2 deserted beaches on the opposite side. There is a restaurant, snack bar and gift shop (island style) on the island. Pinel is often called St Martin’s best kept secret and has always been popular with locals. Further out is Tintamarre - a natural reserve, meaning that it’s beauty has remained untouched. Manu was eager for us to try the natural mud baths that Tintamarre is known for, but we never got a chance in between sessions, hence, no mud for our crew.

St. Martin has a lot to offer for kitesurfers and their families. The best time for wind is January to April, like most Caribbean destinations. User-friendly conditions, natural beauty and an evolved cultural atmosphere make French St. Martin an excellent choice for vacations. In spite of the constant parade of textile-free beachgoers, Orient Beach maintains a family-friendly atmosphere, with swimming conditions suitable for children. Parasailing, Hobie Cat and traditional sailboat rentals are all available on the beach. The hotels in Orient Bay are well situated and the village has all your needs – from groceries to swimsuits, and plenty of great restaurants.

St. Martin facts
The smallest island in the world to be partitioned between two different nations, St. Martin/St. Maarten has been shared by the French and the Dutch in a spirit of neighborly cooperation for almost 350 years.

The borders are barely noticeable, and you can cross back and forth without ever realizing you are entering a new country. In spite of this, each side has managed to retain much of the distinctiveness of its own national culture. The French side tends to focus on comfort and elegance, with its secluded beaches and focus on hedonism and gastronomie. Small cafés and charming bistros add a decidedly Gaelic and cosmopolitan flair to the place. On the whole the atmosphere remains very relaxed.

On the other hand, St. Maarten with its busy cruise port and bustling commercial district has long been an active center for trade and tourism. More developed and much more informal, it is very Dutch in flavor and still has strong ties with fellow compatriots in the other Netherlands Antilles. Between the two different cultures on the island, travelers will be able to find just about every kind of activity they might want for a perfect holiday in the sun.

Located midway through the Caribbean island chain, St. Martin is sunny and warm year-round, averaging 82 degrees Fahrenheit in summer and just 2 degrees cooler in winter. The island is buffeted by cooling trade winds that keep things temperate all year long, and make the island an excellent bet for watersports. Average annual rainfall comes to about 45 inches, most of which occurs around late summer and early fall.

Marigot
The French capital – approximately ½ hour drive from Orient Beach. French flavor, lots of shopping and fine dining. Large grocery stores and pharmacies with reasonable prices. Each Wednesday and Saturday there is a market at the harbor featuring local handicrafts, souvenirs. On Saturday’s it features a farmers market with local produce.

Pic Paradis
The highest point of St. Martin at 424m offers you a superb view of the French side of the island. Pic paradis can be reached by foot at the Rambaud road or from French quarter.

Grand Case
Five minutes from Orient Beach – this typical Caribbean town has the nearest ATM, Pharmacy and better-stocked grocery stores than Orient Bay Village

Butterfly Farm
The Butterfly farm is a unique place to visit. Numerous natural habitats allow you to see the butterflies in different stages of their lifespan. Butterflies from all parts of the world can be found here, along with interesting facts on the species. A great family activity.

Phillipsburg
Dutch capital – main port for the island, usually has between 2-6 cruise ships in port. Duty free mecca of electronics stores, liquor shops and perfume outlets. Casinos, large hotels and the ubiquitous “gentlemen’s clubs” all make Phillipsburg the quintessential tourist town.

Other Islands
Check out nearby St. Barth’s and Anguilla – ferries from Phillipsburg run daily.

USEFUL INFORMATION:
Currency: On the French side of the island, the main currency is the Euro – but most restaurants accept US dollars, at a very favorable rate. On the Dutch side, Netherlands Guilders and US dollars are accepted. If you use an ATM machine on the French side – you can only withdraw Euros. However, the Dutch side has ATM’s that dispense both Guilders and US dollars.
Driving: Left hand drive. Watch out for potholes and cyclists, motorbikes and goats! Maps are fairly reliable, but it is quite easy to veer off track, as the signage is sometimes confusing. Traffic around Marigot from 2pm to 6pm travels at a snail’s pace. Make sure you’ve got a good mix of music to pass the time with.

Water: Generally safe to drink, but we stuck to bottled water just in case.
Language: French on the French side, Dutch on the Dutch side, although there is much more English spoken there. In the larger areas on the French side, like Marigot, there is plenty of English spoken. However, smaller places like the restaurants in Orient Bay are predominantly French speaking.

Internet: there are a fair amount of WiFi hotspots and internet cafés on St. Martin. The CNS Orient Beach had a wireless that allowed us to check our emails right on the beach.

Phones: expensive from your hotel, and most of our US and European cell phones didn’t work. You can buy card from a phone dealer, but service is sketchy.

KITEBOARDING HOTSPOTS:
CNS Orient Beach
Le Galion

BEST TIME OF YEAR FOR WIND:
The best months for wind are January thru July, but the off months can also be good; they are just less dependable. Late summer and early fall are hurricane season, and St. Martin is quiet during these months.

Getting There:
American Airlines has flights from Miami, New York and Los Angeles, as does United. Smaller airlines fly from other Caribbean islands for under $300US, also many flights available from San Juan – only 1.5 hours by plane.

Many thanks to Cecile and Manu of CNS & Palm Court Hotel for their hospitality; Eric Benjamin of Jumbo Car Sandy Ground for transportation; Tap 5 Pizza for the Shawarma.

Contacts:
HOTEL PALM COURT
C5 parc de la baie orientale
97150 Saint Martin
Tel : France 05 90 87 41 94
Europe 00 590 590 87 41 94
USA 00 11 590 590 87 41 94
Fax : 05 90 29 41 30
www.palm-court.net

JUMBO CAR Sandy Ground
Route de Sandy Ground (a coté du pont)
97150 Sandy Ground
Tel: 05 90 87 88 25
Fax: 05 90 87 98 38
http://www.jumbocar.com/saint-martin…locations.html

CNS ST. MARTIN Orient Bay
Tél: 05 90 29 41 57
Cel 06 90 36 27 36
Fax05 90 29 41 30
http:/www.cnsorientbay.com
Live webcam http://cns-sxm.axiscam.net/
Windcam http://windadventures.free.fr/orientbaywind.htm

Posted in Kite Surfing St Martin | No Comments »

The Definitive Guide to Kiteboarding in Florida

No comments17 January 2007 in Kite Surfing USA

Florida provides rich and varied kiteboarding with over 1350 miles of shoreline to choose from for year round riding. Everything from great waves in strong cold fronts and other powerful weather systems, blue water kiting, epic downwinders as short or as long as you like and a wide selection of butter to rip through. Quite a few notable kiteboarders and famous watermen got their start here such as Lou Waiman, and Flash Austin.

Florida is bounded by the fast moving warm waters of the Gulfstream to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west. The State is almost 450 miles long north to south, about 365 miles at the widest point tapering down to roughly 50 miles at the narrowest. You can start in the lowlands of Georgia at the state line, head south and end up in the waters of the Caribbean Sea. Orlando and Miami have long been destinations for travelers from around the world. Now, a number of those travelers also want to ride the waters of Florida too. If the wind is on, the riding experience can be epic be it in the swells or ripping across glassy sheltered waters. How about taking your pick of launches in excess of a 1500 square mile area of warm sheltered water? The Florida Keys is that and more. Head up the Gulf coast and explore countless sand bars scattered among many thinly populated areas. You could hit stretches of coast that perhaps have never been kited before. Ponce de Leon explored Florida seeking the Fountain of Youth. He was in the right place for it, just about five centuries too soon to rig up and rip! Today, no problem, just add wind and grab all the windblown gusto the state has to offer.

Some of the stronger wind months aside from hurricanes, often come with fronts in October through May. Some of the best kiting comes in these months to Florida. Cold fronts sweep completely across the entire State and in the process bring winds from one end to the other. Fronts can create rideable winds for hours to a week or more. Winds typically ease off between cold fronts for a day to several days. From May to September thermal winds can setup riding sessions in afternoons at times throughout the State. The thermal winds can be a bit lighter in speed but frequently rideable all the same. Be careful as the thermal winds can sometimes build up to squalls sweeping out from inland or suddenly shut off and even change to offshore winds around sunset.

Tropical systems can bring rideable conditions at times during the summer and fall but they can also frequently bring violent squalls. Just because it is blow’n doesn’t necessarily mean it is worth go’in, so always check the forecasts, color radar and real time winds. Powerful squall lines can be at the leading edge of cold fronts at times. Such squall lines appear in satellite and radar imagery and can be dangerous to kiters. It is best to time your setup to ride until after the line passes over you, often a fairly easy thing to do with Internet weather resources. Always be aware of weather and conditions in your vicinity when you have a kite up.

There launches rideable in winds from any direction in many parts of the state, access to some may involve some driving however. Much of the east coast is rideable with winds from the north to east to south. While much of the west coast is rideable with winds from the north to west to south. The best winds are side to side onshore. Onshore winds have been associated with a high percentage of accidents. Light onshore winds can make getting a safe distance from the shore, bystanders, etc. very hard to where responsible riding may not be on. Winds that pass over land before reaching the riding can be gusty, potentially with substantial lulls to where keeping your kite in the air may be a problem. Launches and riding areas near inlets and cuts may have strong and contrary tidal currents. Typical “rideable” wind directions are identified in this guide for various launches. Those directions with in the stated ranges that provide side to side onshore conditions are usually the best wind directions for those areas.

The riding season is year round thanks in large part to the warm waters of the Florida Current and Gulfstream. Cold fronts can take the air temperature down to 50, 40 and even into the 30’s F range at times. The further north you are, the lower the temperatures can go in a given frontal cycle. Winter water temperatures can vary from the 50’s in the northern part of Florida to the 70’s in the south. In the summer the whole State can get pretty warm to where guys might wear rash guards or just board shorts. In the colder months guys in the south may be in 3/2 wetsuits with riders in the northern parts perhaps in 5/3 wetsuits or better at times. Booties make sense at many launch areas to avoid cuts and if in doubt, put them on.

Sea lice are sometimes a factor for short durations in late spring and early fall in some years. Portuguese Man-O-War can be an issue in the winter months but are fairly easily avoided if you keep your eyes open to windward. Shark are fairly common, we just don’t see them that often. Attacks on kiteboarders have been very rare worldwide to date. Avoid riding near active fish schools, fishermen, inlets, sunset and sunrise, etc. to reduce the odds of a negative encounter.

There are many weather Internet sites that cover Florida, including:

Marine forecasts, radar, satellite images & real time winds:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tbw/html/tbw…ineWeather.htm

Historical wind records and real time winds:
http://www.ikitesurf.com/windandwhere.iws?regionID=171

Many riders spend a good deal of time on 12 to 16 m C kites with the odd 7 to 9 m session in more powerful winds. For the lighter wind conditions in the summer and between cold fronts some kiters bring out gear in the 16 to 20 m range. The wider latitude of the new hybrid kites allow riders to cover a lot with 12 m to 17 m kites except when the stronger conditions pump through dictating rigging a smaller kite. Rider weight, board size along with actual winds factor into kite size selection of course. Riders can expand their range with a given kite by carrying a couple of boards and 10 m line extensions. Surfboards and skimboards can expand the lower end even more. Want to learn to ride? Be sure to locate a good instructor to line up quality lessons. There are many instructors in Florida to interview and choose from.

Some leads on travel and accommodations appear below.

Air, car and hotels can be found at:
http://travel.yahoo.com/
http://www.expedia.com/

Campgrounds can be found at:
http://www.floridacamping.com/
http://www.reserveamerica.com/client/client_fl.jsp

Hotel, restaurant reviews, travel tips and ideas for non-kiting activities appear at:
http://www.frommers.com/

Where is “this” in relation to “that?” What does this launch look like (from space)?
http://maps.google.com/

You generally cannot drive on beaches in South Florida while this is permitted on a limited basis on beaches in parts of Northern Florida. Some require four wheel drive, make this determination before heading on to the beach!

NOTE: Where “Restrictions Apply” appears below means there are kiteboarding guidelines, rules and/or laws are in place governing kiteboarding. Check fksa.org and local sources for further information. Threats to access effect us ALL, residents and visitors alike. Access to ride is valuable, take care of it wherever you ride. Always research local conditions, precautions and talk to local riders before visiting an area to ride and common sense and simple courtesy when you arrive. As a rule of thumb don’t launch from most guarded beaches, go beyond 100 yards from shore and stay there until time to come in. This includes buoyed swimming areas. Launch, land and ride ideally at least 100 ft. from bystanders and avoid beach jumping. Follow “Rules of the Road” with other kiters and water users but if circumstances indicate, yield the right of way. Avoid crowds and complaints from others through courtesy and common sense. It isn’t hard to do and can assure many years of great riding if we pull it off.

So, let’s take a tour of Florida starting with the less frequented launches in the Northwest part of the State. Only a few of the launches in each area will be presented here due to space limitations. You will find additional sites described on http://fksa.org/ .

1. The Florida Panhandle
(Click the above link for even more local information)

Has a variety of launches on the Gulf of Mexico to the south with waves and chop and calmer conditions on sheltered water inside the barrier islands. The area is famous for vast white sand beaches. The beaches “can” be lightly populated at times and yet crowded at others. It can be hot in the summer and freezing at times in the winter with strong cold fronts. Some shops and instructors include:

Emerald Coast Kiteboarding
Panama City Beach, FL.
850-235-2444

XL Kites
Fort Walton Beach
1-866-XLKITES

Liquid Surf
850-664-5731

Ft. Walton

Okaloosa Park, Gulf Islands National Seashore. Rideable sandy shallows from most wind directions with some waves. Leave the park when closed and before the ranger is forced to ask you. Avoid bystanders and consider launching and landing from the shallows if the shore is crowded.

Panama City

Schooners Beach - Rideable with W to SE winds. Good downwinder launch or landing spot. Can crowded on shore in the summer. Waves can range from 1 to 20 ft. Stay clear of other water users and bystanders on the beach. Bathroom and showers. Schooners is a good stop for food and drinks.

2. Tampa Bay Area
(Click the above link for even more local information)

Has a variety of launches on the Gulf of Mexico with waves/chop and quite a bit of butter inside some of the barrier islands. Crowding at launches will vary from light to heavy throughout the year. Tampa Bay is about a 2 ½ hour drive southwest from Orlando. Checkout Jimmy B’s Beach Bar for food and drinks on St. Pete beach. Some shops and Instructors include:

Watersports West
888-401-5080

Tampa Bay Kiteboarding
727-798-2484

Ft. Desoto

East Beach – Rideable with NE to W to SW winds. Limited, crowded setup area on shore at times. Fairly calm water area with some shallows. Becomes very shallow at low tide. Camp sites are available with in the Park.

Big Beach – Rideable with NW to W to SW winds. Stay at least 300 ft. from pier, can also have strong currents in the area. Bathroom and showers.

North Beach - Rideable with N to W to SW winds. Calm to choppy water conditions with some shallows. Must be able to stay upwind to the north of the buoyed swim area where no riding is allowed. Bathroom and showers.

3. Southwest Florida
(Click the above link for even more local information)

Has a variety of launches on the Gulf of Mexico on with waves and chop and inside some of the barrier islands. The beaches can be narrow and crowded particularly during tourist season. Avoid crowds! Some shops and Instructors include:

Ace Performer Watersports
Ft. Myers/Sanibel
239-489-3513

SW Florida Kiteboarding
Naples/Marco Island
239-601-2700

Sanibel Island Lighthouse – Rideable with winds from NW to N to E to S to SW. Beach is narrow and can be crowded at times. $6. Toll to get on to Sanibel Island in addition to parking fees. Beginner to Advanced depending on crowding. Bathroom and showers. Checkout the Island Cow on Sanibel for food and drinks.

Naples – Rideable with N to W to S winds. Beaches can be congested particularly in tourist season. Beach may be narrow and setup area limited at times. Avoid crowds and stay well offshore after launch. Beginner to Advanced depending on crowding. Think about Doc’s Beach House in Northern Naples for food and drinks.

Marco Island – Rideable with NNW to W to SSE winds. Open water riding area in Gulf plus limited space within sheltered shallow calm water area. Do not ride in first lagoon or in bird sanctuary. Long walk to riding area. Can be very crowded with kiters in strong N to NW frontal winds. Restrictions apply. Intermediate to Advanced. Try out the Snook Inn for food and drinks after your session.

4. Florida Keys
(Click the above link for even more local information)

The Keys have 100’s of square miles of sheltered riding areas but very few beaches. What few beaches exist are on private property, restricted and/or tight, technical launch areas. Alternate assisted launching and landing techniques in the shallows and boating to sand bars make sense. Be careful of tidal currents and being drawn into or blown out of cuts by current. Kites going into bridges on the water can create very hazardous conditions. In recent years, the Keys seem to have the most consistent winds for the entire State. The air and water temperatures also lead the State, although wetsuits can be welcome at times in the colder months. Some shops and Instructors include:

The KiteHouse
Key West
305-294-8679

Sevensports
Islamorada
1-877-yes2fly

Islamorada
Whale Harbor- Rideable with ENE to E to SSW winds. Calm shallow water riding area. Some hard bottom and sand bars. Designated, regulated launch area, restrictions apply. Should be able to ride upwind given proximity of channel. Intermediate to Advanced. Consider Morada Bay for food and drinks. It is crowded and a bit pricey but good all the same.

Key West
Smathers Beach – Rideable with E to to S to WSW winds. Rare sand beach, sticky peat bottom nearshore with some areas of hard bottom offshore. Can be crowded in season, watchout for the roadway and powerlines. Designated, regulated launch area, restrictions apply. Sometimes put out slider and kicker. Beginner to Advanced depending on crowding. Bathroom and showers. Checkout B.O.’s Fish Wagon for light fare or for a special meal right on Duval hit the Grand Café to be served up in style by Che Paul of TheKitehouse.

Key West Flats – Rideable with winds from ALL directions. Must be reached by boats. Abundant shallow calm water to butter conditions. Be careful when navigating among shallow sand banks and grassbeds. It is a bird sanctuary so don’t annoy the birds or rangers! Beginner to Advanced.

5. Southeast Florida
(Click the above link for even more local information)

Miami Area
(Click the above link for even more local information)

Miami is the most populated area of the state, toping 2.25 Million people. It is also an very popular travel destination from Europe, Central and South America and beyond. With so many people in a limited number of beaches along with what may be the highest number of kiteboarders in the SE USA, congestion and access issues will arise. It is hoped that the Flats of Miami and the emergence of Kiting Sea Taxi’s to these incredible riding grounds away from land will relieve the shoreside stress and introduce riders to a whole new world near this major metropolitan area.

Some Miami shops and Instructors include:

Big Kite
800-747-6489

Miami Kiteboarding
305-345-9974

Skybanditz
786-290-4585

The Kite Shop
305-361-0168

Water-Play
305-860-0888

Crandon Park – Rideable with NNE to E to S winds. Calm shallow water riding area with some exposed sand bars at low tide. Breakers develop along the reef line about 300 yards offshore. Designated, regulated launch area. Riders must have IKO/PASA Level III cert., helmet, must register, use launch corridor, limited access during summer, etc.. Restrictions apply. $6.50 tolls and entrance fees. Intermediate to Advanced. Bathroom and showers. Sundays on the Bay is good for lite fare as you head off the island.

Matheson Hammock – Rideable with NE to E to SW winds with calm water conditions. Launch and land in shallows away from shore. Posted sign lists launch rules. Jumping beyond white buoys. Sand and soft bottom in areas. $4. Parking fee. Restrictions apply. Intermediate to Advanced. Bathroom and showers.

Flats of Miami - Rideable with winds from ALL directions! Must be reached by boat, be careful navigating shallows and be careful of damaging grass beds within this Federal Monument. Abundant shallow calm water to butter conditions over about 100 sq. miles situated to the south of Miami primarily over grass beds. Beginner to Advanced.

Ft. Lauderdale

Ft. Lauderdale is also a popular tourist destination and populated area. There are access issues here as well. There are no sheltered riding areas to speak of here with all the riding happening in the ocean off fairly narrow, often crowded beaches. Still, it is a happening spot with one of the oldest designated launches in the USA.

Some Ft. Lauderdale shops and Instructors include:

Tiki Beach Kiteboarding
(Formerly Kitesurfusa.com)
954-647-7228

Water-Play
954-523-7778

South Ft. Laud. Beach Launch – Rideable with NNE to E to S winds, moderate waves. Use launch corridor and stay beyond 100 yards (outside swim area buoys) until time to come in. Sand bottom. Stay out of guarded beach areas. Designated, regulated launch area. Restrictions apply. Intermediate to Advanced. Parking next door $6. Bathroom and showers. Kiters sometimes hit the Treasure Trove Bar near the beach.

Pompano Beach

NE 15 St. - – Rideable with NNE to E to S winds, chop inside sand bar, waves further out. Scenic launch south of lighthouse. Stay beyond 100 yards until time to come in. Use launch corridor and stay beyond 100 yards (outside swim area buoys) until time to come in. Sand bottom aside from reef offshore which can be shallow at low tide. Watchout for inlet traffic. Sign is posted with launch rules. Designated, regulated launch area. Restrictions apply. Intermediate to Advanced. Limited metered street parking. Bathroom and showers. Checkout Arubas on the beach for post session fare.

Delray Beach

South Beach Launch – Rideable with NNE to E to S winds. Launch, land and ride to at least 400 ft. south of guarded beach area. Stay at least 100 yards offshore from guarded areas. Nice wave riding with stronger winds. Popular riding spot with sand bottom and nearshore bars. Also popular with surfers, stay downwind or give adequate leeway. Restrictions apply. Beginner to Advanced. Limited metered street parking. Bathroom and showers. Bostons on the Beach is a nearby spot for drinks and food.

Jupiter/Juno

Jupiter Kiteboarding, the organizer of the annual Jupiter Kiteboarding Invasion is based here. Beaches can become crowded particularly during tourist season. Some areas of exposed rock exist along the coast. Some good spots for food and drinks are locate on the south bank of Jupiter Inlet. The local shop and school is:

Jupiter Kiteboarding
1-877-Fly-Surf

Juno Kitebeach – Rideable with NNW to E to SSE winds. Stay at least 100 yards north of fishing pier. Very good wave riding in stronger winds. Sand bottom in area of launch. Tides can setup a strong current. Beginner to Advanced. Limited street parking.

Ft. Pierce

The local shop and school is:

Treasure Coast Kiteboarding Center
772-201-5351

South Inlet Launch - Rideable with NNW to E to SSE winds. Sheltered calmer water south of south jetty in N to NE winds and north of north jetty in SE winds. Excellent wave riding in several breaker lines particularly in strong N to NE winds. Stay away from fishermen on jetties to avoid being hooked! Sand bottom. Beginner to Advanced. Limited street parking. Riders can hit Archie’s Seabreeze Restaurant right next to the local kiteshop.

6. Northeast Florida
(Click the above link for even more local information)

Parts of Northeast Florida have wide areas of the Intracoastal Waterway, miles across particularly around Cocoa Beach. This serves up excellent sheltered water, butter conditions with a bit of gustiness from land wind shadow at times. The great thing about this part of Florida is mainly offshore, in the ocean. Waves can start off Africa and wander clear across the Atlantic just in time to setup a perfect ramp for you to go huge off of. The Bahamian Plateau protects Southeast Florida from these waves but they make it all the way into shore here. It can be a wave riding paradise. You can drive along the shoreline in St. Augustine and swear you are in the Outer Banks of Cape Hatteras. Rolling white sand dunes, stands of sea oats, beach shacks and not a lot of people. This part of Florida can also get some of the stronger frontal winds at times. Some local shops and schools include:

Extreme Kites
St. Augustine
904-461-9415

Progressive Sports
Daytona
(386) 765-7564

Kitetricity
Melbourne
321-795-7626

Sebastian Inlet State Park

Rideable with NNW to W to S to SE winds. In sheltered Intracoastal Waterway with minimal waves. Stay away from bystanders and cars. Consider doing assisted launches and landings from the shallows. Sand and rock bottom. $5. Entrance fee. Intermediate to Advanced. Bathroom and showers. Grants Pub in Grant, FL is recommended for food and drinks.

Cocoa/Melbourne Beach Area

Ocean rideable with NNE to E to SSE winds. Primarily sand bottom with some rocky areas. Can develop nice swells here. Avoid guarded beaches, crowds and stay at least 300 ft. off the beach when riding. Area is about one hour to the east of Orlando. Inexpensive trolley is available for trips back upwind during downwinders in Cocoa Beach. DO NOT kite within five miles of Patrick Air Force Base, as it has been banned. Beginner to Advanced. Bathroom and showers. DaKine Diego’s is a good stop for food and drinks in Melbourne.

Melbourne
SR 192 Causeway
Rideable with north to northwest winds for riders that can stay upwind. Offers very smooth and glassy conditions from the west side of the Intracoastal Waterway. Intermediate to Advanced. Sand and grassbed bottoms.

St. Augustine
Matanzas State Park
Rideable with winds from NNW to N to E to SE. Free parking and beach vehicle access is available, watch out for high tide and soft sand if driving. Sand bottom with butter conditions near lowtide in flats around inlet and good waves beyond in strong winds. Watchout for adverse tidal currents near inlet, avoid inlet a couple of hours after high tide until about an hour after low tide. Peak tidal currents are strong. Beginner to Advanced. Checkout Barnacle Bill’s Beachside for food and drinks.

Jacksonville
Huguenot Memorial Park
Rideable with winds from N to E to S on the ocean which can have excellent surf. In the sheltered “Pond” wind is useable from all directions. Little room for launching on land at high tide around Pond. Becomes very shallow with sticky clay bottom at low tide. Camping is available in the Park. Sand bottom with butter conditions near low tide in flats around inlet and good waves beyond in strong winds. Watchout for adverse tidal currents near inlet. Also popular surfing spot, pass surfers downwind or give them good leeway to windward. Beginner to Advanced. Checkout Captains Cay for chow.

Posted in Kite Surfing USA | No Comments »

Kiteboarding @ Playa Copal - Costa Rica

No comments17 January 2007 in Kite Surfing Costa Rica

Although the wind can be a bit gusty at this location I think that the spot that Nicola has established at Playa Copal is awesome. The wind is side-on, both flat water and small swells can be found here mid-bay, the water is warm, very few scary marine things to worry about (although Nicola has hit turtles and manta rays), and there are usually not more than a few kites on the water, no boats, no jet-skis, no crowds on the beach. Nicola Bertoldi (who operates the Kitesurf Center and teaches at Playa Copal) is keeping track of the wind, which you can see on his website (www.suntoursandfun.com)

For those who need flashy evening entertainmentÃ–sorry there isnÃt much of that at Playa Copal outside of what we make of it…which is fine with me. A great change this year is that 3 French-Canadiens opened a restaurant in the pavillion overlooking the bay…what a GREAT addition this has been. Every night kitesrfers were up there eating, drinking, and watching videos, looking at daily pictures and film from their day on the water. Great food and these great hosts have added a whole new dimension to this place.

I didnÃt see a newspaper or television for 3-4 weeks, but read some good books, and spent some Ã¬quality timeÃ® with people thereÃ–how unbelievably refreshing. Good diversions/side-trips are usually an all day affair…getting around in Costa Rica can take time on the rough side roads. But you can do a lot if you organize and plan well. Aside from the kiting I had some incredible surfing and hiking experiences…all stories unto themselves.

Nicola can rent you a room in the kite house very cheap, where you can cook your own meals, have fresh water and a safe place to stow your gear within a 5 minute walk from your launch site. Or you can rent a “cabina” or private home in the same area. You can also drive a few kms to a fancy resort or go to a quiet fishing village, where you can get a beautiful fish dinner for $4 or big lobster plate dinner for about $9. The area is safe and clean and WINDY.

The wind conditions can be challenging and you will learn to fly your kite with great precision and control here, because you have to. Kites: bring something small for 25-35 kts, and occasionally something for 15-25. My quiver included 7m, 10m, 14m.

On this last trip to Costa Rica (my 4th in 2 years) my goal was to ride 20 days. I ended up riding 16 days, 6 days of which I used ONLY the 7m, 4 days of which I used my 7m in combination with 10m. The other 5 days I used 10m and 14m. All riding was with 120cm and 130cm boards. I typically got two 2-3 hr sessions in each day I rode. There were 4 days when it was simply TOO WINDY to kite at all. I estimate that the gusts were up to 50 kts!!!

Apparently it can be wind here year round, somewhat lighter from July to September, but usually 20+ knots other times. I realize that there are those who doubt the value of this place as a kiting destination, but I really enjoy it. This place may never be as popular as Cabarete or TarifaÃ–and thatÃs just fine! Oddly enough here you take the high wind days off to do other things, rather than taking the low wind days off! Now thereÃs something different. There are a lot of things to do if you aren’t totally “Jonesing” about kitesurfing all the time. My advice: when it’s too windy GO AND DO SOMETHING ELSE AND DO NOT SIT AROUND.

It is always pleasantly warm and I only used my shorty for our “night ride”. If you are there as a beginner a shorty might be good fir spending more time in the water. sunglasses, hats, sunscreen are a must.

Some riding hilights: There is a rocky outcropping that juts out into the bay just upwind of Playa Copal and when the tide is out there is an awesome flat water section to work behind these rocks. Currents are very minimal. Tides are probably around 8 feet. At high tide a beach assist is nice because the beach gets a bit narrow and there can be some sharp thingies at the high tide mark. Another “prize” is to ride to the island where there is another incredible slick to lay down some incredible jibes as you skim over the multiple shades of green and blue next to the beach. It takes a little effort and some confidence to make the upwind trip but it is well worth it. One day I decided to keep going past the island and rode almost all the way to the shore of nicaragua on the opposite side of the bay. An INCREDIBLE downwinder was my reward.

Perhaps the most memorable moment was our “night ride”. Upon the arrival of a much anticpated full moon, the tide and wind cooperated completely. As Iclimbed the hill to the restaurant the bay was totally illuminated by the moon in a clear sky and the wind was at a steady 15-20 kts. I rallied Nicola and Greg (why nobody else came I will never know) and we went charging down to the beach to find the tide all the way out and smooooooth water waiting for us. we strapped some stropes and flashlights on and headed out for a incredible 2 hour session. As I howled at the moon and the perfect conditions we were having I was surprised by some bright flashes from beyond the shore - an awesome lightning storm in the distant cordillera to the east was illuminating the horizon adding to the mystical feeling of the moment. I will always remember that night for the rest of my life.

OTHER COSTA RICA FACTOIDS
It is relativley cheap if you do not have expensive taste. You can have a hotel room for $15 US if you don’t go during major holidays or need to stay in a 4 star facility. Other costs are pretty low for food, etc, but maybe not as cheap as other central american countries. car rentalas are fairly expensive, bus travel is cheap. If you go during the holiday weeks MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PLACE TO STAY BEFORE YOU GO. Otehr time you can “wing it”

Night life depends on where you are. If you are up in the Guanacaste coastal region it can range from “spring break” conditons to virtual solitude depending on exactly where you are.

The beach area around Bahia Salinas is remote and great for kitesurfing. No waves in Bahia Salinas but there can be lots of wind. Pretty much guaranteed wind from December through June, and this can be 30 knots or more at times. Lake Arenal (fampous for epic poleboarding) is NOT the ideal kitesurfing location (too windy and sketchy launch conditons) although some do it there.

No real problems with neighboring Nicaragua. If you go there jsut exercise some common sense. There is a pretty strong police presence near the borders, although the police are usually just looking for Nicaraguans trying to work in Costa Rica illegaly. Otherwise there is no fear of violence or anything like that.

As usual be smart and keep your things in a safe place and keep your travel documents handy in case you get stopped by the police. In the city you may want to be more careful but out in the country theres not much to worry about. I have heard about some thieves preying on some of the surf tourists in the surf camps, but that is a whole different area.

The police do stop people for speeding and you will get a ticket if you get caught. Driving in Costa Rica can be a challenge once you get off the main highway, when roads are often gravel or dirt. Depending on where you plan on going you might need 4WD. You do not need 4WD to go to Bahia Salinas unless you want to drive to on the sand. The only thing about going to Costa Rica is that travel by car is extremely inefficient with respect to time/distance, figure on averaging about 50km/hr. But once you are in Guanacaste you do not have to go far to be at the beach. ALthough it takes a little effort to get there it’s worth it.

I did not have any problems with safety or security and actually have an amazing story from my first trip there:
I lost my credit cards, license and about $200 cash at the airport the morning of my departure last January. Somebody found it and called my Costa Rican cousin (his biz card was in my wallet) and returned everything but the cash to him (which was OK by me) I WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZED!!!

In general the Ticos are very friendly, well educated, etc. I liked the smaller towns on the coast where it is not so crowded. Be sure to enjoy the seafood…the ceviche is SUPERB!!! And the liquados (fresh fruit bebidas and shakes) in the mountain areas are awesome.

ALways best to hook up with a Tico for advice and local knowledge and to help with getting around and utilizing your time the best. Be prepare to wait in line if you need to exchange money. You can only use Credit Cards about 1/2 the time so have some cash available.

In summary: Costa Rica is the most fascinating tropical destination in the Western hemisphere: unparalled wildlife, geography etc. If you are a good kiter, you could get some epic high wind kiting there (obviously it doesn’t always blow that hard, so you might get more moderate conditions). However, it’s not the most user-friendly place to kitesurf. If you go you should go because you want to combine kiting with other outdoor activities: hiking through rainforest, cloudforest, jungle, desert, volcanoes, mountains; whitewater rafting, horseback riding, bird & wildlife watching etc. Also world-class surfing. Hey, get to see something other than the underside of your kite! And if one can’t enjoy this country there is probably something seriously wrong with ones head, which I am not qualified to help with. I cannot wait to go back myself. Contact Nicola if you need any information about the Kite Center.

ta luego
pura vida!

Posted in Kite Surfing Costa Rica | No Comments »

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