Table of contents for Issue #104 April - May 2020 in Kiteworld Magazine

On page 126 in These Things I Know, Slingshot brand manager, Alex Fox, says there’s no substitute for time on the water. Coming from someone rooted in business development with one of the sport’s biggest manufacturers, that’s good to hear! King of the Air 2020 winner, Jesse Richman, also reveals how his holistic approach for training to ride big waves like Jaws, was his recipe for success in Red Bull’s elite extreme big air contest in February. Hear from him on page 58. Sitting here in the very privileged hot-desk position that I adopt in Cape Town every year while we do our new year equipment reviews, I’m pondering the reality of contracting a mutant flu bug on my return to the cold. I’m also appreciating that this year we’ve…

BKCEVENT DATES The BKSA have announced the dates for this year’s British Kitesurfing Championships, thanks to additional support from the long list of sponsors and the ever-dedicated event team. This year will include three competition categories: Juniors (15 years and under), Amateurs and the Open. It all kicks off at the Kitesurfing Armada in June. Entry is free for first time BKC competitors, so there’s no reason not to get involved with the 2020 season ahead. If you can back roll, get yourself entered! The events are great fun and always attract a friendly crowd who just love to hit the water for the weekend. The dates are: Hayling Island: June 20/21 Skegness: July 25/26 Ramsgate: August 29/30 All details on the BKSA Facebook page: www.facebook.com/britishkitesportsassociation KITESURFING ARMADA The…

The wind was more offshore than usual but I wanted to get barrelled. I knew the lines would cut into the lip, but I never had the lines go through a lip that thick before. This wave was bending really hard towards me and looked like it was going to be hollow. I was super deep and thought, ‘I’m just going to go for it’. It was pretty much a suicide mission. The odds weren’t very good that I’d make it, but I wanted to see what would happen. As it started to pitch the lines went into the wave. I edged as hard as I could to stay low, but the lines pulled me up the face and into the lip. The wipeout wasn’t too bad and I kept…

DECEMBER, 2019 It’s usually in August... It’s usually in August that people start saying dumb things, like, “When Waimea breaks this year I’m on it, no matter what!” I’ve heard plenty of bold claims and bad ideas and they’re usually in the flattest moments of summer. When winter comes to the North Shore of Oahu, most people keep quiet. It’s easy to feel invincible when it’s warm, flat and calm, but when the ground beneath you is shaking and the sets obscure the horizon, reality sets in and, as they say, you’ll find no atheists in the impact zone. I enjoy enthusiasm so I always play along because, who knows, maybe someone will back up their wild claims. When the phone rang I smiled, finding myself in a sort of…

TEST TEAM NOTES: If CrazyFly aren’t on your radar, they should be. Developing and producing all their gear in their own factory in Slovakia, the quality and finish is always right up there. Our first point about the kite is related to the bar and is quite a noticeable distinction in relation to most other freeride and / or jumping kites; the Hyper has quite a short sheeting throw. For a kite that delivers quite a lot of low end power, the Hyper is better suited to riders who prefer to ride with some constant element of power. The relationship between sheeting power and turning power is quite unique on the Hyper. There’s lots of available power on tap when sheeting to get you going very early and then the…

TEST TEAM NOTES: The Triad allows you to breathe as you shred. We had big expectations of this V2 model off the back of an incredible first test last year. Tweaks have added continued refinement to what was one of the best intermediate freeride kites of last year. Firstly, the Triad doesn’t quite have the pure big air might of kites like the Pivot, XR, Rebel or Edge. This is less physical, more athletic and made to do more than just sheeting for boost. On windy days, going from most other eight metres onto the Triad we suddenly had more energy because the kite was easier and felt lighter, allowing for a really aggressive, positive, upright stance whatever the conditions. The Triad has superb getup-and-go handling and drives smoothly forward…

TEST TEAM NOTES: The Addiction was new last year and already we’ve seen a swerve in approach for this model. RRD kites have always stood out strongly in our minds for their class leading bottom end performance and this year the Addiction has switched from being a strong wind kite loop oriented kite to become a real player in the big air category for more normal conditions. Along with the Passion (reviewed next issue), this was the most powerful nine metre on test with by far the most low end grunt. Worldwide, 16 to 20 knots are common and, if you’re looking to show-off as often as possible, the Addiction could be your ticket to board-off stardom. You’ll be ripping on this nine metre when many other riders are still…

TEST TEAM NOTES: The Raptor suits its name. The cruising speed is high, it’s fast and it’s bitey. The bright red bottom sheet is very vibrant and easy to spot when you’re body dragging back to it. It almost lights up the water when wet! There’s oodles of grip combined with lots of speed, similar to boards like the Airush Apex. Where it differs from its focused high-performance contemporaries is that it’s lighter and more flexible in the tips – the extra bite meaning that you’re able to really sink the Raptor’s teeth into the water without compromise. It’s not all flexi though, there’s a substantially stiff section in the middle and the Raptor is certainly at the more aggressive end of the performance freeride scale in terms of the…

“THERE’S NOTHING QUITE LIKE ENGAGING WITH THE ELEMENTS IN A WAY THAT PUSHES YOU OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE, TESTS YOUR SKILL SET AND GETS YOUR HEART RACING. KITEBOARDING WHEN POWERED-UP IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT DOES JUST THAT.” Have you ever been standing on the beach, evaluating the wind and feeling nervous about going out? Two years before I moved to Hood River (one of the kiteboarding meccas in the US), I kited at the nearby spot of ‘Rufus’, an infamous location known for its high winds, craggy cliff backdrops and its rolling river swell. I was an intermediate kiteboarder at the time and not very experienced in extremely high-winds. Rufus was an iconic kiteboarding location though, and everyone on our trip was excited to go check it…

01 > The more I learn, the more I realise how little I actually know. 02 > Budgets are made to be broken. 03 > I always hated asking people for anything, but then a mentor would always tell me, “We already have the ‘No’. We are working for the ‘Yes’”. That advice has helped me push to achieve some things I may never have otherwise. 04 > There is no substitute for time on the water. 05 > If you are going to do something, you might as well do whatever it takes. 06 > Love and inspiration are the truest forms of motivation I have found. 07 > Consumers drive product direction, not the other way around. 08 > Some people say ‘The worst day on the water…

01 > AK DURABLE SUPPLY CO. The new Ether harness has been developed through scrupulous design to be as lightweight and minimalist as possible, without compromising on comfort. Despite being compact, the 3D shaped load plate ensures ultimate lumbar support while remaining durable. This ultralight harness is ideal for riders who travel and / or foilers who like to keep things as lightweight as can be. www.akdurablesupplyco.com 02 > AQUAPAC Keep your precious telephone safe from loss and possible water damage. The Aquapac is fully sealable. You can still use the screen and even take calls through the casing – impressive! www.aquapac.net 03 > BUOY WEAR APPAREL Adding to their superbly functional floating caps, Buoy Wear have now brought out a water wear apparel line. The rash guards are made…

“Diani beach is an African gem of a spot that should be on any kiteboarder’s hit list. Ideal for learners and freeriders inside the reef with fun wave riding and kickers further out.”JAMES BOULDING / CABRINHA ON THE WATER Roughly 900 metres offshore from Diani Beach is a reef. This, in combination with reliable trade winds makes for Kenya’s most popular kiting location. The spacious five kilometre-wide bay, however, rarely gets more than 60 kiters out on the water at any one time. The tidal lagoon sits downwind of the reef, where the water is flat and perfect for learning, free-riding and foiling, while those looking to hit the waves need only ride out to the reef. Lessons take place upwind of the centre in a sandy bottomed area close…

“Probably the best island kiting set-up in the world, with wave riding for all levels, flat waters for twin-tipping, some foiling spots and luxury accommodation to keep all the family happy!”JIM GAUNT, KITEWORLD MAGAZINE EDITOR ON THE WATER Mauritius offers impeccable kitesurfing conditions for every type of rider, largely due to the combination of incredibly reliable wind, perfect flat water and of course world-class waves. The small volcanic island boasts more than 150 kilometres of white sandy beaches and is surrounded by coral reef, which not only forms protective lagoons, but also offers up some big rolling waves like the infamous ‘One Eye’ at Le Morne. Working clockwise from the north of the island, the main spots are Anse La Raie located in the northern tip, with Belle Mare just…

ON THE WATER Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced kitesurfer, El Gouna, with its glorious sunshine, clear blue waters and constant wind, offers amazing flat water conditions for fast improvements in your riding. This has been the stage for many international freestyle competitions over the years, chosen specifically for its regular winds, gently shelving beach and large expanse of shallow water. There are deeper sections further out where ramps form for jumping and there are several kite centres around El Gouna, most of which are within walking distance or short tuk-tuk ride from the town (there are no cars in El Gouna). There are three key kite spots with wind from the right and plenty of space for everyone out on the water. Just north of town lies…

ON THE WATER La Ventana sits sheltered from the Pacific on the eastern edge of the Baja Peninsula and from November through April this stretch of coastline enjoys consistent, northerly winds. January and February are the most reliable and the combo of plentiful riding conditions and easy living make this an ideal winter bolthole! You can do downwinders from four separate launch spots and this is also a dreamy foiling location, with obstacle-free, crystalline waters stretching out into the Sea of Cortez. In the peak months of January and February, up to six foot swells can on occasion roll through and there’s plenty of freeriding and freestyle terrain for riders of all levels. La Ventana is popular with pros and amateurs alike for the same reasons – good conditions, great…

ON THE WATER Located north of Guajiru and south of Prea, kiters of all levels and preferred disciplines will enjoy riding in Icaraizinho. Across the wide, six-kilometre long beach you’ll find flat water at the southeast end, bump and jump freeride conditions in the middle of the bay and up to two metre high waves at the north end, so there’s plenty of space both in the water and on the beach. There are also two classic downwinders you can do going both to and from Icaraizinho. Caetanos to Icaraizinho is approximately 15 kilometres with good waves along the way, while Icaraizinho to Patos is slightly shorter at 14 kilometres, with smaller waves and glassy flat water sections on a high tide. Mango Kite Club run guided downwinders on both…

ON THE WATER Gigi Madeddu arrived in Praia Do Maceio for the first time in 2013 and was taken aback by the sanctitude and beauty of the place. He’d heard of Maceiò’s conditions through the grapevine and decided to take a taxi there from Camocim, where he was visiting on a windsurfing trip. On arrival the conditions were firing and Gigi immediately fell in love with the small village. A year later, he opened a kite, surf, SUP and windsurf school and, since then, the place has blossomed. From August to January, Sa Barra can guarantee you wind almost every day. Located in north-east Brazil, Maceiò is close to the famous location of Jericoacoara. As a result, the wind is similar; stronger than that of the more southern freestyle lagoons…

ON THE WATER The eastern side of the island captures the prevailing trade winds, providing solid conditions for all levels of kiter in traffic and obstacle free spots (foilers and beginners will certainly appreciate this). Camp Bay Beach is the main spot, with flat water just upwind of the main zone that is reliable due to the relatively small tides. The beach is quite narrow but there are experienced beach assistants to help ensure everyone has a good time and the Roatan Kitesurf shop / school is at hand, also. The explorative kiter will want to check out some of the boat-access spots, such as St. Helene. This is the go-to for east and south-easterly winds, particularly if the forecast is looking strong as the water is super-flat. The views…

ON THE WATER Coconut Bay is a super-accessible spot on the south coast of St Lucia with a chilled Caribbean feel and fun kiting conditions. Cross-shore, steady winds blow from the left with flat water on the upwind side of the bay. This is an ideal spot for early intermediates and beginners because the curve of the bay catches you if you drift too far downwind. The swell never gets too big, so there’s only a little bit of shore-break to contend with and the water is shallow close to shore. Further out the water is deep enough for foiling and experienced riders can kite out to uninhabited islands a kilometre offshore. WIND, WEATHER AND WATER St Lucia benefits from steady, reliable trade winds from November until April that blow…

ON THE WATER Kiting-wise, Guincho is ten minutes from Cascais and delivers solid cross-onshore wave conditions. When it’s big it gets gnarly and the wind often gets very strong (5 - 7m kites), so is more suited to the experienced wave seeker. On the other end of the spectrum is the Obidos Lagoon. Just an hour or so out of Cascais, Obidos is the perfect spot for learners due to its consistent wind and flat, shallow waters. The other flat water option is Lagoa de Albufeira to the south. During summer most kiters head over the iconic 25 de Abril bridge to spots like Fonte da Telha (where Gustykite school is based) in Costa da Caparica to get their kite fix in a wider expanse of coastline. Gustykite are able…

ON THE WATER Sotavento is Fuerteventura’s southernmost kite spot with strong summer wind (and year-round wind) from the left across a wide open, four kilometre-long sandy beach. Every year Sotavento plays host to the GKA Kite-Surf World Cup and the windsurfing PWA World Tours. There’s endless space and short chop on the outside with some flat sections closer to the beach. Head a bit further downwind to where you can sometimes score small but rideable shore-break. On a full spring tide the beach is transformed into a huge, dreamy, shallow lagoon, separated from the open ocean by a sand bar and it’s perfect for beginners, early improvers and anybody wanting to work on their flat water tricks. (René Egli centre has the exclusive license to instruct there.) Sotavento is unbeatable…

ON THE WATER There’s no shortage of space and at Porto Pollo, in the north of Sardinia, as the spot is made up of seven kilometres of sandy beach across two large bays. For many years this has been a popular location for both kiters and windsurfers as the regular thermal and trade winds provide lots of play time and the large, open beaches are unaffected by tides with beautiful, crystal clear waters. The bay to the west is the designated kite spot. Welcoming and shallow close to shore, this spot is ideal for beginners and independent riders and Porto Pollo works in any direction of wind due to the curvature of the bay, with flatter water on the inside and choppy ramps on the outside. There are very few…

ON THE WATER The main spot at Keros on the eastern side of the island of Limnos is a safe, sandy, three kilometre bay with a variety of conditions to suit all abilities. The famous Meltemi winds blow from the left across postcard-perfect turquoise waters with everything from flat conditions on one side of the bay, to small but shred-able waves on the other side. In the middle of the bay it’s flat, sandy and comfortably shallow for the first 200 metres, ideal for learning. Beyond that there’s small chop for boosting off. Due to the way the bay wraps round, if you get in trouble you’ll usually just drift to land at the far end and the smooth winds and obstacle-free seabed make Keros a perfect place to work…

ON THE WATER Exmouth is home to the Bridge family, who have 35+ European and World titles between them. They’ve chosen Exmouth because of the epic conditions – it works on basically every wind direction except the rare northeasterly, and offers a large number of spots to suit the conditions and the desired disciplines. The main spot (the Seafront) works perfectly on the prevailing south-westerly winds in the UK, but can take anything from easterlies through north westerlies, too. The Seafront comes into its own around two hours either side of low tide with great flat water inside the sand bar and waves outside. Edge Watersports run the majority of their lessons there, using boats to access the flat water and set up on the safe sand banks that emerge…

ON THE WATER Thanks to its huge lagoons, epic downwinders and two reliable windy seasons, Kalpitiya has steadily increased in popularity, developing a strong reputation among kiters world wide. Flat water’s the key attraction around Kalpitiya, but now that there’s a beach hut with rental gear and a safety boat, Donkey Point has become far more accessible – offering onshore wave riding across the sandbar. Kitesurfing Lanka provide free safety boat cover at Donkey Point. Kalpitya Lagoon, otherwise known as ‘Big Lagoon’ is just outside Kalpitiya town and is the most popular kite spot in the area. Working best in the dry season between November and early April, the northeasterly trade winds blow through and that time of year is very popular with beginners and freestylers alike. The hairdryer-like winds…

After seven years of coaching alongside World Champions, Uncharted Kite Sessions is one of the most established kite coaching companies in the world. Hit them up for unparalleled kitesurf coaching programs for twin-tip, strapless surf and foiling, with coaching throughout the year for private adventures, or intensive kite camps with the best riders in the world, like Kevin and Jalou Langeree, Moona Whyte, Youri Zoon and others. Based out of Cabarete for ten months of the year, the beautiful Caribbean island provides ideal conditions for all disciplines: glassy waves on the outer reef, butter flat water at the La Boca lagoon, or smooth inner reef waters for twin-tip and foiling. Each October and November Uncharted also travel to Brazil for amazing downwind adventures along the endless north coast, providing private…

On a KiteBoat Cruise, you’ll enjoy access to private beaches in remote locations. The Bahamas promises completely empty sandbars and cays that provide calm, flat, clear blue waters and white sand beaches. Staying on a boat is an incredible way to discover the Bahamas and you’ll wake up in a new location day after day and, either kite to your heart’s content, or go snorkelling in coral caves and explore submerged wrecks. KiteBoat Cruises provide an exclusive service with a top notch crew who will escort you to the most beautiful kite spots in the Caribbean. You can even check out a plane that Pablo Escobar abandoned near the islands when on the run from the law! THE CRUISES Aboard the Lagoon 450 catamaran, the experienced captain guides the boat…

HANG LOOSE BEACH GIZZERIA, ITALY If you want to literally ‘hang loose’ with the world’s greatest and fastest kitefoil racers you’ll be sure to find them here. Each year Hang Loose Beach plays host to the KiteFoil World Series (July for 2020) owing to the expanse of smooth, obstacle-free water in the protected bay accompanied by the daily Scirocco trade winds. The beach set-up is excellent and you’ll feel safe learning here especially knowing there’s a safety boat for back up if needed. VIANA DO CASTELO PORTUGAL Best in spring and autumn, the thermal breezes blow cross-shore and are as reliable as they come. Viana’s sea wall protects the water from the wind, keeping it butter flat in the top corner of Cabedelo beach. The large, sandy bay is flanked…

PUSH THE BUTTON AND SEND YOUR IMAGES TO READERS@KITEWORLDMAG.COM THIS ISSUE’S (MOSTLY WINTERY BRIT-PACK SHOWDOWN) SEES ROY MCINTOSH WIN FREE ACCESS TO ONE OF PROGRESSION’S PREMIUM COLLECTIONS OF INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS, COVERING KITEBOARDING, KITESURFING AND KITEFOILING. GIVING YOU STREAMING ACCESS ONLINE AND OFFLINE DOWNLOADS, THE PROGRESSION APP IS AVAILABLE FOR IOS AND ANDROID – CHECK MORE AT: WWW.PROGRESSION.ME WINNER: WANNA JOIN IN FROM INSTAGRAM? TAG @KITEWORLDMAG IN YOUR CAPTION, USE THE HASHTAG #KITEWORLDREADERSGALLERY AND YOU MIGHT MAKE THE CUT!…

Like last year, we’ve targeted most of our focus on the freeride sector, because unless you’re a real specialist, it’s the right gear to have the most fun on. If you choose gear that fits the way you realistically ride, the ‘freeride’ equipment on offer right now can transform your sessions from hard work to upping your game while enjoying outstanding comfort and fueling your riding with masses of energy. We also feature wave and single strut kite tests this issue as they’re another very relevant product to many of our readers. TESTING-TESTING We test equipment all year and in a range of conditions, but all the gear featured in this issue was tested in Cape Town, somewhere we head back to every year because of the reliable, strong winds…

TEST TEAM NOTES: Of all the kites on test this year, the Dice eight metre is the least physical in the most demanding of conditions. When confronted with winds that are way over 35 knots, the Dice allowed us to always feel comfortable and in control; rather than having the kite and Mother Nature dominate us. In strong and powerful gusts the kite doesn’t pop and stall; instead the Dice somehow just keeps smoothly flying forward, swallowing the gusts. Pushing steadily into wind, it doesn’t transfer that undulating energy down to you and never shunts erratically forward to completely alter the feel in your lines from one moment to the next. This shock absorption means you can still maintain a good, upright, controlled riding position whatever is going on around…

TEST TEAM NOTES: The ‘S’ stands for surf and F-One are branding this as their dedicated strapless and surf kite. No doubt that’s true – and we have more on its surf capabilities on page 91 – but here we’re going to focus on the general freeride attributes the ‘S’ offers. After all, the Bandit has been one of the best freeride kites for the mass market in recent years and you’ve just read how the Twenty-Twenty model has stepped up a few gears for freestylers. So what’s left in the pot for everyone else on a twin-tip? The Twenty-Twenty and the S look virtually identical in the air, however the S has more open, thinner tips and a thicker canopy profile (lower aspect-ratio). The Twenty-Twenty is locked in three…

TEST TEAM NOTES: A new model in the re-vamped and extended Ocean Rodeo line-up, the Crave is the weapon of choice for high-flying GKA Kite World Tour kite-surf competitor, Reece Myerscough. First thing you’ll notice are the FST (Forward Swept Tips) that have featured on several Ocean Rodeo kite models over many seasons. Designed to help with relaunch and to improve steering impulse, they’re a very unique look. They also don’t feel any different to you as a rider, but they’re just a unique aspect that Ocean Rodeo implement to help tune their design and handling. The Crave is a beefy 12 metre, quite deep in its aspect-ratio and shows a lot of canopy to the wind and, as you might therefore expect, delivers a large amount of sheeting power…

TEST TEAM NOTES: You can’t deny the prowess of products that come from Slingshot. They’re bold, beautiful, well manufactured, strong, good value for money and carry a history of industry-wide innovations. You’re getting high-end, high-strength build quality. Slingshot kites have been used in schools all over the world because they’re very easy to use, can take a beating and last a long time. In the sky, the Raptor has all the usual feel of a Slingshot. While testing as many kites as we do, there are brands that we could recognise the feel of with our eyes closed. Slingshot are one of those brands; the kites are generally set with a slightly deeper window position, never surging forward out of the power zone and always delivering super smooth drive. Although…

TEST TEAM NOTES: The ‘S’ doesn’t stand for ‘Super’, but it could. The changes that F-One have made in splitting the Bandit into two different models this year – the ‘S’ (for surf) and the Twenty-Twenty have unleashed the pure surf elements in full in the S model. Where Raphael Salles and his team have had to balance some jumping / freeride performance with good turning for waves in the 8, 9 and 10 metre S models, in truth the seven metre sizes and below in all years of the Bandit have always had more of a wave focus. The new six metre is absolutely sublime. A super charged stunt kite on the end of your lines; it’s quick, not just in its speed through the window, but also in…

TEST TEAM NOTES: The Apex features a print on the rail that says ‘Designed in Cape Town’. The Apex has been developed in a place that demands performance and quality, which is evident as soon as you pick it up. Of medium weight, that positive swing weight feels comfortable when riding in stronger winds, giving you a sense of control, especially in the air. Uniformly stiff throughout, a quite flat rocker-line helps the Apex get up to speed very quickly, but what we really enjoyed was the fact that the Apex is able to hold lots of grip because more of the rail remains in contact with the water than many freeride shapes. Good riders will find calm control even when the wind is the complete opposite. Once locked in,…

TEST TEAM NOTES: The Process is a board of stealth. It has slipped into this test without fanfare and, although Eleveight have only been producing kites and boards for a handful of seasons, the products are coming out of our test sessions with massive credibility. The Process sits a step below the Master (tested in issue #102) in the Eleveight range, but delivers stacks of easy capability. This board is going to be a winner with 80% of the kite market, who freeride and want something that will push their potential - without being built specifically for a pro. If the Eleveight Master is an F1 racer, the Process is their sports Touring Car class. Sometimes it takes a ten minute transition period to get in tune with a new…

WADI LAHAMI EGYPT Wadi Lahami is a secluded bay with two-foot deep, perfectly-flat, turquoise water. Ride here in total peace as the spot offers lots of space and there are rarely more than 25 people riding at once. The spot is a sandy bottomed lagoon with open, safe areas for launching and landing kites, just 50 metres from the accommodation - which is quite unique in itself. The Wadi Lahami Village offers full-board accommodation in an eco lodge that sits between the desert and the mangroves. There are three tiers of room and service to fit every budget, from tents to private chalets, all of which are right next to the sea. The ecolodge is perfect if you are looking for peace and quiet. The closest village, Hamata, is…

MOVE: POP-TO-BLIND / RIDER: STEVEN AKKERSDIJK / PHOTOS: BRAM BAST Learning to ride blind is really useful in helping develop board control and lays the basis for lots of stylish, blind landings after a trick. On top of that it’s something you can try in almost all wind conditions, as long as you can fiind some flat water. Think this trick might be beyond you? If you’re able to ride toeside, do some casual jumps and land a back roll, this tutorial is for you! TIPS • When entering this trick keep your kite at 45 degrees and ride in with decent speed on a crosswind course. • Start by putting your front hand on the top of the bar (side that steers the kite up) and let go with…

Steven Akkersdijk really inspired me for short line riding and I started playing around with it in Cape Town last year. Everything happens extremely fast, looping is very physically demanding and aggressive, but the feeling of getting pulled towards the water (hopefully for just a second) is unique. The trick is to understand how low you can throw the kite, but also which side you have to send the downloop depending on how high you are. It’s fun though, and the shots are always amazing! We shot for three hours and this shot was the first taken on this new angle after I’d crashed hard trying a late back roll on the other angle (see inset photo). Mariano didn’t manage to finish the sequence before running over to see if…

ON THE WATER There is a reason that the Red Bull King of The Air is held here. The south-easterly Cape Doctor winds are consistent and often very, very powerful, which is also why all the Woo records are set here, too. The Cape Town / Cape Peninsula summer season runs from as early as October through until April with more than 30 kite spots serving up everything from flat water freestyle conditions to true ‘waves of consequence’. The majority of kiting takes place in Table View, a suburb to the north of the city, where the wind blows from the left with several spots lined up along one road. This is a popular location for kiting accommodation due to its proximity to the best riding and the KOTA event…

ON THE WATER Bofa beach is a five kilometre stretch of white, powdery sand with perfectly clear-blue waters. At low tide the water depth is shallow, creating an easy learning environment as well as a freestyle playground. There’s loads of space for setting up and packing down gear and at high tide the more experienced riders will love the small waves that roll in. Once you’re on the water you have free reign; boats and swimmers are few and far between ensuring a great session in the consistent winds. Further out on the reef you’ll find some decent wave riding on a beautiful break, with waves ranging from three to eight feet. It’s possible to foil on all tides (but you might have to walk out a bit on the…

ON THE WATER World famous for its 45 kilometre-long peninsula, Dahkla is blessed with clean wind, a huge lagoon and playful to decent sized waves just a short drive away on the coast. Way down in the south of Morocco... and way up there in terms of quality kite spot! World tour events, pro riders on training trips and weekend warriors alike all flock to the seemingly endless lagoon which can be ridden at both high and low tide. The spot itself is a lagoon – around 40 kilometres long and four kilometres wide in places – formed by the Dakhla peninsula, which extends into the Atlantic. Close to the bank, the water is flat which makes for an ideal spot for beginners, who can remain waist deep up to…

ON THE WATER Wadi Lahami is a secluded bay with two-foot deep, perfectly flat turquoise water. Ride here in total peace as the spot offers lots of space and there are rarely more than 25 people riding at once. The spot is a sandy bottomed lagoon with open, safe areas for launching and landing kites, just 50 metres from the accommodation. Beginners will appreciate the ease of access into the protected lagoon, while advanced riders will love the flat water and the kite excursions to the outer reefs and islands. The wind blows cross-shore across the 750 metre wide bay that remains shallow, but deep enough to ride with confidence and work on your new tricks. The bay is a sublime training ground for ambitious riders and an ideal learning…

ON THE WATER Los Barriles is one of Baja’s key kiteboarding destinations because of its extremely laid-back lifestyle and solid conditions during the winter season. In these warm, steady conditions you can find perfect riding in the flats, or fun swell riding on big days in the deep water of the Sea of Cortez. Los Barriles attracts an eclectic mix of travelling kiteboarders, from veteran watermen and women living in their RVs, to younger kiters looking for somewhere they can spend a full season purely shredding. Los Barriles gets the same reliable El Norte winds as La Ventana, but it can blow a little stronger in Los Barriles. Also, as it’s less protected at the bottom of the Baja Peninsula, Los Barriles gets a bit more swell during the windy…

ON THE WATER Fourteen kilometres of sandy beaches present an endless riding area with strong winds blowing cross-onshore for much of the year. Now a regular location on the GKA Kite World Tour in front of Rancho do Peixe, this is where Airton Cozzolino landed the world-first strapless boogie loop. Google it! Despite the high winds in Preá, the wind isn’t gusty so any level of kiter can ride and progress. In the calmer winds the water is flatter in the morning and then choppier with more waves to hit in the afternoon as the wind builds. Although popular during the high season, there’s still lots of space and the beach is enormous with no obstacles, so downwinders are a must. Just a 20 minute beach buggy ride from Jericoacoara,…

ON THE WATER Barra Grande is a preserved, natural gem that’s tucked away in the northern state of Piauí where you can combine a relaxing, quiet break with some seriously good kiting across a long windy season. There’s pumping wind for much of the year with an expansive lagoon a couple of kilometres away, ‘bump n jump’ freeriding conditions next to the village and some wave riding options a drive or downwinder away as well. You can kite off the main beach on any tide state. The water is choppier on a high tide but with some nice ramps to launch off. At low tide the chop drops and you can rip the flat water close in to the beach. As Barra Grande is so far north this whole stretch…

ON THE WATER Laguna Garzon is a coastal lagoon; a massive flat water expanse that also has easy access to the open ocean. The lagoon takes any wind direction, making it an ideal playground for all levels of kiter, from the humble beginner needing buttery flat water to perfect their waterstarts, to the advanced rider wanting to push their tricks or head into the waves. The swell doesn’t tend to get big most of the time but the beach break conditions are pretty reliable and usually fun. Endless, sandy beaches make launching easy in predominantly side-onshore winds, ideal for downwind excursions and all the highways are in excellent condition for the journey back. This area doesn’t yet draw a huge crowd, but at weekends during the peak summer season (January)…

ON THE WATER You’ve seen the videos from here - Union Island’s blue, flat water is iconic. It’s also consistently windy, with steady, cross-shore winds. The infamous Happy Island sits at the heart of the action - you can kite right up and have a drink at the bar with your kite still in the air (decent kite-handling skills required!). The season runs from mid-November to mid-July with the peak months from Christmas to April. The most easily accessible spot on the island is kitebeach, a flat water paradise protected by a coral reef. Upwind ability is a must here as a popular anchorage for sailboats lies downwind, but there are instructors at the kite school who can help you get your skills up if you’re not very confident. The…

ON THE WATER Tarifa is a kiteboarding mecca. Sitting at the very bottom of Spain, this spot is windy all year round with numerous rideable locations along ten kilometres of beach. There are more schools here than in perhaps any other single kiting destination as well as over 40 kiteboarding related businesses being based here. The percentage of top riders who’ve grown up here or chosen to make Tarifa their home is high. Over the years it has manufactured many of the biggest names in the sport, giving them the opportunity to train in a wide variety of conditions. Being so popular, the designated kite zones do get busy from June to August, but there’s usually space further out back. Outside of those peak months Tarifa delivers wind and great…

ON THE WATER Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy at a whopping 51 kilometres long and 17 wide, so there’s acres of space! The west side of the lake is windier and the lake’s ‘Mecca of Kitesurf’, Campione del Garda, sits in the northwest corner. The Formula Kite World Championships were held there in 2019, for good reason; thanks to the imposing cliff overlooking the town of Campione, there’s a powerful funnel effect for the wind. It’s visually stunning and incredible for foiling as you can voyage for miles up- and downwind. Limone, situated at the north end of the lake, is the best spot for flat water in the morning and stronger winds in the afternoon. You can only access it by boat so the spot stays…

ON THE WATER The Island of Sant’Antioco is situated close to the south-west coast of Sardinia and is blessed with regular north-west winds and some cracking spots. The Sa Barra Club is located on the eastern side of the island, right on the Sant’Antioco lagoon. The wind comes from the left, providing cross-shore conditions with flat water and some bump-and-jump ramps to inspire more air time. The expanse of water is huge, so there’s space for everyone, no matter what discipline – freestyle, big-air or foiling. Lying to the south is a spot called Punta Trettu, a sandspit that creates some dead-flat water on the downwind side. You can ride over to it from the Sa Barra club, or drive right up the spit and then walk to the launching…

ON THE WATER This is an amazing freeride and freestyle lagoon with a huge expanse of waist deep, flat water. The bottom is a mixture of sand and earth and you can walk between 250 and 500 metres from the shore, making it a perfect place to learn. Better riders have a couple of options: just in front of the Urla Surf House chillout area is a 400 metre stretch of flat water that’s perfect for freestyle; then, upwind of where the schools teach, the spot gets deeper and small kickers form – ideal for boosting off when the wind gets up or for foiling. Long tacks are possible here as the lagoon is over five kilometers wide. Upwind of the spot, the water remains flat thanks to the small…

The UK’s most famous county for wave kiting offers huge beaches, great summer weather, lots of activities for the kids and family and fantastic conditions for either learning to surf, or paddling into really challenging waves. Always worth a holiday or a short trip whatever the season, here’s a guide to the key kiting spots by the local legend and UK wave champ 2013 - 2019, Lee ‘Pasty’ Harvey. WATERGATE BAY One of Cornwall’s best known spots. This two mile wide sandy beach is great on a mid- to low-tide. The prevailing southwesterly wind hits cross-on from the left, however this spot also works in southerlies, westerlies and northerlies. The beach almost entirely disappears at high tide. On a proper swell, huge surf rolls in to The ‘Gate, so if…

ON THE WATER Mannar is a 50 kilometre chain of sandbars, islands and manmade bridges with over 36 kilometres of flat water to tear around in and the same reliable conditions you’ll get in Kalpitiya, which is a three hour drive south. Being so exposed in the Indian Ocean, there’s also some scope for wave riding on the windward side of the island and Kitesurfing Lanka organise coastal surfaris, including a big 200 kilometre downwinder from Mannar all the way back to Kalpitiya! WIND, WEATHER AND WATER Mannar gets two windy periods in a year (like Kalpitiya) with the summer season running from May until October and the winter one from December to early April. The summer is the windiest time to visit with steady conditions on 90% of days,…

A TRUE CHALLENGE Surfin Sem Fim (SSF) is one of the most established downwinder / kite ‘adven-tour’ operators going. Top level pro riders, such as Keahi de Aboitiz, Matchu Lopes, Mitu Monteiro, Reno Romeu and Sebastian Ribeiro frequently join the routes to offer coaching along the way. Even though SSF offers entry-level trips, they have built a reputation for specialising in downwind routes that can be as tough as they are thrilling. Their longer trips can be a truly wild experience, and for a lot of the time you will find yourself in remote, seemingly untouched locations. A4x4 vehicle will follow you alongthe SSF downwinder routes which will carry your gear between the overnight stops. Be warned, there are times that the vehicle will not be able to keep track…

The GKA Kite World Cup Cape Verde began with a bang – 30 men and 23 women registered to compete (the highest number of women recorded for a world cup kite-surf event). The momentum built and, although the swells didn’t push in big enough for the event to be run at Ponta Preta, here are the key takeaways after six days of progressive small wave competition at Kite Beach. After a year’s absence through injury, the return of Matchu Lopes, was almost as triumphant as it could have been. Proper Star Wars stuff - the battles were epic, ending with him going head-to-head against Australian James Carew in the final. Known for his loose tail style, Matchu was taking no prisoners on the water - not even his childhood friend…

“ONLY A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WHEN SOMEONE WENT MASSIVE, THE FIRST REACTION WAS TO LOOK AT THE KITE AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHICH PRO IT WAS. NOW THERE ARE LOTS OF UNKNOWN RIDERS BUSTING OUT HUGE MOVES THAT USED TO BE THE RESERVE OF ONLY A SELECT FEW WHO GET PAID TO KITESURF.” It’s with great regret that I sit here today thinking about one of kiteboarding’s brightest characters who passed away a couple of weeks ago. Even if you started kiteboarding in the last ten to 15 years, you may not have heard of Danny Seales, but he was an early adopter of the sport having already been one of the most talented windsurfers of his generation. If I had to think of three words to describe…

“IN THE LATER ROUNDS OF PREVIOUS YEARS I’D USUALLY GET THIS LITTLE DEMON IN MY HEAD GOING, ‘DO SOMETHING CRAZY, THEY WANT TO SEE SOMETHING NEW!’ THAT WOULD KIND OF SCREW ME UP, ESPECIALLY IN THE FINALS. INSTEAD OF DOING ONE OF MY MAIN THREE TRICKS I’D TRY SOMETHING LIKE A DOUBLE HALF CAB MOBE AT 40 FEET BECAUSE NO ONE’S EVER SEEN ONE.” Congratulations Jesse. Two King of the Air titles now, seven years apart. You’ve been very close to claiming the top step several times in between those titles, including at last year’s event when you were runner-up. Did you change your approach this year? It’s been a pretty crazy experience. I’ve had a slightly different strategy every year since I won KOTA in 2013. Some years I…

TEST TEAM NOTES: A little scene settting: since your grandfather was a little boy, the Airush Lithium has been one of the best first-time / freeride kites you could hope to ride. Mixing super steady sheeting drive with a clear direct bar response, the Lithium always made complete sense to new riders, producing predictable jumping technique and easy carving turns. Although it has always been far more than just a beginner’s kite, there was always quite a big gap in the customer’s journey when they were ready to progress off the Lithium onto the next kite in the range, which recently, has been the Union... quite a step up. Looking at this new Lithium, it seems that Airush have taken the sportier tips of the Union in recent years but…

TEST TEAM NOTES: There are many things that the Rebel is great for, but we’re mostly going to focus on the standout element and the reason we reach for the Rebel a lot; the sheeting engagement at the bar and the way it transports you to the heavens. There are plenty of big air kites around and some have a better top end than the Rebel, but within its range there are few kites that pull you off the water with such intent. Steer the kite overhead, sheet in and you’ll find access to incredible amounts of torque. If you’re a good rider, you’ll go massive and pinpoint your landing spot a hundred metres downwind every time. That said, when you get to the top 20% of the Rebel’s range…

TEST TEAM NOTES: In a slight twist, we’re handing the words in this review exclusively to chief tester, Bully, whose dedicated kite looping experience and years spent riding C kites, particularly the Naish Torch, leave him ideally placed to tell you about this one: I absolutely love this kite. We had the limited edition model that has the classic Naish sky pirate logo across the middle of the all-black canopy, epitomising everything Naish meant to me at the start of the sport. It was like driving around with flames on your car bonnet, looks amazing and more people commented on this kite that any other. Proper black kites are sexy; like rolling in your Range Rover with it completely de-chromed. Other than the graphics, Naish have replaced their longstanding Octopus…

TEST TEAM NOTES: Since the Boxer trimmed down to become a single strut performance kite a few seasons ago it has gained some serious and devoted fans. Naish launch their gear in two halves, six months apart and we got our hands on this new one in February, part of Naish’s brand new March ‘S25’ range, prior to its release. Naish have ploughed a lot of time and energy into this year’s Boxer and just a glance at the number of sizes that they produce will tell you a lot about where they see the current and future direction of foiling, lightwind wave riding and cruisy twin-tipping going. The smallest kite is a 2.8 metre – and that’s not for kids by the way (though obviously it would work considering…

“WE PLANNED TO CATCH A BOAT RIDE OUT TO CENTRAL ISLAND NATIONAL PARK TO INSPECT THE THREE CRATER LAKES THAT PROVIDE A BREEDING GROUND FOR THE WORLD’S LARGEST CONCENTRATION OF NILE CROCODILE. WE PENCILED IN A POSSIBLE KITE THERE, TOO.” Our decision to set up Quest Kiteboarding kite school in Diani on Kenya’s south coast in 2014 was based on our mutual love for the country and the passion we share for kitesurfing. Kenya is undoubtedly one of the richest countries in the world in terms of ecology and biodiversity and we decided that for our final trip of 2019 we wanted to avoid the more commercial tourist travel circuits and destinations, deciding to instead head off the beaten path in search of somewhere new; the distant shores of Lake…

SCHOOLS THE AMERICAS 1 ADVENTURE KITEBOARDING Muskego, Wisconsin sales@adventurekiteboarding.com +1 414-367-9283 www.adventurekiteboarding.com 2 KITTY HAWK KITES Cape Hatteras, NC kbschool@kittyhawk.com +1 252 987 2297 www.kittyhawk.com 3 OUTER BANKS KITING Avon, NC jay@outerbankskiting.com +1 252-305-6839 www.outerbankskiting.com 4 GOOD BREEZE KITEBOARDING Cocoa Beach, Florida info@GoodBreezeKiteboarding.com +1 (321) 252-5483 goodbreezekiteboarding.com 5 MIAMI KITEBOARDING Miami, Florida info@miamikiteboarding.com +1 305 345 9974 www.miamikiteboarding.com 6 PROKITE SOUTH PADRE South Padre Island TX +1 541-490-6872 +1 855-774-5483 info@prokitesouthpadre.com www.prokitesouthpadre.com 7 EXOTIKITE KITEBOARDING SCHOOL Baja, Sur Mexico info@exotikite.com +521 624 165 2612 www.exotikite.com 8 COME KITE WITH US El Cuyo, Yucatan, Mexico info@comekitewithus.com +1 347 4072 588 www.comekitewithus.com 9 KITESURF ROATAN Camp Bay, Honduras kitesurfroatan@gmail.com +50 432 525 891 (also WhatsApp) www.kitesurfroatan.com 10 SA BARRA Maceio, Brazil info@sabarra.it +39 328 428 8407 www.sabarra.it 11 VILLA MANGO KITE CLUB…

ON THE WATER On the southeast coast, Paje is by far the most famous and popular kiting spot on the island, yet just over ten years ago was merely a small fishing village. Paje has certainly blossomed into kiting heaven, but retains its authenticity away from the tourist areas in the north, keeping the vibes chilled for the kiting crew. This area is still for the adventurer, with the northern half of the island being more built up, catering for the mainstream holidaymaker, which tends to suit kitesurfers just fine. Offering a more remote and cosy feel with a long, isolated beach, littered with smaller guesthouses and a variety of resorts, rather than big, busy hotels, this spot is also easily accessible with Zanzibar’s main international airport just an hour…

ON THE WATER The main seven kilometre long beach of Watamu, Turtle Bay, is one of Kenya’s oldest fishing settlements. A natural reef protects the beach, ranging from 500 metres to two kilometres off the beach. There are waist to over-head waves on the reef during the summer and an abundance of sand bars on the inside, creating lovely, knee-to-waist deep flat water spots, while the wide beaches allow for safe launching and landing. A large inland creek known as, Mida, lies just off the main bay, so there’s lots on offer on a daily basis. You’ll find a lively kiting community who regularly do downwinders, visit islands and play on the awesome waves on the reef a kilometre out to sea. WIND, WEATHER AND WATER Two trade wind seasons:…

ON THE WATER Essaouira was the original Moroccan hotspot with windsurfers heading there for decades before the first kiters arrived. Known as the Windy City with consistent cross-shore winds, there’s dependable cross-onshore wave riding from March to September, but also conditions for all levels of rider. The wind is steadier to the left of the bay away from the town with some fun waves the further along you go. Closer to town the water’s flatter (but the wind is gustier) and there’s standard bump and jump conditions in the middle of the bay. Essaouira doesn’t get insanely choppy thanks to the Mogador Islands that protect it from larger swells. In winter and late season you can ride flat water in the Oued Ksob river mouth just south of Essaouira and…

ON THE WATER You’re reading about the most popular kite spot on the east coast of the US, with hundreds of miles of beaches, regular winds and a wealth of accommodation options. The unique calling cards are the mile-upon-mile of flat water on one side of the narrow island chains and numerous wave spots just a short hop across on the Atlantic side. People come back every year for the huge expanse of downwinder terrain that never gets old as there are so many routes to choose. We’ll start at the northern end, where the Outer Banks of North Carolina lie. Although any open stretch of launching area (or off the back of your rental propery) can be fair game, one of the spots that kiteboarders flock to is the…

ON THE WATER An hour north of Cumbuco, Paracuru boasts a flat water lagoon as well as classic freeriding conditions and some of the most legitimate wave riding in the area. This is one of the busier towns on this section of Ceará’s coast with awesome kiting to the north and south. Taiba is another of Brazil’s top spots, less than an hour away. The main kite beach is a couple of kilometres from the town itself where you’ll find all of the pousadas, restaurants and bars, but it’s only a couple of minutes drive in a beach buggy and most of the pousadas offer transfers. There’s also a restaurant and bar at the spot. Paracuru’s main spot is tidal, so you can sometimes get two flat water sessions in…

ON THE WATER The further north you go in the state of Ceara the windier it gets. In Jeri, close to the border with the neighbouring state of Piauí, it blows hard from June through to February. A 330 kilometre drive from Fortaleza, Jeri is one of Brazil’s best established kite spots due to the relentlessly regular conditions during the season. You’ll find 25 kilometres of beach to explore and conditions to suit all riders with safe, secluded lagoons for freestylers and beginners, kickers on the open ocean and wave spots, too. Jeri’s also a prime start / finish point for downwinders and there are some great ones you can do with close-by Prea to Jeri a favourite at sunset (finishing up with a caipirinha, of course!). Heading away from…

ON THE WATER Atins is one of Brazil’s northernmost kiting destinations, tucked away in the delta of the River Preguiças. Kiteworld editor Jim enjoyed a visit with Surfin Sem Fim a couple of seasons ago and reckons it’s one of the most mind-blowing locations for a combination of foiling, twin-tipping and wave riding! Super secluded and lush, Atins often serves as the final stop on some epic downwinders run by Brazilian expedition operators, Surfin Sem Fim and Freeride Kitesurf. The main beach is surrounded by a large, flat water lagoon and gets super reliable wind. The spot is very tidal with sandbanks emerging on low tide with perfectly flat turquoise waters that are ideal for freestyle. As the water fills in you can foil upwind to the far reaches of…

ON THE WATER If you’re looking for smooth, comfortable progression, you’ve found the right location. Providenciales (or ‘Provo’) is the primo kiting location in the Turks and Caicos archipelago with steady trade winds, warm turquoise waters and white sand beaches. Unobstructed for miles around, there are 41 islands and cays to discover while enjoying some of the smoothest winds you could hope to find. The absence of gusts will only aid your progression. You’ll usually be riding your ten to 17 metre kites with your twin-tip, so this is often bigger kite riding, but so many people enjoy that. While this can generally be a more expensive location to reside than some other Caribbean destinations, the conditions are undoubtedly more consistent, with a ten month wind season and a phenomenal…

ON THE WATER Pigeon Point is often considered Tobago’s most beautiful beach with a long stretch of white sand and warm, aquamarine water. Pigeon Point is protected by a large reef that keeps the water inside the lagoon relatively flat and there are large areas where you’ll be kiting in standing-depth water, which is a confidence-booster for anyone, especially beginners. On a lower tide the water gets even flatter and some nice sandbars will start to emerge. There are kickers to boost off at high tide when the water also gets deep enough to foil in. There are a few wave spots on the outer reefs, which can be good fun when the conditions line up. Pigeon Point is located within a protected nature reserve – the Pigeon Point Heritage…

ON THE WATER Flag Beach in the north of the island is Fuerteventura’s other major kiting location and one of Europe’s best known spots for all levels of rider. The beach is wide and protected by reefs at both ends with clean wind from the left for much of the year, particularly in summer. Flag Beach is ideal for freeriders, freestylers, foilers and beginners with plenty of space. Meanwhile, 20 minutes away is Cotillo, a very credible wave spot. Another one is Glass Beach, just five minutes from Flag Beach in the nearby nature reserve. Both Cotillo and Glass Beach are affected by the tides, so picking the right time to go is key and there are many more wave spots around the north of the island that local kiters…

ON THE WATER Hang Loose Beach is well respected on the competition scene and continues to host several annual international freestyle and racing events. Sofia Tomasoni won one of the first ever gold medals for kiteboard racing in 2018 at the Youth Olympic Games and was trained alongside the rest of the Italian team at Hang Loose and its surrounding beaches. This is a great spot for freeriding, freestyle and foiling progression thanks to a wide beach and large expanse of obstacle-free water. The relatively enclosed bay keeps the water calm and the beach free from swell or shore-break and there’s plenty of launching and landing space. The wind is thermal, rising steadily throughout the day, so it’s usually perfect for improving riders. There’s another good beach for improving your…

ON THE WATER Easily the biggest expanse of truly kite-able flat water in Europe – Lo Stagnone is an eight square mile lagoon in the north of Sicily that can be ridden in either of the two northerly and southerly prevailing wind directions. No tides, no dangers. A number of pro freestyle riders have made films there and if you tuck in behind the island in the middle of the lagoon or close to the ‘salina’ salt plain walls then you can slice your way through perhaps the glassiest water you’ll ever ride! Lo Stagnone isn’t tidal, although the height of the water does fluctuate slightly depending on wind direction. One of the main appeals for all levels of rider is that it’s standing depth all the way across with…

ON THE WATER Poole Harbour (the world’s second largest natural harbour) offers several flat water locations. ‘The pond’ (where Poseidon and Easy Riders are based) works in all tides and is waist deep for a kilometre out, making it an ideal learning venue. The harbour works through all tides (best at high tide) and is ideally oriented for riding in the prevailing south-westerlies. Essentially, this is a huge, shallow expanse with the backdrop of multi-million dollar properties - apparently it’s the fourth most expensive beach to buy property on in the world. Aside from the glitz and glamour, this is simply a safe learning environment that, although busy in the height of summer, breeds confidence and progression at all times. On the seafront, Bournemouth Bay offers good jumping and wave…

Packed with some of the UK’s most beautiful beaches and often without the crowds of Cornwall and Devon, Marc Rowley of Blast Kiteboarding in Porthcawl guides us round some of his favourite local session haunts. REST BAY, PORTHCAWL As you head into south Wales, the small coastal town of Porthcawl is the first real kitesurfing beach and probably the main hub of kitesurfing, with lots of nice pubs and restaurants along the sea front. The main beach, Rest Bay, faces south-west and directly out into the Atlantic, so receives plenty of swell and is super popular with wave riders. Lots of hard sand appears as the tide drops, making a big playground for land kiters too, but avoid two hours either side of high tide due to rocks. Kitesurfing is…

FREERIDE KITESURF’S trips are all about combining adventure and a personal challenge with time to get to know, relax and enjoy the places you’ll visit. Unique downwind adventures and tailor-made trips in Brazil, Spain and South Africa are Freeride’s speciality. Visit some of the world’s top kiting locations with a stellar crew of fellow kiters or discover unspoilt and uncrowded spots with unreal conditions. A new offering this year is a downwind trip along the best wave spots in Brazil, focused on improving your wave riding technique. The Freeride Kitesurf team have a vast knowledge of the locations they visit and all details are taken care of. You just need to show up and tear-it-up! BRAZIL’S DOWNWIND KITE SAFARIS AND WAVE CLINIC DOWNWINDER Freeride Kitesurf offer different downwind kite safari…

‘Live’ are personalised coaching camps from Progression’s Rob Claisse and Danny Morrice. Sharing over 30 years of combined experience of top-level kitesurfing and coaching, these two Brits don’t just have a passion for kitefoiling, they are obsessed with all things kitesurf related. They’ve analysed and broken down every element, skill and trick of each discipline to come up with a better way to help you reach your kitesurfing ambitions and have more fun on the water. PERSONALISED COACHING EVERYDAY Progression Live camps are based on small groups; a maximum of eight guests, ensuring that every day you get personalised feedback and a clear, bespoke plan of what you need to tackle to keep progressing. From the start of the camp to the final minute, everything is geared towards giving you…

During the European summer The Action Cruise team run catamaran kite and sail camps in the Mediterranean around the Greek Cyclades, to the north of Sardinia and the south of Corsica. Later and earlier in the year they also set sail in the Caribbean around St Vincent and the Grenadines, Guadalupe, Antigua and Barbuda. Passionate about seeking out virgin kite spots and sailing to the most beautiful beaches on their charts since 2015, all trips take place on premium catamarans: Nautitech 46 Fly Bridge (Sardinia), Lagoon 500 Fly Bridge (Greece) and Lagoon 45 Fly Bridge (Grenadines). Custom voyages are available too; ideal for groups of friends, company teams and families who can reserve an entire catamaran. There’s always a chef on board and a crew consisting of three experienced sailors…

FOILING If you are not already foiling then head to a flatwater destination and look for an accredited centre that offers coaching. Kiteboarding Club provide foil courses at an array of destinations around the world, or why not speak to an advisor at Planet Kitesurf Holidays who can customise a vacation specifically for learning. If you already have some experience, there’s no better guarantee for upping your game than joining a foiling camp run by Progression Sports. They’ll fine-tune your fundamental skills and get you prepped for nailing new tricks. Take a look at page 154 for dates and more information. STRAPLESS AND WAVE Sportif run a number of wave camps each year at the Lassarga wave spot in Dakhla, Morocco. Hosted by 3 x World Wave Champion, Kirsty Jones,…