Table of contents for Issue #98 April - May 2019 in Kiteworld Magazine

Commitment is relative. Seen employed at its most extreme, we find it hard to look away, even if it is through the gaps between our fingers. Equally, just committing to learn to kitesurf is a massive step for most of us, and can be no less exciting (and occasionally harrowing) of course. 2019 has already delivered incredible action, through both the King of the Air and the GKA Kite-Surf World Cup Cape Verde – the first event of the GKA’s Kite World Tour season that saw the world’s best wave riders put on a magnificent show. All eventually had to bow to the barrel hunting prowess of Mitu Monteiro, the maestro of the wave at Punta Preta. We have sensational images and comments from both events this issue. KOTA on…

“NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I SEEN RIDERS GOING SO HIGH AND MORE IMPRESSIVELY COVERING SO MUCH DISTANCE DOWNWIND.” I would normally be writing this piece from the depths of winter, where a motivational piece is needed to wake riders up and prepare them for the up-coming Northern Hemisphere season. Not for the first time, Mother Nature has blindsided me. I’m unsure how often we can call weather “un-seasonable” before we realise that our concept of applicable weather per season is seriously misguided, but few people will argue that this year has been a little bit odd. Most of Europe seemed to skip directly from autumn to spring – a concept that I generally endorse – and even if the weather now suddenly takes a turn for the worse, it…

“IN ALL MY YEARS I CAN SAY THIS WAS ONE OF THE BEST DAYS I’VE EVER HAD KITING. LIKE THE DAY I DID MY FIRST KITELOOP, OR WHEN I RODE MY FIRST GOOD WAVE ON A SURFBOARD. IT FELT NEW, EXCITING AND ADDICTIVE.” Admittedly, I was a late adopter to the whole foil hype. I have a long history in freestyle and waves and am busy as the main kite tester for Core. I also love kite loops, so my kiteboarding life has been full, but I finally gave foiling a try two-and-a-half years ago and soon found myself pretty much hooked. After mastering the basics I was looking for where to go with my new abilities. Watching YouTube clips of people surfing waves on their foils gave me a…

THE WAVE: As soon as you drop in on the wave stay close to the white water and wait until you see the wave stand up, forming a steeper section. You want to hit that steep section. Before you start your bottom turn, get to the bottom of the wave but don’t go too far in front of it. It’s important to control your speed as you drop in on the wave by going slowly and edging so that you stay close to the white water. To slow myself down I keep the kite high and put pressure on the tail of my board with my foot, stalling the board as much as I can. KITE POSITION: To start your bottom turn, bring the kite down and then turn it…

Kitesurfing is a wonderful escape wherever we manage to take our sessions. If you’re thinking about booking your first kiteboarding holiday, then do it! Riding for several days in a row in beautiful conditions is not only dreamy, but it’s the best way to progress! Many of you are experienced kiters and will understand the special nature of a kiteboarding holiday. You may already be familiar with many of the destinations contained within this guide, but we have a few new ones too this year, including Lombok and Sulawesi in Indonesia, Naxos in Greece, Tobago in the Caribbean and a real standout in Brazil that’s probably new on your radar: Atins. Once again we’ve got the lowdown on several all-adventure trips for those looking for the ultimate out-there experience, from…

ON THE WATER Langebaan’s a paradise for foilers, early intermediates and freestylers looking to progress in accessible conditions. Benefitting from the same regular southeasterly winds as Cape Town, there are however less crowds, easy rolling chop and swell and there’s also no shore-break. You’ll enjoy sandy beaches, steady cross-shore winds and miles of open water to tear around in! The two main spots are Shark Bay (Kleine Oostewal), a five minute drive from the high street, while Main Beach is just off the main street in town and close to the restaurants and shops. There’s flat water close in to the shore at Main Beach (watch out for the kite schools operating there) and also behind the island that faces the beach. The spots around Langebaan are tidal. Shark Bay…

ON THE WATER Way down in the south of Morocco, Dakhla is a 45 kilometre-long peninsula that juts out of the Western Sahara and is blessed with clean wind, a huge lagoon and playful to decent sized waves just a short drive away on the coast. A rapidly rising kite mecca, this is a regular venue for World Tour events, including the GKA Kite-Surf World Tour which has been visiting Dakhla for three consecutive years now, but Dakhla also hosts twin-tip racing events (including the 2018 Youth Olympic Qualifiers) and in 2019 it will host both kiteboarding and kitesurfing World Cups. Dakhla’s mainly known for its seemingly endless lagoon which can be ridden at both high and low tide. An ideal spot for beginners, the flat waters remain waist deep…

ON THE WATER El Naaba in Marsa Alam is a real departure from Egypt’s busier tourist hotspots and sits 220 kilometres south of the more developed resorts, closer to Hurghada. The two main spots are Beach Bay and Surfers Bay which are separated by a reef that protects the beach from shore-break and focuses the waves out on the reef. Surfers Bay is the key kiting location which you’ll share with windsurfers and swimmers, so just be mindful of those around you – but there’s plenty of space. Surfers Bay has shallow water and no waves for the first couple of hundred metres, so is perfect for beginners or more advanced riders doing tricks close in to shore. There’s good surf out on the reef where the waves run cross-onshore…

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; if you saw our feature on Baja in KW #96 you’ll…

ON THE WATER Cumbuco is one of freestyle kiteboarding’s true proving grounds and pro riders flock there in the season to train at the famous Cauipe lagoon. Last year Cumbuco hosted the final stop of the WKC where Carlos Mario racked up yet another World Title and this is his home spot where he grew up and learned to kite! There’s a good chance you’ll have seen the lagoon in one of the many pro freestyler videos filmed there. It’s about as perfect a spot as you can get for wakestyle / freestyle with chest deep, butter-flat water and super consistent cross-onshore wind. The lagoon does feel small when there are several pros throwing massive tricks, so if the crowds get a bit too much then just sit back, get…

ON THE WATER Preá is one of Brazil’s premiere kite spots with plenty of space across its 14 kilometres of sandy beaches and strong cross-onshore winds blowing for much of the year. It’s now a regular location on the GKA Kite World Tour and served up some epic conditions for the strapless freestyle event that took place in front of Rancho do Peixe last year. Although the wind can blow pretty hard in Preá, it’s not gusty so it’s a great place for any level of kiter to ride and progress. The water is flatter in the morning and choppier with more waves to hit in the afternoon, so it’s an ideal spot for riders of all levels. Although popular during the high season, there’s lots of space and the…

ON THE WATER Atins is one of Brazil’s northernmost kiting destinations, tucked away in the delta of the River Preguiças. Kiteworld editor Jim recently enjoyed a visit with Surfin Sem Fim 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 too! There are two dedicated launching areas on Atins beach. 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…

ON THE WATER Bonaire is a Dutch territory and one of the southernmost islands in the Caribbean serving as a hub for the southern part of the region, with direct flights from Europe, the US and South America. The main kite spot is Atlantis Kitebeach which is on the southern tip of the island with clean, unbroken offshore winds and ultra-flat water, which is the most brilliant shade of blue imaginable! The bay’s wide with plenty of space for everyone and though the beach shelves away quite quickly, it’s sandy in the shallows so you don’t need to wear booties. Because of the obstruction-free water, this is a great spot for beginners, freestyle riders and foilers thanks to the lack of sand bars and low lying reef. Don’t be put…

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 The kiting capital of Europe, Tarifa’s windy all year with numerous spots along ten kilometres of beach. The designated kite zones get super busy from June to August, but there’s usually space further out back. Outside of those peak months Tarifa delivers wind and great weather almost year round, so you can avoid the crowds. Ride flat water close to the beach or in the lagoon (when it’s full) or find onshore wave riding on a ‘Poniente’ wind direction out of summer. When things switch up to Levante, particularly during winter, score some cross-off down-the-line wave riding, too! There are all conditions in Tarifa. Most of the kiting happens between Los Lances and Valdevaqueros but there are also a number of other spots nearby, including wave spot…

ON THE WATER Tenerife’s key kiting location is El Medano, a vibrant town less than fifteen minutes from the airport with three separate kite spots and ultra-reliable wind. Playa Los Balos is the main launch close to the town and gets side-on wind from the left with bump and jump chop out in the bay, small waves on the left and some flatter sections further upwind closer to the town. There’s easily space for 100 kiters or more and when the wind ramps up you’ll see some huge jumps being sent! If you kite a bit further to the right, downwind in the bay where it curves round, you can ride some nice onshore waves. Basically everything is accessible from one launch. So if you also then kite upwind a…

ON THE WATER Porto Pollo is in the north of Sardinia with seven kilometres of sandy beach across two large bays. It’s a popular spot for both kiters and windsurfers and the bay to the west is the designated kite spot with a large open beach that’s unaffected by tides with beautiful, crystalline water. It’s nice and shallow close to shore, so 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 few rocks or other obstacles to worry about either, making this a perfect place to work on your foiling game. You can ride waves at Porto Pollo itself with fun but not-too-serious…

ON THE WATER Mikri Vigla on the Greek island of Naxos is a tranquil village ten kilometres from the city of ‘Naxos’. This is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and also happens to be the best kite spot with side-shore wind, a wide crescent-shaped bay and a sandy, obstacle-free beach. There’s small chop out in the bay, plenty of space to launch / land from and if you’re still working on your upwind riding then there’s a sandy beach to walk back up after each ride. Conditions are very reliable thanks to the Meltemi trade winds which are bolstered by a thermic effect in the summer months as well as by the Venturi effect when the wind funnels down between Naxos and the neighbouring island of…

ON THE WATER Kaliantan beach on the Indonesian island of Lombok gets some of the most reliable kitesurfing conditions in Indo, with steady side-on winds blowing across a lagoon that’s protected by a surrounding coral reef. On a low tide the lagoon conditions are perfect inside the reef for freestyle and freeriding with butter-flat water. On a higher tide when there’s a swell running (and there frequently is!) there are pumping waves outside on the reef. The beach is wide with shallow water close to shore, so is ideal for beginners, while more experienced riders can also downwind to other beaches in the area from here. Kura Beach and Cobra Beach are two of the closest alternative spots and, though you can score some solid wave riding, the conditions need…

FREERIDE KITESURF’S trips are all about combining adventure and a personal challenge with some time to relax and get to know the places you visit. They specialise in organising unique downwind adventures and tailor-made trips in Brazil, Spain and South Africa; wherever you go, you’re guaranteed an adventure! You’ll either be visiting some of the world’s top kiting locations with a stellar crew of fellow kiters, or discovering unspoilt and uncrowded spots with unreal conditions. Every detail of the trip is taken care of as the Freeride Kitesurf team have a vast knowledge of the locations they visit. Just show up and tear-it-up! BRAZIL’S DOWNWIND KITE SAFARIS Freeride Kitesurf offer five different downwind Kite Safari routes in the northeast of Brazil, which combine challenge and adventure, as well as time…

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 specializing 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…

SUBJECT: GKA KITE-SURF WORLD CUP CABO VERDE 25TH FEBRUARY – 3RD MARCH 2019 DEFINITION: HISTORY IN THE MAKING PEAK, CLIMAX, TURNING POINT, WATERSHED, CROSSROADS, BREAKING POINT, MOMENT OF TRUTH, POINT OF NO RETURN After waiting patiently since Mauritius 2017 for a truly memorable wave event, the GKA’s Kite-Surf World Tour reaped huge rewards at Punta Preta in Cape Verde. Two of the nation’s favourite sons and several hard charging men and women left the kiting world slack-jawed at just how immensely talented they are in the most testing wave conditions Visit the new GKA World Tour website for livestream footage, highlights, images and reports from this event and for all information on the new, combined GKA Kite World Tour, that now also includes Freestyle: www.gkakiteworldtour.com…

EUROPEAN NEWS HANG LOOSE BEACH EVENTS Hang Loose Beach in Gizzeria, Italy, is one of Europe’s top kite spots and an ideal place for progressing your riding thanks to the steady conditions. They host a number of events and camps throughout the year for kiters looking to improve, and 2018 was stacked with them. The Youth Kite Masters 2018, a racing and freestyle-focused kite camp for boys and girls under 19, ran from 16 to 22nd July with 20 riders from around the world taking part. Freestylers were coached by none other than Ruben Lenten while the twin-tip racers received tuition from racer Ivan Doronin. After seven days of great conditions, the top racers earned a chance to compete at the TT:R Open World Championships the following week at Hang…

“LAKE NATRON IS TOXIC AND INCREDIBLY HOT. THE WATER CAN REACH TEMPERATURES OVER 60°C AND HAS A PH DEGREE IN EXCESS OF 10 (AS DANGEROUS AS ACID). A DERMATOLO GIST TOLD ME THAT LIQUID WITH THIS HIGH A PH-LEVEL CAN MAKE YOU BLIND AND BURN YOUR SKIN AWAY.” “LAKE NATRON IS TOXIC AND INCREDIBLY HOT. THE WATER CAN REACH TEMPERATURES OVER 60°C AND HAS A PH DEGREE IN EXCESS OF 10 (AS DANGEROUS AS ACID). A DERMATOLOGIST TOLD ME THAT LIQUID WITH THIS HIGH A PH-LEVEL CAN MAKE YOU BLIND AND BURN YOUR SKIN AWAY.” When I got a phone call from adventure photographer Rein Rijke to join him on a trip to mainland Tanzania where he wanted to shoot me in an unusual scene, I said “Yes”. I had…

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 tests this issue, find those kite and surfboard reviews from page 100. 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 and frequent swells. We want to…

IT’S NOT LIKE YOU NEED ANY MORE REASONS TO HIT IT, BUT IF YOU’RE EVER ANGUISHING OVER WHETHER YOU HAVE TIME TO SQUEEZE IN A SESSION OR NOT, REFER BACK TO THIS FEATURE BY REGULAR KW COLUMNIST, SENSI GRAVES Kiteboarding changes lives. I’ve encountered two women this week alone who started kiteboarding in the last year and have now completely uprooted themselves to chase the wind. They quit their jobs and are now holed up in Mexico for the winter, to progress their riding and look for ways to work within the industry. More and more entrepreneurs are getting into kiteboarding and more and more kiteboarders are seeking ways to build their own businesses within the industry. Here are three of the top ways that kiteboarding helps make my business…

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 HATTERAS ISLAND SURF & SAILING Waves, NC barton@hatterasislandsurfshop.com +1 252 987 2292 www.hatterasislandsurfshop.com 4 MIAMI KITEBOARDING Miami, Florida info@miamikiteboarding.com +1 305 345 9974 www.miamikiteboarding.com 5 PROKITE SOUTH PADRE South Padre Island TX +1 541-490-6872 +1 855-774-5483 info@prokitesouthpadre.com www.prokitesouthpadre.com 6 TRON X Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico info@tronx.mx +52 (322) 108 9292 www.tronx.mx 7 EXOTIKITE KITEBOARDING SCHOOL Baja, Sur Mexico info@exotikite.com +521 624 165 2612 www.exotikite.com 8 VELA BAJA Los Barriles, Baja, Mexico info@velabaja.com +52 1 624 1379781 www.velabaja.com 9 COME KITE WITH US El Cuyo, Yucatan, Mexico info@comekitewithus.com +1 347 4072 588 www.comekitewithus.com 10 KANGAROO KITE PERU Paracas, Peru kangarookiteperu@kangarookite.net +51 940 472 094 www.kangarookite.net 11…

ON THE WATER Diani Beach is Kenya’s most popular kiting location with a spacious five kilometre-wide bay that rarely gets more than 60 kiters out on the water at any one time. There’s a reef further out which gets nice clean waves on lower tides and keeps the water close to shore flat; perfect for progression. On a high tide the water gets choppier inside the reef with a little more shorebreak to contend with, but if you tuck in by the sandbar then you can ride flat water for much of the day. The best spot for beginners is in front of the Kenyaways kite school which is nice and protected with a wide, open launch area and plenty of space. Advanced riders will love exploring the bay and…

ON THE WATER Essaouira was the original Moroccan hotspot with windsurfers coming here 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 Hatteras has earned its reputation as the best-known and most popular kite spot on the US east coast, with mile upon mile of flat water on one side of the narrower island and numerous wave spots along its 140 miles of coastline. There’s a huge expanse of downwinder terrain and with so many routes, you need never ride the same one twice during your stay! Pamlico Sound, the west side of Hatteras Island (facing towards the mainland), is the flat-water mecca for which ‘Hatty’ has become famous with steady wind and seven miles of waist-deep smooth waters. This is probably one of the world’s best places to learn to kite and schools in the area often coach from jet-skis allowing an instructor and student to find their…

ON THE WATER Alongside La Ventana, Los Barriles is Baja’s other key kiteboarding destination for kiters heading south following the wind and sun. Like La Ventana, Los Barriles’ heady mix of laid-back lifestyle and solid conditions during the winter season attracts an eclectic mix of travelling kiteboarders, from veteran watermen living in their RVs to younger kiters looking for somewhere they can spend a full season shredding. There are several miles of launch spots along a wide sandy beach that’s free from obstructions. The wind blows side-shore with a deeply shelving seabed, making it a primo foiling location with no low lying reef or obstacles to crash into. In strong wind you’ll get windblown swell and waves and in lighter wind there’s small chop with some flat sections dotted around.…

ON THE WATER Just 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, and less than an hour away. The main kite beach is a couple of kilometres from the town itself where all of the pousadas, restaurants and bars are, 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 a…

ON THE WATER The further north you go in 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 (you can finish up with a caipirinha!). Heading away from Jeri, you can…

ON THE WATER: 250 kilometres south of Lima lies Paracas, nestled on the edge of the Paracas National Reserve, where the desert rolls into the Pacific Ocean. Paracas boasts a large sheltered lagoon among other great kite spots and has formidable wind stats; the name ‘Paracas’ actually comes from the word for wind that was used in ancient Peruvian culture. As you can imagine, it’s rarely too light to kite. The protected shallow bay at Santo Domingo is perfect for beginners and riders pushing their twin-tip riding or foiling with flat water close to shore and minimal chop out in the bay. There are some solid wave spots in the area, too. Playon is the most consistent but as the waves rarely get much more than two metres high, it’s…

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 gets the same steady trade winds as much of the Caribbean from…

ON THE WATER Just a half hour’s drive from Porto, Esposende has a lot to offer riders of all levels across an expansive spot with flat water in the mouth of the Cávado River and waves on the ocean side of the sandbar. Reliable thermic winds during the season mean there’s plenty of scope for racking up the water time during your stay in Esposende and Kook Proof will transport you to the right spot everyday. If you want try out some other spots nearby, then Viana do Castelo is 30 minutes to the north and there are other beaches in the area. WIND, WEATHER AND WATER The season in Esposende runs from early April until late October with a thermal effect kicking in from midday most days, adding around…

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 having hosted many international freestyle and racing events. It’s also a regular spot for the foil racing world tours and the TT Racing World Championships. 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,…

ON THE WATER In the southwest of Sardinia you’ll find Porto Botte, tucked away in a nature reserve with shallow water close to shore, a soft, sandy seabed and foiling depth water 200 metres out to sea. There’s flat-water close to the beach with small chop further out and, as the bay isn’t tidal, you can ride at any time of the day. Porto Botte catches the infamous ‘Mistral’ and ‘Sirocco’ trade winds, both of which are bolstered by a dependable thermic effect in the summer. The Mistral hits Porto Botte cross-on from the left and is the most consistent as it’s funnelled between St Antioco Island and Sardinia, which increases its strength. The Sirocco blows from the right and is a little gustier close to shore, but it’s still…

ON THE WATER In recent years Kalpitiya has steadily increased in popularity among kiters of all levels, thanks to its huge lagoons, reliable windy seasons and adventurous downwind routes. Flat water’s the key attraction around Kalpitiya, but there’s also some onshore wave riding across the sandbar at Donkey Point, as well as 100 kilometres of downwind-able space to investigate! Kalpitya Lagoon, otherwise known as ‘Big Lagoon’ is just outside Kalpitiya town and is the most popular kite spot in the area. It works best in the dry season between November and early April when the northeasterly trade winds blow through and that time of year is very popular with beginners and freestylers alike. The hairdryer-like winds turn the warm, chest-deep lagoon into a natural cable park! Kappaladay Lagoon is close…

ON THE WATER At Jeneponto in South Sulawesi you’ll find a two kilometre-wide lagoon with clear, glassy, flat water at low tide and small kickers and chop on high tide. There’s a large beach with lots of space to launch and land from and this is a superb place for progressing riders, whether you’re in the early stages of getting up on the board or are working on unhooked tricks and going big. It’s not a wave spot, but if you’re looking for unfettered kiteboarding conditions then it’s seriously worth a look because the steady, side-onshore winds are more or less non-stop during the season – particularly from July to September. Like other kite destinations in Indonesia, Jeneponto hasn’t yet made its way into the kite community’s collective consciousness, so…

During the summer, The Action Cruise team run trips in the Mediterranean around the Greek Cyclades, to the north of Sardinia and the south of Corsica. They also set sail in the Caribbean early in the year around St Vincent and the Grenadines, Guadalupe, Antigua and Barbuda. Operating since 2015, they’re passionate about seeking out virgin kite spots and sailing to the most beautiful beaches on their charts. All of their trips take place on luxury catamarans with cruises running throughout the year in some of the most incredible, ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ destinations you could ever hope to kite! THE CRUISES As mentioned above, the cruises follow the seasons and all trips are timed in conjunction with the peak times of year for wind in each location. The best months for the…

AKASO ‘Action cameras’ are awesome for capturing your antics out on the water and GoPro isn’t the only name in the game. The AKASO EK7000 Pro 4K action camera records 4K/25fps, 2.7K/30fps and 1080P/60fps videos with built-in electronic image stabilisation that’s designed to keep your footage looking smooth. The EK7000 also captures 16 megapixel photos and only costs £76.99 / $74.99 / €74.99, so it’s ultra-affordable compared to some 4k / stabilising options! We’ll be able to tell you more about this camera’s application for kitesurfing soon as we’ll be getting our hands on one in the office. Review footage will go up on our YouTube channel: www.youtubecom/c/kiteworldmagkiteshow www.akaso.net F-ONE Mitu Monteiro is a legend of strapless kitesurfing and his pro model from F-One has been one of the most popular…

“THE GAWA WAS HARDER TO CONTROL. IT REQUIRED A DIFFERENT BODY POSITION AND SOME OF THE KIDS HAD DIFFICULTY WITH THAT,” SAID VANNUCCI. “BUT IN RACING CONDITIONS IN MANY TESTS WITH GPS OVER KILOMETRES IT WAS ALWAYS FASTER THAN OTHER BOARDS—SOMETIMES A BIG DIFFERENCE, SOMETIMES SMALL. BUT IT WAS NEVER SLOWER.” From the unlikely setting of a bucolic backwater in rural Thailand, Upeksha Kiteboards began its journey to the top. In just over a year the specialist slalom kiteboards became the “must-have” platform for a remarkable 20 of the 24 riders who qualified for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Buenos Aires last October. Yet for all Upeksha’s soaring success, most kiteboarders beyond the rarified confines of TwinTip:Racing (TT:R) slalom racing will be only dimly aware of the boutique brand…

Ican’t say why I’ve never been on a trip with her before. We’ve kited almost every afternoon together for years; Adriana Harlan – a Hawaii transplant from Brazil, wind addict, swell expert - and I. We learned to kite at around the same time, in 2008. She was there during my first days of flying a kite and tumbling down the reef at our local beach. She was there when I first ventured into the waves, convincing me that it was normal to see a girl out there; and a ripping girl at that. We competed together at my first event and her riding still always motivates me to improve. Oh, and she’s always down to trade waves till dark, even after the wind gets too light and our legs…

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ON THE WATER The Cape Town / Cape Peninsula 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 southeasterly Cape Doctor winds are consistent and often very powerful, which is why the Red Bull King of The Air happens here every year! 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. Sunset Beach is the closest to Cape Town city and the southeaster kicks in there first, sometimes an hour or more before it reaches the rest of the spots along Blouberg beachfront. Dolphin Beach is…

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 45 minutes south down the east coast. Pointe d’Esny is the closest spot to the airport located in the south-east, with Bel Ombre and the most popular spot - Le Morne - in close proximity…

ON THE WATER El Gouna has played host to many World Tour freestyle competitions over the years and is an outstanding spot for freestylers and freeriders, but also beginners, thanks to its 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 Mangroovy Beach where the prevailing northerlies hit the beach cross / cross-on from the left. Slightly beyond that is Buzzha Beach, which…

ON THE WATER Cape Hatteras gets a lot of attention as the US East Coast’s best known kite spot, but it’s not the only kite destination in North Carolina. The Crystal Coast serves up unreal kiting around Bogue Banks and at an array of nearby spots, plus this area isn’t crowded! The bulk of the kiting happens off Bogue Banks, a 21 mile south-facing island that forms a barrier against the Atlantic Ocean. On the leeward side of the island there are miles of flat, protected water and on the windward side’s outer bars there are a number of wave spots. You can also downwind the entire length of the island and access the open ocean at Coast Guard point at the western end of Emerald Isle. On the Atlantic…

ON THE WATER Located on the northern coast of the picturesque Yucatan Peninsula, Kite Beach in El Cuyo has a long, open sandy beach that’s ideal for beginners and freeriders with small wind chop or flat water - depending on the day. There are also a couple of sandbars that can throw up some really fun, slash-able waves and the tides have very little effect, so you can ride at any time of day. The water is shallow up to about 70 metres from shore and you can also explore the coastline on downwinder routes up to 26 kilometres long, guided by Come Kite With Us. The wind blows mainly cross-onshore but there are side-shore days too. The El Norte storms that blow through in January and December bring with…

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 Barra Grande is a 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 of coastline…

ON THE WATER Mancora is on the north coast of Peru with reliable wind for much of the year and swell for pretty much all of it. There are no fewer than eight world-class surf and kitesurf spots on the north shore and it’s a wave-seeker’s paradise with conditions to suit everyone, from full-blown pros through to novice wave riders. If you make the trip this far then you’re probably coming for the waves, but you can find some flat water at the the nearby town of Organos which has a long empty beach and constant side-on winds; perfect for beginners and freeriders / freestylers. Lobitos is a small, quiet hippy town with cross-off wave riding conditions out front and a relaxed feel off the water. WIND, WEATHER AND WATER…

ON THE WATER Providenciales, or ‘Provo’ as its known locally, is the primo kiting location in the Turks and Caicos archipelago with steady trade winds, warm turquoise waters and white sand beaches. We’re talking honeymoon scenery with epic kiting! Super-consistent trades hit the main spot, Long Bay Beach, from the left with miles of waist-deep water to play around in, making this the perfect location for novices and early intermediates. Competent riders will have a blast cruising the many inlets and cays dotted around Long Bay and it’s a dreamy freestyle spot too with steady winds blowing 90% of the time during the season. If wind from the left isn’t your thing, head to the lagoon at Blue Hills in the northwest of the island where it blows cross-on from…

ON THE WATER Nowhere else in Europe can you score world class kiting and surfing just 20 minutes drive from one of the world’s great cities. The Nortada winds tend to build later in the afternoon meaning you can surf in the morning at beaches like Caparica and Carcavelos. Carcavelos is actually only open to kiters in autumn, winter and spring, but both spots are ideal for beginners when the swell is smaller. Check with a lifeguard if you’re not sure about when you can hit the water. Some of the most famous wave spots in Europe are within an easy driving distance, including Peniche and Ericeira. Guincho delivers solid cross-onshore wave conditions but it gets gnarly when it’s big and the wind is often nuking, so is more suited…

ON THE WATER Sotavento is Fuerteventura’s southernmost kite spot with strong 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 short chop on the outside with some flat sections closer to the beach and a bit further downwind you can sometimes score small but rideable shore-break. On a full spring tide the beach is transformed into a huge, 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 when it comes to on-site facilities. René Egli have…

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 any wind direction. 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 a soft, silty bottom and there are reeds close to the…

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, making it great for learning. Go beyond that and 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…

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 and Adam’s Bridge organise coastal surfaris, with KSL also organising 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…

ON THE WATER Kingfisher Resort near Pagudpud is one of the windiest spots in the Philippines with some of the best wave riding in the entire country. There are several spots around the area offering flat water and waves depending on the day’s conditions. This area has been referred to as the ‘New Hawaii’ by some of the pros who’ve visited. You can pump up and hit the water straight in front of the resort, which is a tide dependent spot (the only one in the area) but when it’s on you get reeling right handers and, as it’s very rarely crowded, you may well get the whole place to yourself! A reef protects the bay, inside of which there’s flat water for freestyle or learning to kite. There are…

Bahamas Kite Cruise will take you to some of the most mind-blowing kite spots imaginable on their luxury catamaran cruises. Providing an exclusive service with a top notch crew for a truly unforgettable trip, you’ll ride at some of the most breathtakingly beautiful kite spots in the Caribbean. 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. You can even check out a plane that Pablo Escobar abandoned near the islands when on the run from the law! THE CRUISES The Bahamas Kite Cruise Lagoon 450 catamaran is comfortable and luxurious and the crew will take care of your…