Table of contents for #86 April - May 2017 in Kiteworld Magazine

THE ADDICTIVE SOUND OF SILENCE “Looping your kite on 20 metre lines creates this magical moment of silence. After battling to set up your gear in 40 - 50 knots of wind, with so much sand blowing in your face and wind around your ears, when you hit the water you actually get a little more peace. When you boost and pull the kite into a mega loop you get a few seconds to relax in almost silence. There’s no wind sound at all and the reason I’m still kite looping today is all about that moment.” On page 134 King of the Air competitor Jerrie van de Kop explains that after hundreds, perhaps even thousands of kite loops and mega loops, he still chases the feeling. Thinking back to…

Over the last 20 years or so I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to some of the best kiting locations in the world, though until last week I’d never been to Kenya. Actually, in all honesty, Kenya hadn’t even popped up on my kiteboarding travel destination radar, but some shots from a team rider wintering there and a small Google investigation soon had me hooked and booked. It had actually been a while since I flew outside of Europe and I haven’t been on a dedicated pleasure kiting trip for some time, either. I’m now sat, bags packed, waiting to go home and as stoked on riding as you should be after a great trip. I have 14 days on the water from a total of 14 days on location…

“A kite loop with the kite going backwards around the window while the rider performs a front roll will bend your mind when you think about it. Being 20 metres up isn’t the time to lose your bearings, but the distorted physics of this trick is test of that resolve.” Looking back on the success of the King of the Air and the joy in Nick Jacobsen’s ascendancy to the throne, it’s easy to forget that behind the scenes we had the most uncertain outlook of any forecast in a KOTA event wind window. Having good enough conditions is rare enough for these tricks, but also practicing them too hard in the build up to the event could lead to injury, so it’s a knife edge of how far to…

TEST TEAM NOTES: Mean and menacing in black and blue with the same graphical look that works around the Split-strut framework for all Slingshot kites, this definitely has the right feel for a wave kite, and more specifically one with the rugged feel and construction of the Wave SST. The Sentinel bar is awesome. Industrial grade components, it’s a relatively coarse, hard wearing grip and we rode the 17’’ bar and loved how small it appears in front of you. Slingshot bars are always well featured with grab handles on each back line for last ditch safety peace of mind. Made with more metal than plastic parts, the Slingshot CL quick-release is sturdier than most and rebuilds in an instant; really handy for use with a sliding wave spreader bar…

TEST TEAM NOTES: We were intrigued by the Ronson as Shinn already have several boards that sit in the ‘freeride’ category. Has Mark found something new? We’ve tested the Monk and the ADHD for each of the last few seasons and the Ronson is expected to sit between the two. Shinn boards typically offer a genuinely unique ride feel in a crowded twin-tip market. Perhaps they’re not the most robustly reinforced or most channeled for the hardcore wakestyle warrior, but instead Shinn boards are pushing at the forefront of twin-tip kitesurfingspecific designs. The Ronson is well made and you can be confident in its strength. It’s also not the heaviest twin-tip, but equally not the lightest. It’s sits nicely in the middle and can be ridden in straps or boots,…

TEST TEAM NOTES: The detailing, the finish, the channels, the careful use of carbon, the Choice looks like an absolute weapon and you’d be proud to own it. There are nine different stance settings and three pad insert options, so you can tell this is a serious board rider’s set-up and the inserts are also heavily reinforced for boots. We had the top-of-the-range Union Pro pad and strap combo with a faux leather feel on top of the strap and EVA footpads; the design is impeccably well manufactured with lots of grip feature detail, including a very effective toe-bar grip. Two Velcro pads close across the top of each foot strap with two further Velcro pads underneath those, allowing you to tighten in two positions over your instep and two…

MOVE: MEGA LOOP / RIDER: JERRIE VAN DE KOP / PHOTOS: SVETLANA ROMANTSOVA / RRD People often ask me, ‘Do you ever get bored of doing kite loops?’ No! There will always be the promise of days with stronger wind or better waves to jump and the more intense the adrenaline rush becomes. First thing though: always check your equipment carefully for wear and tear before you go for any sort of looping session! When riding out, as soon as I see these waves / ramps form, it’s time to focus and prepare my approach. I get my kite at a 45 degree angle, sheet the bar in halfway and try to build up as much speed as possible. I want the kite to hit 12 o’clock at the exact…

01 > ‘Always bring all of your kites’ is my favourite saying in kiting. You don’t want to miss a session! 02 > The best people are those that listen, lift you up, stay positive and support you. Find them and hold on to them. 03 > It’s really nice to disconnect every once in a while. Making sure that I don’t have my phone with me from time to time enables me to connect with the present and I don’t feel like I need to be available to everyone immediately. It’s refreshing and liberating. 04 > Hood River has the best slider park in the world. 05 > Our natural environment is suffering. It’s up to us to protect and preserve her. 06 > Kiters are the kookiest, best…

Heading away on your first kiteboarding trip is a special time and a rite of passage. There’s the flurry of excitement as you thumb through back issues of the Travel Guide comparing wind stats, the excitement as you imagine what the conditions will be like, the discussions among friends about which destination will have the best après-kite scene and the endorphin rush as you put your faith in the wind gods and book your trip. We’ve compiled some tips and things to consider that might help as you plan your first kiting holiday! CHOOSING YOUR DESTINATION The main advantages with choosing to learn kitesurfing on a holiday are that the wind conditions are usually more favourable than home and, combined with you having taken the time off to dedicate to…

“Rarely have I seen a spot that within just a few tacks has conditions for literally every type of rider, from full on waves, freestyle, foiling or learning.” JIM GAUNT, KITEWORLD EDITOR ON THE WATER Uninterrupted southeast trade winds blow thousands of miles towards Mauritius from May to October, lighting up wave spots on the north, east and south coasts with incredible conditions. Le Morne is situated in the southeast corner and offers riding for all levels, with trade winds from the left and a wide expanse of flat water inside the protective reef 600 yards offshore. ‘Small reef’ is a fun right hand wave in front of the Indian Ocean Resort, breaking over a sandy bottom. ‘Manawa’, a kilometre off the beach, is best at high tide and tends…

ON THE WATER Essaouira is just a few hours flight time from anywhere in central Europe, but visually and culturally it feels like you’ve travelled much further, with its vibrant old medina and bustling fishing harbour. Known as ‘the windy city’, the vast, sandy beach that stretches for six miles offers you enourmous space and freedom on the water. The best kiting is found towards the left side of the bay, away from the town, where the beach is less crowded and the wind more constant. The curved shape of the bay and cross-on winds make it safe and kite schools offer safety boat assistance. Protected by the Mogador Islands and harbour, cross-shore winds from the right offer ideal conditions for beginner to expert. Find flat water up close to…

“Perfect for every style of kiteboarding, from waves on the ocean side to flat water on the sound side. This is the land of the downwinder with so many inlets to explore, so grab your mates and send it! Bring your whole quiver too because there’s everything from light wind to tropical storms and massive waves in the ocean. All in a day in Hatteras sometimes, too!” CHRIS BOBRYK, RRD PRO RIDER ON THE WATER Hatteras Island, 40 miles off the US mainland and reachable via a chain of small islands and man-made bridges, has countless locations for flat water and wave riding alongside seemingly endless downwinder terrain. It’s almost as if this place was custom designed for kiting... On the west side of the island you’ll find shallow flat…

“Hood River is an epic mountainous beauty and an adventurer’s playground for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, kiting, kayaking and paragliding all in the same day. And there are alway so many stoked people on the water!” SENSI GRAVES, LIQUID FORCE PRO RIDER ON THE WATER The main spot in Hood River itself is the sandbar where you’ll find choppy conditions further out with flat water close in near shore as well as the infamous Hood River slider park. There’s usually plenty of space to launch and land but this can change depending on the water level. Although gusty at times on the inside, it’s consistently windy throughout the season as the wind is funnelled down the river through the Columbia River Gorge. 50 minutes east of Hood you’ll find Rufus…

ON THE WATER Just 45 minutes north of Los Cabos international airport in Baja, Mexico, lies Los Barriles – a kiteboarding mecca for many American kiteboarders and, indeed, kiters from all over the world, looking for windy, warmer climes. Los Barriles and nearby La Ventana (just a 45 minute drive north) attract an eclectic mix of travelling kiteboarders, from veteran Californian watermen looking to live off the grid in their RVs, to former business executives searching for a comfortable retirement bolthole as well as younger kiters who travel south from the US and further afield to experience the abundant wind conditions and relaxed pace of life. Lured by boardshort compatible sea temperatures, reliable northerlies in the winter months and the consistent summer southerlies that are bolstered by local thermic effects,…

“I choose Taiba over the other lagoons in Brazil because it offers a more rustic vibe. There’s also more wind than Cauipe, but less wind than Jeri, so for the unhooked tricks I want to do, it’s perfect. What’s better than sharing a lagoon with your friends?” BRANDON SCHEID, LIQUID FORCE PRO RIDER ON THE WATER Away from the crowds that you’ll find at some of the busier spots in the area, Taiba is a firm favourite of many pro riders who return season-after-season to this prime location on one of the world’s most well-documented stretches of kiting coastline. The state of Ceara is known for clean, consistent winds and Taiba has something to satisfy any kiter, with a protected flat-water lagoon for freestylers and beginners on less crowded days…

“At the changing of the low and high tides you’ll find the best and flattest conditions are at Guriu river mouth, which is a thrilling downwinder over several kilometres, setting off from Jericoacoara itself.” KITEWORLD MAGAZINE ON THE WATER Surrounded by dunes, fresh water lagoons and set in a national park, there are no proper roads, the entire town has sandy streets and there’s wind almost every day. Jericoacoara is a very special fishing village on the northeast coast of Brazil in Ceara, 330 kilometres northwest of Fortaleza. Close to the equator, it was once hailed as having one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world by the Washington Post. Boasting over 25 kilometres of beaches and solid wind blowing from June all the way through February, there…

ON THE WATER Cabarete offers several classic spots. Kite Beach is where the Mai Tai Freestyle Invitational, the opening stop of the WKL Freestyle tour, was held in 2016 and dramatically won by local hero Luis Alberto Cruz. It can get busy near to shore with advanced riders and beginners, but up or downwind you’ll have waves and open water to yourself and there are many other options besides. Take a trip directly east or upwind of Kite Beach and you’ll find Cabarete Bay. La Policia is just upwind of the windsurfing zone on the main beach and is the perfect playground for advanced riders. Bozo Beach, downwind in Cabarete’s main bay, has cross-onshore winds and flat to choppy water conditions, suitable for all levels while the more advanced can…

“The wind blows nearly everyday, the island scenery is stunning, the tropical sunset drinks are strong and the riding spots are world class. I couldn’t think of a more ideal place for a dreamy kite vacation.” BRANDON SCHEID, LIQUID FORCE PRO RIDER ON THE WATER Union Island is renowned for its iconic blue flat water and consistent, steady, cross shore winds as well as the infamous Happy Island that you can kite up to and have a drink at with your kite still in the air (decent kite-handling skills required!). Union Island is also where North chose to film their NKB academy videos due to the unreal, progression-friendly conditions on hand. The season runs from mid-November to mid-July with the peak months from Christmas to April. The most easily accessible…

ON THE WATER One of the most vibrant and buzzing cities in the world, Lisbon is rich in culture and history, but from our perspective it’s most unique in that there are prime kite spots and world class waves just 15 minutes from the city centre! It’s not uncommon to surf, SUP and kite all in the same day. Caparica and Carcavelos are the closest kiteable beaches, just 10-15 minutes drive from central Lisbon, with epic wave riding conditions when the Nortada fires up in the afternoon as well as some fantastic surfing in the calmer mornings. Both spots are suitable for beginners in the summer, but ask a lifeguard or a local where you can and can’t kite first as kitesurfing is strictly prohibited in some areas during the…

“For any rider looking to get some good time on the water in easy, fun conditions with a huge range of other activities and sights to keep all the family entertained... and very well fed... this region of Spain is an all-round pleaser!” JIM GAUNT, KITEWORLD EDITOR ON THE WATER This is a freeride paradise for intermediates and anyone who just enjoys getting on the water, hence the great atmosphere. Sant Pere has a long, sandy seven kilometre beach and with no tides or currents, the conditions are ‘lakeside’ safe with bump ‘n’ jump chop away from the shore. If you’re lucky you may also score a session with friendly, crumbly chest-high waves. In high summer months the afternoon sea breezes offer virtually guaranteed 15 knot onshore kiting in the…

“Hangloose Beach is fun! Super regular and steady 12 metre weather in the afternoons, and if you want to learn to foil it’s insane. It’s seemingly always packed with fun party people... but you can also get away.” JIM GAUNT, KITEWORLD EDITOR ON THE WATER Located in the gulf of Lamezia Terme, Gizzeria offers fantastic learning conditions. Miles of obstacle-free beach along the Tyrrhenian sea coastline also offer added safety within the relative enclosure of the gulf as the waters remain mostly calm. If you’re looking to improve your foiling game, this place has superb conditions for cranking out high mileage distances within a stunning setting. Although ideal for beginners, Gizzeria attracts a lot of pro riders too thanks to the regular conditions. Each year Hang Loose Beach host an…

“I seriously love Limnos (enough to go back twice in one summer)! When the Meltemi kicks in, Keros Bay has it all, from super flat water to the kickers downwind.” POLLY CRATHORNE, CABRINHA UK RIDER ON THE WATER Keros is a safe, sandy three kilometre kitesurfing bay with a variety of conditions, suitable for all levels. Experience Greece as it was before mass-tourism, with friendly people, good food and tradition. Combine this with the famous Meltemi wind and turquoise waters and you have kitesurfing paradise. Keros beach offers three different spots in one bay: a super flat section at the north end where you can ride just feet from the shore, a bump ‘n’ jump section in the middle and a small (two to four foot) wave spot at the…

ON THE WATER Mannar is the most recently discovered kite destination in Sri Lanka and part of Adam’s Bridge, otherwise known as Rama’s Bridge. It’s a 50 kilometre chain of sandbars, islands and man-made bridges that almost links Sri Lanka to the Indian mainland and, it is thought, that it was passable on foot up until the 15th century when much of it was destroyed in a cyclone. Situated about three hours / 220 kilometres to the north of Kalpitiya, it’s a flat water heaven with over 36 kilometres of flat water that is almost totally unknown to most kiteboarders (for now). The guys from Kitesurfing Lanka were the first to explore the kiteboarding potential of the area around Adam’s Bridge and they’ve opened a centre there called Vayu which…

“Palawan is about to explode as a top kiteboarding destination. Good, cheap living combined with steady winds, waves, flat water and the kite park at Blue Palawan make this an all-round killer kite spot!” SAM MEDYSKY / BEST PRO RIDER AND KITE PARK LEAGUE COMPETITOR ON THE WATER Hidden Beach on Palawan Island is a mecca for flat water kitesurfing. A large mangrove sanctuary is protected by a reef a kilometre from shore that provides waist-deep water on a high-tide, making it ideal for beginners. However, for shredders, there are also three Jibstruction features for wakestyle riders as used in this year’s Kite Park League event. There’s plenty of space to explore for freeriding if you’re not into riding sliders and the beachside facilities are top notch. A kite school…

First of all, how do you personally define the term ‘big wave’? I think it’s a wave that’s at least double overhead and makes your heart beat a little bit faster. What I used to think was big doesn’t have the same effect on me now. It’s a relative term and now a big wave needs to be at least 20 feet to get my blood boiling. The list of big wave spots that work for tow-in surfing is quite extensive. The XXL Big Wave Awards create breathtaking moments for TV and newspapers around the world. Kitesurfing hasn’t hit those heights yet. Why? Travelling to kite big waves is difficult because you need such a specific forecast for it all to come together. To tow-in to big waves you generally…

After ending up in a coma for ten days following a wipeout in the quarter finals of the King of the Air 2016, Lewis Crathern didn’t get to enjoy the more relaxed, special sessions that go down in the weeks after the event towards the end of the Cape Town season. This year Lewis and the other riders have had the best after-event period of high wind riding in memory with the Cape Doctor really turning up the dial in February. New KOTA King Nick Jacobsen, Ruben Lenten, Lasse Walker, Jerrie van de Kop and Lewis were still in town, and we got to witness the boys throwing down during a couple of true 40+ knots sessions. One spontaneous Sunday evening session in particular, just downwind of Kite Beach, was…

* World kitesurfing speed record (France): 56.62 knots – Alex Caizergues * World speed sailing record (Luderitz): 54.10 knots – Alex Caizergues * The first Delta C kite on the market For a large proportion of the Bandit’s ten year history, it was the only kite that F-One focused on producing, so sure they were of its relevance and application for the market, then and for the future. It has been one of the best selling kites in the world since then, so Raphael Salles and his team were obviously right! The team were able to devote all their design time to just one range of kites, allowing for many hours more tuning and tweaking than other design teams that were committed to a bigger portfolio and had three or…

TEST TEAM NOTES: What a machine! The Apex looks superb in its simplicity, though it’s anything but that. The top and bottom sheets are faultlessly aligned and manufactured with what looks like a seamless join with the ABS rails. It all feels as if it was cut from just one block of material, such is the cleanliness of appearance and you can’t help but be impressed with the quality. It’s just beautiful. Moving on to the foot strap and pad set up; in terms of the combination of comfort and grip, we’ve not experienced any better this year, particularly considering how easy the straps are to find your own sweet spot. There’s a good combination of softness and support and your foot feels contained all the way round, rather than…

Even the best of us (though our crown looks to have slipped) can make mistakes at the sharp end, but it seems that many of the top freestyle riders don’t always have the best grasp on their cult riding history knowledge, either. “These young freestylers just do all these grabs without even knowing what they are!” exclaimed Eric. “Yeah, but they’re bloody good riders though, eh?” “Culture is important, though!” Indeed. So, to save future blushes and to help out all but the top-of-the-class hands-up-at-the-front wakestylers, here’s a handy descriptive guide to all tricks and references, by technical guru Eric Rienstra. Cut it out, put it on your wall and plan your future moves! SPINS Wrapped: Bar behind your back Frontside: Spinning where you face forward at the halfway point.…

MOVE: TWEAKED STRAPLESS LIEN GRAB / RIDER: KEAHI DE ABOITIZ PHOTOS: JAMES BOULDING This is actually a trick that I started doing slowly doing over time. For me it came naturally from hitting waves on the way back out and trying to make the air time a little more stylish. I liked the feeling of tweaking the grab harder and now it’s a trick I do a lot on the way back out during a session Tweaking it this far won’t feel that natural at first, but this is a perfect trick that you can start trying early on and slowly tweaking it further as you get more comfortable. Although it’s a relatively simple grab, if done right it can look and feel really good. It’s not completely necessary to…

“An endless playground of butter-flat waters with a little hike through Ostrich country to get to Shark Bay. It feels like you’re on a mini safari!” SUSI MAI, TONA TEAM RIDER ON THE WATER Langebaan is essentially flat water heaven! This huge, turquoise lagoon is set in the rugged terrain and dazzling natural beauty of the west coast with plenty of space, white-sand beaches and constant cross-shore winds during the season. This is one of South Africa’s top kite spots and it’s especially good if you’re not into waves and want to avoid the seemingly endless swells that Cape Town, 90 minutes south, can produce. A more beginner-friendly spot than Cape Town due to the lack of shorebreak, the two main spots in Langebaan are Shark Bay (Kleine Oostewal) and…

“Bed-to-beach action for cruisy kitesurfing in calm waters doesn’t get much more convenient or relaxed than this!” KITEWORLD TEAM ON THE WATER Lesser known than the southwest of the island for its kitesurfing credentials, there are fantastic conditions to be found on the east coast of Mauritius in Belle Mare and, as a result, you’ll find less crowds there! The winds are generally calmer in the east than they can be in the south and the prevailing easterlies hit this stretch of coastline cross-on from the right, so you can expect to ride the awesome lagoons around Belle Mare on your nine to 12 metre kites. Stay at the Maritim Crystal Beach hotel in Belle Mare and you can experience the full ‘bed to board’ experience by kiting on the…

ON THE WATER Soma Bay is a world class watersports location. The peninsula plays host to an awesome kite centre providing a safe, professional service in a spot without the crowds of some other well-known kiting destinations. The wind blows steadily cross-shore over the flat, warm water and the spot also boasts the 7BFT KiteHouse with all its amenities as well as a variety of hotel options close by. There are two riding spots in Soma Bay. The main one is in front of the majority of hotels and centres with relatively flat water, even in stronger winds. Cross / cross-offshore conditions in the morning switch offshore in the late afternoons. This spot is also patrolled by two safety boats and is split into two areas; one for the kite…

“The Crystal Coast is made up of a series of barrier islands, sounds and points, making this region a dream kiting area. Just a quick ferry ride from Cape Hatteras or a couple hours drive from Raleigh International airport, it’s the little known gem of NC. No matter the wind direction there is always a ridable spot and often a choice of waves, or flat water.” EVAN NETSCH, CABRINHA PRO RIDER ON THE WATER The Crystal Coast offers a variety of wild kiteboarding experiences. Bogue Banks is a 21-mile south-facing barrier island which gives easy access to the Atlantic with awesome conditions to be had for all levels and riding styles at Coast Guard Point in Emerald Isle, NC. You can find waves on the outer bar with flat water…

ON THE WATER Located in the Bay Area between San Francisco and Sacramento (just 50 miles from each), Pittsburg Waterfront has a custom-built launching area especially for kiteboarders with inbuilt anchor points for self-launching kites as well as a dedicated grass area for rigging up. This area gets some of the most reliable wind on the west coast during the summer with regular kiteable days between June and August. It’s also less crowded than many of the beaches closer to San Francisco. From this location you’ll be able to kite across miles of flat water with uninterrupted wind and the lack of shore break or any large chop also makes it an ideal spot for beginners. More experienced riders will love the freestyle-friendly conditions and the fact that it can…

“I came to Uruaú for the first time in 2012 and immediately fell in love with the place. It’s an up-coming spot that’s perfect for kiteboarding and other beach activities. I liked it so much that I bought a house here and come about three times a year to train and have a great time.” YOURI ZOON, SLINGSHOT / BRUNOTTI PRO RIDER AND TWO-TIME FREESTYLE WORLD CHAMPION ON THE WATER Uruaú is a small village to the south of Fortaleza with perfect, steady winds that are ideal for riders looking to learn or progress. You can kite in the lagoon, which featured in the movie Chapter One, with its super smooth flat water, or out on the open ocean if you’re looking for waves to shred or kickers to launch…

ON THE WATER Whatever you’re looking for in terms of terrain, Icaraizinho probably has it! There’s butter flat water to the southeast, classic bump and jump conditions in the middle of the bay and then smack-able one to two metre waves at the north end. The beach has plenty of space for launching and won’t hurt your feet if you end up doing the long walk back upwind as the sand is smooth and free of shells. There are two classic downwinders you can do that aren’t too demanding but offer different conditions. Caetanos to Icaraizinho is approximately 15 kilometres with good waves along the way while Icaraizinho to Patos is slightly shorter at 14 kilometres, featuring small waves with a superb flat water section along the route when the…

“While Orient Bay is the most user-friendly and popular beach for kitesurfing, the dynamic shape of the islands create many coves and points to explore and find a variety of flat water and wave riding spots!” EVAN NETSCH, CABRINHA PRO RIDER ON THE WATER Located in the middle of the West Indian Archipelago, St Martin has 36 beaches in total and is a real Caribbean idyll. There are two main spots, Orient Bay and Nettle Bay. Orient Bay is on the windward side of the island while Nettle Bay is on the Caribbean side where there is generally less wind. The main launching area at Orient Bay is between two restaurants. Although relatively narrow it’s workable and there’s a designated kiting area to divide kiters and swimmers. The wind is…

“There’s a true Caribbean feel and a range of conditions on offer, from waves to beginner friendly waters. The coastal forest reserves are incredible, too.” MATT PEARCE, KITEWORLD ASSOCIATE EDITOR ON THE WATER On the south coast of St Lucia you’ll discover a picturesque, tropical coastline with incredible scenery that would look perfectly at home on a postcard (and is frequently depicted on them). There’s world class kiting, be your preference wave riding or flat water, while the easy-going no-stress Caribbean vibe of St Lucia only adds to the qualities that make this an ideal kiting getaway. There’s a wave spot at Coconut Bay that works when the Atlantic swells push in, and the cross-shore conditions are great for experienced and novice riders alike. Head upwind and you’ll find flat…

ON THE WATER Very easily accessible from all European countries, the Algarve in the southwest of Portugal has 200 kilometres of coastline, some 70% of which is in protected nature reserves that are ripe for exploring with or without a kite. On the east coast you’ll discover lagoons surrounded by dunes, sheltered bays on the central coast and powerful Atlantic swells in the west. This area can be busy with beachgoers in the high season but there are less crowded beaches across its vast and varied coastline that features dedicated wave spots like Carrapateria with mellow summer waves and big swells in the winter, to the flat lagoons in Alvor that really help your rapid riding progression. There’s also the island chain of Rio Formosa, a short boat ride away,…

“Fuerteventura is a very special place with everything from pumping waves to kicker freestyle at Flag Beach and flat lagoons if you know where to look. Deciding which toys to put in your car is the hardest part. Fuerte will rarely disappoint.” TOM COURT, NORTH PRO RIDER ON THE WATER Flag Beach’s open, sandy beach is long with protective reefs at both ends making it quite unlike many of the beaches in this part of the island. Kiters and windsurfers are separated into their own zones with the kiting zone just upwind of the windsurfers in the predominant wind which blows from the left. Cotillo is on the west coast and reasonably close to Flag Beach, but you need to know the spot before you head out as there are…

“To come to a place like this and find good wind, mirror-flat water and nobody around is very rare, and I have been travelling for many years now!” AARON HADLOW, NORTH TEAM RIDER AND FIVE TIME WORLD CHAMPION ON THE WATER In the northeast of the island of Sicily, Lo Stagnone lagoon is 2,000 hectares – an enourmous expanse of kiteable flat water. The spot works with any wind direction and you’ll find launching areas out front of the kite centres on the main beach. Although it’s not tidal, the height of the water can change depending on the wind direction. On a southerly you’ll get a warm wind with plenty of lift and on a northerly, (the prevailing direction in summer), you’ll get mirror flat water tucked in behind…

ON THE WATER The beach at Theologos catches the steady Meltemi winds coming cross / cross-on from the left. The waters are beautifully clear with no rip tides or currents and, with a huge beach to work with, there’s plenty of space for everyone. Short chop is the norm but you can get some waves when a northerly wind comes through in April and October and this is an ideal foiling location with vast expanses of deep, obstruction-free water to explore. Theologos beach is the best spot on the island for all levels but there’s also Prasonisi at the southern end of the island with the Aegean Sea on one side which can take some solid three metre swells and, on the other side, there’s the Mediterranean Sea with super…

“The ‘Secret Spot’ (Vela Island) is the best place I’ve ever ridden by a long way! A boat ride mission through the bay or downwind with your crew and experience blow-dryer smooth wind and kilometre-upon-kilometre of butter-flat water!” CRAIG CUNNINGHAM, NORTH KITEBOARDING PRO RIDER ON THE WATER Sri Lanka isn’t yet as well known as some of the more long-established kitesurfing destinations but it’s growing in popularity every season and the Kalpitiya region in the secluded northwest of the country is where it’s happening! People who’ve been there frequently claim that it’s one of the best kiteboarding destinations they’ve ever been to and it’s easy to understand why. There are consistent winds throughout the year, numerous flat water spots, some onshore waveriding (depending on the season), and around 100 kilometres…

“This place is just amazing, perfectly blue waters and ideal winds for 9 – 12 metre freestyle. The crew is great and you’ll find lots of little turtles to ride alongside. I really appreciate time spent there!” TOM HEBERT, NORTH KITEBOARDING PRO RIDER ON THE WATER One of the most remote atolls in the world and sitting in the Indian Ocean trade wind route, this magical and unique group of islands offers unreal flat water freeriding, fantastic learning conditions and some very adventurous kitesurfing. Kite Beach is at the southern tip of West Island where the wind is cross onshore and blows cleanly between West and South Islands with waist deep water, a sandy bottom and a little bit of coral. Mostly flat water with some wind chop, it’s perfect…

CALABRIA, ITALY With acres of open, deep water and steady Mediterranean winds, Hangloose Beach is one of the best spots in Europe to really progress your foiling. Many an international racing event has been held here, the most recent of which was the KiteFoil Gold Cup, and there’s a reason why Calabria has earned such a reputation as a foilboarder’s dream with unbroken winds, no reefs or sandbars to collide with and some vibrant parties after hours. More on page 124 RHODES, GREECE Offering the chance to experience Greece as it used to be, Rhodes is unspoiled and, more importantly, un-crowded. The winds are light in the morning before building through the afternoon and there’s a huge amount of space to explore with very few obstructions. It can get pretty…

As the first event on this year’s tour, the Blue Palawan Open was eagerly awaited among the core. Established riders of this discipline, like Brandon Scheid, Eric Rienstra, Craig Cunningham and KPL 2016 Champion Sam Light (who won every event he entered last year) are the obvious male riders to watch out for. Sensi Graves and Colleen Carroll are the recognised names in the women’s division as reigning champ Karolina Winkowska didn’t enter at Palawan. However, the recent insurgency of younger, dynamic riders like Ewan Jaspan, Noé Font and female rider Annelous Lammerts has upped the ante in terms of credible competitors on both sides in the last 12 months. The additional spectre of Aaron Hadlow fresh off the podium at the King of The Air just a few days…

The Kappalady lagoon is still shrouded in darkness as Keira Perera raises the zipper of his tent and steps out into the silence of the morning. Unusually, for a Sri Lankan, he sports many tattoos on his dark skin. He chooses his words carefully, his humor is dry and when you listen really closely a slight American east coast accent is noticeable when he speaks his perfect English. At 12-years-old his family decided to leave the civil war behind and move from Sri Lanka’s capital of Colombo to the suburbs of Boston in the USA. Two years ago Keira came back to the island but he quickly realised that the hectic capital was not his thing anymore. He soon discovered the Puttalam / Kalpitiya region and turned over a new…

* KPWT world Champion 2008- Jesse Richman * Triple-S Winner 2009 - Andre Phillip * Speed World Record 2010 - Rob Douglas * Red Bull King of Air 2017 - Nick Jacobsen * 145,000 Switchblades sold since 2006 An impressive fact file on the Switchblade there, we think you’ll agree, since its first launch in 2006. The objective with the original Switchblade was to have a particularly lighter feeling alternative to the Crossbow (the original bow kite) that was available at a lower cost. The Switchblade balanced lighter bar pressure from the revised design and the adjustments in the bridling. Overall, the design was more forgiving and less radical than the Crossbow. In 2007 the Switchblade experienced a major change when it went to a 1:1 control system and five…

TEST TEAM NOTES: First of all, the influence you have over the turning rate, radius and stall / pivot on the Wave is astonishing. It’s the most eager kite we’ve ridden, and as such sits right at the top of the tree in terms of high performance. However, when it comes to waves, there are different types and tastes of high performance. In terms of speed of reaction and the type of reaction you can ask of it, that’s high performance to us. Whether it suits you is another thing. Firstly, that eagerness is partly due to the powerful forward flight which makes the Airush a charger upwind. Smash out shed loads of turns and within a quick run or two you’ll be back in the line-up where you started.…

TEST TEAM NOTES: Now in its seventh year, the original wave kite returns as one of the strongest products on the market. Robustly built, the Religion has more widespread Dacron use than you’ll see elsewhere. Smash it into the water, watch it get devoured by waves, the protective shield will ensure it’s unharmed and ready for more action. The Religion inflates via single-point mid-size Boston valve which unscrews for wide deflation and is easy to get lots of pressure pumped into. Now in its second year of production, the RRD Global bar V7 is very clean, simple, functional and comfortable in your hands with a narrower than average thickness. The depower line is nicely covered in smooth plastic and the lines are stiffer than usual (easier to unwind as a…

TEST TEAM NOTES: The Waterflow is a beautifully classic-looking surfboard. Clean graphics and teardrop shape will inspire your dreams of becoming a high-performance surfer, but in truth the Waterflow is aimed at riders who are taking their first tentative steps on to a surfboard. At 5’11 the board is already fairly long, but there’s also loads of buoyancy throughout and thick rails, too. Although the outline pulls in towards the tips from the wider centre section, that’s still quite a chunky tail at the rear. All-round this makes for a very stable platform and although it gets going nice and early, the Waterflow doesn’t ride particularly quickly, so for light winds and for getting to grips with the basic foot movements of riding a surfboard, it steadily builds confidence. As…

SURFBOARDS TEST TEAM NOTES: The carbon Mitu is one of the most riotous and fun surfboards for riding in tough, up and down Cape Town conditions. It looks pretty small physically and it’s incredibly light – constructed with an HD foam carbon composite, and F-One say that one of their top priorities was to keep this board light to make it more responsive. Job done! Compact in length and just two inches thick, the volume is low at just 19 litres. Jim weighs 68 kilos and immediately loved the easy influence he had over the board, but surprisingly Matt at 95 kilos found it to be no slouch either and was planing easily and getting upwind again quickly, too. So there’s something in the design and that nose and tail…

TEST TEAM NOTES: If Batman had a kiteboard, this is what he’d be rolling with. It’s got spikey tips, it’s gnarly, incredibly strong, needs a firm master to control it and looks like it’s full of the dark arts. Who doesn’t want a skull and cross bone on their board either?! It’s a total bad ass and you could destroy buildings with it it’s so well made. Along with that robustness comes more weight in relation to the freeride test company that the Monarch finds itself in this issue, but it’s reassuringly weighty and certainly strong without being too heavy for the job at hand. We tested the Monarch dressed up in the suitably high-spec Apex 2 footstrap / pad set. Supremely adjustable, they’re easy to find the grip and…

MOVE: BACK ROLL TRANSITION > RIDER: JEREMIE TRONET The first thing to think about is the speed with which you approach the back roll transition. You shouldn’t go into a transition with the same speed you carry into a regular jump as the goal here is to end up travelling in the opposite direction. Too much speed coming into the trick will make that more difficult. However, if you don’t approach with enough speed you won’t have enough power to get good control in the air. As you approach the area that you want to do your transition, prepare for take-off by moving your kite up to 12 o’clock. As your kite goes up to 12 o’clock open your shoulders to a more upwind angle and at the same time…

WORLDWIDE SCHOOLS & SHOPS EVEN MORE LISTINGS AT WWW.KITEWORLDMAG.COM SCHOOLS THE AMERICAS 1 Aerosport Canada Magdalen Islands & Oka Quebec, Canada info@aerosport.ca +1 866 986 6677 www.aerosport.ca 2 Aqua Sports Maui Wailukui, Hawaii kiteboardingmaui@mac.com + 1 808 242 8015 www.mauikiteboardinglessons.com 3 Captain Kirks Kiteboarding Long Beach, LA & La Ventana info@captainkirks.com +1 310 833 3397 www.captainkirks.com 4 Exotikite Kiteboarding School Baja, Sur Mexico info@exotikite.com +521 624 165 2612 www.exotikite.com 5 Good Breeze Kiteboarding Cocoa Beach, Florida info@kiteboardingcloseouts.com +1 321-252-5483 www.goodbreezekiteboarding.com www.kiteboardingcloseouts.com 6 Hatteras Island Surf & Sailing Waves, NC +1 252 987 2292 www.hatterasislandsurfshop.com 7 Kiteboarding School of Maui Kahului, Maui, Hawaii mschale@ksmaui.com +1 808 873 0015 www.ksmaui.com 8 Kitty Hawk Kites Nag's Head, Hatteras mail@kittyhawk.com +1 252 441 0265 www.kittyhawk.com www.khkiteboarding.com 9 KGB Kiteboarding Baja Mexico & California info@kgbswag.com…

LIP SPORTS The LiP Surge watershade comes with PC polarized lenses that are hydrophobic, scratch resistant and offer 100% UV protection. The TR90 frame is flexible, light weight and durable with inbuilt vents to prevent fogging and has complete peripheral vision. The shades are secured in place by LiP’s Bombproof clip-on safety leash and retainer system and come complete with an EVA case and microfiber cleaning bag. www.lip-sunglasses.com NORTH Luggage takes a beating when you travel so it’s worth having bags that are up to the task. The North Combi Bag is available in a range of sizes to fit twin-tips or surfboards from 139 to 190cm and is lightweight and compact to help you stay within your baggage allowance. The smaller sized bag comes in at 3.6kg while the…

“The Kiteworld team’s destination of choice for running our annual gear reviews. Although the Cape Doctor is really strong much of the time, if you time it right and are willing to drive, you can find an array of varied conditions around the cape. Plus everyone should see the King of the Air live at least once!” JIM GAUNT, KITEWORLD EDITOR ON THE WATER Consistently playing host to some of the world’s best riders from October to March, Cape Town is also the home of the Red Bull King of the Air extreme big air contest. If you want to jump high, the wind is unbeatable and the area boasts 30+ kite spots, offering a huge variety of riding, from flat water to five or six metre waves. Also, unlike…

ON THE WATER Situated on the edge of the Western Sahara desert, the Dakhla peninsula shelters a huge 45 kilometre long flat water lagoon from the Atlantic Ocean, so whatever your level and riding preference, you’re likely to be covered. The most popular areas are around the kite camps, but a few kilometres south you’ll find the famous ‘speed spot’, offering phenomenal flat water. Check with centres for safety boat cover. The lagoon can be ridden at both high and low tide, though high tide provides the best opportunity for beginners as the water is waist-deep. For advanced riders the flat water at low tide doesn’t get any better. There are also a variety of wave spots between a five and 20 minute drive with great conditions, particularly during the…

“A hidden little paradise contrasting the many busy spots in Egypt. Just a short stroll to the beach from the hotel, the blue water is so inviting and there’s also an amazing lagoon for flat water fun and easy learning. The Pro Center vibe is brilliant, too.” ANNABEL VAN WESTEROP, CORE PRO RIDER ON THE WATER A playground paradise for all watersports lovers, 220 kilometres south of Hurghada, El Naaba in Marsa Alam feels far away from mass tourism on the edge of the desert. If you’re looking for a simple, peaceful and relaxing holiday, it’s ideal. A hundred metres offshore there’s a round, potato-shaped reef that protects the beach from shorebreak and focuses the waves out on the reef, separating two bays: Beach Bay and Surfers Bay. Kitesurfing and…

“Steady wind and a good ol’ southern vibe. A great place to go and kite your brains out and there’s some fun surf too!” SKY SOLBACH, NORTH KITEBOARDING SHAPER ON THE WATER Choose from head-high, peeling waves in the Gulf of Mexico or standing depth, butter-flats across over a million acres of open water in the Laguna Madre Bay. The main Laguna Madre launches are just north of town, the first being the shallow, sandy South Flats which is excellent in northeast to northwest winds. The north flats work in any wind direction but cost $15 per month or $25 per year for access. Buy a pass and get info at the kite shops who can also take you on downwinders to where it’s blowing the hardest, usually the middle…

“I have spent a month for each of the last four years in La Ventana because it’s so consistent! The wind builds all day as the desert heats up and every few weeks an ‘El Norte’ cooler, stronger wind will bring some fun breaking waves on a couple of reefs close-by.” EVAN NETSCH, CABRINHA TEAM RIDER ON THE WATER Nestled on the edge of the crystal clear Sea of Cortez, La Ventana is serviced by a northerly wind that blows consistently from November through April, peaking in January and February. Long reaches out into the bay and endless downwinders await from the four main launch spots, ranging from the hot springs to the north, Rosta Beach, the campground and south beach near the hotels. January and February can kick up…

“Cumbuco is by far my favourite place to train with the smooth, steady winds that blow every day. This small fishing village has developed around kitesurfing and you breathe the sport everywhere you go.” BRUNA KAJIYA, TWO TIME WORLD CHAMPION AND AIRUSH PRO RIDER ON THE WATER Boasting golden-sand beaches, consistent sun and southeasterly trade winds from June through until February, Cumbuco is just 40 minutes north of Forteleza and the kiting happens across a spacious six kilometre long beach that’s dotted with pousadas and apartments all the way along - so you’ll be kiting right off your doorstep. There’s a small shorebreak with choppy water behind that and some sandbanks that create small waves. The infamous Cauipe Lagoon is six kilometres downwind of Cumbuco. You can easily ride downwind…

“When you finish a Surfin Sem Fim downwinder here in Prea you come from the desert where there are no people and then arrive at this lovely fishing village with nice waves on the way and a really friendly crew. An incredible combination!” MITU MONTEIRO, F-ONE TEAM RIDER ON THE WATER A three to four hour drive from Fortaleza, Preá beach is considered one of the best kitesurfing spots in Brazil with reliable conditions and cross onshore winds blowing across 14 kilometres of golden sands. It’s ideal for beginners and riders of any level as the beach is huge and many kiteboarders get a daily transfer from Jeri to kite here in the accessible and fun cross-onshore conditions. Stay at Rancho do Peixe and you have luxury and convenience, including…

ON THE WATER Just an hour from Miami and even closer to Cuba, the Cayman Islands is a collection of three islands, Cayman Brac, Big Cayman and Little Cayman. Kiteboarding happens on Big and Little Cayman with classic, warm, blue, tropical Caribbean waters and the reliable trade winds that blow steadily down through the island chain. There are two seasons in the Caymans. In summer you’ll get southeasterly trade winds and in winter the wind switches to blow from the northeast. For kitesurfing the winter is the key season with the strongest trades. November to July deliver steady winds and waist-deep lagoons making the Caymans a great place to learn and really progress. There are a number of different spots on Grand Cayman that the local kite schools will take…

ON THE WATER Part of the Dutch Caribbean, Bonaire is a small island 50 miles north of Venezuela with regular flights from Europe, the US and South America. Atlantis Kitebeach is the main spot on the island’s southern tip with a sandy beach for launching and landing, steady offshore winds and butter flat water. The bay is wide so it never gets crowded and it’s an ideal spot for beginners, freestyle progression and for foiling thanks to its deep sandy bottom. There are safety boats and a school right on the spot who can also guide you on downwinders and kitesurfaris from there to the uninhabited island of Klein Bonaire. WIND, WEATHER AND WATER Bonaire has over 300 days per year of usable wind with steady northeast trades averaging 18…

ON THE WATER Just 30 minutes from the bustling city of Porto lies Esposende, a peaceful town in the far north of Portugal where the Cavado river flows into the Atlantic Ocean. There’s a real variety of riding on offer here for all levels or styles of rider thanks to reliable conditions combined with great weather. Head to the river-mouth that’s surrounded by dunes for butter flat water or take a short walk across to the beach on the ocean side for waves kicked up by the steady Atlantic swell. You’ll need a boat to reach the flat water spot but Kook Proof, the local school, provide one as well as rescue cover. WIND, WEATHER AND WATER It’s windy pretty much all year in Esposende, but it’s most consistent from…

ON THE WATER Known as the wind capital of Europe and within sight of Morocco, Tarifa is the epicenter of European kiteboarding with strong, reliable winds all year round and is set alongside ten kilometres of wide, sandy beaches, reaching from Tarifa town up to Las Dunas. 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. July and August can get seriously busy and, even with several kilometres of kiteable beaches around Tarifa, it can feel crowded in the height of summer with several hundred kiters out at weekends, so it’s important to stick to the designated…

“You think to yourself, ‘Am I really in Europe?’ The water is so clear and the colours are insane. Fuerteventura is also the only Canary Island with beautiful, white sand beaches.” ALBERTO RONDINHA, CABRINHA PRO RIDER ON THE WATER Sotavento enjoys wind all year round that blows across a vast four kilometre long sandy beach and there’s a variety of water states available. The kiting area in front of the recently renovated Rene Egli kite centre, where the GKA strapless freestyle tour held an event in 2016 (and the freestyle World Cup has been held for over ten years), has choppy water with some flat sections and there can be some small but slashable wave faces in the shorebreak as well. Across the sandbar there’s a tidal, waist-deep lagoon that’s…

“My favourite time is early summer with green grass and colourful flowers everywhere. I think the north is the most beautiful area but there are different kiteboarding spots all round the island and good wind, so you can find any conditions you like. The Italian food here is wonderful too!” KARI SCHIBEVAAG / RRD PRO RIDER AND MULTIPLE WORLD CHAMPION ON THE WATER Located in the north of Sardinia near Palau, Porto Pollo boasts two large bays and seven kilometres of open sandy beach, making this an ideal destination for beginners, intermediates and advanced riders alike. The western bay is designated for kiteboarding with picture perfect turquoise waters, plenty of space and no tides to worry about. The terrain for kitesurfing offers much to many, as there’s a shallow water…

ON THE WATER Just off the west coast of Ireland, Achill Island has a dramatic coastline with towering sea cliffs (the highest in Europe). For the wave heads there are various beaches that can take any direction of wind or swell, but there are also spots to suit any level or discipline. Keel Lake is a vast flat water spot with shallow, fresh water that takes 180 degrees of wind, while Keel Beach is a perfect playground for freeriders and wave riders that works in southerly and southwesterly winds. You can get some awesome waves at the eastern edge of the bay where KSP events have been hosted in the past. There are two spots that take northerly winds on the northern edge of the island, Silverstand and Goldenstrand, and…

“Mui Ne has to be the go-to place if you want to experience kiteboarding in Asia. The friendly people, easy access to the ocean and often direct flights make it a top destination. The timing of their windiest season, from November to March, make it a great option to get some warm kiting during the European Winter.” LEWIS CRATHERN, KING OF THE AIR CONTENDER, COACH AND NORTH PRO ON THE WATER Mui Ne has two seasons, one in summer and one in winter, which result in good wind conditions for 70% of the year. Two wind directions prevail with mainly southerlies in the summer season, which runs from May to October. In the winter season, from late October to the end of March, it switches northerly with stronger and more…