Issue 075 - Sept/Oct 2012
TRAVEL
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Hopefully at some point between me writing this, it being printed, and it dropping through your letterbox, summer arrived in the UK. If so then I hope it’s a sun-drenched wind-blessed September, and that the incredibly lame non-summer we had between June and August is long forgotten. Granted there was more water time to be had than usual, but there was a whole lot of Vitamin D lacking from the equation. And, as much as I love facing down weather fronts and pressure systems and pumping up my 7, the longer evenings do cry out for barbecues, mid-afternoon-headache inducing cider sessions, and general crazy ‘mad dogs and Englishmen’ antics.
k i tes u r f - m a g a z i n e . co. u k
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Winter Travel Guide
W
hether we’re basking now or not, the fact is that autumn and its mean-spirited cousin winter are just around the corner. Time for those hardcore sessions to begin – especially on our west Atlantic facing coasts and the north-east when it’s time for those proper swells to begin appearing on our pressure chart radars – but also a time to start thinking about winter trip options. Because, well, because come February you’ll need it. The next few pages ought to furnish you with a few ideas... We’ve broken things down into flat water, wave and snow options. Maybe it’s time to break the mould and try something new, or maybe to return to one of your favourite haunts... Either way get it booked up, make sure it’s the first thing to write on your 2013 calendar, and rest assured that the law of averages clearly dictates that next summer has to be better. Doesn’t it?
Flat water freestyle/race
You lucky people. There are literally squillions of options for your winter getaway. Flat water is pretty easy to come across and, would you believe it, often happens to coincide with hot weather, warm water and highly quaffable local cervazas! With centres across the globe catering for all levels and fully kitted up to ensure that you get maximum time on the water and minimum time messing about, it’s just a case of choosing what will float your boat this winter... 8 6 S E P T E M B E R O C TO B E R 2 012
Borocay: A bit of fun in the Philippines? Why the devil not. A classic chilled out and laid back option with dependable wind, clear blue water and a nice off-the-beaten-track vibe. It is a bit of a mission to get there, but that’s what you want from your trip right? Peak season is November to April, but you can get in year round....
Brazil Okay, so the Olympics are over and there’s a big gap in all of our lives. Why not get yourself out to Brazil and get warmed up for 2016? And while you’re there you can choose from an insane number of top-quality kite spots and kite schools. Have you noticed how many sh1t hot Brazilian kitesurfers there are? It’s no accident...
Zanzibar: If you’re working your way through the kiting spots of the world alphabetically then: congratulations, you’re nearly there! And a great spot to end your mission. If ‘tropical perfection’ is on your list, then Zanzibar is right at the top of the list. With tidal lagoons, 24°C+ water and more windy days than you can shake a palm tree at, it’s pretty much made for the ‘postcard perfect’ cliché.
Egypt Ah, the home of the kitesurfing holiday – tried, tested and repeated. If you want a perfect trip that you know will deliver and is only a quick hop, skip and jump from the UK, then you know it’s time to book up that Egypt trip. For pure ease and guaranteed sun and wind, it really is tough to beat...
Above Team Naish enjoying some time on the flat.
Waves
If you’re UK based then you will be painfully aware that matching the two elements of wind and waves together can be a thankless, diesel intensive task. Trade winds we do not have, the roaring forties we do not have so – perhaps more than most – to get a guaranteed fix, we need to put some air miles in. Thankfully there’s plenty to choose from and the only thing you have to worry about is, “Blimey, the waves are a bit pokier over here hey!”
Essaouira So the windsurfers found and mapped out this particularly perfect waveriding arena a few decades back, making life pretty straightforward for us... You can stay in the town and you may well score some waves off the front, then for the real action it’s either north to Moulay or south to Sidi Kaouki. Either way you’ll be smiling ear-to-ear after a couple of hours of grinding righthanders. South Africa What do you need to know? There are probably about eight 737’s stacked with Brits making their way out to Cape Town every winter season. Dependable conditions (and as challenging as you want them to be), an infrastructure for kiters that is second to none – whether you’re flying solo or in a pack – and rumour has it the odd party going down too...
Above Jesse and Patrick enjoying their (pretty much permanent) holidays…
Western Australia So, you think you’ve got what it takes huh? West Oz is the genuine proving ground, whether you’re a big wave hound, you want bone smashing slabs, or just some of the most insanely kiteable waves on the planet: Western Australia has them all. And if you take some time about it you may even turn up a little slice of paradise to enjoy all by yourself... k i tes u r f - m a g a z i n e . co. u k
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Winter Travel Guide
Snow kiting
Switzerland The land of low emissions and careful driving with some awesome spots and some great places to visit. Head for the lake at Silvaplana (near St Morritz) where a lot of the pros train throughout the season. Lots of flat land action, an exclusive ski resort next to you and a whole host of fun to be had. Once you are done with the flat you can head into the mountains where you have a huge variety of spots with some excellent downhill locations if there is no wind. Laax, Flims, Falera and Wallis, Ried-Brig, Simplon are all worth hitting up.
France Close to home. You can drive it fairly easily and cheaply, so pile everyone in a van and head off for some action. You will undoubtedly find some nice downhill and some great après sessions. Heading to the open spots of Les Arcs is a nice easy way to start then, when you feel ready for it, it’s time to check into the ultimate snowkiting playground: Col Du Lauteret, Serre Chevalier, one of the most filmed snowkiting locations around and a great location.
Norway Head to Haugastol and see the home spot of some of the best snowkiters on the planet – with three of the most influential snowkite movies of recent years made here (Entropy, Something Stronger & Dimensions). An amazing location. Grab a flight and either hire a car or jump on the incredibly efficient train service to get to where you want to be. For partying you just better bring your wallet. Norway is not a cheap place to visit, but you are pretty much guaranteed to have an amazing time.
Lift passes too pricey, that queue for the first lift too frustrating, sick of remortgaging to afford lunch on the mountain? Time to look at the wind powered approach to snowriding. It’s probably fair to say that snow-kiting is the fastest growing element of the sport right now, with so much untapped potential and so many options. And no wetsuit to dry out afterwards...
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Above A whole lot of winter sun snow boosting. Even looks warm hey…
New Zealand Pick your time of year carefully: June through October is really it for NZ and is when the snow resorts open. Get yourself to the south island and head for Wanaka or Queenstown where here are enough spots to keep anyone happy. From stunning backcountry cruising to big mountain riding: it has it all. Travel is easy and the snow spots are well serviced so it is easy to get around. Have a chat with the local snow patrols who will tell you where you can and can’t kite. When it’s on, New Zealand really is as kiter’s heaven... ks