Innholdsfortegnelse for #34 i TheKiteMag

What are your first recollections of beaches close to home? The best memories from my childhood have always included the ocean. I grew up in a small town called Varberg – which is 45 minutes south of Gothenburg – with my parents and two older brothers. I grew up spending a few weeks of every summer sailing around Sweden and Denmark in my family’s 26 foot sailing boat. Sailing in the region, weather usually shifts from sunshine to storms, with varying climates just within a day. I never really mind the ‘bad’ weather and I guess thanks to that I got into kitesurfing so easily in Sweden. Can you remember any of your first kite sessions? I clearly remember the first time getting up and riding on my first 15…

KITE OPTIONS? A 9 and a 12m will be the main kites you’ll use. WHICH WETSUIT? Most of the time, you can forget the wetsuit, as essentially it’s the temperature of bathwater. But good sun protection is a must, so rashies/boardies/sunscreen. BEER €1.70 | $2 | £1.80 TYPICAL DINNER Big fan of curry and rice? Good. Because it’s a staple here. LATE NIGHT… Here it’s all about relaxing with friends in the tropical heat with a couple of bottles of Lion (the local beer of choice) to see away the evening before you get up and do it all again. And if the beer doesn’t cut it, you can always hit the ‘arrack’ THE LOWDOWN Due to the trade wind consistency, the choice of butter-smooth lagoons or Indian Ocean, and…

KITE OPTIONS? Opt for the 9 and 12. WHICH WETSUIT? Summertime: Boardies, bikinis and sunscreen. Winter: a full wettie to keep off the wind chill. BEER €2 | $2.30 | £1.80 TYPICAL DINNER You’re in Sicily, so there’s a couple of staples to try… A good local Pizza will set you back about €7, and then the local specialty is the popular seafood dish Couscous Alla Trapanese, which is, frankly, delicious. All of this can be washed down with a good and authentic Marsala wine, and perhaps followed up with a Sicilian pastry, made with ricotta cream. LATE NIGHT… When the sun goes down (and for that you should really head to Mamacura, as it’s pretty special) then you have options for local nightlife, including an open air disco at…

KITE OPTIONS? Bring a nice and safe 9 and a 12… WHICH WETSUIT? November to April – something long. May to October – boardies, tee and sun cream, or a shortie for longer sessions. BEER €5 | $5.80 | £4.50 TYPICAL DINNER Refuel on Moroccan salads, fish, tagines, pastillas and couscous, the dinner of champion kiters! LATE NIGHT… Dakhla is all about the kiting. If big nights out are on your agenda this is no Tarifa, though all the kite centers have bars which stay open pretty late and some have themed nights. GETTING THERE Royal Air Maroc is the predominant carrier into Dakhla Airport, and low cost flights are available from the UK, Germany, Switzerland and elsewhere across Europe. Flight times vary depending on transfers, but you’re generally looking…

KITE OPTIONS? 10 and 12, or 12 and 14, depending on body weight and skill levels! (Randy says: One large kite for light wind days and one general all around kite. We don’t get high winds often though check the forecast). WHICH WETSUIT? The sun here is no shrinking violet, so do dress for it. Long sleeve rashies, sun hat and plenty of sunscreen. In winter, a thin wettie top or maybe a shortie. BEER €4.30 | $5 | £3.80 TYPICAL DINNER Keep it local… Fish, lobster, conch, jerk chicken, rice and peas. There are many restaurants with great chefs here if you fancy something special. LATE NIGHT… Good weekend vibe spots are the Sand Bar, Danny Buoys, and Grace Bay’s Infinity. GETTING THERE: Fly to Providenciales (PLS) - super…

KITE OPTIONS? Bigger kites are recommended – so depending on your weight, a 9, 12m or 11, 13m combo would be the best. WHICH WETSUIT? Booties strongly recommended for most riders and maybe a spring suit. Long sleeve rash guard or full body lycra suit for sun and wind exposure protection highly recommended. BEER Expect $2-3 for a local beer. TYPICAL DINNER Latin Caribbean inspired seafood dinners with plenty of beers and wine to wash things down! LATE NIGHT… Think beach bonfires, board games and cards, and music with the local indigenous people. GETTING THERE Fly to Panama City and explore Panama City for a night or two, then take the charter flight from Albrook Airport directly in/out of the island airstrip in San Blas. Avoid/saves 3 hours of mountain…

KITE OPTIONS? We’d say a 7 and a 9. WHICH WETSUIT? The water is cold so you need to have a wetsuit, a 3/2 for March – October and then a 4/3 through the winter. BEER The local Casablanca beer is around €4 a bottle, or buy from the supermarket for a lot cheaper. TYPICAL DINNER €15 will buy you a delicious home cooked Moroccan meal with a glass of wine. LATE NIGHT… Taros is the most popular night-time spot with live music and roof top bar, plus Beach & Friends is a great spot for a beach party. GETTING THERE Fly direct to Essaouira from London Stansted, Paris or Lyon in just under 4 hours, or alternatively fly direct to Marrakech from most airports. Explora offer airport transfers from…

CAN YOU SUMMARIZE WHAT YOU DO? Kitesurf Holidays is the market leading online platform for booking kite trips. It enables kitesurfers to easily plan their next dream holiday through matching up accommodation options in classic kitesurfing destinations with kite schools, equipment rental and kitesurf guiding. So you can basically get everything set up for your next trip. WHO IS BEHIND THE PROJECT AND WHY DID YOU THINK THERE WAS A MARKET FOR IT? We are a group of passionate kitesurfers from a variety of backgrounds. Over the course of our many trips away we became frustrated with trying to find suitable accommodation in a destination and to then try to find somewhere to hire equipment or to take a lesson. Often your first morning in a new spot would be…

I want a board that I can go big on to complete my handlepasses, and I need a board that is good for unhooking but also good for Big Air. The Asylum has a vertically laminated wood core, and a new carbon stringer along the center of the board with a continuous rocker, stiff flex pattern and urethane side walls. The new carbon stringer has added more pop and ‘snap’ and has made the pop last longer – over time wood can lose pop, so the carbon extends the ‘pop lifetime’. I have been riding the Asylum since I started riding for Slingshot in 2013/2014. Before Slingshot, I used any board I could get my hands on! When I am choosing a board then I want something that will go…

OS: Sumbawa is hands down one of the best kitesurfing and surfing destinations in the world. The setup is insane. We lucked out on this trip, scoring wind and waves for 15 days straight. We didn't really know what to expect going at this time of year as we’d both been in mid-September last year, which is known as the best time to go in terms of consistent wind. The week before going we were super indecisive of whether to make the mission and were constantly on the phone talking to each other as many people had told us it was too early in the season to score, thankfully it turned out they were wrong! We both hardly even knew each other before this trip and had only met briefly…

KITE OPTIONS? Typical kite sizes are 9 and 12 although in October and November you will want a size or two smaller. WHICH WETSUIT? Shallow water with a temperature of 25-29ºC all year round! So just boardies and bikini needed, and long sleeves for sun protection. BEER $3.50 | €3 | €2.50 TYPICAL DINNER Prices for average dishes range from anything like R$10 for a simple burger to R$90 for a large pizza (two people). LATE NIGHT… Atins is celebrated for its remote and natural setting and most people adapt their rhythm to enjoy the more chilled and relaxing evenings. Night time activity is growing though and the village offers several restaurants plus some clubs and bars with live music. THE LOWDOWN Brazil offers kitesurfing perfection with endless flat spots…

KITE OPTIONS? In the summer, bring a 5 and 8. Any other time, bring a 9 and a 12. WHICH WETSUIT? A 3/2 shorty will do the trick. BEER Local beer costs around €2. TYPICAL DINNER Canarians love their food. Go get some papas arrugadas, seafood, or goats cheese and delicious meats. LATE NIGHT… If you fancy heading out, then the Fuerte Action Bar in Costa Calma is where it’s at. Bands, burgers, cocktails and delicious ice-creams. GETTING THERE Fuerte is a 4-5 hour flight from mainland Europe, landing at the airport near the island’s capital Puerto del Rosario. It’s about 50km to the various accommodation options in resort village Costa Calma, which is just three minutes away from the Rene Egli center. THE LOWDOWN The Canary Island archipelago is…

KITE OPTIONS? A 12 and 9m should cover most conditions. Something smaller if you are foiling and check the forecast before you travel. WHICH WETSUIT? No need, the water is a balmy 24-28 degrees, so boardies/bikini plus sun protection. BEER Expect €2-3 for a local beer. TYPICAL DINNER As you’d expect, delicious and colorful Italian fare, with fresh fish a specialty. LATE NIGHT… Drink cocktails or beer listening to some chilled tunes on the beach. Don’t miss the big beach parties on Fridays and Sundays… GETTING THERE Hang Loose Beach is only three kilometers from Lamezia Terme International Airport (SUF) which has direct connections with Rome and Milan. WHY CALABRIA? Famously known as the ‘toe’ of Italy’s ‘boot’, the Calabria region, in the extreme southwest, is fantastic yet one of…

KITE OPTIONS? If bringing two kites a 9 or 10 and a 12 meter are your best bet. The area and the steady, fairly gentle warm wind also makes it a perfect destination for foiling. WHICH WETSUIT? This is definitely a 'just board shorts/bikini's' sort of place. Lots of sunscreen and a rash guard are recommended. Other clothes and shoes: not really needed. BEER A beer is $3. A stronger cocktail drink might be cheaper than a beer. TYPICAL DINNER To go out might not be cheap especially as there are two islands with some of the most exclusive resorts on them. A lobster straight from the local grill on the beach however, will cost about $30. LATE NIGHT… At the laid-back local rasta bars, you never know what you…

KITE OPTIONS? 9 & 12. WHICH WETSUIT? Don’t be a fool. BEER €2.25 | $2.45 | £1.70 TYPICAL DINNER Mostly European cuisine in the coast beach resorts, and in all the hotels, but you can easily get a local meal of beans, chapatti, BBQ goat or beef (nyama choma) for under $2. LATE NIGHT… All the beach towns have a local beach bar where you can expect to find some like-minded travelers or residents. Night clubs are also open every night of the week. GETTING THERE In terms of international airport options, you have Mombasa on the coast or Nairobi inland (and then an internal flight). WHY KENYA? While the more southern African metropolis of Cape Town tends to grab the headlines, Kenya has plenty to offer in the kiting…

KITE OPTIONS? Take a 9 and a 13 to cover all bases. WHICH WETSUIT? During the main season, just bring some lycra and flip flops! But if you’re heading here early or late in the season, bring a short wetty. BEER €3 a pint. TYPICAL DINNER A typical dinner can range from 3 to 5 Euros, to 15 Euros in the nice restaurants in the Urla Marina. LATE NIGHT… The spot bar is open every night until midnight, and once or twice a week Urla Surf House make a real evening of it, with a range of live music, BBQs and events. For the party animals, Alacati and its famous night life is just a 35 minute taxi drive away! THE LOWDOWN The charming Turkish coastal town of Urla is…

For anyone who has not seen your videos, can you talk us through your ‘style’ of foiling? Well a few people have commented to me that I seem to be riding the hydrofoil like a skateboard. I quite like that analogy, and when riding it does indeed feel like skateboarding. I think skateboarding is a really cool sport, and I`m happy to do it on water, where falling down hurts a lot less than the streets! What foil are you riding and how did you arrive at a place where you managed to get a ‘mono’ foil to work for you? My current favorite setup is the board from Horue, and the 1200 wing from Ketos, on a 70cm mast. My first Ketos foil had a large back wing which…

1 DUOTONE NEO With the Duotone wave team showing pretty much complete dominance on the GKA Kite-Surf tour this year, the Neo is a kite that needs very little introduction and certainly has nothing to prove to anyone… That isn’t to say Duotone aren’t trying to push it further; 2020 sees a range of design tweaks to further refine the undisputed king of the line-up. 2 NAISH SWITCH If you thought that – after 20 years – twintip design had pretty much settled itself down, then think again. Naish have rocked up with an all-new asymmetric shape to make you do a double take… We’ve had one on test this issue and found some pretty surprising performance characteristics when you decide to ‘switch up’. 3 CABRINHA CROSSWING It seems that…

Africa is often a destination which is overlooked or dismissed due to either lack of knowledge or lack of interest. Being such a huge continent, there are endless extraordinary locations waiting to be explored and treasured on this ancient land mass if it is given a chance. Originally from the diverse and historic country of Kenya, I am naturally drawn to the rawness and cultural intonations of this land and I would love to entice you to step out of your comfort zone to test the tropical waters, constant trade winds, and welcoming KiSwahili people of the Kenyan coastline. Besides being an outstanding kitesurfing destination, the land reveals views into the prehistoric past not only in the Rift Valley but also the many national wildlife parks scattered throughout the tribal…

KITE OPTIONS? 9 & 12. WHICH WETSUIT? From May – September bring at least a shorty or overknee, from October to April boardies/bikini and rashie is fine. BEER €1.50 in the local village, €4.5 in the hotels. TYPICAL DINNER If you’re eating local then rice with fresh fish or chicken with rice. If you’re in a hotel then something swanky. LATE NIGHT… Port Louis has an exciting nightlife, otherwise the hotel bars. GETTING THERE Mauritius has an international airport served by most major airlines. MAURITIUS Whatever your chosen sport in life, there will come with it an ‘iconic’ destination. If you’re into golf it’s probably Augusta, if motor racing’s your bag then maybe it’s Le Mans, if you’re into kiting then it should be Mauritius. It is famed for the…

KITE OPTIONS? 9 and 12. WHICH WETSUIT? Board shorts and bikini all summer long! Though don’t forget your sun protection too. BEER A big beer is only €2 at the beach. TYPICAL DINNER Typical Dinner: Definitely go for Meze! €15 buys you many small plates of the kitchens’ daily specialities. LATE NIGHT… There’s a selection of restaurants, bars and clubs all around the island. Live music plays once a week at the Theologos beach. GETTING THERE You can reach Rhodes airport (RHO) from nearly every European destination, with average flight time about 3-4 hours. There are also planes from Athens Airport, which takes you only 45 minutes to reach the island. Shuttle services for you and your gear are easy to arrange. THE LOWDOWN The 300 days of sunshine a…

KITE OPTIONS? Cape Town has a massive amount of variety. Bring the lot… WHICH WETSUIT? You’ll need a wetsuit – worth packing a 3/2 and a 4/3. BEER €1. TYPICAL DINNER Vegans take note… this is predominantly meat territory. And they cook it well out here. Get yourself to a Braai for the full experience. LATE NIGHT… Cape Town is a vibrant spot, and each night you can take your pick of pubs, clubs, comedy, concerts and some amazing food options. GETTING THERE Flights out of Europe will generally set you back around €1000, but shop around, especially if out of season. THE LOWDOWN For any ‘Northerners’ wishing to escape the chilly European winters (or summers for that matter), South Africa is a no-brainer, being a Southern Hemisphere destination. Cape…

KITE OPTIONS? We suggest medium size (8-10m) and larger size (11-14m) kites. Check the forecast before you leave and you can always put in a bigger or smaller kite if required. WHICH WETSUIT? No need, the water is a balmy 24-28 degrees, so boardies/bikini plus sun protection. BEER Expect $2-3 for a local beer. TYPICAL DINNER Rice and beans with chicken or fish and plantains. LATE NIGHT… Local nights are chilled. Take a trip across the island to West Bay for a bigger night out and a great choice of restaurants and bars. We recommend visiting the West End on Saturday nights… GETTING THERE Conveniently the island of Roatán has great air connectivity, with year round direct flights from Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston and El Salvador. Plus seasonal flights and…

KITE OPTIONS? Bring a 7 and a 9. But check the forecast as you could need a 5 or a 15m. WHICH WETSUIT? Shorty through the summer months, full neoprene in the winter. Spring and autumn a 3/2 and then throughout the winter a 4/3. BEER €3 or from €7 for a mojito. TYPICAL DINNER Tarifa is famous for its tapas and delicious fresh tuna. At around €3 per tapa it is great value and there is a huge choice of places to eat. LATE NIGHT… This is a party town, so you are spoilt for nightlife options. Bars are generally open until 2am, and for those who want to go till dawn, Café Del Mar on the outskirts of town is open until 5am. THE LOWDOWN Tarifa is known…

CAN YOU SUMMARIZE WHAT YOU DO? Windsurfing, kitesurfing, kitefoiling, surfing, stand-up-paddling and mountain biking are the sources of our total commitment! The extraordinary and inspiring places where our ION CLUB centers are located promise to be the backdrop for the most exciting days of your year. Our professional and specialized skills motivate and bring our guests to the next level. These qualities are underpinned by the fact that we use only the very latest equipment and only operate at the very best spots on the planet… Our guests can always find the latest equipment for rental and qualified instructors for lessons – no matter your level: beginner, intermediate or advanced. AND CAN YOU ARRANGE TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION AS WELL? Yes, Travel People, our in-house travel agency can arrange the full…