By Julie Gilbert
August 5, 2004
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Just down the coast from the beautiful Oregon fun spots is the California
coast - a place dear to my heart. Although I love the Oregon coast, I have
had some of my sweetest sessions at Waddell Creek, California, just north of
Santa Cruz. Many of these dream sessions have been had in May around the
time of the Rainbow Fin Company's Waddell Creek kiteboarding contest (which
we dearly missed this year due to lack of sponsorship dollars - HINT to
sponsors!) The California coast can be chilly as well, but the waves are
WELL worth it. The town of Santa Cruz is a great staging spot with plenty of
places to stay, lots of great shopping and some of my favorite sushi
places. There's also heaps of good mountain biking and surfing, so bring all
your toys. Santa Cruz is easily accessed from San Francisco and San Jose
airports, so if you are into the waves, it's a must see on your list. It's a
place I'll be back to year after year.
A little or maybe a lot further down the west coast is one spot I rarely
miss visiting in a given year - Baja California, Mexico. There are countless
good spots here, for the beginner, intermediate and expert alike, but for
space sake I will just mention La Ventana. La Ventana is a Sea of Cortez
coast town not far from the capital city of La Paz. A lot of people drive
here, but it's not a short trip from the U.S., so a better bet is to fly
into La Paz or Cabo San Lucas. From either spot, it's not far to the
kiteboarding paradise. Now when I say paradise, you must realize it's a
desert sort of paradise. There are no lush palm groves, no internet cafes,
little cell reception and no real shopping to speak of in the immediate
town. But La Paz and Cabo San Lucas are not far away if that's what you
need. For me, it's a time to live the simple life. No computer, no
phone, just good clean living. Wake up early, watch the sun rise over the Sea
of Cortez, walk the beach with my coffee in hand and husband on my arm, read
a book in a hammock and slowly get ready for the 10am-11am-ish arrival of
the wind at Baja Joe's where we normally stay. There are many spots in the
area, but we are Baja Joe's regulars. Baja is a cold desert in the morning,
warm when the sun arrives and cool when the wind starts to blow. What's
great is if you get out of the wind you'll be hot, and when the temperature
gets too high, you just step foot in the cool breeze. It's perfect for
whatever you desire. The kiting is good bump and jump fare, and it's great
for all levels-beginner, intermediate and the expert who wants to work on
the next trick on the list. The wind is typically best from November until
March or so, so it's a great winter getaway! And when you get there, get
ready for some cheap eats! The fish comes straight from the Sea of Cortez
and it is so good that following your vacation you'll split your time
dreaming about the kiteboarding and the food alike!
Another great getaway is the Dominican Republic. Cabarete is the hotspot,
and it's a fairly inexpensive trip to make. A short flight from Miami, the
D.R. is a mecca for kiteboarding enthusiasts from around the globe. Because
of it's proximity to the U.S. and the cheap charter flights from Europe, it
can be crowded, so plan ahead for your trip. There are many lesson
companies there and accommodation spots sprout up almost daily to
accommodate the influx of kiteboarding addicts, so check online for the
latest news. One of the best things about the Dominican Republic is that
board shorts and rash guard is the outfit for the day (maybe a shorty
wetsuit to be safe). It's warm and it's windy basically all day long.
Cabarete can serve up a whole array of wind and water conditions from light
to strong, from flat water to waves (at the outer reef) and everything in
between. That's what makes this place so great - it pretty much accommodates
all kiteboarding desires. And for those of you who don't kiteboard, the shopping is sweet
island style crafts, artwork and surf style clothing. The food is
fantastic, and the nightlife is all time. You can stumble from bar to bar on
the beach, and spend the whole night with your toes in the sand and
margarita in hand. There's also no need for a car, which makes this place
even better.
Next up is Tarifa, Spain. This spot I have been going to for years, and it's
far from a secret in the kiteboarding world. Tarifa is a great European
getaway - just beware of the crowds. Again, there's loads of wind to be
had, from light wind to strong wind and everything in between. Beware of
the offshore wind, and don't go out without a rescue boat unless you want to
try to reach Morocco. Tarifa is a wonderful cultural excursion. You'll love
indulging in the local food, the incredible nightlife, and the shopping in
the downtown area. Keep in mind that most of the Spanish don't even
think about dinner until 11:00pm or later! Many a trip we've been exhausted
from kiteboarding all day, ready for dinner and bed, and our Spanish friends
haven't even thought about dinner yet. You may be dining at midnight and be
out 'til the early morning hour if you truly dive into the Spanish culture.
But remember, you're on vacation, so what's the worry? With large white sand
beaches, you'll be able to nap all day on the beach until the kiteboarding
bug can no longer keep you off the water. It's a trip you and your pals
will never forget!
And finally, I have to mention one of my favorite places in the
world - Australia. Although I haven't been there yet for kiteboarding, I KNOW
it's a great country for it. After attending part of my college years there,
and after living on the west coast for a season of windsurfing, I am
convinced it's prime time for kiteboarding. I also have heard that from
countless people, including some of my friends who are now making it their
new home just for the kiteboarding. Australia is a unique place. The people
are some of the nicest people I have ever met and FUN is a staple in their
vocabulary. The country is incredible, with natural wonders you'll see no
where else in the world. It's a large country and the coasts are vast, so
make sure to set aside a good couple of weeks or months for a kiteboarding
vacation here. That's my plan. Rent or buy a car and just head up and down
either the east or west coast. There are heaps of Aussie kiteboarders now,
so just introduce yourself and get the lowdown on the kiteboarding scene. And most of all ENJOY! Maybe I'll see you there!
Obviously, I haven't even touched on all the hotspots around the globe. A
couple of my other favorites are Corpus Christi, Texas for the Texan
hospitality and good wind, Antigua for the island style, the beauty and the
incredible wind and Puerto Rico for the Kitehouse experience. These are all
on my list to return and should be on your list to check out. But don't be
paralyzed by the number of choices. Pick one, do a little more research
on the best times to visit, pack your bags and head out for one sweet spot
after another. Safe travels and good wind.
Aloha-- Julie Gilbert
Julie Gilbert is sponsored by Red Bull, Cabrinha, Billabong, Zeal Optics and
Rainbow Fin Company.
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