Kitesurf Kite Clearance! Discounted clearance kites, new, used and x-demo…

In this blog you can look through a list of 2013 Cabrinha kites we have on sale. Some new and still boxed, others used a handful of times, there are real bargains to be had! All of the pricing for the 2014 Cabrinha Kitesurf range will be posted shortly as I’ll physically have them in my hands this time next week and so can share not only the pricing but the full low down.

If you are in the market for a kite you’ve come to the right place. Maybe you’re just starting out or maybe you’re looking for a kite to complement or upgrade the kites you have, whatever the reason I’d be surprised if we don’t have a gem in our Kitesurfkings kite clearance for you; we’ve even discounted some of our clearance kites and have new, used and x-demo 2013’s available on sale. Tell your friend’s, they’ll thank you for it!

Save £550 on a new kite or over £800 on a kite that’s been flown 10 times… keep reading!

Cabrinha kites are considered the Rolls Royce of kitesurfing kites for good reason and that’s why you generally have to pay a little more than many other brands. You get what you pay for! We have not had a single warranty issue with any of the Cabrinha kites we’ve sold since starting 8 years ago… so the qualities not in question! There are just too many awesome features to list, Cabrinha are world leaders in kitesurf innovation and once you have owned one of their new kites they’ll be no looking back.

The Quicklink bar system has revolutionised kitesurfing in terms of control, comfort and most importantly, safety. The Cabrinha Quicklink control bar stands years and years ahead of the ‘competition’. The second safety release is a button inside the chicken loop, so no trying to find your leash if underwater or getting dragged. You can untwist your front lines with your first safety release so, unlike other four line brands, your safety system has no reason to jam or fail on you. One of the nicest things is that you have total depower just from releasing the bar, as the centre line is much longer than other brands but always in reach due to a coil at the top of the centre line. This coil offers additional depower, as apposed to hitting a conventional stopper and retaining power.

Watch this short video on You Tube to get a better understanding (may have to copy and paste the link/URL): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkJtGYxyTw0

I cannot find anyone offering better prices for any of the new, used or x-demo Cabrinha kites than those listed in this blog. I’ve even scrolled through Ebay and the other Cabrinha sales agents’ sites to ensure you’re getting the best possible deals.

Personal kites: used but no repairs, no damage, still crispy and as new. Only reason for sale is that they’re being replaced by 2014’s. 5.5, 7, 11 and 12 have hardly been used, the 9’s been the kite of choice but still in mint condition from the limited use:

5.5m 2013 Cabrinha Chaos Complete RRP £1305 NOW £710 (used 5 or 6 times)

7m 2013 Cabrinha Drifter Complete RRP £1390 NOW £780 (used 5 times – bought in June)

9m 2013 Cabrinha Chaos Complete RRP £1480 NOW £750

11m Cabrinha Chaos Complete RRP £1560 NOW £850

12m 2012 Cabrinha Switchblade Complete with 2013 bar/line RRP £1505 NOW £700 (bought this year (2013) specifically for a two week trip to Zanzibar)

One careful lady owner, immaculate:

6m 2013 Cabrinha Siren (‘girls’ colour Switchblade with close reach ‘girls’ bar/lines) Complete RRP £1305 NOW £750

10m 2013 Cabrinha Siren (‘girls’ colour Switchblade with close reach ‘girls’ bar/lines) Complete RRP £1480 NOW £850

 

Ex demo and used in school since May (so very few times, awesome condition). Available in next couple of weeks, taking deposits now:

7m 2013 Cabrinha Vector Completes RRP £1180 NOW £550 to £650

9m 2013 Cabrinha Vector Completes RRP £1265 NOW £600 to £680

12m 2013 Cabrinha Vector Completes RRP £1435 NOW £650 to £750

 

Brand new, still boxed, 2013 kite completes (all with over a 30% discount):

7m 2013 Cabrinha Vector Complete RRP £1180 NOW £800

11m Cabrinha Switchblade 2013 Complete RRP £1525 NOW £1059

11m Cabrinha Crossbow 2013 Complete RRP £1739 NOW £1189

11m Cabrinha Chaos 2013 Complete RRP £1565 NOW £1079

12m Cabrinha Vector 2013 Complete RRP £1350 NOW £939

11m Cabrinha Vector 2013 Complete RRP £1438 NOW £989

 

What total bargains! If you’ve been dreaming of owning a new Cabrinha kite but couldn’t afford it, well, hopefully now you can. Flown kites are not usually sold in such incredible condition; now, due to the late arrival of 2013 kit this year and early arrival of 2014 kite, here’s your opportunity.

Call or email me directly so as not to miss out:

Luke: 07878 399 419           luke@kitesurfkings.com

We have some of the 2014 Cabrinha kites in the country and are just awaiting the bars. I’m going to list the RRP pricing with pics but having an issue uploading pics right now so you’ll just have to wait… or give me a call. We offer a price guarantee to ensure get you the best deals on all kites, old and new.

 

 

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What’s New @ Kitesurfkings? Kitesurfing & cable sessions, down winders, trips, Kirsty Jones & Lewis Crathern

Dude!

Don’t like getting the ‘Dude’? Just double Dude then Dude… it’s the way forwards! Personally I love the ‘Dude’, Dude…

Been ages since the last Kitesurfkings blog entry, won’t apologize as I’m sure no one’s that bothered but going to make an effort to catch up today and share the love, and more importantly the news. There’s a free kite clinic with spaces left up for grabs, Kirsty Jones has invited 6 kiters to join her over in Lanzarote, Lewis Crathern has the launch of his documentary next week, Paddle Around the Pier is just around the corner, the cable’s provided fun times and more sessions are booked (I’ll post some fun pics from Tuesday’s Kitesurfkings private session :)), kitesurfing lessons have been a blast, we’ve discounted the pants off the last 2010 kit, there have been some epic kitesurfing sessions had locally and we’ve epic international sessions coming up. I’ll post in sections in case you wanna cut straight to the chase…

Firstly, if you can get away from the 25th June for a week then don’t miss this opportunity…

Kirsty Jones

Kirsty Jones, 3x World Champion and more importantly super lovely kite and yoga coach:

Named as The Kirsty Jones Experience, this one week kitesurf, yoga, surf and SUP trip is being run by Kirsty Jones herself from her second home of Lanzarote. Kirsty will be looking after a group of no more than 6 people for 7 days of kitesurfing lessons, yoga and surfing fun. The beach house that has been booked for the week is awesome, right next to Famara beach where you’d be kitesurfing and where you’ll be finishing some of your down winders, the beach house has it’s own pool, terrace, BBQ area ect ect… I’ve seen it, it’s seriously smart. As well as 5 days of kitesurfing coaching there’s loads more, including a boat trip to near by Graciosa Island, best plan is to have a read yourself and get yourself out there. The trip has been put together by African Space Kite Surfing, so go to the African Space website if this LINK TO THE TRIP is not working.  

Another big name in the kitesurfing world is Lewis Crathern, and hasn’t he been busy…

Lewis Crathern

Lewis Crathern, The Man That Touched The Sky:

What a dude! An inspiration to all kitesurfers, Lewis’ story of how he came to jump Brighton Pier is now part of a documentary about Lewis that will be released eminently. You can watch a trailer for Lewis’ documentary ‘The Man That Touched The Sky’ by following this link: Lewis Crathern, The Man That Touched The Sky or going to the Kitesurfkings Facebook page. We’re invited to the premier of Lewis’ documentary next Tuesday and so will be able to fill you in then.

Lewis was seen this week on BBC One’s Blue Peter, a link’s up on the Kitesurfkings Facebook page and we recommend checking it out, regardless of your age, for some top tips that’ll help with your wakeboarding. The BBC guys all met up with Lewis at the wakeboarding cable at Hove Lagoon and he put them through their paces.

Lewis runs his own UK clinics and you can get info on those directly through his own windmachine website, there’s also loads of interesting info and Lewis’ own take on wind, kitesurfing and wakeboarding. If you want to get away on one of Lewis Crathern’s International Kite Clinics then you need to get in touch with African Space Kitesurfing, CHECK OUT THE INFO HERE, or get in touch with us a line at Kitesurfkings (WWW.KITESURFKINGS.COM) as I, Luke,  will also be joining Lewis on his next international kite clinic which is happening on the 13th October in Egypt… can’t wait!

There have been some epic sessions of late and I’ve enjoyed hearing about other people’s so thought I’d share a couple of my own from the last few weeks as they seemed to get a laugh out of the guys in Shoreham and might encourage you lovely readers to tell us what you’ve been up to…

UK Kitesurf Sessions

Late for an appointment:

Thursday the 1st June 2011 was an epic day by all accounts; the sun was thinking about showing it’s face, the wind was up, waves were in and lessons were cancelled due to the serious, window rattling, conditions that we were greeted with early doors. seldom do kitesurf instructors get to kite the really sweet days as lessons need to run lessons around low tide, when the wind is really pumping lessons can’t run and by 11am on the 1st the wind was already solidly over 40 mph. I made every effort to complete some of the back log of admin (yawn) so I could get out for a cheeky kite session before a doctors appointment at 14.00 in Kemp Town. At 12.00 I phoned John E B in Shoreham to see if he’d be up for a kite, he’d been itching to get out too and so there wasn’t much convincing needed; we agreed to meet up by the beach huts in Shoreham at 12.30. I arrived late and so John was already on the water, powered on his 6m and riding a surfboard. There was no one else around so I quickly pumped up my 7m (should have gone 5 but you know how it is) and self launched, thank you Cabrinha for making such a long centre line!!

We were having an awesome session, the wind was solid and the waves were some of the best I’d enjoyed in Shoreham this year, as you’d imagen there wasn’t much skill needed to do massive boosts so spent half the time in the air and the rest lost in the waves. At the back of my mind I knew I could only stay out for a short time if I were to be back in Kemp Town before 14.00. Before long it was time to come off the water but we’d travelled half way down Shoreham Beach and edging upwind on the 7m was seriously tiring. I started to battle myself about what to do, scrap the appointment, self land and run to the van, keep edging upwind or go for gold and just kite there? John knew I had the appointment and so I gave him a wave and off I went with my kite.

In total it took about 35mins to get from Shoreham to Kemp Town; when you’re driving the route it feels slow when you do it in 25, try it on a kite when it’s 45 mph and you’re heading straight down wind! I went past a couple of groups on the way but didn’t have time to be sociable. There were a couple of people kitesurfing Hot Pipes and just up from King Alfred but there weren’t many kiters out. Gotta say that if you weren’t out that day you really missed out, the waves were sweet all the way along and seemed to get much larger the further out the back of Brighton and Hove I went.

As I came in I was greeted by one of the Brighton Sea Front guys on his quad, he’d been watching me kite as I came in and I recognized the dude. He didn’t have any beef at all but said that there’d been a report of someone hammering down the coast on a kite so he had to come and check it out. Wearing a wet wetsuit and having bare feet in the appointment I obviously felt like a plum and my mrs wasn’t best but I did clear up the puddle before I left, anything goes in Brighton and if I’d have missed the kite session I’d have been kicking myself. 

I’m planning the same route with some mates and we’ll take our time and enjoy it all this time! Kiting alone is never a good move but in my defence I did have an impact vest on for buoyancy, the Cabrinha kites relaunch effortlessly, I only ride new kit so it’s in optimum condition, the safety system always works, I didn’t kite much further than I could swim or go too close to the piers, John knew where I was going and a 35min down winder doesn’t seem like a long trip after having done down winders in South Africa and Zanzibar… safety hat on, box ticked.  

Night kite:

On Wednesday the 8th June 2011 I met up with a best friend, Chris (aka Simo) with the view to having a kite, it was already 20.30 and we knew we had to get on it if we were to get a kitesurf session in before it got dark. We didn’t get on it and it started to get late, we roped in the assistance of a helpful kite bitch (none derogatory name for kite helper) and got a lift to Hot Pipes, set up and got out for 21.40. The light was amazing, yes there was still light, the wind just enough for a sweet 7m session and the waves had way more volume than we usually get in Brighton. I have to say the start of the session was the best I have had this year.

We didn’t get too close to the groynes or various bits of metal work that protrude from the sea behind the industrial estate but did go Mc Donalds stylie LARGE! Simo smashed up the waves, clearing each groyne space with a single wave and I tried doing the same airborne, until it got darker when we both just enjoyed the power of the waves and being perfectly lit on our 7m Switchblaes and ‘at one’ (yo) with the elements as we tuned in to the light from the half moon and white of the waves.

It really was a dream session until we got to about Moroccos where I came unhooked on accident, easily fixed as not over powered. After getting hooked back in and back into the session my foot strap came out, doh! Not ideal but just ment riding down wind like a man with one leg until that got boring and flipped to using the board to body drag. We came in just before Regency Square and the old West Pier at 22.25 where our favourite kite bitch waited with a flash light to greet us.

Generally night sessions are massive no go for kitesurfing but like base jumping and the likes there are things one can do to make such sessions as risk free as possible. We do not recommend kiting at night, who knows what’s in the sea and how would anyone find you if you had a problem? We kite together all the time, didn’t get any further than 200m from one another, didn’t go out further than we could swim, still had enough light to see the important stuff and had beach support following us along the road and waiting on the beach for our return. Tick.

Beer tastes so much better when you’ve really earnt it.

if you’ve any epic sessions or just one that’ll get a laugh or teach a lesson, then ping it over to us here to the Kitesurfkings blog, post it on the Kitesurfkings Facebook page or email it over to info@kitesurfkings.com and we’ll pop it up for you.

Cable Sessions at Hove Lagoon

Our Kitesurfkings private cable sessions are always fun… unable to upload the quality pics but will try and get a couple from Tuesday’s cable session online later as they’re well worth a look. Next session is next Thursday; we don’t run them to make money, there is no financial gain to us just a saving to you and guaranteed laughs. Find us on Facebook if you want to get involved.

Free Stuff

KB4 Girls next event is happening in Lancing next weekend but sadly blokes don’t qualify just by wearing a skirt, I have checked. I’m not sure what the ruling is on ladyboys… I encourage any of you kitesurfing ladyboys out there to test the water. There are still places up for grabs and if you’re keen then give us a shout at Kitesurfkings and chat to Andrina as she’s organising the event. Did I mention it’s free?

Paddle Around the Pier is just around the corner and although there might not have been the usual amount of advertising for the event this year it’s set to be bigger and better than ever. Kitesurfkings will be down there with a stand and hanging out with our friends at Orb360, Hove Lagoon and the likes. Do come and say hi, there’ll be prizes and offers exclusively for the event and it’ll generally be a fun weekend with stuff to do, to watch and to try. So, that’s Paddle Around the Pier on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd July.

Gotta finish this blog! Kitesurfkings have some new and still boxed Cabrinha 2010 IDS kites that we can practically give away… well, not quite but almost! There’s a good chance it’s been too windy recently for your current kit or you’re lacking in confidence because you don’t have the latest, safest safety system?? Well, here’s your chance to put that right and grab a 7 or 9m Cabrinha IDS kite for a song! Well, about 600 quid including the bar, lines, leash, pump ect (which cost £360 on their own!). If you want one then gimmie a call on 07878 399 419 (Luke).

Multi Spot Kitesurfing on the 9th May?

Just putting this out there in case any of you lucky people are able to jump on a last-minute kitesurfing holiday… now, this is another one of those trips that really is aimed solely at kitesurfers and everyone needs to be riding up wind…

So, manage to tick some of the boxes??? If not but you like the sound of the session the get some mates together and it can be arranged for groups of 6 to 10, if you’ve got three then check us out coz there might be another 3 after the same trip.

What is it then? Well, as you’d guess from the title you’ll be kiting lots of different spots. Based in the south of Egypt at a newly built ‘surf’ style guest house you’ll have your own apartment in a small kitesurfer owned block of 9 newly finished apartments. You’ll stay on half board bases with a lunch time snack included, you’ll have a guide to take you kiting each day and will be kiting the spots based on the conditions and the amount of people at each spot on the day. Boat assisted down winders are also planned and your guide speaks the lingo, lives the dream and loves to kite… join him and a nice small group of like-minded kiters on the 9th May for a week of south Egypt’s best kiting for £595pp + flight. If you want to book this then contact African Space directly at kitesurfing@africanspace.co.uk or 0121 382 9000. This is not a Kitesurfkings trip but we do know the guys in resort really well and can totally recommend it… the guys that have their names down already ready are super sound too so that’s why it get’s the Kitesurfkings seal of approval and a big up on this blog.

Now, a quick hats off to Kitesurfkings kitesurf students that learnt over the bank holiday as everyone really did do well; even when wind’s picked up yesterday and we were already using a 5m our students were calm, controlled and loving it. If you were kiting over the weekend but had a bit of a battle or were bricking it somewhat then why not get in contact and book a refresher lesson? Booking line for lessons is 07878 399 419; kitesurfing does not need to be difficult or dangerous but it does have to be taught correctly and for students/kiters to feel completely confident, in control and independent… mummy can’t always be there to hold your hand but we could put a dress on.

Kitesurfing +++ in South Africa

Location: South Africa, based in Table View, Cape Town

Date: Mid/End November 2011

Duration: 14 Days

Do you have a passion for life? Love kite surfing? Want to get away this winter?

100%!

Prepare to get excited then as this could be for you…

We love kite surfing around Cape Town and have always been in ore of how windy the area can be. On one of our recent trips we spent two weeks living an intrepid kite surfers’ dream and have been working hard to make it a reality for our customers.

Staying together in a super cool surf house facing the famous Table Top Mountain we’ll have kite surfing on our door step, kiting on tap, nice! When kiting from home we’ll be able to downwind to and from our own front door or kite in front of our digs to stay closer to ‘refreshments’. One of our South Africa based guides will be living with us for the duration of our stay and hooking us up with luxury breakfasts each day to best fuel us for what’s in store…

Driven around in a couple of seriously stylish VW T2 camper vans our guides will take us to South Africa’s best kite surfing locations, some well know but many top secret. We’ll be hitting numerous beaches to kite surf flat water and wave spots that will have you rubbing your eyes with disbelief or clearing tears of joy!

As well as kite surfing there’s unlimited us of SUP boards in front of our surf house and we’ll also be taking them on the road with us when we go exploring, there are places that need to be seen but just sitting and admiring… not as much fun as exploring with SUP’s.

Other activities we have planned include kloofing Suicide Gorge, hiking Table Mountain and abseiling down, hike up Lions Head Mountain and paraglide down, Lions Head full moon, SUP on Franschoek Dam, rock climbing, wakeboarding at the cable park, trips with rubber duck to tow in, wakeboard, fish and catch lobsters. There are additional activities like shark cage or scuba diving that you might want to try which can also be arranged. Some activities might not be for you and they’ll always be kite surfing alternatives. There’s too much to list but have to mention the famous South African braai and sun downers.

Kite surfing is our number one aim and although this is not specifically a coaching trip you will learn masses and we’ll help you to nail tricks you’re struggling with as well as getting the most out of the waves. Our friends that will be guiding us along our adventure are some of the nicest guys and gals we’ve had the pleasure of meeting, they have helped us realise an intrepid kite surfer’s dream trip and are exceptionally good kiters themselves.

Aaron Hadlow, Ruben Lenten and Lewis Crathern choose to frequent Cape Town and the surrounding areas during the winter months because of the solid wind, awesome weather and epic kite surfing; we’re after the same but offering so much more.

We’re excited and hope you are too; we guarantee this will be an amazing trip that will stay with you forever. If you are interested in joining us then please get in contact with our head kite surf guide/instructor, Luke (yeah me, the one from Kitesurfkings), he’ll be one of your guides in South Africa and has recently returned from such a trip. You can also get in touch with African Space who are the guys making this trip happen through their extensive contacts and years of experience in South Africa. You can email the kite surfing team at kitesurfing@africanspace.co.uk or call the office on 0121 382 9000.

Although we do run beginner trips this is not one of them, everyone must have the minimum competency of being able to stay up wind and perform a deep water pack down. If you’re not quite there yet then contact us about making a plan so you can be or have a think about joining one of our beginner or intermediate trips.

Fun at the Cable

On Thursday 14th we saw the press launch for Brighton and Hove’s first cable, we got to see how the pro’s did it… last Thursday we gave it a go!

Yeah!? Not quite as stylish, backwards with no bar!

The transition from kitesurfing to riding the cable was interesting, both let you skim across the water, carve around and attempt tricks but the style of riding and mindset for each disapline are completely different. We had a great time at the cable yesterday and are looking forward to our next session (as long as not still too sore!) but have come to the conclussion that kitesurfing and cable are completely different sports and that focusing on the cable as something completely new will help all kitesurfers get the most out of it.

We hit the cable yesterday expecting to take some of our fav kitesurf tricks and nail them on the lagoon… this didn’t quite happen as planned but we had a lot of fun trying and know there’s a lot of work to to put in before we’ll be rocking any of the styles on show at last week’s press launch. The pic above shows yours truely going for a surface pass, as you can see the bar’s not even in the picture! Oh well, now thinking that a kicker (ramp) would have made this possible, doing it going over the slider or even just getting a nice bit of pop off the water but solely going for the handle pass wasn’t the one…  if you don’t try and all that!

Here are some pics of yesterday’s successful and not so successful first attempts on the cable:

Andrinha hitting the slider (in a stylin’ new pair of bindings girl)

First railey attempt on the cable…

O.K, so my actual railey was alright…

No need, or time, to spot a landing just gotta get board back…

Back on the water, first attempt, you da m….

Taking time out in Nemo’s world!

All wrong… railey, back roll madness worth a laugh…

Edging super hard… too hard maybe?

Rotating after edging too hard

Bringing legs up and round to complete rotation

Bad planning, all a bit late, it’s not going to end well…

Owch!

cheers for a great cable session, sorry for the delay getting the pics up, still feeling it but looking forward to tomorrow’s… Kitesurfkings private session at the cable all booked for tomorrow but will pop next slots up on FB.

Edging hard

Releasing the edge

Throwing head back and going for it

Hon brings his back foot round to become the front for a cheeky toe side landing

It had all been looking so good but a challenging landing when kiting, cable gave no forgiveness

Brighton & Hove Have Cable!

Yesterday’s press launch at Hove Lagoon for the new wakeboard cable was a real eye opener and we’re all really excited about having such a great facility here in East Sussex… yesterday’s sausages were rather special too, thanks guys.

Yesterday Harvey, Hove Lagoon’s director and a super nice dude, explained that he’s had the vision for the cable park for 18 years and it has taken a huge effort by the guys at Hove Lagoon, their sponsors and the commitment of Brighton and Hove council to make it happen. To Harvey, Mark, Seb and the rest of the guys at Hove Lagoon we salute you!

Here you can see some of the photographs that I took at yesterday’s press launch; there were a number of pro wakeboarders, pro kitesurfer Lewis Crathern and a handful of first timers on the cable for our entertainment. The Kitesurfkings hat is also off for local kitesurfer Jezmondo, who although was trying cable wakeboarding for the first time, managed a raley on his first tack and s-bend attempt on his second! Not sure if ‘tack’ is the right word for one distance of the cable but it sounds a lot better than length… feel free to educate.

The action shot above sees Pro kitesurfer Lewis Crathern showing us mad skill as he executes powered wake style tricks that he’d more regularly be seen doing under his kite. Join myself and Lewis at the cable for coaching days and learn how to nail tricky kitesurfing moves without having to think about the kite.

Never having seen a 2.0 cable system, other than online, it was great to have the system explained and be shown some of the system’s capabilities. You really have to go down there and check it out for yourselves as it differs massively from the other cable parks.

Other cable parks I have been to have numerous people travelling in a loop around a lake where as Hove Lagoon’s new 2.0 cable system offers a much better experience for the rider by tailoring each ride to the individual rider based on their ability or what kind of trick they’re wishing to attempt.

We’ll be having exclusive sessions at the cable and welcome you down to come and join us. We’ll be having  sessions for those completely new to board sports, sessions for those who want to nail some new tricks and plenty of sessions for people that just want to meet up and have a bit of fun. Do give me a shout directly if you’d like to meet up for a session: Luke, 07878 399419, luke@kitesurfkings.com

I’ve met a number of people with misconceptions about the cable that are worth setting straight…

Because it’s a single line cable you must stop and start again at each end. No! Go and check it out, the ride is fluid as you’re able to do a carve turn at either end. After a few sessions you’ll probably be able to nail some pop jump transitions at either end like the guys yesterday. Mark told me about a huge raley transition Harvey nailed that makes me think that with the right cable controller we’ll be able to bring some of our favourite kitesurfing tricks off the sea and onto the Lagoon.

Because it’s for ‘everyone’ it can’t be that extreme! Dude! Because there’s only one rider at a time and the cables system offers instant stopping of the cable, change of direction and accelerating/decelerating the speed in which it travels the ride is tailored to the individual.

Loads of swimming! Yes at each of the cable parks I have ridden you stack and then struggle to get the board off your feet before swimming, then walking, back to the start point wasting most of your session time. Because there’s only one rider at a time it’s all about you, the cable controller plays a massive role here by stopping the cable when you stack so that you can get straight back up when you’re ready.

More time cueing than riding. Drop in sessions are an hour long, Mark’s told me that they’re planning to have no more than four people for each drop in session. The guys at Hove Lagoon will be monitoring the sessions and insuring time is split evenly and because there are no more than four riders, no one’s swimming and there’s no walking back from the far end of the lake after stacking, time’s spent on the cable rather than just at the cable park.

Calling all kitesurfers…

Get a pair of booties and gloves and get in the sea, it really is ALL GOOD! The kitesurfing has been great recently but not so many people have been kiting. What was with today?! The sun was out, we had an easterly wind of around 18 knots in Shoreham but there were no other kites to be seen all along the coast! Was there something else important happening today… and don’t tell me everyone on the south coast had to work or that all of the chippies, plumbers, window fitters and builders, for whom ‘flexi’ time works so well for thought the summer, could not make a session from 13.00 to 18.00. Has the world gone soft because I know it hasn’t fallen out of love with Kitesurfing.

We had a good lesson in Shoreham then I had a solo kite. Tell me wasup Brighton, Hove, Shoreham, Lancing n Goring? Not loving the lack of rain, or was the tide too low? Maybe 18+ knots isn’t where it’s at for kitesurfers these days?! Sure, many of us like the odd extreme day’s kitesurfing but around 18 knots was always the dream. If it had come from nothing I could understand why people weren’t kitesurfing but we started in Shoreham this morning with around 10 knots and that built to 15, then a sweet 18 to 20 at low tide.

At least are students have been loving the wind and getting their beginner courses in with us before the summer fully kicks in so the’ll be independent kitesurfers catching the sea breezes whenever they choose…

Well done to Kerry for getting up on the board today and to Sam and Dan who cruised through their beginner course last w’end. Looking good again this w’end… if my understanding of good is anything to go by?!

Learn to kitesurf with us, come to kitesurf with us

Egypt

Dudes! What can we say? Well, I know what we won’t do and that’s to assume anyone reading this needs any additional insight into the situation in Egypt right now; currently every paper and news show have been keeping us up to date and we keep watching, waiting and willing for the situation to be resolved…

For the last couple of weeks we’ve all been watching and waiting to see what will happen as peaceful protests continued across Egypt; sadly Hosni Mubarak attempts to hang on in there have resulted in inhumane attacks on the people of Egypt. Kitesurfkings are taking the view that although times are hard the courage and perseverance of the Egyptian people will pay off and Mubarak will find himself spit roasted in a dirty cell before long. With Mubarak out the way Egypt will be a better place for the people of Egypt and subsequently for us tourists.

Times are hard in Egypt right now and we want to send a message of support to all of our close friends we have in Egypt and those we’re yet to meet. The world is one random place and it’s countries like Egypt that take such a hard-line against opposition to the government that it takes huge courage and determination to stand up and fight for your rights. If I were in Egypt I’d end up with a kick in and a jail sentence for wishing Mubarak a spit roasting, fortunately I’m not and I’m hiding behind a computer! Please let there be a peaceful resolve to what started and was always intended to remain as a peaceful protest.

Our planned group kitesurfing trips to Egypt have been put on hold just whilst things calm back down and we’re happy that both our final destinations and ports of entry are free from unrest. Shame as our May ‘JUMP’ kitesurfing Kite Clinic would have been super sweet, still, better not whinge, it’s not as if anyone’s throwing stones at us or firing bullets through our walls!

We still rate Egypt as one of our best short hall kitesurfing destinations and look forward to getting back out there in the near future. Planning to get back out there as soon as we can and if we have to we’ll wait until Sep/Oct pro Kite Clinics and beginner kitesurfing trips to get things tuned in before the UK winter’s back causing us all grief.

 

Celebrating another great day of Kitesurfkings kitesurfing with Kitesurfkings Beer!

Writing or Kiting?

Up until now the choice has certainly been kiting, as a result we’ve not shared any info on our blog about either of our most recent progression trips to Zaafarana, the cheeky business trip back to Egypt to check out a new spot and trip option for 2011, visiting Mozambique to check out the kiting there or the two week kitesurfing trip to South Africa to see what’s on offer around Cape Town and meet with contacts that would like to help run multi spot kitesurfing trips.

There’s so much to write about and there’s a 16 knot south easterly right now with low tide at 16.20. Anyone up for a kite here in Brighton or Shoreham?

Zanzibar Discovery Trip Jan/Feb 2011

Discover Zanzibar with African Space and Kitesurfkings

22^nd January to 1^st February 2011

This’ll take you a while to read through but take your time, soak it in and picture yourself kitesurfing in paradise! Remember, ‘anything is possible!’

Zanzibar boasts more than 25 fantastic beaches and loads of small islands that are perfect for downwind kitesurfing sessions. Some of Zanzibar’s beaches and islands are so peaceful and remote that the only noise breaking the silence is likely to be the ocean; beautiful sands, idyllic lagoons, reef breaks, mind blowing down winders, flat turquoise waters and perfectly formed waves that range in size make kitesurfing dreams reality… we’ve made it possible to realize those dreams.

African Space bring the in country expertise, knowledge and contacts that are vital for such an intrepid trip to Zanzibar and Kitesurfkings have added a kitesurfers’ seal of approval, kitesurfing guides and instructors.  We have maximised this 11 day trip by taking a proven product and further enhancing it. Regarded as ‘the best ever kitesurfing trip’ by all previous partakers for good reason, join our next unique kitesurfing discovery trip to Zanzibar and smash your expectations of what you thought it possible to achieve and experience during a kitesurfing holiday.

Our January trip is available to all; we welcome singles, couples, groups, kitesurfers and even none kitesurfers to join us. Previous trips have seen an even mix up of male and female kitesurfers of all ages, of mixed abilities and non kiting partners. Everything can be arranged and Zanzibar is a wonderful destination for everyone; if you require beginner lessons or are planning to join us as a non kiting partner then please contact us to discuss options. The itinerary below is aimed at already competent kitesurfers.

The trade winds have determined the cycle of life on the Swahili Islands for the past two thousand years. The wind blows steady and strong from two directions, depending on the time of year, with great stretches of sandy beaches and wide shallow inter-tidal areas. We are expecting 20 to 25 knots each day but it can be a little stronger. The air temperature will be up to 30 degrees and we will have an unspoilt abundance of flat water and waves. None of our photos have been anywhere near photoshop, the water really is turquoise and the sand white.

This is kitesurfing Zanzibar in style and safety, with a bespoke itinerary which includes the typical white beaches and awesome conditions but also incorporates down winders, multi spot kiting and access to the real culture and lifestyle of Zanzibar. We are not sure if a kitesurfer’s paradise could get any better than this! This trip has been made possible by the coming together of local experts, kitesurfing instructors and guides to offer a unique product and a kitesurfing first for Zanzibar. All kitesurfing sessions have safety cover and guides; we use different type’s boats to ensure your safety whether you want to kitesurf inside or outside the reef on our down winders.

Newly added to our 2011 Zanzibar trips: extra boats and beach support for down wind safety cover, flat and wave coaching sessions (from basic jumps to handle passes and everything in-between), upgraded two course meals, BBQ’s, a night out to a fancy beachside sea food restaurant, optional excursion to Stone Town, flexible kitesurfing options and unlimited kiting from beach. There are also various trip, room and non kiting activities available on request, in country or pre-booked, as optional extras.

The planned itinerary…

Day 1  (22/01/11): Rolling to the airport on a happy cloud of anticipation; even if you hate airports the destination makes this visit bearable. Today you are flying south, across a continent, to Tanzania and the spice island of Zanzibar. The time difference is minimal, so despite the length of the flight you arrive fresh and ready to get involved. Pray to the god of good in-flight movies.

Day 2  (23/01/11): Landing in Dar es Salaam, you will be met by your African Space guide, there to greet you and to ensure that all of your kit gets through customs with the minimum of delay. From there you will be driven through the hustling city (yup, it will be hot and more than a little dusty) to the harbour where the fast ferry waits to take you across the Zanzibar Channel to the island. This is a short, 2 hour journey and is a lovely way to arrive. Look for the green smudge of the approaching coast growing clearer on the horizon and maybe even smell the spices. Ok, maybe that’s a bit much, but it sounds good. From Stone Town, you will be driven 50kms across the island to the village of Paje and the Ariabian Nights guesthouse.

ARABIAN NIGHTS – FULL BOARD

Day 3  (24/01/11): After a good breakfast you will gather at the neighbouring kite centre for a briefing from our resident kite surfing guide, an expert in how to get the best from the island’s winds. Then it is a day of local familiarisation, a safety session going through your kit to make sure it’s survived the UK winter and that you’re confidents and practiced in your rescue techniques. We’ll enjoying a leisurely kite to blow off the UK cobwebs with the option of flat water or waves in Paje with a secret sunset down winder for all that are game. With all food provided and an introduction to our favourite local bar you will settle in quickly.

ARABIAN NIGHTS – FULL BOARD

Day 4  (25/01/11): Starting off in a flat water area that is just too nice, we’ll have a play and try new skills during a progression sessions before down winder 2: (15km) and then kiting locally.

ARABIAN NIGHTS – FULL BOARD

Day 5  (26/01/11): Down winder 3: (25km), then back to Paje to chill and kite some more in preparation for a change of coast tomorrow.

ARABIAN NIGHTS – FULL BOARD

Day 6  (27/01/11): A change of scene today as you cross to west of the island for a visit to the dolphins with Safari Blue. With the focus on joining the curious dolphin, this excursion also includes snorkelling in a mangrove forest, time on sandbar and a traditional Swahili feast on Kwale Island. Oh, but we should mention, no boats for you unless you’re feeling really lazy and just want to ride a boat and watch the rest of the group, kite surfing is the order of the day. Down winder 4 (although incorporates more than one down winder!)

ARABIAN NIGHTS – FULL BOARD

Day 7  (28/01/11): Today you head south to Kizimkazi and have the chance for an optional 10km down winder (DW 5) should weather conditions permit. Dinner will be taken in Unguja Ukuu, the traditional capital of the Shirazi Arabs who first colonised the island and a secluded place well off the local tourist trail.

ARABIAN NIGHTS – FULL BOARD

Day 8  (29/01/11): Downwinder 6: for those that are up for it we’ll be aiming to visit Mnemba Island. This is a dream trip that we don’t want to spoil but you can read about how it worked in Sep on the Kitesurfkings Blog and Facebook discussion pages.

ARABIAN NIGHTS – FULL BOARD

Day 9  (30/01/11): Now you mix it up; the long down winders complete, the kitesurfing is local (although that still leaves a lot of scope as we can happily squeeze in another down winder or flat water lagoon session for anyone that’s game). You have the opportunity to enjoy some additional land trips. You could visit the habituated red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest, or check out the hustling, twisted streets of Stone Town where there are local markets and masses of history to enjoy or head straight for our meet up point, which is a colonial first floor restaurant with beautiful sea views.

ARABIAN NIGHTS – FULL BOARD

Day 10  (01/02/11): Time to go. After a lazy morning, retracing your steps, you will cross the channel to Dar. Once you and your kit are safely disembarked, you will be transferred through the hectic city streets to the calm of the Mediterraneo Hotel, Kawe Beach. A fine hotel, the best Italian restaurant in town and a fine place to let your last night in Tanzania slip away  – like the cold beer in your frosted glass. If you’ve not had enough kiting yet then you can kite from the beach in front of the hotel.

MEDITERRANEO HOTEL – B&B

Day 11  (02/02/11): Up early for the transfer to Dar Es Salaam International Airport and your return flight home to the UK. Land Back in the UK, hopefully to the start of longer days and armed with a new appreciation of what’s possible on a kitesurfing holiday.

We will adjust the programme to best benefit from the conditions on a particular day and the groups’ needs. Unlimited kitesurfing from the beach in front of the hotel can also be a nice option that we always have and can offer flat water and wave coaching sessions directly from our beach.

We’ve not gone into masses of detail in the itinerary as there’s just too much to list and we don’t want to give everything away. In addition to the activities noted in the above itinerary there will be some seriously awesome flat water lagoons with nothing but sand under the turquoise waters, at some of these locations we will be offering progression sessions (we all need coaching) and also photo sessions as it’s nice to gloat when you get home. Wave riding coaching is offered both from the beach and also incorporated into down winders.

We can easily chop and change the programme to meet needs – everything is possible!

The detail…

£1200 per person, costed on a sharing basis in the Arabian Nights Guest House and Mediterraneo Hotel, Dar es Salaam.

Included: All in-country transfers (both road and sea), accommodation, full board and kiting activities as specified in the itinerary, plus kit storage, progression and photo sessions, BBQ’s, dinning out in Zanzibar, bottled water, boat rescue and boat support.

Not included: International flight, drinks, tips & gratuities, non-specified activities, transport to and from non-specified activities

International Flights

We’ve sourced an excellent direct flight option that’s under £600 and it would be nice if we all take the same flight but regardless of your arrival time or departure airport everything can be arranged.

If you have any questions about the trip or just want to chat kitesurfing then you can contact one of your guides, Luke at Kitesurfkings… but if you’re calling then get in touch before Saturday 13^th November as he’ll be away exploring new kitesurfing trips for you lucky kiters: luke@kitesurfkings.com / 01273 88 88 33 / 07878 399 419

Luke will be checking emails whilst abroad but if contacting us after the 13^th November speed things up by contacting the African Space office to discuss your trip, confirm your attendance or request a booking pack. info@africanspace.co.uk / 0121 382 9000

Time is short and places are limited, so get in touch to secure your place! Don’t miss out!!