December 2009 - The Kiteboarder Magazine

“The Best of Baja”
La Ventana • Mexico
AWESOME KITING
ON THE BEACH
COZY CASITAS
INCREDIBLE FOOD
Also Available
Internet, Massage, Fishing,
Restaurant and Bar, Kayaking,
SUP, Snorkeling, Spearfishing,
SCUBA Diving and Certification
dinner, a culinary experience that you must try at least once. Steps to a
semi-private beach for convenient launching/landing, the wind often blows
here up to an hour earlier before the bay fills in further downwind. High
speed wifi in the clubhouse and a true getaway experience await you at
www.ventanabay.com
Baja Joe’s:
The center of activity in La Ventana, owners Joe and Angie Cheek opened
Baja Joe’s in 1997. Featuring comfortable bungalows directly on the beach,
the property also has two large community kitchens, convenient gear storage
in their huge beachfront shed, demo and rental gear from North and Caution,
usage of kayak, SUP boards and bikes, and the largest retail store for all your
kiteboarding needs. A great espresso bar/internet, on-site masseuse, and IKO
affiliated school Elevation Kiteboarding, featured in the instructional video,
My Sessions, round out the list of services offered by the property. Baja Joe’s
beachfront is taken over every year in January by the La Ventana Classic and
KiteXpo as this area offers the largest rock-free, sandiest strip of beachfront
in the area. It is also the home of LV PAWS, which will pay for local animals to
be spayed/neutered, and help, if needed, with transportation costs when you
adopt a dog to take back home. www.bajajoe.com
La Ventana Builders:
La Ventana Builders founder Mike Donahoe has been involved with land
and real estate in the La Ventana/ El Sargento area since 1996. Mike’s many
years of experience have provided him with a wealth of local, trustworthy
contacts to assist people in locating, building, purchasing or selling their
ideal piece of property or home in Baja. Whether building your dream home
or retreat or representing your interests in real estate, La Ventana Builders’
13 years of experience will provide you with a single point of contact and
save you many potential headaches. www.laventanabuilders.com
Guide to
For Reservations or Information
Call: 310-594-3483 (USA)
Skype: palapasventana
Email:contact@palapasventana.com
www.palapasventana.com
Baja
Businesses:
Palapas Ventana:
Founders of the La Ventana Classic Race, a charity event which
gives back to the local community, owners Tim and Jimena
Hatler’s property is located upwind of the main riding area where
waves often break when there’s swell or a strong El Norte. You’ll
know you’re at the property when you see the palapa roofs of
their quaint casitas with large porches, each overlooking the
Sea of Cortez and Cerralvo Island. Lodging includes authentic,
home-cooked meals (breakfast/lunch) served at the convenient
restaurant/bar located just above the launch area. With a
central location to riding, area markets and restaurants, Palapas
Ventana’s warm atmosphere will make you feel like you have a
home away from home. Sport fishing, diving excursions and day
trips to the Island also available. www.palapasventana.com
Captain Kirk’s:
Captain Kirk’s founded La Ventana’s first resort and windsport
school in 1993. “Above the Crowd” is their slogan as the
property is literally located 1/4 mile upwind of the central action.
With plenty of room and a nice break out front when conditions
are right, the wind is clean and the feel is low key, comfortable,
and authentic Baja. Lodging is spread out over a large area
so each guest gets a feeling of space and privacy, as well
as a spectacular view of La Ventana Bay. Guests are free to
make use of the large, community kitchen at their convenience
equipped with everything a gourmet chef could want. Owners
Kitty and Kirk Robinson invite you to hang out in your own space, or join
other guests at the Clubhouse Casita, the Captain’s Deck, and of course the
beach! www.captainkirks.com
Casa Verde:
Centrally located in the main riding area of Ventana Bay, Casa Verde is just
steps from the riding action. Offering bright, comfortable new rooms with
private bathrooms and showers, mini fridges, ceiling fans and comfortable
new beds, each comes with a TV and DVD/VCR player and the use of a
great movie library. Guest rooms open to decks with great ocean views.
Also available are casitas with kitchens and budget teepee camping with
use of the two kitchens, communal Palapas and large bathroom with
hot showers, as well as high-speed wireless for guests that need to stay
connected. www.bajmajal.com
Ventana Windsports:
In the middle of the action but seemingly a world apart, Ventana
Windsports offers a casual, laid back atmosphere in an intimate setting
with super comfortable rooms. With a large launch/land directly in front
of the property and a 2,000 gallon hot tub for soaking after your session,
you’ll also enjoy healthy, gourmet meals (included in accommodations),
thick futons, feather beds, and fine bedding and furnishings, along with
plenty of hammocks and lounge chairs for your “Baja Deluxe” holiday.
Lodging also includes wifi and use of sports gear (SUP boards, kayaks,
bikes). www.ventanawindsports.com
Ventana Bay Resort:
Located halfway between the main town and the Hot Springs, Ventana
Bay Resort is an upscale, eco-friendly property featuring unique, domeroof
casitas nestled in the desert or beachfront rooms, all decorated with
authentic Mexican hand-carved furnishings and colorful woven materials.
Lodging includes delicious gourmet food (breakfast/lunch) served in the
open air clubhouse overlooking the beach, and the option of reserving
Vela/Dare2Fly:
Vela/Dare2Fly has been creating and perfecting the windsports resort
experience for nearly 25 years. Whether you are looking for long tropical
beaches with reliable side-shore winds, perfect flat water or good surf
breaks, Vela offers stand alone or packages with gear, lessons and lodging
options at many locations around the world. Check out their website
for their full offering of destinations with wind reports from their center
managers, videos and feedback from other travelers to give you a sense of
what to expect. www.dare2fly.com
Baja Kiteboarding:
An IKO school based in Los Barrilles, just 45 minutes outside of Cabo San
Lucas, Baja Kiteboarding offers radio helmet lessons in a private or group
setting with boat support. Stocked with the latest gear from Cabrinha,
Dante will also guide day trips to nearby riding spots and help you find the
right place for your style and budget. www.kiteboardingbaja.com
Exotikite:
Ian Sanders and Megan O’Leary are the founders of ExotiKite Kiteboarding
School (EKS), the first school on the East Cape of Baja in Los Barriles.
Together, Ian and Megan offer over 20 years of teaching experience. EKS
features IKO trained, CPR and first aid certified, professional instructors
using the latest techniques and equipment from North and DaKine. Jet-ski
assistance is available and radio helmets are used providing the comfort of
knowing your instructor is with you. Day trips and accommodation services
also available. www.exotikite.com
Kitemasters:
Kitemasters is an IKO affiliated center which provides a variety of services
including lessons, day trips to the coast or island, and lesson/lodging
packages. Conveniently located south of the main campground right at the
beginner’s kite launching area with a huge sandy beach, owner Arnaud
Vuillermet and his crew offer lessons in English, Spanish or French and
teach with state-of-the-art radio helmets, utilizing the latest gear from F.one
and Mystic. The school is also a demo center for F.one boards and kites so
be sure to stop by and try out the new gear! Arnaud is also a co-organizer
of the annual La Ventana Classic Kite and SUP Expo and founder of www.
thebestoflaventana.com, a great resource guide for everything you could
possibly want to know about La Ventana. www.kitemasters.com
“...It’s a few notches above the rest in
terms of the meals, the accommodations
and the whole casual but deluxe vibe.”
“For beginners, this is the ultimate
learning spot. And the hot tub rules.”
“At Ventana Windsports, we stayed
right ON the beach, and wow is the food
good. What a relaxing and windy
trip! We’ll be back to kiters’ paradise!”
Ventana
Windsports
www.VentanaWindsports.com
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