Kitesoul Magazine #17 English Edition

30
Blue Palawan Open 2017
The Philippines: Kite Park in true tropical style
The Blue Kiteboarding Park and Blue Palawan are housed on
the shoreline of Palawan with on-shore winds buffeting the
grass-thatched-roof cabins that serve as accommodations
for the guests. Owner Jorja Mitra didn't initially envision a
slider park or kiteboarding at all for that matter, when he
built Blue. His foray into resort construction and management
was geared more toward the typical tropical vacationing
guest. But, when the winds didn't stop blowing, a wrench
was thrown into his plans for a high-end serene beach retreat,
and lucky for us, he decided to make Blue into a highend
kiteboarding hotel and destination.
Blue Palwan looks east out into the China Sea and the predominant
winds are westerlies. An outer reef protects the
area in front of Blue from full on waves crashing and the
inner area is shallow and tidal controlled. This combined
with copious amounts of dark, green seaweed make for oil
flat conditions for most of the day. The tidal lagoon in front
fills and empties with water creating a serene, mirror-flat
kiteboarding location.
The second annual Blue Kiteboarding Open was a far cry
from the windless week we experienced last year. Last year,
the air was constantly pierced with the whistling of the locals-their
"calling of the wind" that we hoped would soon
be drowned out by our fair maiden herself. But in the end,
she didn’t show up, with the women's final occurring on 15
and 17 meter kites. This year, the holding period for the contest
was 10 days instead of seven and the wind gods smiled
upon us. "I told you guys it was windy here!" event organizer
Paula Rosales kept saying throughout the week.