Kitesoul Magazine #25 International Edition

on February 15, 2013, where I met Marilou and two photographers
for a Core shooting. After a week in this paradise we
travelled via Caracas, Trinidad, New York, Los Angeles, Honolulu
to the Hawaiian island Maui, where we met the rest of
the Core team for another kitesurf shooting.
But even in the low wind season in January and February,
there can still be days with good wind in north-eastern
Brazil. Just this year I was there in February and had many
good kiting days. This time is especially suitable for foil kiting
due to the weaker wind.
Cumbuco, situated between the sea and the mighty sand
dunes, does not only live from kite tourism, this is only a
small part. Advertising propaganda for the state of Ceará,
where Cumbuco is located, is broadcast all over Brazil. This
attracts Brazilian tourists from the southern states who
come to this paradisiacal region all year round. They appreciate
the relaxed, warm lifestyle of Ceará, the tropical
climate and the endless beaches. Despite visible poverty,
the north-east of Brazil is a rich region. Rich in life, feelings
and emotions.
Since 2016, the construction boom has been restrained
again, as economic growth in Brazil has collapsed. The
2016 Summer Olympic Games in Brazil, the 2017 Kite World
Cup in Cumbuco and the new, better city council helped
to complete the infrastructure. In 2015/16/17 the village
streets were enriched with pavements and a few advanced
street lamps with solar energy. At the end of 2017 the main
road through the village was asphalted and the promenade
beautifully embellished with wooden frames and plants.
Unfortunately, the village square was forgotten, but at least
the well was filled up with sand. In the future, the village
square should be equipped with fitness equipment and the
village centre should be car-free. Part of the bypass road
and a large car park with bus stop on the outskirts of the
village have already been completed.
One reason why Cumbuco can expect strong growth in the
future is the neighbouring town of Pecem. This small industrial
town owns Brazil's largest container cargo port, oil
wells and a steel mill with corresponding charcoal power
plant. As a result of the construction of the steel and power
plant from 2014, many Koreans were on site in Cumbuco.
Hundreds of Koreans were employed in Pecem for two years
of construction. Many of them lived in Cumbuco, spent
their free time or the weekend here. Most of them have left
in the meantime, a few Korean restaurants still exist. In the
near future, workers from China should come to build an
oil power plant.
Further formative, significant developments of Cumbuco
are: in 2015, together with the city council, nature conservation
placed a ban on driving on the village beach and in
the dunes. An international school has opened, the beach
has been equipped with lifeguard towers and police vehicles
are increasingly patrolling. Furthermore, the International
Residence Act has also been in effect in Brazil since
November 2017. Tourists must leave the country after a stay
of 90 days at the latest. It is no longer possible to make an
extension for another 90 days, which I and other kiters had
taken up several times! The extension that I and other kiters
had made use of several times, no longer exists!
A few words about crime: despite the tourism boom and