Safety When Launching and Landing - The Kiteboarder Magazine

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What is the official site name? - Anse de Sable Beach (Sandy Beach), Vieux Fort, St Lucia What is the best time of year to hit this spot? From mid November until late April and again in June What is the best internet site to check the wind? www.windguru.com go to: http://www.windguru.com/int/index.php?sc=155 How do I get there (closest city to fly into, road directions)? Hewanorra International airport (code UVF) is just 5 minutes away. If you fly to the smaller airport in the north (code SLU), it’s an hour’s drive. The undiscovered Caribbean hideaway of kiting All the major airlines (AA, Delta, US Airways, Air Jamaica, BA, Virgin Atlantic, BWIA) fly into Hewanorra. Only American Eagle and regional flights arrive at SLU. What is the usual wind direction? Cross-onshore from the left, relying on the steady north-easterly trade winds. What are the best conditions to get lucky? Catch the trade wind season. Local folklore says winds are strongest between Christmas and Easter. Historically, June is also a great month for strong wind. What conditions should I avoid? Hurricane season, especially September and October. By Jolien Harmsen Photographs by Danielle Devaux Pro rider Daphnee Laliberte showing full commitment as she pulls a kite loop. The volcanic island of St. Lucia is one of the lesser known Caribbean destinations for tourists and kiteboarders alike but definitely has no less to offer than many of its better known counterparts. One of the Windward Islands of the Lesser \Antilles, St. Lucia is located midway down the Eastern Caribbean chain, between Martinque and St. Vincent, and north of Barbados. The old fishing town of Vieux Fort lies at the foot of a headland that cuts into the Caribbean Sea to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. On the Atlantic coastline, is one of St Lucia’s longest and most unspoiled beaches: Anse de Sable, which means Sandy Beach. Over a mile of soft yellow sand, steady cross-shore winds from the left, a reef-enclosed bay that curves slightly into the wind on the leeward side, make Anse de Sable Bay a top location for those looking to experience kiting at one of the Caribbean’s best kept secrets. What gear should I be sure to pack? Sunscreen! What is the water temp like (wetsuit/booties needed)? The water is 79-82 Fahrenheit (26-28 degrees Celsius) year round. Very occasionally someone will wear a shortie (Christmas time) but your main concern is sunburn, so wear a funky lycra! What is the launch/landing? Soft sand is everywhere in the bay. There is some shorebreak in January and February but usually there is little shorebreak at all. Water gets deeper fairly quickly to a maximum depth of about 16.5 feet (5 meters). The conditions in St. Lucia provide a perfect training ground for Daphnee. LODGING 1) Cheap and cheerful: The Reef Beach Huts: US$45 – 60/night, includes breakfast on the beach. www.slucia.com/reef/huts.html 2) Romantic getaway: Villa Caribbean Dream: US$45 - 120/night. www.caribdreams.net 3) Super all-inclusive comfort: Coconut Bay Restort & Spa: from US$200/night www.coconutbayresortandspa.com Who are the local schools and shops? In the south of St Lucia there is The Reef Kite + Surf at Anse de Sables Beach near Vieux Fort. In the north there is a small school at Cas en Bas (Tornado) Where are some of the best places to eat (best hangouts, price range)? While the north of St Lucia has long been a tourist destination and has all the things you’d expect, the south is off the beaten track. If you want to experience ‘the Original Caribbean’, this is it. Enjoy the local rum shops and roadside barbecues, beach parties, and Creole cuisine. Prices range from US$1 for roadside chicken, to US$10 for Creole buffet at the Plantation House, to US$40 for a 3-course dinner at the Fox Grove Inn or Debbie’s Restaurant. A local displays his catch of the day. St. Lucia’s coastline is postcard perfect. What is the nightlife like? Local hang-outs are The Reef Beach Cafe and a few surrounding bars. There are impromptu parties on weekends. What else is there to do if I get skunked? Lots of things! St Lucia has great sightseeing, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding, rain forest hikes, jeep safaris, whale watching, snorkeling, tennis, golf, volleyball, island tours… Is there anything else I need to know about riding this spot? Lots of space on the water: the kiting zone is about .6 miles by .6 miles (1km by 1km) and the spot is largely undiscovered. The bay serves up bump and ride conditions. There are no large waves but it is ideal for jumps and tricks. Are there any safety issues or rules I need to know about? The spot is large and uncrowded but there is an off-limit area upwind of the center due to airport regulations. Check with the center before going out. Support the kite zone and help keep kiting possible in St Lucia. Are there any interesting bits of trivia about this spot? It’s part of the Pointe Sable National Park, which is home not only to the second highest lighthouse in the world but also to two species of unique wildlife: the zandoli terre (a blue lizard) and the kouwesse (a small and harmless snake). The Kiteboarder 36 The Kiteboarder 37
Rainbow Gifts is up for sale. Care to catalog their inventory? Often referred to as the Galapagos of the North because of its extreme remoteness and diverse landscape, the Queen Charlotte Islands are nestled under the Alaska panhandle and are approximately 62 miles west of British Columbia’s northern coastline. Also referred to as Haida Gawaii, the islands are the ancestral home of the Haida – the West Coast Aboriginals who have lived there for thousands of years. Queen Charlotte’s has two main islands: Graham Island to the north and Moresby Island to the south. The area was discovered by the Skypilot Kiteboarding crew who ventured there on a two-week odyssey and found miles and miles of remotes sandy beaches and endless wind with conditions ranging from flat water to huge swell. What is the official site name? Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gawaii, British Columbia What is the best time of year to hit this spot? Spring/Summer for northwest (best location North Beach) wind, Fall/Winter for southeast winds (road from Skidegate to Tlell). What is the best internet site to check the wind? The marine forecast is at www.weatheroffice. ec.gc.ca/marine/marine_e.html?c-qcs2. General weather info can be found at http://weather. msn.com/local.aspx?wealocations=wc:27073 Also, www.Skypilotkiteboarding.com and www. bigwavedave.ca The Kiteboarder 38 How do I get there (closest city to fly into, road directions)? Getting to the islands isn’t easy. The cheapest method is to drive 16 hours north from Vancouver to Prince Rupert, then take an eight-hour ferry across the rough Hecate Strait. If your vacation time is limited, fly to the Queen Charlotte City, Masset or Sandspit. It’s a 2-hour flight from Vancouver, starting from $155 each way. From there, you can rent a vehicle from Budget, National or Rustic Rental. RV rentals are available too. What is the usual wind direction? In late spring and summer, the direction is typically from the northwest (Sunny, high pressure). Southeast winds (low pressure) indicate approaching stormy weather and big swell conditions. What are the best conditions to get lucky? Look for a high pressure ridge on the north coast. What conditions should I avoid? Extreme storm weather where winds can reach 60 mph or more! What gear should I be sure to pack? Bring all your gear as winds can range from 10 to 25+ knots. Pack a rain jacket and down vest as evenings can be cold and humid. A drysuit is suggested for fall and spring months. What is the water temp like (wetsuit/booties needed)? In the summer, the water is a toasty 64F so a 4/3 wetsuit is recommended. Use a drysuit in the winter and due to the island’s remoteness and limited people, a drysuit is good all year. What is the launch/landing? North Beach, 16 miles east of Masset, is in Naikoon Provincial Park and is about 325 feet wide by 15 miles long! Who are the local schools/shops? None. Email skypilotkiteboarding.com for more info. Where are some of the best places to eat (best hangouts)? On the beach, you can catch your own crab or buy fresh seafood from a local. Restaurants are small and for the most part serve cafe type food. Don’t miss the HadaiBucks in Massett – the local coffee shop, gained infamy when Starbucks tried to sue them over the name. A local wreck serves as a reminder of severe storm conditions which can hit the islands. The Skypilot’s crew portable base camp. Queen Charlotte’s offers miles of unspoiled coastline just waiting to be discovered. Skypilot’s founder Alex Noke-Smith skies out North Beach. Most establishments are small and tend toward family inns and B&B’s. There are a number of campgrounds ranging form rustic to moderate. Check www.britishcolumbia. com/recreation/?id=135 and www.bc-bed-and-breakfast. com/?n=queen+charlotte+islands&id=322&t=city for more info. Jean Michel-Tremblay, one of the trip’s pioneers. Many of the Haiden people still make their living in traditional ways. Lodging RESOURCES: What is nightlife like? No one travels to the islands for the nightlife! It is pitch dark at night good for campfires on the beach and watching shooting stars and satellites go by. The area does have a famous music festival in Tlell called “Edge of the Earth Music Fest” in July. What else is there to do if I get skunked? Best ocean fishing in Canada! You can also explore native communities, swim in the mighty Pacific, look for Japanese glass floats that have crossed the Pacific after breaking off the Japanese fishing nets, clam dig, explore totem poles, sea kayak and hike. www.skypilotkiteboarding.com www.queencharlotteislandsguide.com www.britishcolumbia.com www.budgettravelonline.com www.qcinfo.ca Is there anything else I need to know about riding this spot? There are literally hundreds of remote beaches with miles of sand to be discovered and epic downwind opportunities. Are there any safety issues or rules I need to know about? The islands are remote so you’re on your own. Self rescue skills are key. Are there any interesting bits of trivia about this spot? According to Haida legend, Haida Gwaii is the place where time began. Its name translated means “Islands at the Boundary of the World.” Photographs by Kathy Johnson and Ed Dubois By Jean Michel-Tremblay, Dan Charlesworth and Marina Chang The Kiteboarder 39
Page 6 and 7: Kevin Langeree is one of Naish Kite
Page 8 and 9: EDITOR RYAN RICCITELLI ryan@thekite
Page 10 and 11: Bri shows off her new ride, courtes
Page 12 and 13: New School Letter of the month Dear
Page 14 and 15: Name: Chris Campbell and Lindy DeVr
Page 16 and 17: 16 hour days in front of her array
Page 18 and 19: Age: 25 Height: 5’10” Weight: 1
Page 20 and 21: 1 2 3 1.Send a random kiteboarding
Page 24 and 25: Ben Meyer signs his name on the sec
Page 26 and 27: The King of the Bay is the biggest
Page 28 and 29: Jesse Richman proves you can unhook
Page 30 and 31: The Rail That Never Was The bigger
Page 32 and 33: Adrenaline Photographpy is not at a
Page 34 and 35: Like Father, Like Son Dimitri Maram
Page 36 and 37: North Rebel After 18 months in R&D,
Page 38 and 39: Jason does a test run on the ramp t
Page 40 and 41: S hortly after getting off the plan
Page 42 and 43: A reader sent in this photo of thei

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