....I know the LaPaz area is probably the focul point for kiteboarding...
...but where are the other areas Kite's are clustering?
...and are there kitrboarding schools elsewhere?
...I'm just starting out ,and wondering where else I can join other kiters?
[Edited on 1-22-2011 by micah202]Diver - 1-22-2011 at 04:58 AM
For a beginner, go to La Ventana.
There are many sailing schools and good learning areas.bajajudy - 1-22-2011 at 07:11 AM
....anything in central baja??BajaBlanca - 1-22-2011 at 06:24 PM
we are a fabulous location for it but we have no schools ...... yet.
We are located in La Bocana which is 10 miles north of Punta Abreojos in BCS (The first turnoff on highway 1 after the turnoff to Vizcaino).
We are 1.5 hours south of Bahia Asuncion on the coast road.micah202 - 1-22-2011 at 06:56 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
we are a fabulous location for it but we have no schools ...... yet.
We are located in La Bocana which is 10 miles north of Punta Abreojos in BCS (The first turnoff on highway 1 after the turnoff to Vizcaino).
We are 1.5 hours south of Bahia Asuncion on the coast road.
....sounds good!..it's reasonably popular with kiters?Diver - 1-22-2011 at 07:12 PM
Abreojos is just south of La Bocana and is fairly popular with surfers and kiters.
I would guess La Bocana has similar winds.
I haven't sailed at Bahia Asuncion but we've been there plenty of days when a 7-8 meter kite would work well and many more that would work well for a
10 meter. I can imagine a downwinder from San Roque to Asuncion would be great this time of year.BajaBlanca - 1-22-2011 at 07:42 PM
the thing of it is, we have a huge lagoon where the wind blows constantly - I can't find the pics but we have had 2 guests who spent hours and hours
day after day kitesurfing ... with no one else to bother them since we are still a secret place ....I mean my friend Manny was flying so high I was
scared for him .....BajaBlanca - 1-22-2011 at 07:47 PM
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I had no idea. thanks drarroyo. I am too old and not into sports MYSELF (JUST HELP KIDS)- so I can just comment on what I see
and boy do they fly high .... which I guess is the point of the sport ?????
the post disappeared BUT drarroyo said that the wind comes in in the morning and blows OUT in the afternoon, which makes it ver dangerous for a
beginner ..... so, I just learned about winds here.
[Edited on 1-23-2011 by BajaBlanca]Diver - 1-22-2011 at 08:51 PM
I really think that La Ventana is the best place for beginners.
The bay is sheltered from the biggest waves.
The winds blow side-on shore so if you start at the campground, you blow down to Baja Joes on the beach.
There are at least 4 shops and a few privates that give lessons.
Some use quads and walkie talkies to follow on the beach and give advice.
If you camp in the big campground, you will find tons of folks with kites ready to help launch and give advice. $6 per night with nice bathrooms and
showers. Mercado across the street and a few nice restaurants within walking distance.
[Edited on 1-23-2011 by Diver]micah202 - 1-23-2011 at 12:25 AM
...ahh,good things to keep in mind!
....it's -definetly- important to remember safety factors
with windsports in Baja!
,,,,conditions definitely can and DO amp-up and shift
'unexpectedly' if you're new to an area
..what is 'normal' for locals..'rad' for experts,,,and 'safe'
in #'s,,,can be deadly for a lonely beginner!
.......thanks for the reminder
[Edited on 1-23-2011 by micah202]windsurf14 - 1-23-2011 at 07:31 AM
I just returned from La Ventana learning to Kiteboard at age 57. All went well and had a blast learning a new sport. You can't beat Ventana for
learning because of all that sandy beach with great wind. Many groups teaching and there are many places to stay from free camping to all inclusive
resort style.
Another spot for kiteboarding is San Quintin off the beach around the old La Pinta( Desert Inn now). No shops there but shops from Southern and
Central California put groups together. You can stay at the hotel(which is very nice) and walk to the beach. The wind is side on and the water is
farly shallow.mackconsult - 1-23-2011 at 11:47 AM
check with a few folks on the nwkite.com forum .... I am sure they know of a few places.rts551 - 1-23-2011 at 11:57 AM
Punta Abreojos and La Bocana are not for beginners.BajaBlanca - 1-23-2011 at 04:04 PM
Windsurf14 welcome and wowwwwwwwwww
I am impressed that you started at 57 and had such fun !!micah202 - 1-24-2011 at 08:35 AM
..yeh,windsurf14's making me feel like I'm starting -young- at 51!!!
.....what'er boarder's wearing for wetsuits??
----shorts and T
---shorty wetsuit
---longer wetsuit??....thanks!TecateRay - 1-24-2011 at 08:47 AM
Try Baja Joe's at La Ventana, great folks and good winds - now is the season.Diver - 1-24-2011 at 08:55 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by micah202
..yeh,windsurf14's making me feel like I'm starting -young- at 51!!!
.....what'er boarder's wearing for wetsuits??
----shorts and T
---shorty wetsuit
---longer wetsuit??....thanks!
When I sail La Ventana, I wear a shorty or spring suit (legs with short sleeves), December through April.
Many of the really good kiters or young folks from BC only wear shorts.
Many of the over 50 crowd (I am one) wear spring suits or full suits.
Barilles is similar or a little colder at times; the Pacific is much colder and requires a full suit much of the year.Diver - 1-24-2011 at 08:59 AM
Yes, Baja Joe's or Windsurfing La Ventana are good places to stay if you want lodging on the beach with other kiters and windsurfers.
For camping, the big campground on the beach is a good place or the arroyo just beyond it and above the road is still free camping.micah202 - 1-24-2011 at 09:10 AM
...the shops at ventana are competitive for pricing in wetsuits?..thanks!
Competitive Pricing in Baja??
gpm414 - 1-27-2011 at 10:36 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by micah202
...the shops at ventana are competitive for pricing in wetsuits?..thanks!
Baja Joe's is the only place in La Ventana that actually has a selection of new gear. The price is what it is...just be thankful he has a shop here,
since it's 1000 miles north to the closest US Kiteboard shop. You can always find used gear in the campground, just check the adds on outside the
bano. Most folks that come here for the season bring down spares.
[Edited on 1-27-2011 by gpm414]gnukid - 1-27-2011 at 11:15 AM
Wetsuits are fairly unique items that require you try them on for fit before buying, there is also a huge range of quality and consequently price, for
example you could pay $50 for a shortie wetsuit or $300 from a better brand, the cheap one would fall apart sooner and may not keep you warm at all
because the seams leaks, aren't taped and glued etc...
There will be a swap meet this Sunday at the Main Campground in La Ventana starting early like 7-8am til 11am or so. Just go there and be prepared to
buy. There will be many great deals on equipment from riders who change gear often and are getting brand new gear or do not want to bring a shortie
back to their cold water location.
There are many shops now, two in los barriles one named exotikite and another on the main drag and also there are many more shops in Ventana, Baja
Joes has gear and some helpful people there, Mark and Mary. Depends on what you want, most stores have an affiliation with 1-2 brands, if you know
what you want ask around on http://www.ikitesurf.com in the west coast/baja mexico section and you'll be pointed toward any local shop, rep, riders and often a tech rep one
of whom will meet you to demo gear on specific days. You will also see posting from reps stating their location while making trips. Actually last week
all the brands came for a huge showcase seminar but many are still there this week.
If you don't know what you want or where to go perhaps you would find better info there at http://www.ikitesurf.com forums in the western us/mexico section, also http://www.bayareakiteboarding.com has many knowledgable people who primarily visit Baja in winter so that is the focus. Also an excellent tactic
is to get out and go where it's windy such as La Ventana and Los Barriles and the rest of the East Cape. Also http://kiteforum.com and http://kiteboardbc.com/phpBB3/index.phpdrarroyo - 1-27-2011 at 11:22 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by gpm414
You can always find used gear in the campground, just check the adds on outside the banjos.
pee on my banjo and I'll have something to say!!Martyman - 1-27-2011 at 04:53 PM
People kite surf at Bahia de Los Angeles. My friend, Greg, broke his skeg on a seal there.micah202 - 1-28-2011 at 09:53 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Martyman
People kite surf at Bahia de Los Angeles. My friend, Greg, broke his skeg on a seal there.
......when I hear things like that,,I always thing of that poor seal,laying there,basking in the sun............
