Bali Kite Surfing

03 April 2007, 15:48:46 (2078 clicks)

While you are in Bali, you can learn one of the most exciting of extreme sports: kitesurfing. In Sanur, where the lagoon and the outside reef are the ideal places for kitting. A protective reef creates flat water cruising conditions inside the lagoon, with waves on the reef varying from 2 - 3 m to 5m. You will be able to go kiteboarding within four hours at the kite surfing centre in Sanur. All you need is to feel comfortable in the water. Helmets with a walkie talkie provide individual one-on-one tuition.

Level one will take you through the steps of safety, equipment, wind theory and piloting a 2 or 4 line kite. You will learn in the second level where the power of the kite is while you will bodydrag around the lagoon. By the end of level two you will get up on the board for your first hand kite piloting, body dragging unhooked and hooked into your harness. Perfect for these who wish to practice a few times a year and rent equipment during holidays.

Level three will teach you to ride upwind and do your first jump how to manage your practice area and to choose your ewuipment. Your kite flying skills will be improved such as how to control your direction, fly more powerful kites, be able to use twin tip, mutant or directional boards and importantly how to come back to your starting point.

For the experienced, you can rent equipment. Glide the glassy water of the lagoon at Serangan and the many of waves on the outside reef to enjoy. Its windiest in June and July, the easterly trades being a pretty consistent 9 - 18 knots along the south east coast from Sanur to Nusa Dua. It's kite season, the Balinese even have a festival for kites in July. If you are packing kites, bring kites 12 minimum. In the wet season, when the winds are more westerly side shore, best in January and February. It can gust to 30 knots...Bring as small as you have got.... The offshore wind and shore break makes the south west coast unsuitable for kitesurfing during the dry season.