brady said...
Back in 2003 I lived and kited there for a year. The best year of my life, but not for kiting.
I was the first person ever to kite in Kiribati, and the first time I put up my kite I caused a traffic jam on the only road. Everyone stopping to stare at this crazy imatang (white person). The kids were all running up and down called "te baruun" (the ballon - cause they had seen me pump it up).
Not long after that a local got hold of a kite
Winds are terrible. I reckon I kited about 8 times all year, and never very powered up. Probably could have gotten out more often, but I didn't know how to self launch back then, together with the tide restrictions (discussed below).
Ocean side has to be mid to high tide, coz the coral flats are so sharp you just can't get out.
Lgoon side is pretty polluted, coz everyone uses it as their toilet. Did swim and kite in it, but ended up with the worst ear infection I've ever had. Lagoon side is best for mid to low tide, but choose your beach carefully, so you are not launching from one of the poo beaches.
South Tarawa the wind is usually cross shore.
Beaches have a lot of rubbish on them - used nappies, hospital waste etc (and people squatting to take a dump).
Your pump/gear sitting on the beach might disappear. Be careful.
North tarawa is on shore to cross-on, cleaner water cleaner beaches and cleaner wind. There is a lovely walk up to broken bridge (maybe 2 hours). You can only do it at low tide. You'll be stinking hot by the time you get there, but a beautiful picnic spot. I never kited there, but it would have been a good option.
Bring light weather gear. I doubt you'd be able to borrow or hire anything - it's really not a tourist spot, and I can't believe there's a market for the locals.
Repairs/spares in-country are also unlikely to be found.
Kiribati is steadily sinking under water. Many of my favourite places have probably disappeared (I know my friend's old house has virtually disappeared).
I never kited any of the outer islands, but travelled a bit on some of them. Fantastically beautiful (but not in a picture postcard sort of a way). And largely unkown to westerners. Stayed in a village on Marakei - we were the first westerners to stay in the village for over twenty years, and I was the first doctor to visit for over thirty years. They built a special house for us to live in while we were there. Kiting the outer islands would be a real buzz, but such ostentatious displays of wealth relative to the locals might make you feel a bit uncomfortable
You're probably not going there for a holiday. Work? Business? If you want any more information, PM me and we'll have a chat.
Oh wow thanks for this! it's exactly what i was after, great to hear someone else has attempted it.
But... it is sad to hear that my fears of light wind have been confirmed
do you think it's still worth bringing the gear for a 2 week trip? I do have a light wind 16m crossbow.
The reason im going is because my girlfriends sister is working on an AUSAID placement there for 12 months, so we thought we'd visit close to xmas.
Yeah i've heard all about the pollution too. I thought that if i kited it would most likely be in the north of the island or even on the outer islands.
I understand what you mean about the display of wealth thing, it crossed my mind too. But i was hoping it would come across more like a novelty rather than a show off thing. besides, they wouldn't know it was expensive, for all they know it could be a cheap toy "ballon"
I'll be sure to bring a repair kit etc too.
I think one of the main things that excites me about going to this place is it's remoteness, and undeveloped nature. I look forward to meeting the locals and experiencing there culture with that minimal western influence.
Anyway, i'll PM you too. would be great to hear more about it!
Cheers!!
So looking forward to lots of exploration! oh yeah and the techno buses hey! will certainly have to try that out, haha.
