Spent a week over there last year on the Coral Coast and didn't take my gear as most reports seemed to indicate that the Coral Coast was not much value.

Found that I was staying at a perfect 10K stretch of beach with constant 18knt wind EVERY BLOODY DAY from about 10am to 5pm.

Take at least one kite and board.

Fitzy Gold Coast OZ

thanks guys for the info....

Hey Fitzy , I see you are from the gold coast... I'll be there at the start of Feb staying at Seaworld resort (not my choice!!) Can I kite in front of the resort there?? , ie. walking distance from the resort or is the ocean better??

thanks

Yes, DO take your gear, for sure!!!
Fiji gets a trade wind SE that usually runs on a 10 days cycle (10 days on, 4 days off, roughly).
You won't ever need bigger than a 12m (when it's on in Fiji, its on...), and a 9m, but if you want to take only 1, then go for your 12m. And do take it, cause you gonna go mental watching the white caps on the ocean without having your kite!
Do bring all spares and fixing kits as there isn't a single kitesurfing shop in Fiji.
Watch out from the bloody coral (my board still remembers it...), and organise your sessions having a self-rescue plan, as you won't quite be able to rely on locals to get you out of trouble.
Have fun!

quote:

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Originally posted by KiteDevil

Make sure you have a handle on the board, it will make a great riot sheild...

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Hi

Went up there last year kiting, was great.

Email [email protected] if you want to hear whats this weeks wind in Fiji. He is up there and has a kite school with IKO instructors teaching 12 months...i heard there was great kiting in December, 9m weather on the island...

Have fun!
Sally..

A mate of mine just got back last week. He said there wasn't much wind except in the afternoon just before the regular afternoon downpour. Sorry to put a dampner on things. However if I was going I'd gear up anyway cos it hurts so much when there is wind.

quote:

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Originally posted by GranG

Nananu-i-ra is your answer. Google it.


In the past, Safari lodge has had reviews at two exteremes (Some Happy and some unhappy folks - so check)...

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If you go yo Nananu-i-ra, do yourself a favour and check out Safari Lodge, check them all out. GranG is right, it has had bad press in the past, "THE PAST", I was there for 2 weeks last Aug/Sep and had a great trip, going again this year.

If you do end up north of Viti Levi, stop in at Raki Raki, it's another world.

This is also a good link"fijiguide.com/
On the main page, go to facts about Fiji and check out the Vid,it's a classic"it is, so Fiji

quote:

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Originally posted by sandman

(Bula means hello, not "GET DOWN GET DOWN!!")

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LOL FKN funny

Hi

Wondering if Sargio took his gear and went for a kite? I just checked on the met fiji site and here's the forecast...pretty good..

When do the Trades stop in Fiji ?????

Marine Weather Bulletin
Issued from the National Weather Forecasting Centre Nadi
at 7:30pm on Friday the 19th of January 2007

Situation:
A moist east to southeast windflow affects Fiji.
Forecast to midnight tomorrow for Fiji waters:

Southeast winds 15 to 20 knots.
Moderate to rough seas.

Further outlook: Southeast winds 15 to 20 knots.

Hi all , have just returned from Fiji and yes I did end up taking my gear along and so glad I did.

My first few days were spent down at Derawu Island near Nadi at one of the 5 star resorts. Fairly consistent calm days there but managed to get out one afternoon on about a 10-15knt freak 20 minutes. This small session got me needing more so I took the advice of a few of the respondants to this thread and contacted Warren from Safari lodge at Rakiraki which is at the very top of the main Fiji Island.

Warren gave me the current weather conditions over the phone of steady 20 knts E'ly trade winds which blow day and night. Two hours later I'd hired a car - driven up to Rakiraki and was at his pickup point at Ellington wharf.
Got a transfer boat over to the Island where the safari lodge is and landed on the island about 15 minutes later at around 6pm - sure enough still blowing about 18 knts. I was keen to get out there but had only about 15 mins of light left so decided to get a fresh start at it in the morning.

Was given a guided tour of the Safari lodge operation which is owned and run by a Sydney guy Warren who has lived in Fiji for about 16 years. The property is on about 10 acres which faces east and is protected by the constant easterly trade winds by a wall of coconut trees and palm trees along the beach line.
There were various accomodation styles offered to me from shared dorm style rooms for the budget traveller to private bungalows (this was the one I went for). There is an IKO qualified instructor based there (Colin) who has taught in some of the best kiting locations around the world and he is more than happy to teach from beginner level right up to the more experienced kiter wanting to fine tune some serious tricks.

Anyway the next day, wind was still blowing at 18knts so I was out there and it was fantastic!. Water temp was 28 C , crystal clear water and kited over some amazing reefs. Kited all day (with a few breaks!) and wind was consistant all day. Warren came out in a boat and got some great shots which he then put onto a CD for me to take home.

Id driven around alot of Fiji and saw alot of sights in the time I was there but the best time I had was at the Safari Lodge, not just because it was great kiting but because it was a friendly place to be and where the guy who owns and runs the place cant do enough for his guests. So next time I go to Fiji (whatever time of year) I'll definitely be taking my gear and heading up to see Warren again.

If your interested check out: www.safarilodge.com.fj/

By the way I have no financial interest in the writing of this message Im just letting you know about my time there.

PS: If anyone does go there soon can you pick up my sandals and bring them back for me - there just near the front door !!

What size sandals sargio, I'm going there in august, one less thing I'll have to take.

Glad you had a good time and wind, "BRING ON AUGUST"

Steve

Hi Rick

Hope you had a good flight back to Perth....Rick is the yellow Fly-surfer - Robbo, in case you bump into him...(Ian Young wil have his contact details....he might just be too mature and not post...??.)

I've found your thongs...but i am missing my sunglass strap i lent to you..fair swap?

We were discussing eyewear and polarised sunglasses and the benefits of kiting over crystal clear coral with good eyewear, you thought you'd lose your sunnies, so i took off my strap and lent it to you..what a difference to your kiting!!!

Keep the strap..it will enjoy the cooler waters of Perth!!! I'll try to hide your shoes from Steve when he's back in August again...You can grab them when your back....

Another great day of 20 knots...and 29 degrees waters....
Rgds

Warren Francis

Jeez Louise

that was a flying visit. You were enquiring on the 11th and back by the 20th. Crikey you don't hang around.

Hoping to get to f1j1 in a couple of weeks myself for a little sanity and touch footy in the arvos.

Coral coast and yasawas likely. Wayalei laei was great last time i ws there and there are 3 islands in a great cluster at Nadula (great diving there as well)

I would suggest that if you are going anywhere near water, where there is a chance of wind take kites.

Good positive vibes.......to be put above Galah thread.