Hi all,
Just had to share my stoke and pass on some news about the best winter kiting location I’ve ever been to.
I just got back from 3 weeks in Mauritius. Its there winter at the moment, and the season for their SE trade wind. Temperatures from low 20’s to 30 degs, water is clean and warm (boardies only- no wetsuit needed), and a couple of different kiting locations to choose from.
In my 3 weeks we had 1 rainy day, and the wind blew every afternoon.
My first few weeks I was in a resort on the West coast, I had a couple of half-assed sessions in crappy wind, but I didn’t have transport to get to the good kite-spots, and had to make do with sloppy off-shore winds. But it was still fun seshing inside the flat water lagoon (which surrounds most of the island).
For the last week we got a rental car, a beaten-up little matchbox just about big enough to put my board in the back. But it was cool, and just the right size for some hairy island driving, weaving along the narrow roads and dodging busses, scooters and trucks. First drive up the North coast revealed 3 kites all going hard half a km off-shore riding some knarly looking reef-break. Apparently this is the home spot of the Mauritian kite-champ, I couldn’d find a launch zone amongst the trees, bays and rocks, I think you need to know the locals and get access to the private beach for setting up. It was too hard and late in the day so I didn’t bother. But I was psyched to know I wasn’t the only kiter on the island and amped for the next day.
I drove to Le Morne the next day (SW coast) and pulled into the carpark to see 20 kites out on the lagoon, with more out in the distant waves. The wind was honking 30 knots and some Euro riders were putting down some of the sickest F16’s and kiteloops on 7m kites and short lines. Most of the riders are all visiting European tourists, but there’s a few South African riders there too, its probably one of the only overseas holiday locations that is cheaper than the SA Rand. The French dudes I met were really grumpy and unfriendly- don’t know why, and I got into some trouble with a camera man in the shallows when I boosted in front of him- I cleared him by miles so I dunno what all the fuss was about. Any way, I told him to Foff and carried on having one of the best sessions of my life. The wind wraps around the huge mountain block of Le Morne peninsular and blows cross-off shore. Good flat water about waist deep for about 1km inside the reef, then the waves on the outside break bigger the farther out you wanna go. If you want to ride out there, bring your biggest set of balls, and all your skills, cos putting your kite down back there would get pretty ugly pretty quick. People have died there, there is some hope though with Club Mistral running a rescue boat, 500 Rupees (approx $25) inside the lagoon and 1000 Rupees outside if they’re needed.
There’s plenty of sheltered beach for swimming and sunbathing for those non-kiting partners at le morne too, and a pool, beers and restaurant right on the beach where you can keep an eye on the action.
Out of the resorts the prices were really good. A six-pack of the local beers in a supermarket are about $5, so’s a bottle of the local rum, a curry and rice lunch about $2, rental car was a bit expensive $40 per day, but worth it to experience the island life. Awesome driving throught the mountains, sugar-cane, coast roads and other cool attractions and sights. Good kiting at Belle- Mare, Cape Malheurux and of course le Morne.
Best part is the direct flight from Perth, leaving late night, and arriving first thing in the morning- sweeettt!
Anyway, hope this gives you some ideas for your next winter trip… F@CK Fiji- Go to Mauritius!!!! I’ll be there again next year…
Cheers
