Hi all just got back from 2 weeks in Sri Lanka. As a destination I wasn't that keen due to the lack of waves but I wanted somewhere to take my girlfriend to get her up and riding properly and had heard that Sri Lanka has very consistent strong wind during our winter courtesy of other comments on Seabreeze. My girlfriend wanted to stay at Kite Kuda (that we had read a few reports on) so I took it on to book the accommodation. Instead of booking Kite Kuda I booked Kitesurf Lanka by accident and then realised my error but it was all booked so we let it stand. On arrival we were treated to a very nice room that cost $50/day/person and included three beautiful meals all transport and use of camp facilities. The owners of the camp (Dill and Leo) were very hospitable and their staff are polite, quiet and courteous. A typical day in the camp starts with being woken to hear 20+kts rattling through the trees. A bell is rung to signify breakfast is on and the camp meets in the eating area to have cereal, fruit , yoghurt, eggs of any kind, toast. tea and coffee. The trucks are then loaded and everyone heads to the flat waters of Kalpitia Lagoon where the learner lessons are held well upwind from the experienced riders and the two groups don't interfere with each other. Kitesurf Lanka provides rescue boats and a guy called Suresh who just watches everybody in case they need rescuing, very safe and efficient. After a few hours riding everyone heads back to camp, leaving all the gear at the beach, for a beautiful lunch and to get out of the wind for two hours. However if you chose to stay at the Lagoon they would bring your lunch for you glad wrapped on a plate. After an afternoon riding where the wind usually increased we would go back to camp and have dinner. Every meal we had was a home cooked meal and the menu is a combination of european and eastern style foods, absolutely delicious.
The atmosphere amongst the kiters was terrific as everybody was content and well looked after and the learners had such a good. During two weeks I did not see or hear about any hassles within the camp, nothing was stolen and I did not see one hawker trying to sell trinkets or scam money off the guests as is common in Indonesia and Thailand. We had wind every, every day without fail, the only day the wind was light was for the Red Bull Big Air event, which was cancelled and then 2 hrs later the wind came. We did a couple of trips an island where the flat water riding is stunning (even for a wave junky). My kids are about to learn to kite this summer and for a winter destination I know that when I take them to Kitesurf Lanka they will be well looked after and I will have a good time as well. I would like to thank Dill, Leo and the staff for making my stay in Sri Lanka highly enjoyable and memorable.

Thanks for the review strapped.

Please can you hit the enter button twice occasionally as big blocks of text do my head in.

Nice review Strapped. Good balanced view.
Seems you timed it well... last 3 days has been <5 knots... unbelivable after months straight of never dropping below 15knots day or night.
You would be aware (Rob S) the common knowledge around here is that this is a superb flatwater kite region, the only common negative voiced being 'its a bit gusty'. Its generally accepted that the 'big lagoon' has loads more space but is a bit more gusty, while the 'small lagoon' can get crowded but has a lower gust factor (comparitively to each other) If only the trade wind had a few more degrees west in it... none the less this region is headed towards widescale recognition as a top destination for the mid year season i predict.
Meanwhile... we need some F%&*&%% WIND everyone is going bat**** crazy... (kite)people are starting to act very strange.

Hey thanks for this great review.

Do you happen to know if the wind is still good in September?

Also is there stuff to do at night time - bars etc?

DanTM said...

Hey thanks for this great review.

Do you happen to know if the wind is still good in September?

Also is there stuff to do at night time - bars etc?

Party life is virtually non existant. You can kite at night if you want!?! Popular on full moon...

There are also (considerably cheaper) alternatives to the kite camps/ hotels. We stayed 2 weeks at 'Roys house' which was a large modern house on the waterfront (not kiting lagoon). It was around half the cost of other kite accom. and also meant an increased level of daily interaction with locals. Roy will also do airport pickups at the best rate around (7000 rupees). There are only kiters staying at the place. I also heard about Sudeshs house which is even cheaper but i have no contact details for that one (someone else might?).
RobS: on my way home now finally mate... see you on the water...