CYPRUS-WIND

Here’s all about the latest kitesurfing action in Cyprus ! 

A beach of our own… After 10 years spent Kitesurfing in Cyprus and as many Windsurfing before that you would think we knew every beach and good spots in existence on the island. Using a boat for kite lessons has recently opened a hole new variety of places from where it is possible to kitesurf in Cyprus. Only accessible by sea, no crowds, untouched and only few minutes away from our base in Pissouri.

The end of an era! Kitesurfing schools in Cyprus are no longer  allowed to operate legally within the territory of the British bases. All existing permits have been retracted and from now on anyone caught teaching or being taught on Avdimou, Paramali or Ladies mile among other beaches also situated on the bases will be prosecuted.

Reasons for this forbidding is still unclear but  some kite schools  will now have to relocate, which is easier said than done as there are no other locations on the island available for this purpose. Kitesurfers wishing to use these beaches for recreational purpose are still welcome but as always subjects to eventual routine military police controls.

Cyprus-Wind Kitesurfing Pro Center is located in Pissouri bay and therefore not affected by these events.

In it’s constant pursuit of offering the best possible structure for learning to kitesurf Cyprus-Wind Kitesurfing Pro Center has acquired a new state of the art RIB. This boat allows to improve  students learning curve, safety and guarantee that whatever the wind direction we can give a lesson. Off shore winds ruining your kitesurfing course are a thing of the past !

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Thanks to this specially fitted dinghy all water lessons are boat supported and more efficient. We can also extend our down-wind rides and excursions to further away beaches.

A cool little beach town right on the Pan-American highway, Mancora is a great base from which to explore Peru’s north coast. With incredible restaurants serving world class fresh tuna steaks and seafood, and plenty of chill bars to relax after a long day on the water, we were once more delighted with Mancora’s laid back vibe. Constant wind and near perfectly shaped surf made Northern Peru, once more, an ideal destination for riding waves.

The new line of Slingshot boards for 2010 is here ! When most companies are trying to add more foam, more channels, more fins for no reason, Slingshot is making their boards cleaner, simpler and just indestructible. If it is quality and performance you are after, Slingshot’s reputation should not be second-guessed.

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John Doyle, Slingshot’s premier board shaper has been shaping boards for decades and comes highly recognized as one of the best. LUNACY (Len10 pro model) , SX or MISFIT these boards will satisfy just about any riders preference. More details in the shop section of the website.

The Cyprus-Wind Kitesurfing Pro Center and friends has installed an ultrasonic  solar powered windmeter on one of Cyprus’ windiest kitesurfing spots. This device enables designated users to remotetly access real-time and historical data about the wind speed on the location of the device via cell phone (sms message) or PC web portal interface. As a kite school we now know precisely what the wind is at the beach before getting there enabeling us to program  lessons more accurately, and for everyday kitesurfers less time is wasted looking for wind. For details on how to access this device please contact christophe@cyprus-wind.com.

Slingshot arguably make the highest quality kitesurfing equipment available on the market today and for 2010 the Slingshot Octane returns with all new sleek styling and performance characteristics. The Octane is the answer for every kiter looking for the performance requirements of a traditional “C” shape kite but more of the depower and range of a dedicated hybrid kite.

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The 2010 Slingshot Octane has a unique ultra compact stabilizing bridle and comes complete with the New competition stick control bar  setting the performance level at the peak. From flat water riding to surf the 2010 Octane is a fast and responsive kite that remains easy to water re-launch. More details in the shop section of the website.

Episkopi Turtlewatch chose to celebrate ‘International Endangered Species Day’ in an apt manner by completing its annual beach clean programme.  A host of eager volunteers braved the hottest day of the year so far in order to prepare Paramali kitesurfing Beach for imminent turtle nesting season.  The efforts of the turtlewatch volunteers were supported by several members of the SBA police, the newly formed “Cyprus Women of Today” group, local kite surfers and Paramali Council.  Funding was supplied by Project AWARE Foundation International.

Thanks are also due to the muhktar of Paramali who surprised the participants with well deserved refreshments after the hard work had been completed.

The HEADZONE Sports Coaching System enables the coach to communicate directly with the student on the water, using a wireless waterproof radio helmet. We can now instruct in real-time and achieve better results faster. The impact of ‘real-time’ sports coaching will of course vary from person to person, but to date we have had nothing less than a 30% faster learning reported.

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More than ever we can now advise the student, suggest corrections and see immediate results. Safety is increased as well. The coaching is more efficient and  the students gain more from each lesson.

Cape Town, South Africa is a very windy place and one of the top locations in the world for kitesurfing at all levels. The beaches are stunningly beautiful and there is a wide selection of spots to ride weather you like flat or waves. My friend Steve and I spent 3 weeks kitesurfing spots such as Big Bay, Haagat and my personnal favorit Witsands. Combined with good food, lots of sight seeing, and cheap rates it is no wonder it has become one of the top training grounds for the who’s who in kitesurfing.

With several other brands now adopting the Delta C shape design concept for 2009  it looks like F-One where on the right track when they first introduced  the Bandit kite last year. These kites are among the easiest, friendliest, best ever water re-launching kites out there and their power to surface ratio is simply amazing.

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First impressions compared to last years kite is that the new F-One Bandit Dos has a slightly lighter, more direct bar feeling and even more power per square meter. Quality and design are as great as ever and many more sizes to choose from. Now available in the “shop” section of the website.

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Northern Peru has extraordinary kitesurfing conditions with perfect waves and reliable winds. This is where you go if you want to KiteSURF. If you are going to be doing freestyle, this is not the best place for you. You will just be in the way… Mancora was the perfect base for reaching out to spots such as Lobitos, Tres cruces or Baterias. With excellent seafood, nice people and chilled atmosphere this was my best kite trip to date. I will be back !

Winds were light but forecasted to get stronger later that day. I only had 6 & 4m Kites with me so why wait any longer ? With the help of a good friend what started as a joke became a reality, so we stacked both kites using 4m line extensions . 

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Flying the kites stacked was very simillar to flying a single kite. Most tricks and moves were possible and the extra power allowed me to kitesurf till the wind got stronger. Water re-launching was not attempted but could certainly be a problem…

Following this years immense success of the THRUSTER and NANO kites, for 2009 ECLIPSE is adding a 3rd kite to their range named KIMA. As it’s name indicates in the Greek language this will be a wave specific kite with 3 struts, insane speed, lightning fast turns and super easy relaunch. 

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Available in sizes 4/6/9 /and 12 meters all 2009 kites will have an even stronger construction, a new re-designed bar and single inflation system and of course the same legendary bullet proof guarantee. 

Airtime performance bladders and valves is the answer to some of a kitesurfers worst nightmares : Leaking valves and un-reparable bladders. These new revolutionnary orange bladders are also the solution for the kitesurfer traveling in parts of the world where original spares are hard to find.

Airtime is the first manufacturer to build bladders with one piece of polyurethane. These bladders have fewer seams, reducing failure points and use their own specially developed blend of polyurethane designed for long life and endurance. Available at the “Shop”.

SKYWALKER boards are finally here ! We have been riding and testing these boards for the past weeks and found them to be extremely comfotable and very fast to plane. Perfectly balanced, the accent is on free/wakestyle for the Dimitri Pro models  whereas the Cruise & Lightwind  will suit a more versatile use.

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Among the lightest on the market these boards are also extremely strong and carry an unconditionnal one year breakage guarantee. Check the “Shop” section of the website for details, available sizes and prices. Test boards are available now !

Moulay Bouzarktoon, down on Morocco’s Atlantic coast is mainly considered a windsurfers spot. So, very few kitesurfers there apart from my friend Yiannis, kitesurfing champion Bertrand Fleury and me… Nuclear winds with big waves and rough seas converted into epic sailing conditions… for those up to the challenge.

What do kitesurfers do when there is no wind ? Spot spoting… Take to the air, fly slow and low, go wherever you please, and have a new look on potential kitesurfing spots. Discover new beaches, find access roads and if you are not too dizzy after go ride them !

Kitesurf surfboard design is something that has always been and continues to be very personal. Most riders know what works for them and what they like, but nothing replaces the feeling and performance of a traditionally shaped and built custom kitesurfboard.

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Wave’s handmade boards are now available in Cyprus and together they can work with you  to bring out what you like most in a surfboard. Check out shop “Shop” section of the website or call us for more details and info.

Winter 2007/08 will be remembered as one of the best kitesurfing seasons yet by Cyprus waveriding aficcionados. Curium  delivered  wind and waves (up to 4meters) very consistently and has given many local riders a new look on the sport other than freeride/freestyle. Surfboards are now a common view on the spots and their number has tripled in the past year.   

A  video of some of the action can be seen here :  http://www.kiteforum.tv/video/curium_gusting_40.html. Back to reality, with the spring and the summer ahead of us it is going to be a long time before we get a good swell again.

Introducing the upcoming brands of ECLIPSE kites and SKYWALKER boards. These very high quality brands created by kitesurfing champion Dimitri Maramenides have come a long way in only two years of existence. We have been riding these products ourselves, we know them very well and are totally convinced these super popular and revolutionnary kites and boards will suit you perfectly, but don’t take our word for it. Call us now and book a free test ride.

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All ECLIPSE kites carry a lifetime guarantee on bladders and SKYWALKER feather-light boards have an unconditionnal 1 year breakage guarantee. For further details call or check the ” Shop” section of the website.

It has  now become a tradition for us to go on a kite trip every January and this year was no exception. Our destination this time was Shacks beach in Puerto Rico the “Hawaii” of the caribbean. Unfortunately the holiday came to a tragic end when our good friend Dominica drowned after loosing consciousness while swimming back to the beach after a kite session at Montones.

According to doctors her drowning was due to cardiac arrest. A lot of crap has been circulating on the internet about how this accident really happened so I hope this will set the record straight. At age 29 she was a sweet girl and a keen kitesurfer. She will be missed. 

It is 7.30am on new years day 2008 and my good friend Manolis and I have made arrangements to meet at Ladies mile beach to welcome the new year in the best possible way. A kitesurfing session ! The wind is blowing from the east 20/25 knots and Manolis decides to use an 8m kite whereas I go for a 6m. 

I remember us saying to each other at the end of a 5 hour long session, this had been the best new year’s day we had in a long time. See you next year file mou ! 

The Bandits have landed ! Popular demand for this F-ONE kite means they are going fast and can not get enough them. The Bandit  claims to deliver Bow kite performance without the disadvantages. We have been riding this kite and found it’s strong points to be a smooth power/de-power, a genuine bar feeling and the best water re-launch on the market. For details and pricing check out the ” Shop” section of the website.

The island of Sal might not be the best place for sight seeing but who cares when you are a kitesurfer and have a world class wave called Punta Preta to play with every day ? We spent two intense weeks last January riding the fastest cleanest wave ever, which alone makes this magical island worth visiting.

Jerome Caillet the shaper of “Radical custom boards” visited our island during two weeks this August and could be seen kitesurfing at Paramali beach every afternoon. His arrival was long awaited by the large number of local kitesurfers that use his boards which followed into long discussions about future shaping technics and materials. He particularly enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and cypriot cuisine.

For the surfers among you, Willy Libourty wrote a detailed article on the surfing conditions and spots in Cyprus during his visit on the island the past month. Apparently not such a bad place for surfers. To read his article follow this link :. http://www.willsurf66.com/Reportages/Tripsurf/Chypre.htm

The Cyprus-Wind Kitesurfing Pro Center team and friends passesd most of January 2006 training down under in Western Australia. A memorable trip none of us will never forget with nuclear winds and perfect waves. We drove close to 3000km kitesurfing legendary spots such as Coronation, Lancelin, Gnaraloo or the Abrolhos islands. A destination that will be hard to beat in the future.

Curiosity killed the cat . Not this time ! The first kite foilboard was brought on to the island this summer. After a few hours of practice results were spectacular and make foilboarding an interesting option for those light wind days. Pehaps the futur will make it more practical and easier to use.

The second edition of the downwind dash organized at the Lemmings water sports club was again a success and dominated as last year by the Cyprus-Wind Kitesurfing Pro Center instructors who managed to keep even the fastest windsurfers at bay in winds reaching 25 knots. A kitesurfing freestyle session followed which lasted till late in the afternoon.