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 All existing permits have been retracted and from now on anyone caught teaching or being taught on Avdimou, Paramali or Ladies mile among other beaches also situated on the bases will be prosecuted.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 !

.

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.

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.

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.

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 . 

.

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…

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 !

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.

.

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 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 ! 

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 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.

I wanted to sail the Ladies mile salt lake for a long time.The rain we had this winter made it deep enough and the early departure of the flamingos that usually cover the area made it possible this year. After rigging in the mud the SBA police came to see what was happening. There curiosity past they watched me launch and drove off. They came back later after they realized that sailing the salt lake was forbidden but by then we where long gone. Very muddy but a lot of fun, carving in 10cm depth of perfectly flat water. It was like sailing the ground. My thanks go to buddies Panicos, Panayiotis, Christos and Savas for their invaluable help.