In het clipje van de derde dag zie een pro (knuppel) zijn North kite in het water laten vallen.
Een branding die uitloopt op stenen vind ik niet zo'n goed idee als vakantie bestemming.

Je moet je kite ook niet in t water latern vallen sommige stukken daar zijn vrij rotsig ja.

Andere kant van het eiland is zand strand en on/side shore wind, das prima voor de vakantie ganger.

haha geloof me ponta preta is niet een spot waar je ´vakantie kiters´ ziet

ponta preta is voor de echte mannen onder ons. Ik heb er gekeken, maar ben lekker naar de andere kant gegaan! Het zijn niet de golven waar ik bang voor ben, maar waar ze breken :)

Ik was ook voor de golven bang.

Uit de oude doos, Flexlex en de Buffel aan t spelen met bodyboard

Report of the last KSP tourstop: Sal, Cape Verde.

5 days for the event I arrived with TAP airlines at the island Sal, Cape Verdi. I had a stop over in Lisabon and there lots of other tour riders from England, Portugal and America got on the same flight. It was fun to see every one again since the last tourstop in Peru. Some people have been training at good spots, others had been home in cold countries without much kiting. We all arrived earlier to get used to the wave Ponta Preta. This wave is a right hand breaking wave. The previous two stops were lefts so here I had to ride frontside. And some practiced would be good.
Arriving at 1 am at the airport, waiting for the passport check we found out that you needed a visa. But no worries you can just line up in the visa line. After paying 25 euro and waiting 1,5 we got our luggage and went outside. The shuttle organized by the KSP was still waiting for us and drove us to Santa Maria. We went sleeping and woke up the next morning early. Starting the day of with a run on the beach, some joga and a swim. Wouw the water is so blue and warm! After the run we went to town for breakfast. There are lots of nice little restaurants and bars were you can take breakfast. From English breakfast to Italian breakfast (with real good Italian coffee!) The prices are the same in Holland. 1 euro is 100 of the local money.
We rented a heavy scooter for 30 euro per day and drove up to the kitespots. Ponto preta was flat and light wind. Kitebeach on the South east side of the island was windy and choppy. We drove back got the gear and had a short session. Just enough wind to cruis up and down with my 11,5. Not really the wave riding action were I had hoped for.
The day after the wind was again light, and kite beach is the most windy spot of the island, so we went there. We made an upwinder to the point were we found stronger wind and some small waves to play in on the way back.
The third day we rented a car and went to secret spot. This spot is secret because it is behind a mountain and a 30 min dirt road takes you there. No one sees the kites from the main road and not a lot of people now about it.
If the swell is to small for Ponta Prenta this spot: the secret spot and a spot more north Krown Jewels is working. But you need some wind. To enter the secret spot I was happy to have shoes. (5 mm sea urgin prove shoes) The rocks are shallow, slippery and full with urgins. Kiting this right handed wave was great. But I was not hitting the wave as I was in Peru. This should be easier… Tomorrow the wind should be stronger and the waves better so no stress.
But the next day the secret spot was looking worse and we went to kitebeach. This time I went downwind to the bay. Together with some other KSP riders I had a lot of fun in these onshore conditions. I could make a few turns on the swell/ waves , loop the kite a bit and jump of the waves. The boys were doing freestyle with theire strapless surfboards. Cool to watch. After some time we made a downwinder back to Santa Maria. The last bit is in offshore conditions so you have to know what you are doing. Landing the kite perfect infront of the hotel: Vialggi Bravo we deflated the kites and jumped in the pool to rinse of.
All the riders arrived and that evening we got our lycra’s and the news about the not good looking conditions. Looking at the forcast we might get some swell and wind on Saturday and Sunday. The other days looked bad.
Friday was bad, the swell was slowly filling it. A long wave period of 16 min asked for extra long heats. They tried to run 20 minute heat. Some guys catched a wave but the conditions were not stabile enough to run the contest. The next day the swell had changed a bit direction, gotten a bit bigger, but with a shorter period. They decided to go to secrets. Secrets was surprisingly good. We hold impression sessions and rode some waves. With the girls Adriana won and with the boys Beer.
Sunday the conditions were no good anywhere and a freestyle expression session was hold at kitebeach. The boys were showing of their moves and stealing the show. The girls were a bit less well prepared but tried to impress the judges. Kirsty won the girls session and Airton the boys.
This was the last kiting day of the event. The forcast was bad and the pricegiving ceremony is moved up to the 7th.
The rest of the days of the event were called lay days, giving us the option to explore the island. Sal is a dry and pretty empty island. A few things fun to do are going to the salt bath. Here you float above the water and there is this black hot mud on the ground of the salt lakes. Very good for your skin, I’ve heard. There are always some waves and sups are rented at several places. Under water you find the most beautiful fishes. I’ve done some snorkeling looking for fins that I’ve lost on the reef. I did not find my fins or the 20 other fins that fellow tour riders lost. But I’ve seen the most beautiful fishes and snakes. There is also a spot where you can snorkel with sharks. I didn’t do it but everyone who did, loved it.
So at the end no action on the famous wave Ponta Preta. I am sad but also happy that I got to know Sal. With it beautiful spots, nice town, good parties and nice people it is for sure a place to come back. Just not in December… See you again Sal:), Mika