The South Coast of Sri Lanka - Kitesurfing Mirissa!

The South Coast of Sri Lanka is beautiful to kite on during the season. The seas are clean and clear, you get waves... but the scenery while kitesurfing, thats what blows you away. Rock formations, bays and coves and the coconut trees confirm that fact that you are kiting in a tropical country.

Jonathan's illustration of Kiting in Paradise

Most of the time, you will be kiting by yourself. Its pretty special. If you need an audience, an audience you will get. People are amazed at this new sport and usually just flock to witness these 'parachute men' in action.

Wind, gearing up.

The week saw traveller/ kiter Jonathan (http://www.deodatusdesign.be/) and girlfriend Kita arrive in Sri Lanka for the sport. Kiters are a fun bunch. These two were no exception. Fellow fish sign Jonathan has an awesome job teaching people to draw spaceships and monsters! Yes spaceships, ah, amazing!

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Kitesurfing Sri Lanka likes to wish Tanja aka Tania from Free Your Mind Kitesurfing a very Happy Birthday tomorrow. Hope you will have a blast in Sunny Sri Lanka tomorrow.

Best Kite Spots (The World & Asia)

January
Western Oz, cape town-South Africa, La ventana-mexico, Boracay-philipines, Namibia, St. Louis-Senegal, Copal-Costa Rica, Mui Ne Bay-Vietnam, Auckland-NZ, Nashiro-Japan, Baja, Barbados, Kenya-mombasa, BVIs, Carmelo-Uruguay, Buenos aires-Argentina, Hong Kong, Puclaro-Chile, Yemen-Red Sea

February
Margarita, Western Oz, St. Louis-Senegal, cape verde, Melbourne, Hua Hin - Thailand, South Africa, La ventana-mexico, Boracay-philipines, Cap Chevalier-Martinique, Zanzibar-Tanzania, Copal-Costa Rica, Mui Ne Bay-Vietnam, Belize, Florida-USA, Nashiro-Japan, Baja, Barbados, South Padre Island-(TX)USA, Esbjerg-Denmark, cabarete, Bonaire-Carib, St. Lucia-Carib, Whitehaven-Whitsunday Islands, BVIs, Noordwijk ann Zee-Netherlands, Puclaro-Chile, Yemen-Red Sea

March
El gouna-Egypt, cape verde, St. Louis-Senegal, cabarete, margarita, Western Oz, Hua Hin - Thailand, South Africa, La ventana-mexico, Esbjerg-Denmark, Antigua, Goa, Cap Chevalier-Martinique, Zanzibar-Tanzania, Copal-Costa Rica, Mui Ne Bay-Vietnam, Belize, Florida-USA, Barbados, South Padre Island-(TX)USA, Bonaire-Carib, St. Lucia-Carib, Negombo-Sri Lanka, BVIs, Ibiza-spain, Rosslare-Ireland, Watergate-UK, Cape Hatteras-USA, Puclaro-Chile, Yemen-Red Sea

April
cape verde, Margarita, Western Oz, Hua Hin - Thailand, Antigua, Cap Chevalier-Martinique, Belize, Banff-Canada, Barbados, South Padre Island-(TX)USA, Safaga-Egypt, Bonaire-Carib, St. Lucia-Carib, Whitehaven-Whitsunday Islands, Negombo-Sri Lanka**, Ibiza-spain, Rosslare-Ireland, Watergate-UK, Cape Hatteras-USA, Puclaro-Chile

May
cape verde, Margarita, Antigua, Cape Hatteras-USA, Leucate-France, Essaouira-Morocco, Iraq, El yaque-venezuela, ras sudr-egypt, Rhodes-Greece, porto pollo-Sardinia, Fuerteventura, cabarete, Bonaire-Carib, St. Lucia-Carib, Whitehaven-Whitsunday Islands, Ibiza-spain, Aruba-Carib, Tarifa, Puclaro-Chile, Mancora-Peru, SUNNY SRI LANKA with KITESURFING LANKA (www.kitesurfinglanka.com) !

June
Fuerteventura, Tenerife, cape verde, cabarete, SUNNY SRI LANKA with KITESURFING LANKA (www.kitesurfinglanka.com), Raratonga, The gorge-USA, Bol-Croatia, Foddini-Italy, Ponto de Oura-Mozambique, Seychelles*, Maui-USA, fiji, Essaouira-Morocco, Guincho-Portugal, el yaque-venezuela, rhodes-greece, levkada-greece, dakhla-morocco , Corsica, Rhodes-Greece, Pirlanta-Turkey, Paramali-Cyprus, porto pollo-Sardinia, Lanzarote, Bonaire-Carib, St. Lucia-Carib, Sri Lanka**, Aruba-Carib, Puclaro-Chile, Mancora-Peru

July
Cabarete, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, Mauritius, SUNNY SRI LANKA with KITESURFING LANKA (www.kitesurfinglanka.com), Naxos-Greece, Raratonga, Leucate-France, The gorge-USA, Pirlanta-Turkey, Bol-Croatia, Foddini-Italy, Seychelles*, solomon Islands, Maui-USA, fiji, Tahiti, Essaouira-Morocco, Guincho-Portugal, el yaque-venezuela, rhodes

August
Cabarete, SUNNY SRI LANKA with KITESURFING LANKA (www.kitesurfinglanka.com), El Gouna-Egypt, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, Brazil, Mauritius, cape verde, Naxos-Greece, Raratonga, The gorge-USA, Bol-Croatia, Pirlanta-Turkey, Foddini-Italy, Zanzibar-Tanzania, Guincho-Portugal, Seychelles*, solomon Islands, Rangiroa-F.polynesia, Maui-USA, fiji, Tahiti, Essaouira-Morocco, Corsica, Rhodes-Greece, Paramali-Cyprus paros-Greece, Lanzarote, Safaga-Egypt, Eilat-Israel, Sinai, Sri Lanka**, Maui-USA, Aruba-Carib, Puclaro-Chile, Mancora-Peru

September
El Gouna-Egypt, Tucus-Brazil, Mauritius, Pirlanta-Turkey, Zanzibar-Tanzania, Seychelles*, solomon Islands, Rangiroa-F.polynesia, Sumbawa-indonesia, Maui-USA, Madagascar, UK, Corsica, rosslare-Ireland, Canada, Germany, Israel, Sinai, Noordwijk ann Zee-Netherlands, Puclaro-Chile, Mancora-Peru, Cumbuco Brazil, SUNNY SRI LANKA with KITESURFING LANKA (www.kitesurfinglanka.com) !

October
Tucus-Brazil, Western Oz, Sumbawa-indonesia, Madagascar, New Caledonia, Chile, Watergate-UK, Esbjerg-Denmark, rosslare-Ireland, Buenos aires-Argentina, Carmelo-Uruguay, Noordwijk ann Zee-Netherlands, Cape Hatteras-USA, Tarifa, Puclaro-Chile, Mancora-Peru, Cumbuco Brazil

November
Melbourne, Tucus-Brazil, Western Oz, Namibia, Sumbawa-indonesia, Auckland-NZ, Madagascar, New Caledonia, Buenos aires-Argentina, Carmelo-Uruguay, Hong Kong, Leucate-France, Noordwijk ann Zee-Netherlands, Tarifa, Puclaro-Chile, Cumbuco Brazil

December
Melbourne, Tucus-Brazil, Western Oz, cape town-South Africa La ventana-mexico, Namibia, Copal-Costa Rica, Mui Ne Bay-Vietnam, Auckland-NZ, Nashiro-Japan, Baja, New Caledonia, Boracay-philipines, Buenos aires-Argentina, Carmelo-Uruguay, Monastir-Tunisia, Hong Kong, Leucate-France, Cape Hatteras-USA, Tarifa, Puclaro-Chile, Yemen-Red Sea

Full Moon Night Kitesurfing & Party!

Thanks Mischi for organizing the Full Moon Night Kiting Session & Party complete with Music, Bon Fire and Florescent glow sticks for the kites!  Hopefully we might be able to squeeze one more session before the season comes to an end. Kiting is loads of fun in the night - clean wind, virtually no kiters on the lagoon (oh, I mean you cannot see them)...Yihaaa

Beautiful Setting - Great Times

Celine, Aline, Carla, Dil and Tiphaine soak up the SAND!

Moritz DA FU!

Michael Roasting Sausages

Legend Mischi Walter along with Dil and Celine

Looks like a cowboy

Welcome Anny from Boracay!

Kitesurfers are special people. Anny was no exception. Loads of fun and on a mission to make a change. Continue the good work and hope you land safe in Arugam Bay.
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While Anny lands in Arugam Bay, Kitesurfing Sri Lanka bids farewell to the German Boys Rapael and Roman! Hope you enjoyed your stay and that you left with fond memories. Continue the kiting, continue the good work. Until we meet again...

4 kiters and gear can fit in a three wheeler!

begrüßen Sie Sri Lanka!!!!

Rafael & Roman check in in Sri Lanka. Wind, waves, VW' vans....

Mr. Welikala tries his hand at an Extreme Sport

65 year old Gihan Welikala is now attempting the exhilarating sport of Kitesurfing. He is probably the oldest Sri Lankan attempting this. Day 1 was 'interesting'. Lets see what the future has in store. Remember, let go the bar...

You cant tame the beast, just manage it better

Father and Son duo

Tiphaine and Aline- Kitesurfing in Paradise

A lull in the season however the French Girls Tiphaine and Aline seem to be stoked! The kitesurfing Sri Lanka T shirts seem to be a hit as well. A few more remain and then its time for the Green T Shirts.

What Aline had to say about the experience;

"For my 26th birthday, my friends offered me a kitesurfing lesson ... What a great gift! It was so good to discover that sport, you can enjoy from the firsts steps of learning, with a such great teacher,  pedagogue and patient ! I really look forward to come back again in that beautiful part of Sri Lanka, lost between a lagoon and the ocean to make my second lesson!"

No wind, pose!

Ajmal and Aline a bit slow to jump!

Concentrate and now Levitate!

Ps. Thanks Dennis for the photos!

Faith Kiteboarding rips in Hua Hin, Thailand!

Its not quite paradise in Hua Hin. Kiters have to wear Jelly Pants, pretty gay for for the guys from the equator! But the thermal winds were nice, beach long and wide. Unfortunately wind in Koh Tao was much less and Diving at Sail Rock was done as an alternative sport!

Faith Essence and Spirit lay side by side

Posers

A bit crowded I must say

Watch out for the jellies!

Sail Rock where Trevali and Barracuda roam!

Auf Wiedersehen Moggie! AKA Mo

Mo has been in part and parcel of the Kiteboarding Community for about a year. From the very first time we met eating crabs to the last few weeks of his stay in Sri Lanka, Mo was very interested about the sport.

He came to Sri Lanka a non surfer and kiter but leaves a surfer (almost there Mo) and kitesurfer (almost there again Mo!) We wish him good wind and the very best in his future endeavours - Kitesurfing and otherwise...

Mo along with Kesh and Dil! Enjoy your Faith Kite!

Kite Sessions - Buba Mount Lavinia (Marco)

Julian continues to film...

Kite Sessions - Buba Mount Lavinia (Dilsiri)

Julian takes a go with the cam!

New Year's Day Kiting and Other Stories

Wow, another new year and another awesome day for kitesurfing. The weekend after continued to be great with the 'off season' winds not being so 'off season' after all. Amazing sessions from Buba Mount Lavinia, Negombo and Kalpitiya!

The new 2011 Faith Kiteboarding Harness not only fitted well but looks great! See you out on the water!

Silk, R&B, Mojo...nah we'd rather be kitesurfing!

Sometimes its better not to party but have a nice rest and kite early morning. Like super early morning. Like at around 6 am early! What a great start to the day and week.

Tristan from the Reunion Island!

It just changes lives. You meet amazing people from all over the world. Tristan Dubourg from the Reunion Island was one of the persons met on a nice windy day on the beaches of Mirissa. He hadn't brought a kite so he did what any other kite would do...buy one! Hope you are enjoying your Faith Kite Tristan. The 2011 series is just out! Ps. How many of you know where the Reunion Island is?

 

Cyclone Jal hits Sunny Sri Lanka. Also brings WIND!

What a start to the weekend. A early morning kitesurfing session on one's home beach. This time we dont have to drive hours to kite. Its just a minute away! Who's up to head to Trinomalee tomorrow...

Kitesurfing Yogi's to 12 foot Walls of Water - Kabalana and Galle Sessions

The South West monsoons bring about great winds to Sri Lanka. Up in Kabalana the sessions (and waves) were superb. You do learn a few things in the process, lessons for life. For instance, WHEN THERE'S WIND, DONT GO CHASING WIND! Wind in Mount Lavinia and we decide to drive 100 KM thinking the wind will be better, it was not so. Oh, well, we kite, we learn, we kite.

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Damien, it was great to have you in Sri Lanka. Do come back for more Yoga/Kitesurfing. Kitesurf Sri Lanka also welcomes Ashley, Brady and Kristin to Sri Lanka! More pictures of their advenure to follow!

In the pictures, Damien teaching the kids in Galle a few things about kiting, Thambili Break, Marco riding the waves and the new Faith Essence Kite!

Weekend Antics

What shall we do? What else could we do... The gang most probably would hit the South Coast - Galle, Weligama, Medigama for some epic Kiting and Wave Riding. If the wind gods dont find favour then we'll be surfing. Oh, how we cherish living in this Island Paradise!

Be a part of the coolest sport during the hottest time in Sri Lanka! - Sunday Times 2010

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Kite Jam 2010 – Sri Lanka’s first Kitesurfing event is held at the Kappalady Lagoon in Kalpitiya

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These guys didn’t quite make it for the Bradby, neither did they opt for parties in Colombo – they chose something closer to their hearts, closer to nature, something that would give them a rush - Kitesurfing!

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Kitesurfing blends a number of high powered sporting disciplines such as windsurfing, surfing and wake boarding. The kitesurfer uses the power of the wind to power a kite which helps propel one along a body of water at high speeds with the use of a kiteboard.

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Kitesurfing has come a long way since its inception over 15 years ago. In Sri Lanka the scene has slowly but surely gaining popularity. Currently there are around 15 resident kitesurfers, expats and a few locals involved in the sport.

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Sri Lanka is fast becoming a popular destination for the sport with ideal winds, water temperature and mixture of sea and lagoon enticing the freestyle and wave riders alike.

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Kite Jam 2010, Sri Lanka’s first kitesurfing event held on June 26 attracted 16 kiters from all over the world including professional kitesurfers. Two events were held, the Jump Event and the Timed Event won by Leo Moret and Hannes Knoltz respectively.

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Kalpitiya boasts of perfect conditions for kiting. Understanding the potential this location, Elements (Pvt) Limited, a BOI company is in the process of setting up Sri Lanka’s first Kite Village which would offer luxury accommodation, kitesurf lessons, equipment and other related products.

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Kitesurfing in Sri Lanka is here to stay, and you could be part of the coolest sport during the hottest time in Sri Lanka!

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The writer is a team rider for Faith Kiteboarding (www.faith-kiteboarding.com) and runs Sri Lanka’s only Kitesurf related blog – see www.kitesurfingsrilanka.com

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View the article by clicking
http://sundaytimes.lk/100711/Magazine/sundaytimesmagazine_04.html

Its all about the experience - Midnight Kitesurfing

Full moon, clean 30 knot winds. We all wanted to. No one dared until Mischi pumped his kite and started kiting. Leo and I thought, if he can, so can we. Lines set out with the help of torch light. Double checked, triple checked and then launch. Error free. Perfect.

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Kiting under moonlight is an amazing experience. The water reflects the beams of light and slowly but surely your eyes accustom to the low lighting conditions. Once comfortable, the kiters get more daring. Moves closer to the shore, high jumps just add to the thrill.

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Kitesurfing, what an amazing sport.

Kite Jam 2010 – Sri Lanka’s First Kitesurfing Event

Kitesurfing is an extreme that has just got off the ground in Sri Lanka. The sport itself is just over 15 years old and numerous developments have occurred increasing the performance and safety of kites. Faith Kiteboarding are a high quality brand that has constantly redesigned kites on a yearly basis to suite the requirements of today’s riders.

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Kite Jam 2010 was the first step toward establishing Sri Lanka as a kite surfing destination. The conditions are ideal for Freestyle Riders and well as Wave Riders. The competition itself drew riders from a number of riders from a number of nationalities including Austria, Australia, Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, Japan and of course Sri Lanka. Notable participants for the event were pro-riders Miguel Willis and Joe Ruscito who also participated in the event.

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The one day event commenced with the ‘Time Event’ where participants had to run along the beach, ride on the ocean along a specified route, cross over to a lagoon and finish off the competition by sprinting to the finish line with kite, board in hand.

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The ‘Jump Event’ was more straight forward where Kiters had two opportunities to Jump the longest distance. There was no restriction on the kite size. The results for the respective events are as follows;

A large number of spectators from the village joined to cheer on the kiters at the respective events. Elements (Pvt) Limited, a BOI company currently in the process of developing a Kite Village in Kappalady is confident that the sport will grow tremendously over the next few years.

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The sport of kitesurfing is still at its infancy in the country and the need for a regulatory body has been seen as essential by the kiting community in Sri Lanka. Currently The Kitesurfing Association of Sri Lanka is been established to ensure that the sport is run in a professional and safe manner. The association would also make it a point to develop local talent and perhaps have Sri Lanka be represented in International Kitesurfing Competitions.

The event was powered by Faith Kiteboarding and Red Bull. In the pictures, Mo enjoying the evening seafood spread, Kids launching kites, Leo and Marc taking off, A determined Mischi, Hannes presenting prize to Ajimal and the local hero, The winners Mischi, Hannes, Marcel and Leo.

More pictures http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=452248&id=692850281&l=8fe4b9eddd