Sorry Guys, I am late picking up posts as I just got back from another great week of kiting in Cozumel. While the whole Cozumel Kiteboarding fraternity was in Tampico at the no-wind / cancelled kiteboard competition, Ed Holden (ex-Real, now living in Cozumel) and I had 2 days of 9M and perfect 6-8 swell at Punta Chiqueros (Playa Bonita) all to ourselves. The restaurant now gives us a discount on food and booze because all the tourists stop and watch when we ride out front. Thanks Amigos!
For "illibilli"...lots of people take the ferry over to Cozumel for the day. No charge for your kite gear. Big coffin bags are no problem. The ferry runs every hour, is only $11 one way and takes just 45 minutes. It goes from 5 am to 11 pm. If the wind is NE, drive up to the Country Club. If it is East or SE, head to the other side of the island and ride Punta Chiqueros (Playa Bonita) or Chen Rio. You will need to rent a car or can always get a hold of Adrian at
http://www.cozumelkiteboarding.com. He will pick you up at the ferry and take you to the best kite spot for the day. He has a boat for trips to the lagoon and some awesome downwinders. He is also a PASA certified instructor, has a cool surf shop (Puro Mar) and a great restaurant (Especias). If you are an experienced kiter, with confidence in waves, he can get you in to Punta Sur. Adrian has exclusive access and it is an epic experience to ride there. Probably better to go with Adrian than rent a car.
For "fearlu" ...yes that is world famous Bay Area shaper Bob Miller from Advanced Surf Designs, Cobalt Surf Boards and just about anything else that floats or flies in SFO and Santa Cruz. Bob made Chuck Patterson's first kiteboards and Bob's windsurf boards are legendary. Bob was down to Cozumel in May and caught more Barracuda than the other 3 of us combined. The shots are from Laguna Ciega or sometimes called Passion Island Lagoon. It is in the North end of Cozumel, not Belize. Belize is a couple of hundred miles south, but has the same type of mangrove/ lagoon look. I have caught some huge snook, bone fish, baby tarpon (under 30 lbs), snapper and just about everything in the lagoon. The cool thing is that nobody fishes it. The lagoon is an easy 10 minute drive from my condo and you can launch a kite, go out the lagoon mouth around Punta Norte and finish up in front of the Country Club. A great "park and fly" downwinder.
Wish I was still there,
Tom
http://www.cozumeltom.com