Forum for travel reports and travel questions
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Wheels
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Postby Wheels » Fri Apr 08, 2011 7:00 pm
Heading to Aruba first week of May, staying at the Marriott casino.
Should I bring my kites?
If so, any info on kite spots, conditions, season and schools would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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southflorida
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Postby southflorida » Sat Apr 09, 2011 2:27 pm
I've been there when the trade winds blow, and it's good.
I think May should be good - check a site like wind-guru or kitebeaches to find out what months are best
The Marriott is on the lee side, so wind is off shore. I was there in 2006, and the land west of the Marriott was open - i.e. no big hotels, so that's kinda where you want to be to kite for some clean wind. Find out who can watch you in case you have problems. Being off shore winds, next stop is Colombia or Panama - and you'll die if no one goes out to rescue you if you have problems. If you don't have rescue, let go of the kite and swim back to shore.
Since it is off-shore along hotel row, the big hotels close to shore will cause problems - so you have to stay either west of the Marriott, or quite a bit off shore to have clean air.
There is good wave kiting on the east side of the island, sorta at the SE tip. Up around the north side it is almost all rocky shore clear to the west tip and no one would try to launch anywhere along that shore - not to mention there are barely any roads or access. I traversed the island on a scooter and made it all the way around - but a car can't make it through in certain parts (2006). It was desolate and quite the nice scooter ride.
Enjoy
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Wheels
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Postby Wheels » Sun Apr 10, 2011 10:26 pm
Thanks!
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xtremewinds
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Postby xtremewinds » Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:42 pm
Hi
As lawnmower says the wind is very good in this dates, you should bring your kites, you have an spot near to the hotels (off-shore) and other ones around the island, Boca Grandi side-on-shore, Barcadera side-shore, all the spots need a level that you can sail up wind constantly and perfect if you dont master this the best is contract someone with a boat who supervise you.
We can help you!
Google Xtremewinds kitesurfing Aruba.
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AmericanRonin
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Postby AmericanRonin » Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:47 pm
Just got back from Aruba last week. Wind was there, but light. Another page of "you should have been here last week" written in the story of my life. It stayed around fifteen knots the whole time I was there and I need sixteen at least in order to stay powered on my twelve meter.
Honestly though, beautiful place to kite. Water's shallow and an alluring mix of blues--warm too. As mentioned, wind is offshore and there're some very distinct holes in it as well. I'd imagine on a day where the wind actually was good, it wouldn't be too much of an issue, but if it's as light as it was when I was there, it can be a pain. Definitely an extended exercise in staying up-wind. Most of the places there have boats though. If you let'em know you're going out and to just keep an eye on you, they'll come get you if shit hits the fan and you can't get back for whatever reason. I was told by one of the guys who'd been there a few months that Aruba Active Vacations will bring you back with one of their boats for $20 U.S. Small price to pay for not having to ditch faulty gear and swim in.
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Pin Head
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Postby Pin Head » Sat May 28, 2011 5:50 pm
which school/spot is best for flat water for a beginner?
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xtremewinds
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Postby xtremewinds » Sun May 29, 2011 1:52 am
Pin Head wrote:which school/spot is best for flat water for a beginner?
Hi the best place for learning in flat water is Fisherman huts, i own a school so obviusly i going to say our school (Xtremewinds) is the best, but honestly is the best service/price you are going to get on the island we teach one to one following you with our boat all the time, we are all IKO instructors following STRICTLY the IKO safety standars, the only school what offer pick up/drop off service from the hotels or your staying place.
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