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The fastest growing water sport in recent years, kite surfing. The kite scene is a very special one but just as many outdoor sports it’s also about the ’stuff’ and the thrill of the separation from the normal world

Worldwide Cabarete, Cumbuco, Hurghada, Isla Margarita, Fuerteventura are known for their ideal conditions.

Kite surfing in the Caribbean is growing fast and Aruba is one of the places to be.

History

Kite surfing is a Dutch invention. Back in the 19th century, kites were used to pull boats. In 1977 it was the Dutchman Bert Panhuis  who used a kite to tow him standing upright on the water.

Eight years later two brothers designed a kite with inflatable sections so they were able to start right from the water.

The materials are still being developed and redesigned.

Around 1996 the kite surfing pioneering began, especially in southern France and in Hawaii. A year later, the first world championships held in Hawaii.

Structure

Before you hang  high above the sea and make a great leap and make you already have made many meters exercising.

In Aruba, but also in the Netherlands or other kite surfing spots in the world schools offer so called packages. In three or four classes (a 1,5-2 hours) you make your first moves on the board. All material is included in the price and there are several people watch over you.

Most everywhere this is the procedure:

1st session:

Learn how to manage the kite and get the feeling of it.

2nd session:

Body dragging lesson. During this lesson let your body being  dragged through the water hanging on the kite and learn various control elements.

3rd session:

Water starting lesson. Your first meters on the board.

Prices in Aruba  are fair.

- Kite surf package (3 classes, a total of five hours kitesurfles) arround $ 350 – including equipment and boat.

- Rent kite surfing equipment: 2 hours about $ 100, – (incl. materials, boat).

Spots

The two most famous kite surf locations on Aruba are: Fisher Mans Huts (over Marriott hotel) you can only Kiten before 10 am and after 4 pm and Boca Grandi (advanced). Aruba has an all year round  trade wind (NE Passat) and the temperature  is constantly around 27 degrees (water temperature about 25 degrees).

Students on the second year of the Foundation Degree course in Management and Outdoor Activities have recently returned from a very active break in the Ardéche. (31 Mar — 13 Apr). The 12 students camped out in the Massif Central area which is right at the heart of France. This vast mountainous region was formed by massive volcanic upheaval and erosion by wind and water and proved ideal surroundings for their water sports. The trip which was arranged by the students themselves as part of …