Nonsuch Bay in Antigua is an outstanding location for kitesurfing. The bay is completely enclosed by a barrier reef and offers two square miles of warm flat water, and because it’s on the windward side of the island, the trade winds are strong and consistent.
The conditions suit both beginners looking to get to grips with the sport and experienced riders aiming to hone their skills.
This year the island is launching its own kitesurfing jamboree – Ride Antigua. Organized by a local resort and kitesurfing school, it takes place between May 20 and June 14 2013.
For five days each week, IKO (International Kiteboarding Organisation) qualified instructors – backed by a fleet of inflatables – will provide on-the-water tuition and support for riders of all levels and abilities.
Intensive Zero to Hero classes for beginners will take guests through everything they need to know, from theory and safety and equipment rigging, to kite control, water starts and cruising on the board.
Tuition for the intermediates will improve their upwind riding and transitions and work on techniques such as toe side riding and air gybes.
Pro surfer and Antiguan resident Jake Kelsick and other leading instructors will help more advanced kitesurfers work on their technique – such as jumps, rotations, grabs, handle-passes and directional board riding.
For those travelling without their own equipment, the Ride Antigua experiences costs $1,860 per person. That includes seven nights accommodation, full breakfast and picnic lunch daily and a five-day kitesurfing program with 40 Knots. This price is based on two sharing a one-bedroom apartment and reflects a 40 per cent saving on the usual rates. The equivalent rate for those using their own equipment is $1,560 and $970 for non-kitesurfers.
The programme also includes a barbecue night, a trip to Shirley Heights for the traditional Antiguan Sunday sunset party, on-the-water videoing and a special compilation video review night.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
(Featured image: Willtron)
