I arrived in El Yaque safe and sound, if not somewhat exhausted. I met up with my new buddies for the next few weeks and thank god on first impressions they’re all really nice. Up early on the beach the next day and my first impressions as a kiting spot were not that great ;-(. It obviously is first and foremost a windsurfing place with a small bit of beach tagged onto the end as the “kite zone’ however this is right next to a lump of land which makes launch and landing a tad sketchy. On top of that the gusty conditions were insane, kites flapping around and falling out the sky along with huge airs pulled unplanned as gusts grab you and throw you up! mmm, not the idyllic Caribbean spot i had expected. To add insult to injury on my first day there was an unexpected number of people kiting here (according to my buddies) and it started to rain which is apparently unheard of here!
I tried to keep my dismay to a minimum as the rest of the group seemed to love it here having spent a month kiting this spot and getting used to it, so i think i will give it a chance!
Aside from the spot issues it is really nice to go kiting with a group of people; i know they will push me to learn more (Pete who is an 18 yr old surfer / wakeboarder who has been kiting for 6 wks and is already doing back rolls and ralleys!) and its nice to know i have people looking out for me to (Tom the host is an advanced kiter and super supportive). There is also Kara who is a cool chick from Cardiff at about my level or a little bit better, Becks who is a super fit life guard on Bournemouth beach and after 6 wks learning is about how i was after a year and Mike who has been traveling a similar route to Rob and I the last few months and therefore has kited most of the year and it shows as he is learning landing to blind and unhooked stuff too.
My only goal is to nail those back rolls and jumping transitions before i head home. Wish me luck!
