My wife and I am planning on going to the Cocos Keeling Islands in a couple of weeks time and I would like some advice from someone who has been. Firstly, I have heard that you need booties, are these necessary just when you are entering the water or do you need to wear them all of the time when kiting? (we are both using foot straps rather than boots obviously) Secondly, what size kites will we need, my wife is about 60kg and I am about 100kg, will 8m, 11m and 14m cover us or do we need smaller and/or bigger?

Thanks.

If a beginner , boots will be the go, quiver of kites will cover you both , top spot cocos, also great fishing ,diving, snorkelling, water conditions are flat to small chop, I took 7,11,17, I only used my 11 , tbh for me the kiting wasn't the highlight as I'm used to different conditions but still a nice spot

Thanks for the response. Neither my wife nor I are absolute beginners (she can jump/ride toe-side, I am unhooking (badly)), but I have heard mixed responses re the need for booties so we will buy some and decide there if we need them.

Can you catch good eating fish from shore? What gear is needed? Better off spear fishing or using a line?

Select to expand quote

StKKiter said...
Thanks for the response. Neither my wife nor I are absolute beginners (she can jump/ride toe-side, I am unhooking (badly)), but I have heard mixed responses re the need for booties so we will buy some and decide there if we need them.

Can you catch good eating fish from shore? What gear is needed? Better off spear fishing or using a line?

Pretty sure some rules have changed since I was there, so check limits and size, great salt water fly fishing, jamahl who works on the ferry has a tinnie, just ask for him, we had a great session chasing sweet lips , gt, around prisoner island, also you can walk across or swim/ snorkell to the island straight across from the scout park, there's a flat plateau , drop a line in for some great finger mark/ jacks, it's thick with fish, mick walker was trolling on his kite chasing wahoo/ barracuda, at the ferry jetty there's some huge gt,s but you'll only loose gear/ poppers, the islands littered with options beach and boat wise, enjoy

Select to expand quote

StKKiter said...
My wife and I am planning on going to the Cocos Keeling Islands in a couple of weeks time and I would like some advice from someone who has been. Firstly, I have heard that you need booties, are these necessary just when you are entering the water or do you need to wear them all of the time when kiting? (we are both using foot straps rather than boots obviously) Secondly, what size kites will we need, my wife is about 60kg and I am about 100kg, will 8m, 11m and 14m cover us or do we need smaller and/or bigger?

Thanks.

Regarding booties, it's best to kite with them as you will be kiting over sharp reef most of the time. I wasn't wearing any but I never stood up when I fell off the board. Some got some nasty reef cuts and that's it for their kiting most of the time... also if you kite at low tide the water can be very shallow and falling off the board would mean you have to walk over the reef.

Kite sizes are fine for both altought for 100 kgs I would consider bringing another kite larger than 14m.

Hey there StKKiter I'm also heading over in a couple of weeks what dates are you going to be there? I'm there from the 18th till 29th August.
Getting excited!!

I was there a few years back. Definitely wear booties. Lots of shallow reef. The sand is made of coral not silica and is very abrasive. Any cut, abrasion or scratch will, in days, turn to a festering sore if left untreated. Take lots of betadine or similar antiseptic. Even a scratch to your leg can send you to the medical centre if not treated immediately and result in days off the water.

But, that said, it's a great place to kite.

Hey guys,

im also heading over with the wife. Be there 15 - 25th. Hopefully see ya for a beer.
cheers
J

Select to expand quote

Brewcie said...
Hey there StKKiter I'm also heading over in a couple of weeks what dates are you going to be there? I'm there from the 18th till 29th August.
Getting excited!!

We will just miss you unfortunately, we leave on the 18th! Have a great trip

Select to expand quote

Jason75 said...
Hey guys,

im also heading over with the wife. Be there 15 - 25th. Hopefully see ya for a beer.
cheers
J

Hi Jason, We are there till the 18th so hopefully we can catch up for a beer, can't wait.

Cheers,

Richard

A couple of tips, especially if you're not on the "tour".
Make sure you prepay extra baggage with Virgin for your kite gear. You'll save $$$ and way less hassle at the airport.
if not on "tour", add another bag and grab a foam container to take food in. Frozen meat on the bottom, then fresh veggies, cheese and other items on top. Food is both fairly expensive and can be in short supply. The locals tend to clean out the co-op when the planes come in and it can be slim pickings. Fresh food may not be all that fresh. If you have any special dietary requirements/only eat organic then this is a must.
Have fun. It's a great place to kite.

Don't forget the Cocos flights leaves from the international terminal, if you're handling your own transfers between flights you'll have to change terminals.

Brewcie said... Hey there StKKiter I'm also heading over in a couple of weeks what dates are you going to be there? I'm there from the 18th till 29th August. Getting excited!!
StKKiter said..... We will just miss you unfortunately, we leave on the 18th! Have a great trip..
Cheers I think I'll do just fine traveling solo for a bit of peace and quiet! Enjoy your trip mate.

I know someone there now, mainly on his 15m and 12m kite. Trades haven't come through like they should have. maybe better in a couple of weeks.

I just spent 10 days in Mauritius. my last 3 days I was riding my 6m.

I just got back from Cocos island (second time), wish I could go straight back?? .. Take booties, most people wear them, there are places you will find them useful even when not kiting. take Mask and snorkel to.

Sadley the wind was not so good (not the norm). out of two weeks we managed 4 days kiting with wind around 15/18knts..the rest of the time it averaged 10knts... all kiting was done on 17m for my 105kg friend, and I ( 75 -80 kg) managed to use my 10 and 12m.
The 17m was the difference between no kiting and kiting For my heavier friend.
Enjoy...its a great place ... hope the wind howls for you guys.

Enjoy Cocos....

I'll be there from 18th! Taking 12m SB and the Zephyr. Maybe the 9m but looks like it would never get used.

Anyone there now? Willy weather has the wind up at 20-25 but on the ground update would be good to see how accurate there forecasting over there is. Only 1 week to wait. Cheers J

Will 1mm reef booties be okay for Cocos, I have FCS ones now, or should I get thicker?

I wore the 1mm FCS ones the whole time I was there (3 weeks) and they did the job. I assume the sand/reef hasn't changed massively in 6 years :)

Select to expand quote

Jason75 said..
Anyone there now? Willy weather has the wind up at 20-25 but on the ground update would be good to see how accurate there forecasting over there is. Only 1 week to wait. Cheers J

We are there now, there is plenty of wind at the moment (i have been overpowered on an 8m at times) but very gusty/stormy with lots of rain so the kiting is not great most of the time. I am told this is very unusual, hopefully it settles down a bit soon.

Cheers for that. It looked ugly the other day On forecast. We fly out on Saturday but get a few days in falls creek first. Have packed 8m up. Hope the squally slop disapears. Cheers j

Ocean Addicts head kite boarding instructor Ben Strowger is over there right now teaching with Jen and the Zepher crew.

Im sickened to my core with jealously on a weekly basis from the reports and pics Ben gives me! Cocos really dose look like the ultimate kiteboarding tropical paradise.

Im going next year guaranteed, no more excuses, hands down, for sure, lock it in, last thing I do, no ifs, no butts, see you there!

Luke

Select to expand quote

OceanAddicts said..

Cocos really dose look like the ultimate kiteboarding tropical paradise.

If you like ruff flat water riding TT and no wave kiting
Over priced and off food
Most locals are drunks or on the bob hope ( hooter )
Probably why you Queerlanders like it.

Been back from Cocos for a week now. Awesome spot to kite when the wind blows. Yes it maybe a little choppy at times but the scenery more than makes up for it. The zephyr crew are awesome if you're traveling alone or have never been I would highly recommend going with them. They have the facilities to do big downwinders look after most of your meals. And the best part duty free rum! I'm going back for sure.

Hi All,

Here is a quick clip of some kitesurfing action from Cocos this season put together by the visitors centre. There are some epic shots from a few of the Zephyr instructors who were all awesome.