Hi folks,

Im going to Sri lanka for two weeks of kitesurfing in aug.
Any suggestion on who should I fly with, weight limits, packing tips?


Cheers!!!

I few air Asia. Wish I had have spent the extra money with a different airline.
They will also try and charge you extra for a surfboard on the way home, like a lot extra, but stick with it and argue it and they won't charge you for your kiteboard.

Vella island is where you want to go. If I go next time I'm going to see if I can stay with the fisherman on the island.

Hey Kemp,

I am heading there for 8 days, where would you recommend for the best place to base your self? also what kite sizes did you mainly ride? Cheers

Hey GC1974,

I guess it depends where your flying from.

In the past I've flown over from Perth with Malaysian Airlines, Sri Lankan and Singapore Airlines. All have been good with a 30kg allowance. Next time I go over, I'll probably give Malindo Air a go. They started flying from Perth about a year ago. There cheaper and also have a 30kg bag allowance.

I generally stay at Kitekuda, an Australian dude Mike is in a partnership with it. It's a good laid back place and the foods good. Kappalady is a smaller lagoon and way less crowded then the big lagoon at Kalpitya. Depends what your into. I'm 75kg and take over a 7, 9, 12 and that gets me on the water everyday when I'm over there.

Definitely do what kemp90 said, and checkout Vella island for the day or a couple of days.

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James01 said..
Hey Kemp,

I am heading there for 8 days, where would you recommend for the best place to base your self? also what kite sizes did you mainly ride? Cheers

I had a 10 and 7. But stole my mates 9 for a day and looped the **** out of it. So much fun. The main lagoon is terrible, gusty and packed full of euro noobs. I stayed at kitesurfing Lanka. But seriously if you could find a way to stay at Vella island for the whole time, you would froth out. Also hire a motorbike and ride up into the national park, that's a fun experience.

Sweet as - i remember a group from Wa went there - are use going this year ?

I bought a ticket with AirAsia. With 20kg luggage and 20kg allowance for sporting equipment it was around $1050 from Perth. Spent quite a bit of time looking for options - Air Asia was by far the cheapest (the next best price ticket with 40kg allowance was about $1550)

I am staying with kitesurfing Lanka for 10 days (sounds like the lagoon is not the best) but then I move to Manar Island that supposedly is like Vella Island or better (new resort by the same crowd as Kitesurfing Lanka). The the camp is very close to water - no transport needed to kite on butterflat water.

Will provide some feedback when I come back (never been there before).

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kemp90 said..

James01 said..
Hey Kemp,

I am heading there for 8 days, where would you recommend for the best place to base your self? also what kite sizes did you mainly ride? Cheers

I had a 10 and 7. But stole my mates 9 for a day and looped the **** out of it. So much fun. The main lagoon is terrible, gusty and packed full of euro noobs. I stayed at kitesurfing Lanka. But seriously if you could find a way to stay at Vella island for the whole time, you would froth out. Also hire a motorbike and ride up into the national park, that's a fun experience.

Thanks Legend!

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Swavek said..
I bought a ticket with AirAsia. With 20kg luggage and 20kg allowance for sporting equipment it was around $1050 from Perth. Spent quite a bit of time looking for options - Air Asia was by far the cheapest (the next best price ticket with 40kg allowance was about $1550)

I am staying with kitesurfing Lanka for 10 days (sounds like the lagoon is not the best) but then I move to Manar Island that supposedly is like Vella Island or better (new resort by the same crowd as Kitesurfing Lanka). The the camp is very close to water - no transport needed to kite on butterflat water.

Will provide some feedback when I come back (never been there before).

when are you heading over Swavek? I am planning early July. Cheers

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Swavek said..
I bought a ticket with AirAsia. With 20kg luggage and 20kg allowance for sporting equipment it was around $1050 from Perth. Spent quite a bit of time looking for options - Air Asia was by far the cheapest (the next best price ticket with 40kg allowance was about $1550)

I am staying with kitesurfing Lanka for 10 days (sounds like the lagoon is not the best) but then I move to Manar Island that supposedly is like Vella Island or better (new resort by the same crowd as Kitesurfing Lanka). The the camp is very close to water - no transport needed to kite on butterflat water.

Will provide some feedback when I come back (never been there before).

I'm jealous
Have a great one

S

I am going from 3rd of July to 31st of August - looking forward to check what my kitesurfing saturation point is, 3 two hour sessions, 2 three hour sessions?

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4XL said..

Swavek said..
I bought a ticket with AirAsia. With 20kg luggage and 20kg allowance for sporting equipment it was around $1050 from Perth. Spent quite a bit of time looking for options - Air Asia was by far the cheapest (the next best price ticket with 40kg allowance was about $1550)

I am staying with kitesurfing Lanka for 10 days (sounds like the lagoon is not the best) but then I move to Manar Island that supposedly is like Vella Island or better (new resort by the same crowd as Kitesurfing Lanka). The the camp is very close to water - no transport needed to kite on butterflat water.

Will provide some feedback when I come back (never been there before).

I'm jealous
Have a great one

S

Thanks Stu,
No point being out of work and sad, might as well be out of work and happy!!!

Select to expand quote

Swavek said..

4XL said..

Swavek said..
I bought a ticket with AirAsia. With 20kg luggage and 20kg allowance for sporting equipment it was around $1050 from Perth. Spent quite a bit of time looking for options - Air Asia was by far the cheapest (the next best price ticket with 40kg allowance was about $1550)

I am staying with kitesurfing Lanka for 10 days (sounds like the lagoon is not the best) but then I move to Manar Island that supposedly is like Vella Island or better (new resort by the same crowd as Kitesurfing Lanka). The the camp is very close to water - no transport needed to kite on butterflat water.

Will provide some feedback when I come back (never been there before).

I'm jealous
Have a great one

S

Thanks Stu,
No point being out of work and sad, might as well be out of work and happy!!!

We've finally sold so I hope to be heading north to exmouth from July to august some time for kiting and fishing expedition. But, Lanka looks my kind of place. 7 weeks will sort u out

S

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kemp90 said..
I few air Asia. Wish I had have spent the extra money with a different airline.
They will also try and charge you extra for a surfboard on the way home, like a lot extra, but stick with it and argue it and they won't charge you for your kiteboard.

Vella island is where you want to go. If I go next time I'm going to see if I can stay with the fisherman on the island.

Thx mate. It seems to be epic. Is there any chance to stay at Vella or there is no camp there?
Do I have to pay for the day trip every time?

Cheers!

Put your toilet roll in the freezer
hot n spicy in lanka

Thanks guys heaps for the tips and hints.
I'll fly from the Gold Coast and also want take some lessons to pick up on my game.
Have u guys heard anything about Srilankakite regarding their clinics?
Im thinking of staying with them.
Or any suggestions on this?
I've been kiting for about a year so can do basc stuff as backroll+kiteloop, jumps, stared unhooking.


Cheers!

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GC1974 said..
Thanks guys heaps for the tips and hints.
I'll fly from the Gold Coast and also want take some lessons to pick up on my game.
Have u guys heard anything about Srilankakite regarding their clinics?
Im thinking of staying with them.
Or any suggestions on this?
I've been kiting for about a year so can do basc stuff as backroll+kiteloop, jumps, stared unhooking.


Cheers!

Another bloody genius, one year and into backrol kiteloops and unhooking - great progress Mate, been kitesurfing for 3 years and the only exciting thing I learned is boosting. Hope Sri Lanka will fix this!

I am aware that one of the instructors in Kitesurfing Lanka is Zac Andrews. I run into his kitesurfing videos - great kitesurfer, very skilled, hopefully just as skilled at passing his knowledge too.

here are his vids:
www.facebook.com/pg/zacandrewskite/videos/?ref=page_internal

Cheers
swavek

Select to expand quote

Swavek said..

GC1974 said..
Thanks guys heaps for the tips and hints.
I'll fly from the Gold Coast and also want take some lessons to pick up on my game.
Have u guys heard anything about Srilankakite regarding their clinics?
Im thinking of staying with them.
Or any suggestions on this?
I've been kiting for about a year so can do basc stuff as backroll+kiteloop, jumps, stared unhooking.


Cheers!

Another bloody genius, one year and into backrol kiteloops and unhooking - great progress Mate, been kitesurfing for 3 years and the only exciting thing I learned is boosting. Hope Sri Lanka will fix this!

I am aware that one of the instructors in Kitesurfing Lanka is Zac Andrews. I run into his kitesurfing videos - great kitesurfer, very skilled, hopefully just as skilled at passing his knowledge too.

here are his vids:
www.facebook.com/pg/zacandrewskite/videos/?ref=page_internal

Cheers
swavek

I second, Zac as an instructor. Met him last year when he was head instructor at Kitekuda, now KSL at Kappalady lagoon. Definitely knows his stuff and passionate about instructing. Or checkout Fabio at the big lagoon, he was training the junior world champion last year when I was there.

I normally go on the Ck performance clinic, but couldn't make it this year. Spewin

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Swavek said..

GC1974 said..
Thanks guys heaps for the tips and hints.
I'll fly from the Gold Coast and also want take some lessons to pick up on my game.
Have u guys heard anything about Srilankakite regarding their clinics?
Im thinking of staying with them.
Or any suggestions on this?
I've been kiting for about a year so can do basc stuff as backroll+kiteloop, jumps, stared unhooking.


Cheers!

Another bloody genius, one year and into backrol kiteloops and unhooking - great progress Mate, been kitesurfing for 3 years and the only exciting thing I learned is boosting. Hope Sri Lanka will fix this!

I am aware that one of the instructors in Kitesurfing Lanka is Zac Andrews. I run into his kitesurfing videos - great kitesurfer, very skilled, hopefully just as skilled at passing his knowledge too.

here are his vids:
www.facebook.com/pg/zacandrewskite/videos/?ref=page_internal

Cheers
swavek

Cheers mate! I'll check him out.

@windseeker - KSL actually won't be at the Kappalady lagoon anymore.. Kitekuda is currently relocating to that spot next to the big white Villa, launching right off the camp into the lagoon!

not sure if Zac is teaching at Kalpitiya or Mannar - he's definitely a good advanced instructor!

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GC1974 said..
Hi folks,

Im going to Sri lanka for two weeks of kitesurfing in aug.
Any suggestion on who should I fly with, weight limits, packing tips?


Cheers!!!

@GC1974 Hey man! Will it be your first time in Sri Lanka? I'm here at the moment as a kite instructor and I'm also still exploring the place. I've been here for a month now and although I haven't been to Vellai Island before I have spoken to guys that do trips to there. From the sounds of it people do sometimes stay overnight in tents. I'm planning to go there in the next week so I will let you know about my experience!

Kappilady Lagoon so far is the best spot I have been to that you don't need a boat transfer to get to. It's basically two small lagoons. From the look of it when I was there, one of the lagoons get used for teaching and the other one seems to be for everyday kiters. It was loads of fun!

I have also been to a place called dream spot. I went there with a boat transfer, but it is also possible to go overland with a 4x4. It was also nice. We were three guys and had the whole place to ourselves!

Some tips I can give you:

Kite spares! I have seen so many people who have had valves delaminate, because of leaving their kites lying in the sun. Just the other day I took a guest to a kite spot and his kite went flat on the beach after like 10 minutes in the sun . It was an old kite though! So if you don't bring spare valves then I would recommend bringing some glue to re-glue valves if necessary. There are places to fix your valves or any other damages though. I took this guest to Kitesurfing Lanka and they charged 15 euro to re-glue one valve. The more valves the cheaper it becomes, but this guy had 6 valves on his kite that came off so in the end he just rented a kite

As some of the other guys have suggested, renting a bike or a scooter is definitely recommended. Public transport with buses are dirt cheap, but the tuk-tuk drivers nail you with short distance trips! If you can roam freely you will have a great time.

Close to where I stay there is also a kite shop selling anything from, North and Liquid Force Kites to Fly-Surfer twin-tips and even hydrofoils. I was quite impressed when I saw a WOO for sale!! So if you happen to forget your harness or something at home you don't really need to stress about it :)

My mission in the next few days is to go and explore wave spots. That's what I'll be doing right now! I'll post my feedback here as well.

Oh and I flew Emirates from Cape Town and I could take 2 x 23kg bags. I'm not that clued up on airlines from Australia, but maybe check it out!

Let me know if you need any other insider info!

Chao

Select to expand quote

GC1974 said..
Hi folks,

Im going to Sri lanka for two weeks of kitesurfing in aug.
Any suggestion on who should I fly with, weight limits, packing tips?


Cheers!!!

Some more packing tips:

Basic first aid kit...bandages, antiseptic, a needle etc. Unless you wear water shoes here the whole time you are bound to at some point step in something sharp or get a cut of some sorts.

I checked out Vellai Island the other day and because of the insanely flat conditions I got so many bruises and cuts from my board just by trying new moves. Definitely one of the best flat water spots I have ever kited in!

Definitely check it out!

Cheers mate heaps!

Cheers mate heaps!

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kitingbuddy said..

GC1974 said..
Hi folks,

Im going to Sri lanka for two weeks of kitesurfing in aug.
Any suggestion on who should I fly with, weight limits, packing tips?


Cheers!!!

@GC1974 Hey man! Will it be your first time in Sri Lanka? I'm here at the moment as a kite instructor and I'm also still exploring the place. I've been here for a month now and although I haven't been to Vellai Island before I have spoken to guys that do trips to there. From the sounds of it people do sometimes stay overnight in tents. I'm planning to go there in the next week so I will let you know about my experience!

Kappilady Lagoon so far is the best spot I have been to that you don't need a boat transfer to get to. It's basically two small lagoons. From the look of it when I was there, one of the lagoons get used for teaching and the other one seems to be for everyday kiters. It was loads of fun!

I have also been to a place called dream spot. I went there with a boat transfer, but it is also possible to go overland with a 4x4. It was also nice. We were three guys and had the whole place to ourselves!

Some tips I can give you:

Kite spares! I have seen so many people who have had valves delaminate, because of leaving their kites lying in the sun. Just the other day I took a guest to a kite spot and his kite went flat on the beach after like 10 minutes in the sun . It was an old kite though! So if you don't bring spare valves then I would recommend bringing some glue to re-glue valves if necessary. There are places to fix your valves or any other damages though. I took this guest to Kitesurfing Lanka and they charged 15 euro to re-glue one valve. The more valves the cheaper it becomes, but this guy had 6 valves on his kite that came off so in the end he just rented a kite

As some of the other guys have suggested, renting a bike or a scooter is definitely recommended. Public transport with buses are dirt cheap, but the tuk-tuk drivers nail you with short distance trips! If you can roam freely you will have a great time.

Close to where I stay there is also a kite shop selling anything from, North and Liquid Force Kites to Fly-Surfer twin-tips and even hydrofoils. I was quite impressed when I saw a WOO for sale!! So if you happen to forget your harness or something at home you don't really need to stress about it :)

My mission in the next few days is to go and explore wave spots. That's what I'll be doing right now! I'll post my feedback here as well.

Oh and I flew Emirates from Cape Town and I could take 2 x 23kg bags. I'm not that clued up on airlines from Australia, but maybe check it out!

Let me know if you need any other insider info!

Chao

Yeah mate, first time ever.
Can't wait to get there :)
Thanks for the tips!!

Tweezers to pull the fish bones out of your feet on vella

Hey There,
Hope you have a good time in Kalpitiya. If you need any local advice, get in touch with us.

We are local kiters from Kalpitiya. We have accomodation next to Kalpitiya lagoon ( at Sun Wind Beach) and run regular kite trips to Vella Island. Our family have lived in Kalpitiya for generations so we know the peninsular and it's isolated islands back to front!!

Pop over to say hi when you are in the hood and if you need any advice.
Happy to help Machan ( friend)
Susantha ????