Hi Guys,

Considering going kiting for a week in winter (July)

Kitepower are running a trip to Lombok (all exotic, warm and beautiful ) but bit of a mission to get to

or I could just go on one of the kiting packages at Lord How. Colder but much easier to get to

Which would you do. which will have better waves and wind? If you have kited any of these round this time what was it like?


Thanks - Matthew.

Lombok, better waves.
See a different culture, eat different food, enjoy being woken by roosters and that early morning call to prayer.
Does get wind, kited a few spots there.
One spot kids ran from the village and just were in amazement, never seen a kite before...
Haha, sitting on a plane from Bali isn't too much of a mission. lol.

LH is very unique. The relaxed feel and natural beauty...a must visit really. I'm a windsurfer. I was there in November and the wind was + 20 knts everyday. 2 of the 5 days saw +30 knt wind which closed the airport.

No wave sailing though...the wind was onshore or offshore. Good jumping in the channel but poor orientation for wave sailing.

Free sailing in the lagoon was fun. Crystal clear water, the peaks in the background and a sandy beach launch makes it a very memorial sail.

I would recommend for high wind and a general relaxed vacation in a beautiful spot.

FIJI FIJI is my answer......
PM me for details if your interested in a kiting holiday in Paradise....
Rgds
Warren

Been to Lord Howe twice once in early spring for a week and I kited most days

and once in late summer for a month and kited only a couple of times but had some good surfs.

It's an awesome place - well worth a visit. Most beautiful place I've ever seen.....spectacular scenery and well run place. Paradise actually!

If you are going in winter you'll probably get good wind and it's not cold water and although there are waves on the fringing reef - they aren't epic as it's side on-shore? I wouldn't say it's the place for good waves when it's windy. Remember a short and clean wave as far up wind you could go on the edge of the lagoon - that's about it? The locals might have a secret spot

Thanks for all the info and insight, given your opinions LH leads 2:1

Looks like LH will have stronger wind but will be a chilly 19 deg.

Lombok Will have better waves, but warmer and culturally exotic. (and also teamed up with a bunch of Kitpower kiters and a bit of coaching thrown in)

Both with dramatic landscapes.

@surfing boy: the problem is not the flight it s self. from Sydney to lombok you leave at 10am and arrive at 8 given changeover flights and a wait in Bali. LH you leave at 2pm and your there by 5, so you get an extra days kiting.


You guys haven't helped you've made my decision harder!

I really liked Lombok and there's plenty to do besides kiting. I do think there are better places to kite though if that's your main goal.

We also did a week of scuba diving up on sabang is. Awesome up there.

Went to Lord Howe for a week in August 2013. Had a great time. Kited 3-4 times. I used my 7, 10 and 13m, although the 13 was probably a waste of time when I did it. Snorkelling. Lots of walking. Cruising around the island on bikes.

Super friendly locals. When they knew we were their and were kiters we got picked up and taken to the local spot. We also kited from the beach at Milky Way resort. Highly recommended. We did some tours with Jack Shick who is good to spend time with.

Lord Howe is like a cross between a tropical island resort, and an Aussie country town. Laid back and relaxed but not 3rd world. Also has great restaurants and good coffee.

It's expensive, but you only live once and it's not outrageous.

For self-catering, go to the co-op opposite the bakery in town. It's more expensive by weight, but you only have to buy as much as you want. You can grab a jar, put oil in it, weight it, add vinegar, weigh that, add anything else and you have salad dressing.

The local fishing guides will take an order and drop a load of freshly caught fillets into your fridge. We had a pack for 4 that lasted two nights. They'll do sashimi if you ask for it.

I took a full set of kiting and diving and surfing gear and got hit $160 for excess baggage on the way there. They didn't charge on the way back. $160 is nothing in the scheme of things.


www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Lord-Howe/
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Lord-Howe-Island-Winter-Kite-Surfing-Rundown/
www.lordhoweislandtours.net/

Will be in Kuta Lombok in August after a couple of weeks in Bali, supposed to be kitable wind in August but if no wind plenty of places to surf and dive and relax, worst case scenario relaxing with a bintang

<<<<<<<<< avatar is Bali last year

Im currently thinking Sri Lanka. Return flights to Singapore from Syd = $350. Colombo is a 4 hr flight from there = $450.

This place looks good (from the website). www.kitesurfinglanka.com/

Anyone been?

Went to Gili Island in September, just fantastic.
Where in Lombok is the camp?

Think the Lombok trip is in Kuta. Did you have wind in September?

Why not throw in Banda aceh.

I agree with surfingboye's points.

Depends what you want out of the trip? if you are after some progression and epic surf Lombok would be the go, KP do run a quality trip.

Did Sri Lanka last year, really unique experience, probably not for everyone but we loved it. The place you mentioned Phoney isn't on the lagoon but they did have a good thing going, 4wd trip to the beach not too far.
There's no real infrastructure there apart from a couple of fully catered kite places although we got a place walking distance to lagoon, was brand new no name yet ....... Few small shops to get stuff from and the roti man comes around at night for really cheap authentic food, so it can be done but probably easier to do organised thing.
The kiting is good, nice strong steady wind but only flat water, not really proper waves on the ocean side but we did see some people from the mentioned place doing a downwinder which looked ok.
So if you're looking for a sort of new frontier feel it's great fun, also lots more to see in Sri Lanka, feel free to PM me if anyone wants to know more.

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MDickerson said..
Hi Guys,

Considering going kiting for a week in winter (July)

Kitepower are running a trip to Lombok (all exotic, warm and beautiful ) but bit of a mission to get to

or I could just go on one of the kiting packages at Lord How. Colder but much easier to get to

Which would you do. which will have better waves and wind? If you have kited any of these round this time what was it like?


Thanks - Matthew.

He Matthew,

We have the strongest wind here in Indonesia. The place is in Sumatra and called Banda Aceh. You can sit and drink your Bintang while watching the show. It is here that people finding this place more and more to ride in the Months of July and earlier.
It has a lagoon and waves on the reef. You can stay in many places here and they are all a stone throw away from your prime location . The beachfront is what makes this place so unique. Ride all day. Last year every day ( no stop) wind inbetween 20 and 30 knots..

pm me for more details if you wish. By the way. The wind has already started. look at the pics and enjoy.

Yes the wind was very good for three days on Gili Trawangan, on a 10 for 2 days and a 12 on the other.
It is very tidal and when the tide drops the reef is above the water line around the island.
It is set up as a diving destination.
Gili Air is the place to go as the reef is not as pronounced. The islands (three off) are very close together and you can kite between the islands.
Great place to sit around and do stuff all in between, no motor vehicles on the island.
Good luck.

A really good deal for Lord Howe at the moment http://www.oxleytravel.com.au/lhi-packages/kitesurfing.html We have lots of other options here & water temp is currently 24'c & usually gets down to 20'c. Happy to provide more info if required.

A few photos from a north coast crew that came over last year.

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62Davo said..
A really good deal for Lord Howe at the moment http://www.oxleytravel.com.au/lhi-packages/kitesurfing.html We have lots of other options here & water temp is currently 24'c & usually gets down to 20'c. Happy to provide more info if required.

A few photos from a north coast crew that came over last year.

What's the go with how much kite gear you can fly over with ?

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Surfer62 said..

62Davo said..
A really good deal for Lord Howe at the moment http://www.oxleytravel.com.au/lhi-packages/kitesurfing.html We have lots of other options here & water temp is currently 24'c & usually gets down to 20'c. Happy to provide more info if required.

A few photos from a north coast crew that came over last year.

What's the go with how much kite gear you can fly over with ?

<div>1) Get online & pre purchase an extra bag for $30 & one for your partner if need be. You can do this at Qantas online in manage your booking.

<div>2) Ensure bags are not more than 14kg.

<div>3) Prioritize your luggage as the second bag will travel as excess and may be off loaded if the passenger load is high. It will normally come the next day if this happens.

<div>4) Double check at the check in counter that you important bag is not marked as excess.

<div>5) Load up your hand luggage as the weight is not normally checked. I often put one kite & clothing in this bag. (No sharps)

<div>6) You don't need to bring a pump, I have plenty.

<div>7) Be really nice at the check in counter but insist that your important bag goes.

<div>8) If you are really concerned you can express post a 5kg bag over as well. If you need to do this let me know & I will give you an address.

<div>The water temp is 19/20'C so bring whatever wetsuit you would wear normally in that temp.

Those photos look pretty epic, that is super offshore!! Would you have a rescue boat for that or do you just hope for the best/ try not to stuff up ?

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JacobMatan said..
Those photos look pretty epic, that is super offshore!! Would you have a rescue boat for that or do you just hope for the best/ try not to stuff up ?

Was offshore that day & I have a 9.5m boat anchored out the back. I provide boat support anytime we work these conditions. Boat launch & retrieve!

That is an epic boat looks like it would do the trick!! I will have to add lord Howe to my wish list

Kiting, fishing, a hike up the mountain and it looks cost effective too - added to my wishlist!

Lord Howe looks great but the water temperature over the winder is still only just 19/20 isn't it ?

Thought about Mauritius? Cheaper than LH, but more expensive than Indo. Best waves and wind though! Let me know if you are interested and I can fill you in...

Hey Blast....
Show us the prices...would be shocked to find it cheaper than LH...

No way is Mauritius cheaper from Sydney

lord howe looks very tempting and pretty hassle free if just going for one week. Might get a bit boring if you got unlucky with the wind though

Living expenses much cheaper. Try living on $45/day accommodation + car in LH. Plus much better wind and waves, world class kiting spot in Mauritius vs average kiting in LH at best.

Have you thought about Tonga as a winter kite getaway? Flights aren't too pricey and you can get all inclusive packages at some resorts over there. Tonga is a great undiscovered destination for kitesurfing. Check this place out www.kitesurftonga.com

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Blast said..
Living expenses much cheaper. Try living on $45/day accommodation + car in LH. Plus much better wind and waves, world class kiting spot in Mauritius vs average kiting in LH at best.

Once again.....show us some figures.....I have seen LH Flights + Accom 7 nights for $1000...