hi all

winter has set in, the season over for most.. BUT I WANT MORE!!


so i've been researching kitesurfing/kitesurfing trips up in Bali. I've focused on Bali as it seems like the ideal winter location for us Perthites/Westralians in terms of travel distance & price - ie a 10-14 day trip (inc flights) costing $1500-2000, rather than the usual $3K+ for other destinations further abroad.

if school holiday season is avoided, flights seem to be around $500-700.

their season runs from june to september, running 10-25kn on a 10 day cycle.

there are a few sites/schools that can be found with a simple google search if you're curious.

GETTING TO THE POINT:

- i'm looking for any recommendations as to locations / training schools / packages / accommodation close to the spots

- putting it out there that i'm interested going mid-july to late aug for 10-14 days & would like to form a larger group (currently going with one other mate).

- looking for any stories/advice/experiences/amusing anecdotes


discuss !

I don't see the appeal of Bali at all. Sunburnt bogans in Bintang singlets as someone put it the other day. I only get to take one or 2 holidays abroad a year (I'm not complaining, I consider myself very lucky to get this much) so I want a kite trip to be more of an experiance. I'd like to get a bit of culture, food, atmosphere, and it had better not be crowded!

It's cheap because everyone goes there. I'm sure there are some upsides like having Jankie's shop there and like you said, it's cheap. Personally, I'd rather give up my latte's or nights out of whatever for the rest of the year so I could afford to have the vacation I want. I'm going to PNG in july instead. If i were going to Indo, I'd choose somewhere a little less crowded.

For all my bitching and opinions on the matter though, I've never been so take it with a grain of salt.

I dont know what you into ApatheticEnd but PNG gets swell from the north, Our summer is there swell season, unless your after flat water and wind, then good choice.
njord, dont count out our winter, some of the best kiting of the year, just be carfull and keep a close eye on the weather systems.

ApatheticEnd said...

.......so take it with a grain of salt.

I guess you all missed that bit huh?

I didn't bag out anything. I said I don't see the appeal. Maybe it's there and I just haven't seen it. If you've all been and love it, why don't you share your stroies with jnord here so he can get something out of this other than KFC's playgound namecalling demonstration.

I'd like to see a trip report if soemone has one.

I went kayaking in Nusa Dua and was almost killed by a jet ski...The guy just didn't care to come back after the crash, seeing me alive and well :(
Can't imagine what would be like in a hospital there.

Than, they tricked us for 30% when we changed some cash...I still can't understand how they done it.

Food is not really cheap, at least dining at Jimbaran, Sanur or Kuta.

So no, I wouldn't go. But I would go to Cocos (Keeling) Islands for AUD$464 one way - it is not cheap but it is still Au territory with great kitesurfing...

Let us know how was it !

Good luck

flynj3 said...

I dont know why you are looking for a larger group. Bali is busy enough already.

because a group of 4 is more fun than 2... seems simple enough.

thanks for your input >.>

ApatheticEnd said...
I'm sure there are some upsides like having Jankie's shop there and like you said, it's cheap. Personally, I'd rather give up my latte's or nights out of whatever for the rest of the year so I could afford to have the vacation I want. I'm going to PNG in july instead. If i were going to Indo, I'd choose somewhere a little less crowded.

agreed, but i would rather not forsake lifestyle for the slightly more exotic holiday - as a student i'm forced to be pragmatic; for better or worse

dbabicwa said...
I would go to Cocos (Keeling) Islands for AUD$464 one way - it is not cheap but it is still Au territory with great kitesurfing...

mm will look into it, thanks.

Driesdtl said...

Ahoy, I got two months off July/Aug and keen to get out of Aus...

finally - someone who's responded on topic

i'll keep you posted via PM as the plans develop.

im of to bali for the month of aug and alot of mates have been very happy with the kiting over there

omg thats awesome that theres good kite spots in bali were leaving on the 15th of july.... what do you gys think im 65Kgs was gonu take my 7M ss but me and my mate was thinking of just hiering boards is that a good idea??? save on lugauge. Anyway we was gonu hire some scooters too get around does anyone know some good spots were staying in legian but we are prepard to travel hours for some good kiting :) deffs keen find some fellow Westerns kiting in july

27th July for me, on my own for a few days till some more crew arrive.

Been to bali twice kiting at sanur, Bali is great as you can kite, have a 1 hour sports massage for $25 or less afterwards, eat at great restaurants, and shop and party through the night the place doesn't stop.
The wind is best from July to September. But it is a light wind site. SO BIG KITEs. Wind can be less reliable and not guaranteed like cocos or perth summer.
Getting about is easy but insist on the meter when you hop in a taxi and hop out if they refuse. From KUTA it is $6 to Sanur Beach Hotel . If you get stuck in traffic jams and can't be bothered waiting, get out pay the taxi driver and look for a scooter driver who will take you where you want to go, this is safer when the cars are crawling along!
YOU MUST HAVE A BIG KITE- I bought a OZONE zephyr 17 m from Jankie's shop best to preorder if your determined , get 10% off and save huge on the OZ price eg 1500 dollars versus 2200 in Oz. I had a ball with this kite. In Perth 11m is ideal for my size 83kgs, but the 17m will complete my quiver.
Look at Jankies website as it has heaps of info on bali and very good general advice about how to have a great time in bali.
YOu can go to bali with non kiters and girlfriends and they won't be pissed off and bored in fact they may well beg to go back next year.
Flight to bali is painless , 3.5 hrs and you can be on the kite beach in the afternoon the same day , shopping, eating partying by evening.

i've never been to bali before, but i'm heading to Seminyak in 3 weeks for a holiday with the girl. I'm sure that my luggage will accomodate my board and kite :D

Im FIFO at Cocos islands till the end of the year. So if your keen on finding out more details PM me. But the season has started here and should last till September. There is a kite beach that is pretty much deserted, except for a couple of kites on the odd occasion. It's currently consistently 18+ knots. The other day it was getting up around 30knots

dbabicwa said...
I would go to Cocos (Keeling) Islands for AUD$464 one way - it is not cheap but it is still Au territory with great kitesurfing...

it costs $8 for a lettuce here :0

Just had a week at Club Med, Nusa Dua and kited 4 days from 7 in 12-15knots. I used my 12m Cab Switchblade which was perfect (only 70kgs). So glad i decided to take my gear. Hardly any kiters, only the GM of the resort but plenty of windsurfers. Other boaties and local fishermen (who wade out to the reef on a dropping tide) not a problem. Only frustration was wind and tides not being totally in sync so had to settle for the smallish, shallow lagoon run most of the time but otherwise can highly recommend Nusa Dua.