Transcript
Page 1: BVI Kite Boarding Guide

KITEBOARDING IN THE BVI

GUIDE BOOK

BVI KITEBOARDING ASSOCIATION

BVIKABVIKABVIKA

Page 2: BVI Kite Boarding Guide

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

EUSTATIA ISLAND

VIRGIN GORDA

MOSQUITO ISLAND

PRICKY PEAR ISLAND

ANEGADA

TORTOLA

BEEF ISLAND

JOST VAN DYKE

BVI KITEBOARDING GUIDE

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INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this guide is to help visitors and locals maximise their enjoyment of the sportin the region. It is also aimed to create awareness of safety that is often ignored or not obvi-ous when kiteboarding in a new location. We have laid out guidelines for when and where cer-tain locations are rideable. Do not stray from these suggestions. The team of contributorswho have written this guide have suffered, struggled and sometimes bled on your behalf. Thishas been written by people who have learned the hard way and have many years experiencekiteboarding here in the British Virgin Islands.

To use this guide, pay particular attention first to the direction of the wind and then decide ifit’s suitable for any given day.

Riders must always use a safely leash to safely disable the kite, this is for the safety of otherbeach users as well as yourself.

Always use an assisted launch and landing. Use the correct hand signals.

Please contact us for any further information or to add any further contributions to the guide.

Thank you for taking the time to read this guide and don’t forget to join the association to getyour beach access sticker and latest updates to the guide.

Enjoy!

Rusty HendersonPresidentBVIKA

BVI KITEBOARDING GUIDE

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THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

The BVI is a popular sailing destination with most visitors chartering yachts for their holidays.The islands can be characterized as a difficult place to go kiteboarding due to its rugged andmountainous geography. As well as this natural disturbance to the wind flow, very few beach-es line up with a constant cross shore wind. In short, depite of hundreds of beautiful sandybeaches and sparkling azure water, there are surprisingly few locations to safely enjoy thesport. Therefore, as the wind shifts, we move locations because some lauch sites will becomeunsafe.

The best winds are usually from mid December to March and May to July. Winds are typical-ly from the North East in winter (15 to 25 knots) and East and South East in summer (15 to20 knots). The wind tends to come in cycles of 3 to 4 days of strong wind followed by anequal or longer period of light winds. Plan to do your riding in the mornings as this is whenthe wind is usually strongest and it can drop off significantly in the afternoon. April, August,September, October and November usually have light winds unless there is a storm system inthe area.

Pay careful attention to the clouds to windward of your area. If there is any sign of a squalldeveloping you need to get your kite down. Usually the wind will fill back in about 20 minutesafter the squall has passed.

For bareboat charterers (visitors who have chartered a boat with no Captain) it is imperativethat you follow the anchoring guidelines set out during your chart briefing. We are particularlywary of visitors who anchor on on too close to living reef. Most think of it as just rock but it isin fact a living organism. In other locations you may find yourself anchoring in an area thatprevents other kiteboarders from using an otherwise open space. In short, please be sensibleand don’t be afraid to ask for assistance.

BVI KITEBOARDING GUIDE

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Eustatia Sound, Eustatia IslandOne of the more popular kiteboarding locations in the BVI with a narrow but stunning sandylaunch available on Eustatia Island’s south shore. This is a private island so please be extreme-ly respectful to the owners who have been generously letting us use the beach for launching.You will need a boat to get here and if you’re with a captain, you can anchor in the channelbetween the inner reef and the island. Please anchor upwind or it will be very difficult to lauchfrom the beach for you and others. Bareboats are not allowed to anchor here for good rea-son. The whole sound is peppered with coral heads and reefs. Only a professional local cap-tain should venture here.

Watch out for shallow coral reefs. During parts of the day the current will be traveling in thesame direction as the wind which makes staying upwind difficult if the wind is marginal.

Only kite between NNE to ESE wind directionConditions flatwater and chopRider Level Beginner to expert. Beginners should go to the Kite School at

The Bitter End Yacht Club.Restricions don’t launch from the Bitter End Resort property unless you have

permission from their watersports manager or the kiteboarding school.

BVI KITEBOARDING GUIDE

EUSTATIA ISLAND

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BVI KITEBOARDING GUIDE

One of the largest and most beautiful of the British Virgin Islands, it’s home to only one possi-ble kiting venue at The Bitter end Yacht Club.

North SoundThis is also the location of the only kiteboarding school in the BVI. Call “The Bitter End YachtClub” by phone or on VHF ch16 and ask for watersports or the kite school. The staff are veryfriendly, knowlegeable and helpful. If you intend to kite here, it’s a good idea to check in andmeet them in case they have to rescue you at some point.

Currently, this is the only location on Virgin Gorda. Do not attempt to kite anywhere else onthe island.

Only kite between NNE to ESE wind directionConditions flatwater and chopRider Level Beginner to expert. Beginners should go to the Kite School at

The Bitter End Yacht Club.Restricions don’t launch from the Bitter End Resort property unless you have

permission from their watersports manager or the kiteboarding school.

VIRGIN GORDA

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BVI KITEBOARDING GUIDE

Colquahoon ReefWhen the wind blows from the North, this is the locals favourite place in the BVI. Flat waterbehind the reef serves up smooth butter for dreamy carving and big boosts. Ideal for boaterswho can anchor near Drake’s Anchorage. It’s a tight launch but

Only kite between NW - NE wind directionConditions flatwater Rider Level Intermediate - ExpertRestricions stay clear of boats in the anchorage

Vixen PointThis sandy beach provides a suitable launch site but a recent change in management hasproven to be ‘unfriendly ‘ towards kiteboarders. Until further notice, give Vixen point a wideberth.

Only kite between ENE - ESE wind directionConditions Gusty wind. Flatwater and chopRider Level Beginner to expert. Beginners should go to the Kite School at

The Bitter End Yacht Club.Restricions Owner doesn’t like kiteboarders. Expect hostility.

PRICKLY PEAR

MOSQUITO ISLAND

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BVI KITEBOARDING GUIDE

ANEGADA

This beautiful flat sandy island lies 12 miles North of Virgin Gorda and has some of the bestkiteboarding beaches. You can ride almost anywhere but the rule of thumb is if the wind isNorth of east, head for the North side of the island. If the wind is south of east then head forthe south side. There are also waves in winter on the North and West sides of the island. Ifyou venture outside the reef to ride waves, you need to have a backup plan as the next landis 1000 miles downwind should the wind die or you have a breakdown. Also, note that thesea life in Anegada tends to be bigger and bolder than elsewhere in the BVI. Seriously!

Bones Bight.When the winds are North of the compass, this playground is a stunning flat water bay. A fewcoral heads to look out for but all below the surface so only a hazard when jumping. Thedeepest zone is about 6’ and you can clearly see where not to go because the water is soclear. Beware of sharp and ubiquitous burrs on the North facing part of the bay. The beachthere is also slim making it tough for inflatable kites to avoid the sharp spikes. The Easternedge is a deeper beach with fewer burrs. The only access to both the North facing and Westfacing beach is via a dirt road.

Only kite between NW to ENE wind directionConditions flatwater and chopRider Level Intermediate to expert. Restricions Only venture in to the waves with someone looking out for you.

ANEGADA

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Windlass Bight.Same as Bones Bight but shallower water and more coral heads.

Only kite between NW to ENE wind directionConditions flatwater and chopRider Level Intermediate to expert. Restricions Only venture in to the waves with someone looking out for you.

Pomato PointProbably the best location for anyone kiteboarding from a charter or private boat. Again,anchoring at Pomato Point is only permitted for boats with a professional Captain with localknowlege as there are many reefs and coral heads uncharted. Bareboats will have to anchorin the mooring field next to the Aegada Reef Hotel or Neptunes Treasure. The wind must beEast or South of East or else it will be too gusty. The best lauch is right on the sandy tip ofthe South Western point.

As with most locations, beware of the clearly visible reef. The most important thing toobserve here is that someone is watching out for you and able to perform a rescue in adinghy since the current may take you offshore.

Only kite between ESE - SW wind directionsConditions inside flatwater and chop outsideRider Level Intermediate to expert. Restricions Only venture in to the waves with someone looking out for you.

TORTOLA

BVI KITEBOARDING GUIDE

ANEGADA

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BVI KITEBOARDING GUIDE

Tortola is a steep volcanic island with very limited spots to launch from. It is simply not possi-ble to kite from any of the beaches and bays on Tortola that are not mentioned below due tothe inconsistent and turbulent winds created by the mountains. It is especially important notto launch a kite in or near Trellis Bay or Marina Cay as these areas are immediately to wind-ward of the airport. This restriction will be enforced by local riders, watersports operatorsand the airport authorities.

Tortola, Nanny CayThis area is best known locally as a marina and dockage facility. It’s located on the south sideof Tortola about 1 mile West of Road Town, There’s a watersports company here that rentswindsurfers and kayaks but does not rent kiteboarding lessons or equipment. They do have agood selection of essentials for sale. The lauch is located next to Peg Leg’s bar on the SouthEast tip of Nanny Cay. There’s a new beach here and the only place to put a kite up is in theextreme corner next to the Southern breakwater. It is very difficult and made even more haz-ardous by an abundance of sharp and untamed reef. We only kite here due to a lack ofoptions in Tortola.

Only kite between E - SE wind directionsConditions very choppy with swellRider Level expert only Restricions only launch here if you can get help from a local rider who can show

you how to safely launch and land at this spot. Do not ride after 4:00pm as the wind will often turn offshore in the evening especially in winter. If you are not able to stay upwind you may loose your kite as there is nowhere to easily get back to shore downwind of Nanny Cay. Berespectful of other beach users and watch out for boat and ferry traffic.The rule of thumb at Nanny Cay is: when in doubt, don’t go out!

TORTOLA

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BVI KITEBOARDING GUIDE

Brandywine BayLocated about a mile East of Road Town on Tortola’s South shore, it’s more famous for a fabu-lous restaurant than the kiting. It’s only rideable in a rare South or South West wind angle butit’s worth it for the flat water inside.

Only kite between S - SW wind directionsConditions inside flatwater and chop outsideRider Level Intermediate to expert. Restricions The launch area does have nearby trees and some sharp coral on the

beach and in the shallow water. On the downwind side of the Bay there is a busy road and power lines. YOU MUST BE ABLE TO STAY UPWIND TO RIDE HERE. If you end up going downwind release your kite to the safetly leash early to avoid problems.

TORTOLA

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Long BayFor anyone living in Tortola, this would be the best local spot but only in a North Easterly windflow. It is currently illegal to kite here due to restrictions enforced by the Beef Island AirportAuthority. UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, DO NOT KITE HERE. If approval is granted it is importantto obey the following rules established by the BVI Kiteboarding Association.

Do NOT ride to windward (ie East) of the submerged rocks located at the East end of the bay.Only ride here when the wind is NE to E. Other wind directions lead to very gusty and turbu-lent conditions which make kiting impossible. Carefully check the wind direction and level ofturbulence before launching a kite here.

Long Bay is popular with bathers especially on weekends. Please be very considerate of otherbeach users and do not launch a kite here if it is crowded.

Only kite between E - NE wind directionsConditions inside flatwater and chop outsideRider Level Intermediate to expert. Restricions The launch area does have nearby trees and some sharp coral on the

beach and in the shallow water. On the downwind side of the Bay there is a busy road and power lines. YOU MUST BE ABLE TO STAY UPWIND TO RIDE HERE. If you end up going downwind release your kite to the safetly leash early to avoid problems.

BEEF ISLAND

BVI KITEBOARDING GUIDE

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Sandy SpitThis is a picture postcard island. It’s small and sandy as the name implies with a couple ofpalm trees completing the scene. There’s little to no shade here and it’s only accessible byboat. It is very popular with boaters and there will be many snorkellers because of the largereef that extends from the Southern and Eastern shoreline. With wind out of the East orSouth of East it may be tempting to go out but the mountainous peaks of Tortola will chokethe wind occasionally and your kite may fall out fo the sky in a breathless lull. North Easterlywind is best for uninterrupted breeze.

The best place to launch is on the Southern tip and then enter the water to the West of thereef. It can get very gusty in the lee of the island and because of the number of boats andswimmers be exceptionally aware of your ability to launch and land safely.

Only kite between NE - ENE wind directionsConditions Chop and swellRider Level Intermediate to expert. Restricions do not ride here when other beach users are present as it is a small

area that is easily congested. The best times are early mornings as there will not likely be anybody else there at these times.

BVI KITEBOARDING GUIDE

JOST VAN DYKE

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CONTACT

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TOUPDATE ANY INFORMATIONCONTAINED IN THE GUIDE,

PLEASE CONTACT

RUSTY HENDERSONBVIKA PRESIDENT

[email protected]

BVI KITEBOARDING GUIDE


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