Been blowing hard for the last three days, and especially so today. The surf has been good to for the last few days.
**Update**
It is FEROCIOUSLY windy... As I sit here I'm getting worried the roof's going to get lifted off the house, or a tree/ cow/ car blow into it.
Monday, 14 December 2009
Thursday, 26 November 2009
First Windy Spell Over
The first windy spell of the year has ended. Lasted five days. Checked out a few kiting spots in San Jorge and they looked pretty good. Wind direction side onshore and plenty of sand and space for launching and landing.
Friday, 20 November 2009
Howling, again
Very windy again today. Caught a caterpillar sized woodworm eating my floor this morning.
Thursday, 19 November 2009
WINDY SEASON 2009 HAS STARTED!!
I'm hardly writing here anymore as my shoulder is still partially screwed up, family life is busy, money is short and we are now living one hour from the nearest decent kiting spot, which is San Jorge in Rivas.
I'll try and keep occasional updates on the wind conditions though...
And I can safely say that the windy season has no officially started! The last three days have been howling!
I'll try and keep occasional updates on the wind conditions though...
And I can safely say that the windy season has no officially started! The last three days have been howling!
Saturday, 13 June 2009
Dislocated Shoulder, Baby, New House, Almost Broke...
This blog started with the good intention of making a daily wind report (through the windy season at least), finding and listing new spots, getting together with other people wanting to kitesurf in Nicaragua and generally providing up to date, accurate information regarding all things kitesurfing in Nicaragua.
As often is the case, things didn't quite work out as planned. The main culprit to this failure being a dog walking accident suffered in May last year which left me with a dislocated shoulder, undoing in the process two surgeries and 10 years worth of recovery & strengthening.
A year later, as I am writing now, my shoulder doesn't feel too good and I've kind of resigned myself to the fact that I'll not be out kiting until two fairly elusive conditions are met- namely having the money & time to do the surgery. And then having the money & time to actually get out on the water again. This upcoming season (December '09 - May '10) I have all but given up on. Next season still holds promise.
For the time being, I am going to be busy enough being a Dad & trying to evade going broke. And in the meantime, I will attempt to discover a few more good spots and figure out the local winds in a bit more detail.
Also, we are soon to be moving to out new house in Tola, which is in Rivas. Rivas is an interesting part of the world for both surfers and kitesurfers alike. It is the province sandwiched between Lake Nicaragua to the East and the Pacific Ocean to the West. Due to the trade winds and some kind of local amplification effect the North Easterlies in this region are year round, getting very strong from December to May. And due to the NW to SE orientation of the lake shore and coast, this mean side/full onshore winds on the lake and off-shore all year along the coast.
The challenge for finding kitesurf spots is discovering the bays and inlets which give side onshore rather than full onshore. The challenge with the surf spots is finding the empty ones, and understanding the effect the tide has on them so you can make sure you turn up at the right time.
I'll try an do a bit of off the beaten track discovery here to assist contribute to everyone's surfing and kitesurfing pleasure.
Also, over the last year we have built a new house. Its not quite finished yet, but its very nearly there. Just the pool, some decorating, furnishing and the garden are left to do. Once finished we will be opening the house up for Bed & Breakfast. There is also a fully self-contained two bedroom guest house which comfortably sleeps two couples. Staring rates are $120 per night for short stays, but this comes down to $89 per night for longer stays. The B&B rates start at $80 a night for short stays and come down to $60 a nights for longer stays. I realise that the rates look high - they are. The reason is that the guest house is a fully equipped, WiFi internet access, luxury matressed, centrally air conditioned, luxuriously appointed house.
If you are looking for an inexpensive place to stay we can arrange another bedroom (next to the garage) for about $20 per night. This room has no a/c, but does have a powerful ceiling fan. It also has a private bathroom, great access to our pool, and it does get the Wi-Fi. This room has a single bed, while all the others have queens.
These photos are from last month and giive a pretty good impression of what the place is like. Email me if you are interested in visiting!
 |
| From Kitesurf Nicaragua |
As often is the case, things didn't quite work out as planned. The main culprit to this failure being a dog walking accident suffered in May last year which left me with a dislocated shoulder, undoing in the process two surgeries and 10 years worth of recovery & strengthening.
 |
| From Skateboarding, January 2008 |
A year later, as I am writing now, my shoulder doesn't feel too good and I've kind of resigned myself to the fact that I'll not be out kiting until two fairly elusive conditions are met- namely having the money & time to do the surgery. And then having the money & time to actually get out on the water again. This upcoming season (December '09 - May '10) I have all but given up on. Next season still holds promise.
 |
| From Mum Nicaragua June |
For the time being, I am going to be busy enough being a Dad & trying to evade going broke. And in the meantime, I will attempt to discover a few more good spots and figure out the local winds in a bit more detail.
Also, we are soon to be moving to out new house in Tola, which is in Rivas. Rivas is an interesting part of the world for both surfers and kitesurfers alike. It is the province sandwiched between Lake Nicaragua to the East and the Pacific Ocean to the West. Due to the trade winds and some kind of local amplification effect the North Easterlies in this region are year round, getting very strong from December to May. And due to the NW to SE orientation of the lake shore and coast, this mean side/full onshore winds on the lake and off-shore all year along the coast.
The challenge for finding kitesurf spots is discovering the bays and inlets which give side onshore rather than full onshore. The challenge with the surf spots is finding the empty ones, and understanding the effect the tide has on them so you can make sure you turn up at the right time.
I'll try an do a bit of off the beaten track discovery here to assist contribute to everyone's surfing and kitesurfing pleasure.
Also, over the last year we have built a new house. Its not quite finished yet, but its very nearly there. Just the pool, some decorating, furnishing and the garden are left to do. Once finished we will be opening the house up for Bed & Breakfast. There is also a fully self-contained two bedroom guest house which comfortably sleeps two couples. Staring rates are $120 per night for short stays, but this comes down to $89 per night for longer stays. The B&B rates start at $80 a night for short stays and come down to $60 a nights for longer stays. I realise that the rates look high - they are. The reason is that the guest house is a fully equipped, WiFi internet access, luxury matressed, centrally air conditioned, luxuriously appointed house.
 |
| From May - Swimming pool started... |
If you are looking for an inexpensive place to stay we can arrange another bedroom (next to the garage) for about $20 per night. This room has no a/c, but does have a powerful ceiling fan. It also has a private bathroom, great access to our pool, and it does get the Wi-Fi. This room has a single bed, while all the others have queens.
These photos are from last month and giive a pretty good impression of what the place is like. Email me if you are interested in visiting!
Sunday, 23 March 2008
Very Windy Easter
Since moving down to San Juan del Sur I have noticed a HUGE improvement in the quality and strength of the wind. The entire month of March has blown & blown. I estimate that the wind on the lake up at La Virgin would have been over 30kts everyday.
Sadly, however, this great wind has been completely wasted on me as I haven't managed to get out- not even ONCE!
The main obstacle has been my new family responsibilities, but also the main road to the lake has been dug up making the journey time too long. It's only 20kms, but would take about 45 minutes to get there.
I have resigned myself to preserving my kit for next year, and have been skating a lot instead. I figure that as this is probably my last year skating I should make the most of it.
Sadly, however, this great wind has been completely wasted on me as I haven't managed to get out- not even ONCE!
The main obstacle has been my new family responsibilities, but also the main road to the lake has been dug up making the journey time too long. It's only 20kms, but would take about 45 minutes to get there.
I have resigned myself to preserving my kit for next year, and have been skating a lot instead. I figure that as this is probably my last year skating I should make the most of it.
Thursday, 21 February 2008
Season Coming To A Close?
Either the season will come late, or it will end without having ever really begun. Since my last post three weeks ago we've had three or four windy days, none of which I got out as, typically, they coincided with baby's doctor days, wife's birthday & car full day servicing.
Looking on the bright side though, all my gear is as good as it was and will last another season.
And, perhaps more importantly, if the season had been good I would have been an absentee father to my beautiful son. Also, thanks to the lack of wind I have managed to get a few more websites up and running. A blessing in disguise- I think not. But we have to do the best we can with the hand we are dealt. Still, I mustn't complain- just check out one of my local beaches:
And in two weeks time we are moving to San Juan Del Sur, which is generally windier than here. I will soon be checking out the "La Virgin" spot. I've checked this spot out a number of times, and it seems to catch a good wind. Its a bit rocky in close, but the launch and land area is good and there are usually plenty of people around to assist. As you can see on the map, we are very close to Costa Rica's infamously windy Bahias Salinas!
View Larger Map
Looking on the bright side though, all my gear is as good as it was and will last another season.
And, perhaps more importantly, if the season had been good I would have been an absentee father to my beautiful son. Also, thanks to the lack of wind I have managed to get a few more websites up and running. A blessing in disguise- I think not. But we have to do the best we can with the hand we are dealt. Still, I mustn't complain- just check out one of my local beaches:
And in two weeks time we are moving to San Juan Del Sur, which is generally windier than here. I will soon be checking out the "La Virgin" spot. I've checked this spot out a number of times, and it seems to catch a good wind. Its a bit rocky in close, but the launch and land area is good and there are usually plenty of people around to assist. As you can see on the map, we are very close to Costa Rica's infamously windy Bahias Salinas!
View Larger Map
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