Nicaragua Kitesurf Spots: In General

First & most importantly if you are planning a kitesurf trip to Nicaragua (or Costa Rica for that matter) MAKE SURE that your proposed trip is in the windy season which is from Christmas to Easter in Granada, and from November to May in the Rivas area. The wind strength is definitely better on the lee shores with the greatest fetch- eg. the Rivas area. And for that reason they have a season that is extended by about a month at each end. A potential draw back to kiting in the Rivas area is that the wind in Jan, Feb & March is FEROCIOUSLY strong- whereas in and around Granada it is perfect.

Typically during the epicenter of the windy season the Rivas area will see a lot of 35kts PLUS days, whereas Granada's wind tends to hover around the 28kts mark.

Wind direction is exactly 45 degrees side-on at Granada's "The Farm" spot. I'm not certain about the angle of the wind at the Rivas "San Jorge" spots, but i think its a bit more onshore. If anyone knows please let me know.

Have a look at the following map to get a general idea of where's where...

I can't seem to get all the spots to show on the map below, so click on the "view larger map..." link below and see my other maps.

Comments & suggestions for new spots always welcome.


View Larger Map

Christmas Eve & Very Windy...

But unfortunately there is no way I am going to be able to escape to the lake. Right, now to get on with some errands- starting with my Christmas shopping... And a rather nice picture taken yesterday afternoon:

From Granada, Nica...

First kitesurf session on lake nicaragua for season 2008

Finally, after a long wait I had the opportunity to snatch a couple of hours kiting on the lake yesterday afternoon. The wind was not perfect, but was fun. A couple of knots more an would have been perfect. Went using crossbow 12 meter and custom 128 board- if only I still had the 136 from last year I would have been fine.

The water level of the lake is still high from the September & October rains, which were very heave this year, and the beach is a bit skanky. The same kids I trained up last year for assistance with rigging, launching, landing and derigging are all still there and haven't forgotten a thing.

Here's a video I dug up which shows the end of the last kite season. Although conditions here are amazing, unfortunately there aren't many shops to replace broken gear...

Windy Season arrived, and baby John-David too

Its starting to get windy, and John-david has arrived and is settling in nicely. So within the next few weeks there is the possibility that my kitesurf season will begin.....

Windy Season About to Start...

Well, we are back from our annual holidays in England and it appears that the rain has finally stopped. Have had two abortive attempts at getting out on the lake, but so far the wind just isn't there.

The lake is very full, and looks dirty. Chances are good that within the next couple of weeks the wind should get cranking...

But for the time being its hot, still and there are clouds of small mosquito like bugs hovering around the light bulbs, just waiting to get blown away. This pattern is exactly the same as last year:
October- solid rain.
November- loads of bugs, still & dry with a few slightly windy days from the middle of the month onwards.
December- Going to start getting windy...

Dog Training For Handle Passes

A new method of handle pass practice.

Required materials: Big energetic dog, longish lead, skateboard, smooth surface.

Gee the dog along until he reaches full speed, then in one fluid motion powerslide through a full 360 degrees whilst passing dog leash behind back in opposite direction to slide.

From Skateboarding...

Caution: Watch out for pebbles in the road- can lead to injury, will lead to embarrassment.

Diary Of Kite Season 2007/2008

In anticipation of the upcoming kitesurf season 2007/2008 I've decided to keep a blog. With the season not starting until mid November I'm not sure why i'm starting it now, except as an excuse to mess about with and get to know the blogger.