In 1 hour 30 minutes...we leave for Abay

We head to paradise! Arugam Bay. Yahoooo. Hope for nice waves in the morning and then windy afternoons. Surfing in the morning, Kitesurfing in the afternoon.

• Somlak - must try your thai cooking
• Fred - the local brew
• Richard - perhaps some surf lessons for Curt
• Saman and Minna - mmm, the pizza
  

The crowd from MAS, now dont stay indoors, go out in the sun and get tanned! Ah, Sri Lanka Rocks!

Another amazing session came to a close. Amazing not just for us kiteboarders, but for the local kids who are getting a taste of this amazing sport. Wish I had a camera to capture the moment the child piggybacked on me...Next week we'll be at it again - Galle Blogger, hope to see you as well with your windsurf gear!

Julian gets a slice of Donkey Lagoon

Ouch, the biggest slice I have seen in ages. It was no joke - Julian was in pain. These are the dangers of kiting in locations like this.

Things to learn;

• Be mindful of your step
  
• Always kite with a buddy (just in case you fall in trouble)
  
• Know where the hospital is
  

Wish you a speedy recovery Julian.

Dolphins, Downwinders, Wave Riding - Kitesurfing just gets better

Its just over a year since I began kitesurfing. The experiences just seem to get better and better - the last weekend of May could perhaps be the best so far. Firstly, the crowd - Schwendtke family - Tassilo and his dad Meinhard. Tassilo and I kited for the first time last year - I was barely able to go upwind and I remember he giving me tips...now the tips were more on how to master the art of front and back loops along with board grabs. Perhaps in a year I would be at that level. His dad, though not a kitesurfer also chases the wind - windsurfing! Respect to windsurfers - its not an easy sport to master.

Secondly, the downwind session with Marcel, Hannes, Marc and his two guest and our photo companions Elizabeth, Marie and Sophie who followed on the safety boat... Riding the waves was amazing, speeding up to catch the wave and then riding them and heading off to catch another wave at will! While some stopped at a place we call 'Dream Spot' the rest proceeded downwind until it was just Marcel and I who continued to reach the tip of Puttalam. We did get delayed by the Army - the usual checking of permits etc but we were rewarded with a wonderful sight of dolphins (Indo Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins) swimming 15 meters from us. It sure was the hightlight of the entire weekend.

Next weekend, we'll be at it again.

Epic Victory (by forces) : Epic Kitesurfing (in Negombo)

They were EPIC - the end of the war and the kitesufing session in Negombo. What a day for a National Holiday. Most kitesurfers blasted in Negombo in winds upto 18 knots. Christy with a national flag tied to the kite, the three M's - Mischi, Marco and Mark blasting away and ofcourse the Ulmer family including Caroline, possibly the only female kitesurfer in the island! Pretty intense conditions with the monsoon season setting in, nevertheless loads of fun.

Commencement of Kitesurf Season!

Finally the South West Monsoon sets in, bringing in more wind. Nice session up north. Mischi continues to train those who dare while the rest - enjoys the wind and waves - kitesurfing! Very international group this time around - Swiss, Chinese, American, German, Italian and ofcourse Sri Lankan. The weekend saw, Kavindra seeing whether he got what it takes to get into the sport - we think so, only time will tell.

Faith Kiteboarding cruises in Arugam Bay!

Three kitesurfers brave a long journey to cruise in Arugam Bay. Was it worth it? Definitely. With an early morning surfing session under our belt, the wind stared to pick by 11 AM enabling us to pump our kites and rock on when the rest of the bay was relaxing.

It truly was beautiful, the turquoise blue water, the waves and raw scenery of Arugam Bay gave us a glimpse of heaven. The ideal wave riding conditions were exploited to the maximum by us.

We did also glimpse another French kitesurfer who went down wind over the bend at Pottuvil Point. Not sure how he got back . The winds did pick to around 30 knots in the evening. Our 9M kites seem to utterly overpowered in those strong winds.

Special thanks to Fred from SVH. Enjoy your hospitality and support.
Arugam Bay – its paradise – not just for the surfers – but kitesurfers as well! Until we meet again, Hangloose!

(In the pictures, Hannes, Keshini, Dinesh, Magda & Dilsiri)

www.faith-kiteboarding.com

ARUGAM BAY - Weekend Surf Trip (Got to take Thursday off though)

The last long weekend for the year! MAKE the most of it. Welcome to join us to Arugam Bay.

Leave Colombo on Thursday 2 AM
Back in Colombo on Sunday by 6 PM

We've got a van and have 3-4 seats left. Might be Rs. 2500 for whole trip in terms of transport.

Surfing in Pottuvil Point
Panama
Okanda
See the ancient ruines
Wild Life

Let me know. Just head up with us.

On Surfari? Yala, Sri Lanka

Nah, there were'nt waves this time around for us to surf on. But the thrill and excitement was still there visiting Yala National Park. Leopards, Elephants to one's favourite Crocodiles galore!

Yala Village run by John Keells Hotels certainly provided some sort of luxury in the middle of the jungle. Not to forget the aircon rooms which were sooo welcoming after the safaris' or trails that one went on.

Food was out of this world. Height of it all was having a BBQ on the bank of the lake with the glistering eyes of the crocodiles 'eyeing' something from our plate (hopefully - and not us!). Ah, with all that food I pray the winds pick up tomorrow. We need to surf - burn out the excess fat! Check out http://www.yalavillage.com/ and enjoy in the experience!

Kitesurf Sri Lanka goes to Arugam Bay!

With 9M2, 12M2 and a 14M2 kite loaded in the car, we headed 300 odd KM's to the Bay of Arugam. Unfortunately the weather Gods were playing tricks on us, one minute blowing gentle puffs while the next gale force winds blowing at 30 knots plus! Yohan had fun with his trainer kite until the line snapped due to the strong wind! What else to do other than Surf till you drop dead. Arugam Bay was not quite season in full swing with none of the shore breaks functioning. It was only the main point with its super sharp coral that left us sliced quite a bit - battle scars we call them. Arugam Bay is certainly a lovely place. A bit hyped too much that we actually were expecting something else. Nevertheless, now we know, and one thing is sure, the kitesurfers will be there in May, June and July when the Winds pick up!