Kiting in Grand Cayman!

[begrid]

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2633/12/80/857880400/n857880400_6227105_2629373.jpg

We've had a hell of a winter season on the East End of Cayman!

If you've not heard of this small island south of Cuba, west of Jamaica, you should check it out for sure...
Throughout the winter we've had steady winds typically ranging from 16-22 knots. A few weeks, we had lighter wind, other weeks were a bit stronger.
In Grand Cayman, Kitehouse has established itself as the premier kiting school. With an already established local and growing Kite Community, we're adding to the windsurfers that have already known about this spot for a while...

Now the SE summer winds are moving in. Though not as consistent as the ENE winter, we've still got a nice time ahead of us. This past weekend most of us were out on 12m and look forward to the next wind! Of course, there's always the effects of the hurricanes moving around that we can take advantage of. These are pictures from this past weekend ;)


http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs031.snc1/2658_65793437171_654837171_2071977_4808337_n.jpg

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs031.snc1/2658_65537237171_654837171_2067679_4736608_n.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs031.snc1/2658_65793477171_654837171_2071985_7425240_n.jpg

Aside from kiting, there's so much to do here! Diving, of course.....stand up paddleboarding, free diving, yoga, kayaking, even a bit of surfing!

I'm a new (but avid!) kiter, but have been on this island for a while.. happy to answer any questions :)

Britta Egrid

britta@compasspoint.ky
www.oceanfrontiers.com
www.ownyouradventure.com

[ricki]

Great post Britta!

Glad you are having a good winter of wind down there. I noticed some of these shots on Mike's account. There are some of you ripping too, should have put some of those up. Grand Cayman is so close by, just a bit more than an hour south of Miami by plane. Once you are there, so much opens up to you.

If you think there would be sufficient interest, I would be happy to put a Cayman Islands forum up. Could deal with kiting, diving, standup, eco tourism, hanging out and more. What do you think?

[thebestkite]

Hello Rick
I think that forum would be great idea! When I went down there I was amazed how many people kite there and what great locations you have around the island. Also the locals are very helpful in their guidance and together with their local wind knowledge can tell you where to ride at what time. It was around Thanksgiving we visited and we had a rental car to roam around. The kite community is quite active not just at one location. Some spots are very difficult for access, but the riding is great always with a reef so you get the best of both worlds, flat water inside the reef and some good wave action on the outside.
And next to that for the no wind days, Stingray city, diving etc. More then enough to do for a week while your there.
Ride on !
EC

[Danimal8199]

I went to Grand Cayman for a week back in feb. Great wind the whole week rode my 8.5 most of the time and I am 190lbs!

Rode the east end and also at barkers national park. On the in between days did some diving, stingray city, and drank and ate a lot!

All in all its a great place to visit kiter or not!

[ricki]

Other interest in a Cayman or Caribbean forum out there? How about you Mike or Paul, you guys likely have an interest in something coming together. Other ideas and experiences in the Caymans?

[ricki]

Here's a post from another forum about a recent visit to Grand Cayman:

\Hello,

Down here in Grand Cayman for two days. I'm a pilot waiting for some trips to pop up for our corporate jet. Anyways....I asked a guy at the local dive shop if any place sold kite surfing gear. He handed me a brochure for a guy that does local instruction on the north side of Grand Cayman.

I took a taxi out to the site ($$$$$$$$) :mad: but it was worth it. I didn't get to go, since as I was pulling in (3pm) the instructor was pulling out with his gear to go to his other job.

But I did get stay a bit and watch three guys just having a blast on some of the most beautiful water. :D The conditions were ridiculous. I think I might have to start traveling with my gear. Steady 17-19, flat, side-on and the most clear water I've have ever seen.

Here's some pics I took.
http://cmd.shutterfly.com/commands/pictures/slideshow?site=tylerkelley&page=tylerkelley&album=52

Don't blame me when you go into debt booking your airline and hotel. :rolleyes:

Here's where I am today. Been here since yesterday. Leave tomorrow.:mad:
Steve O - how come you didn't teach me in class to bring my gear. ;-) That needs to be incorporated!

[Danimal8199]

Thats at Barkers National Park. You can make it there by car but the road is dirt and rocky as well, launch is tight but once you get out on that water its awesome!!

[jetpack]

Here's some video I took out there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snjT_QNSRBA

[onthefritz]

Definitely worth taking the trip to check it out and kite. I recently visited there as well and had the most amazing trip of my life. If you set everything up with the kite house whether or not you need lessons, you won't be disappointed. There is so much to do outside of kiting that your going to need a vacation after the vacation.

[ricki]

Here's some video I took out there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snjT_QNSRBA

snjT_QNSRBA

Nice video, is that off East End? I know it may be a pain in the butt for a day with tight timing but I usually get a fair day rate for car rentals there.



There is another thread on Cayman with still more photos and videos at:
http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=7792

Glad you had a good trip down there OntheFritz. What time of year did you go down in? Were there waves running outside the reef?

[jetpack]

snjT_QNSRBA

Nice video, is that off East End? I know it may be a pain in the butt for a day with tight timing but I usually get a fair day rate for car rentals there.



There is another thread on Cayman with still more photos and videos at:
http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=7792

Glad you had a good trip down there OntheFritz. What time of year did you go down in? Were there waves running outside the reef?

It's on the north end called Barkers Landing. No waves. Winds out of the NNE steady at 18'ish. No waves thanks to a reef to the north of the beach.

Those pics and video are from 3 days ago. Picture of location.
http://fksa.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=812&d=1240096197

[ricki]

I must have hit Barkers a bit further west as the reef was closer and nearshore water deeper. Looks like further east it shallows up and the reef eases further offshore. Took a photo from the plane flying out last time:

http://www.fksa.org/albums/album401/West_End_IMG_6155.jpg


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album401/Barkers_NP_IMG_5965.jpg
A view east down the narrow beach at Barkers National Park towards Ruhm Point in the NE portion of the island. The northshore of Barkers works with wind from NW to N to ESE, below that it is windshadowed and offshore.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album401/Compass_Pointe_IMG_4877.jpg
A view down the dock towards the fringing reef at Compass Pointe Resort and home of The Kitehouse at East End. East End works from WSW to S to E to N in the south with the addition of WNW in the north.


I've put together a map of some personal favorite stops on Grand Cayman at:
http://tinyurl.com/cfeo9j

You will want a rental car for traveling around the island. Right hand drive so BE CAREFUL particularly in turns! For going outside the reef, for lessons or just to have gear supplied on your sea taxi ride to prime spots off East End, The Kitehouse provides one stop shopping.