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View Full Version : Brazil downwinders... help cope with Florida summer kiting doldrums.


Russky
07-17-2010, 12:15 AM
Smart Extreme has released 2010 schedule of seven- and ten-day kiteboarding vacations in Brazil (Fortaleza, Cumbuco, Paracuru, and Jericoacoara coastline):
http://www.smartextreme.com/tours/brazil/fortaleza/

The nuking winds season has started on the Brazilian coast between Fortaleza and Jericoacoara. So it is a perfect time and place for unforgettable kiteboarding downwinders… especially for our Florida fellow kiters who are waiting till' the windless summer is over.

Here is the wind map (http://numbat.coas.oregonstate.edu/cogow/quikscat/43/aug/one_x_one.html) - look at the bright orange area on the right... yep, that’s where those Brazilian downwinders happen.

Quick summary...
The kite tours include all breakfasts, all hotels, all transportation (e.g. transfers from/to airport of Fortaleza, downwinder support by 4x4 SUV, etc.), 24/7 support by a bilingual guide (a great person, too).
Trips with custom arrangements (dates, lodging, etc.) are available as well. Some hardcore downwind junkies might prefer 4-5 day downwinders covering 40-60 miles a day and then chillin' in Jeri for a couple of days.

What is NOT included in the packages (you will need to take care of it yourself):
- Gear rentals. You will need to bring your own kites and boards.
- Flights from/to Brazil. Delta offers a very convenient one, Atlanta -> Fortaleza.
- Booze, dinners and lunches. All this stuff is very good and cheap over there, anyways.
- Brazilian Visas services. US Citizens do need to get them to enter Brazil. You can get visas via Brazilian Consulate (http://www.brazilmiami.org/eng/visas.php) or by using, say, "Passports and Visas" services (http://www.passportsandvisas.com/visas/brazil.asp).

Additional information about the tours at:
http://www.smartextreme.com/tours/brazil/fortaleza/faq.html
http://www.smartextreme.com/tours/brazil/fortaleza/local_info.html

Sample trip video:
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Russky
07-17-2010, 06:03 PM
BTW, there is an interesting article in July Issue of National Geographic about that exact area:

Article:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/07/brazil-dunes/ribeiro-text

Photos:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/07/brazil-dunes/steinmetz-photography

http://s.ngm.com/2010/07/brazil-dunes/img/dunes-615.jpg