Category: kite bar

TOP REASONS WHY TO KITESURF IN HOLBOX ISLAND

Kiteboarding / kitesurfing  has generated great interest in the whole world in the last decade. Mexico became a great country for water sports, thanks to its extensive coastline and other characteristics that makes it ideal for practicing the this extreme sport. Holbox Island is a magical place where pure nature comes together with this kind of sports, and where the fauna and climate are the ideal complement to create unique kite experiences.

Las Nubes Spot is one of the privileged places on the island that occupies a space on the shores for practising kitesurf. The spotis besides Hotel Las Nubes and it is the last hotel in the strip along the coast and is situated on the beginning of the kite area. String of pure, virgin beaches featuring particularities that allow kitesurfing to be done without any inconveniences and so far away from the crowds.

Isla Holbox is one of the best places in all Mexico to practice kite surfing because of the excellent combination of some important factors:

a) Water Conditions: Shallow Water. It is possible to walk 100 meters inward towards the sea from the shore without  hitting deep waters, witch makes  very simple skills to recover the kite or search for the board. Best conditions for beginners

b) The Winds: During the season, from November to July, The winds blow 85% of the days, and beacouse Holbox is an island, it doesn’t really matter in which direction they are blowing because it is always possible to practice the sport. If the winds blow north, windsurfers can surf in the main beach after Las Nubes hotel( main kite area). If the winds blow East/south, windsurfers can practice in the other spot called Punta Mosquito (Boat necesary to get there)

c) Far from the crowds: Not many people practice this sport on the island due to the fact that the isla is still very much a hidden gem. Thanks to this, there are just very few kites flying in the sky and plenty of space to practice.

d) Kite School:  Holbox has one of the best schools in all Latin America. The mane is KUKULKITE SCHOOL.  Certified teachers and perfect equipments to practice safe this fun sport.

e) Safety: Because of its shallow waters, Holbox is the perfect place to learn safe and became an independent kiter just in a few days. With Kukulkite school you can be able to ride quicker thatn in most of the other places. They also certified the students with the international kitesurfing organizations.

 

kitesurfing / kiteboarding has never been that easy. Holbox is the perfect hidden gem for this sport. Begginers, intermediate, or experts will enjoy kitesurfing / kiteboarding in this amaizing island

THINGS TO DO IN HOLBOX ISLAND

Isla Holbox is a beautiful island off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The island itself is actually pretty long, about 40 km, but only part of it inhabited. Residents have resisted commercialization, leaving Isla Holbox with some of it’s original charm. There are no cars, and most people get around on foot, bicycle, or take one of the golf cart taxis from the small town. Everyone here seems so happy and friendly, and the beaches are absolutely stunning.

1. Swim with Whale Sharks on Isla Holbox
2. Eat Ceviche in local restaurant
3. Watch the sunset in Punta Coco
4. Relax in the hammocks
5. Visit the flamingos in Isla Passion
6. padlleboard or Kayak into the mangroves
7. Horse back riding on the beach

PARTS OF A KITESURF BAR

Over the years kitesurfing equipment has changed a lot. Bars have become much safer to use due to the addition of safety systems. If you’re buying a second hand bar, always make sure it has a depower system and a quick release.

Chicken loop

The chicken loop is the connection between you and the kite. This loop is attached to the hook of your harness. All power is transmitted to your back rather than your arms. To kitesurf you don’t need to have a lot of power in your arm, contrary to what many people think.

Donkey dick

Without the donkey dick, the chicken loop could come out of the hook when your lines lose tension. The donkey dick is place between the loop and your hook and prevents the chicken loop from coming off.

Quick release

This is an essential part of your safety system! NEVER buy a bar without a quick release! The quick release is always above the chicken loop and is usually red. Almost every quick release on the market has a push away mechanism. However, there are exceptions so make sure you know how your works before you go kitesurfing. To activate the release, always let go of the bar first. When you activate the quick release, you leash will pull on one line, which flags out the kite.

Back line adjuster

Most modern bars have a trimming option for the back lines. You can use this option if you feel your kite has a deviation.

Standard/ suicide mode

Every modern bar has a depower line with a ring the leash can be attached to. There are 2 ways to attach the leash: standard and suicide mode. Unless you are advanced and do unhooked tricks, always use standard mode. This way in case you activate the quick release, the kite will flag out and all power will be gone. Suicide mode is made for unhooked moves. In this case you open the chicken loop and put it through the ring. This way your kite doesn’t flag out if you crash and let go of the bar. As a beginner NEVER use this mode as it is not safe.

Depower strap

The depower strap allows you to adjust the angle of the kite and give you less power. There are bars with below the bar and above the bar depower systems. Usually when you see a piece of cord hanging it means the kite is depowered.

Swivel

After making a rotation your lines can be twisted. Some swivels turn back automatically but some have to be turned back by hand.

Safety leash

This essential part of your safety equipment usually comes with any new bar. Make sure to put your bar on standard safety mode and always connect your leash.

Bar width

There are different bar widths on the market. In general, a smaller kite flies better on a smaller bar. A bigger kite needs much more input to move so the added leverage of a wider bar might come in handy. Modern bars usually have the option of adjusting the width of your bar up to 10 centimetres.

4, 5 or 6 lines

Most kites are flown on four line bars There are however high performance free ride kite that use 5 lines. Some freestyle specific kites even use 6 lines.

Line length

The length of your lines has big influence on your kite. Bigger kites are used in lighter wind and having longer lines increases the size of the wind window and you can make a bigger power stroke. Smaller kites may require shorter lines, as they are much faster.

The shorter the line, the more direct the kite reacts and the less power you have. The longer your lines the slower the kite react and the more power it has.