KITESURFING and BEACHES in INDIA
Can be India considered a possible kitesurfing destination?
On this blog entry, we will talk about kitesurfing beaches on India.
It is known, in part for surfers, who need glassy conditions, but in fact India, on its huge coastline, offers some beaches where can be found basic acceptable kitesurfing conditions, mostly around the Kerala or the Vizag areas
If you are planning a kitesurfing trip, the wind if any, generally starts at midday and last until late afternoon, therefore if you are a kiter carrying your own kite stuff, there’s no need to wake up early which means you have a good chance to party at night.
This report doesn’t pretend to be a very precise and well documented report but rather a first guide of where and when to go if you wish to kitesurf.
KITESURFING and most favoured India coastal areas.
1) Goa
Morjim beach, Arambol and Ashwem. The best time of the day is afternoon, especially when tide is low.
Goa is perhaps the best choice regarding some kitesurfing infrastructure.
It’s possible to buy kitesurfing lessons, available through a couple of basic local schools. The wind speed is between 12-20 knots.
Best time to visit this place is February – May.
Though if following the news on the area, you may read such things:
in other words, Indian ocean waters, especially on beaches which have rivers flowing to the sea, are areas which should be preferably not chosen, neither for swimming or practicing any watersport.
2) Panchgani – Maharashtra
There are plenty beaches to choose, from Dahani Bordi which lays 100 kms north of Mumbai next to Gujarat state. The whole coastal region has acceptable wind speeds and as often it is quite a lot of open space landing areas.
Most famous beaches on the area south of Mumbai are Ratnagiri, Guhagar and Ganapatipulep, being some of them quite secluded.
South-western wind is the best direction and as almost all other kite spots in India best windy time is noon until dusk. Mid June – early September is best time of the year to visite the area.
http://www.visitindia.org.in/maharashtra/beaches_in_maharashtra.html
3) Mumbai
Mumbai beaches experience sometimes decent wind conditions for kitesurfing, though the coastal area next to the cities it’s mostly very dirty and must be avoided.
In the vicinity of Mumbai itself there are Gorai and Mandwa beaches in the last one was held India’s first kite surfing contest on 25th May 2013.
South of Mumbai there are Harihreshwar beach and further down the coast Shriwardhan beach.
4) Bangalore
Several beaches in Bangalore offer decent kitesurfing conditions also in the last period of the year.
It is possible to find occasionally some private people offering kitesurfing lessons near some of the most popular tourist destinations.
5) Visakhapatnam
The city of Vizag, as Visakhapatnam is popularly called it is on the East coast of India, therefore it receives the west bounded Monsoon winds in the winter season.
It is not known of any kitesurfing visiting the area but the different photos shows the multiple possibilities that its beaches offer.
Visakhapatnam is the largest city of Andhra Pradesh state with around 2 million population.
The area was hit by a hurricane few years ago. Another cyclone heading towards Visakhapatnam? Hopefully not.
The area has been devastated in several occasions due to powerful typhoons.
http://www.dharuvu.com/content/famous-beaches-vizag-you-cannot-afford-miss-2862
6) Kerala
Kovalam beach is one of the favorite destinations for surfing and there are some chances to practice kitesurfing too when wind blows.
The Lighthouse beach is the best for surfing. There’s a Surf Club and they have the experience to know where and when it is windy and offer you advice.
It seems that the best time of the year to enjoy better windy chances is between December and May at afternoons, receiving between 12 to 20 knots, with winds increasing the more you move towards the south of the country.
When heading to the Kovalam area, e-mail to kovalamsurfclub@gmail.com which will definitely will bring you closer to a successful kitesurfing trip.
The South-East coast of India is mostly windier than the South-West coast, though the wind being more unpredictable, you’ll be rewarded with blue waters while South-East India’s coast it is often -but not always- more of a messy chop and brown water.
7) Rameswaram
Rameswaram it is a small city which it is located on Pamban Island separated from mainland India by the Pamban channel and is about 50 kilometres from Mannar Island, Sri Lanka.
In spite of being the nearest point to cross to Sri Lanka, it is not clear if that is possible nowadays-it was a ferry before-
The area has been known of having troubles with smuggling and guerrillas of the old Tamil Tiger fighters having some activity, therefore crossing may be a not good idea but consider the Rameswaram area as a kite trip, no problema!
http://traveltriangle.com/blog/places-to-visit-in-rameshwaram/
https://www.wandertrails.com/activities/ride-the-waves-while-kitesurfing-in-rameshwaram
http://thekitesurfingholiday.com/kitesurfing-blog/2013/8/16/india-for-the-kitesurfing-traveller
http://www.iksurfmag.com/travel-guides/asia/india/rameswaram/
http://www.redbull.com/in-en/top-4-kiteboarding-spots-in-india
Remember that at any location in India in which winds are suitable for kitesurfing you should care to choose non polluted waters, beach rip currents and if possible do it at some beach in where in case of trouble you could get some help.
Never ride too far from the beach and if practicing on lakes or river basins, there may be snakes or even salt water crocodiles, so, take maximum precautions at all spots.
Asia kitesurfing – The great India
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