Kiteboarding Magazine

luke
2010-06-15 11:43:12 | 573 views | 4 Comments

We’ve all dreamed of the perfect kiteboarding beach: a place with consistent wind, year-round warm water and heaps of other kite-friendly amenities. The problem is, paradise looks different for different people. Some dream of epic waves, some fantasize about flat water and others want a combination of both, along with obstacles and a race course. Although such a place doesn’t exist yet, here’s what our version of kite heaven might look like.

1. Main Beach

Kiters launch here and head to three riding zones. The water is four to five feet deep up to a half-mile offshore and stays 75 degrees year-round. The trade winds consistently blow side-onshore and average a steady 22 knots.

2. Flat-Water Zone

Miles of crystal-clear, flat water along a lush, tropical coast.

3. Surf Zone

The bay offers three excellent surf breaks. In the middle, there’s a punchy A-frame; the top end holds a right-hand pointbreak; and a left-hand point (not pictured) sits across the bay on the other end. A channel cuts through the reef, allowing kiters easy access to the flat-water zone.

4. Obstacle Zone

Obstacle park with kickers, sliders and wall rides. Using detachable anchors, each obstacle can be moved to create a variety of different setups or cleared entirely from the water for more open space to kite inside the bay.

5. Race Course

Three large buoys for racing.

6. PWC Support

A fleet of PWC provides assistance to kiters. They can also be hired to photograph and/or video kite sessions.

7. Kitopia Bay resort

Palapa-style villas offer guests luxury accommodations and private launch areas.

8. Food Court

Food court with authentic Mexican, Asian, Italian, Pacific-Rim and American cuisine.

9. Visitors Complex:

The first-floor includes a lobby where guests check in and get information, as well as a coffee shop in the back. The coffee shop provides kiters with a caffeine fix, breakfast and a waterfront view. A bar and nightclub fill the second floor, with outdoor seating on the back deck. The deck also serves as an observation platform during the day.

10. Stadium Lights

For night kiting.

11. Pleasure Chests

Vending machines across the beach resembling treasure chests dispense ice-cold beer, soda and water.

12. Rockin’ Rocks

Stereo speakers inside faux fiberglass rocks crank out tunes.

13. Filling Stations

Mobile air compressors provide kiters with free ultra-fast kite inflation.

14. Snack Huts

Serve cold drinks, smoothies, tacos, wraps, hamburgers and pizza.

15. Pool

Olympic-size freshwater pool.

16. Kite Shop

Sells and rents gear, provides lessons and has a trampoline and foam pit out back to practice handle-passes, flips and spins.

17. Kitopia Kid Zone

Full-service day care with a playground and kiddie pool.

18. Green Power

All electricity for Kitopia is generated from wind and solar panels.

19. Palm-Fi

Antennas in palm trees offer free Wi-Fi.

20. Kitopia Wellness

Holistic medical center and gym staffed with professional massage therapists, yoga instructors, nutritionists and personal trainers.