Kiteboarding Magazine

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2006-11-09 11:53:17 | 602 views | 0 Comments

Matanzas is a kiteboarder's dream come true. In this inlet south of St. Augustine on Florida's Atlantic coast, a strong current opposing the wind acts like an escalator to bring the rider upwind with very little effort. The shallow sandbars create perfect flat-water conditions no matter how strong the wind, while the surf on the outside peels for hundreds of yards in both directions.

Best Season

From October through March, strong northerly winds blow behind cold fronts. By April, the wind switches more southerly with a sea breeze in the afternoons.

Conditions

Matanzas usually blows 15 to 25 knots north or northeasterly after a cold front. The unique coast creates both butter-smooth conditions and surf. The water is warm until November, when it dips into the low 50s until late March.

Setup & Launch

From St. Augustine, take Highway A1A south about 10 miles and turn left at the Fort Matanzas National Monument sign. Take the first right onto the beach to get to the north side of the inlet. If you drive on Matanzas, use four-wheel-drive because of the soft sand, especially around high tide. Your best bet is to park on the beach, pull your gear out and set up your kite right there.

Local Shops

Extreme Kites (904-461-9415, www.oceanextremesports.com)

Lodging

Channel Marker 71 Barrier Island Inn and Restaurant (866-461-4287, barrierislandbb.com); La Fiesta Ocean Inn & Suites (800-327-1462, lafiestainn.com).