Kite around Margarita

1498 El Yaque news reported already about all kinds of sports as Mountainbiking, Stand Up Paddle, Surf and excursions around the Island plus interesting subjects in and around El Yaque in the Report Section and the Island of Margarita, so also about the new Kitebeach, Kitesurfing at the Island of Coche, but not about Kitesurfing at Isla Margarita itself, and it was about time to do so.

Eleven years ago the first Kite Instructors with Chris Valentine, actual Center owner of the Cochekitesport Center at the Island of Coche and Murray Sampson, owner of the Margarita Xtreme Center in El Yaque brought Kitesurfing to El Yaque Beach, where Windsurfing was THE Sport at the time and a little alternative did very well, especially when the elements are the same, wind and water. 

In the beginning of Kitesurfing at El Yaque Beach the first choice to be taken was where to launch the Kites and get the Kitesurf students into the water and onto the Board safely and without disturbing the Windsurfers in their area. The solution was to go upwind of the Windsurf Area, crossing the entrance of the El Yaque Lagoon to the litte Island between the Villages of La Isleta and El Yaque, where massive sandbanks provided pure flatwater and easy start conditions and beautiful beaches did the rest to offer a perfect Spot for the "new" Sport. But with erosion the Beaches little by little disappeared and the sandbanks moved and the Spot became almost useless and the Kitecenters, by now more Kitecenters than Windsurfschools had been installed and opened had to go even further upwind to start their lessons while Chris Valentine started his business at the Island of Coche and started to push the Sport there. Big Kite Contests and Worldcups were held, a Slide and Ramps park installed and lots of accomodations for Kitesurfers built and the Island of Coche became famous for his perfect Kitesurfing conditions.

All other El Yaque Kitecenters decided to stay and coach at El Yaque Beach but at the same time to explore the Island of Margarita and discover some new Kitespots, which didn´t take too long. In very short time many new Kitespots at the Island of Margarita and the connected part Macanao were discovered and almost daily excursions to those Kitesurf pearls started right away.

By now most of those Spots are well known and most Kitesurfers travel all the way to Margarita to stay at El Yaque Beach but Kitesurf all around the Island and at the Island of Coche. Some rent cars but most just take the great service all Kitecenters offer, guided Tours, Instructions, meals and much more plus the absolute knowledge about all the Spots.

Playa Manzanillo

is the closest Spot to Playa El Yaque, only a few kilometers downwind and offers a Flatwater Spot and some short Waves with stronger winds

Guamache

the Spot close to the Ferry Port or better, right at the Ferry Port. Pure Flatwater offshore fun and brillant water colours

Laguna La Restinga

is the possibly most famous Spot beside El Yaque and Isla Coche. The kilometers long sandy beach right in front of the touristic Lagoon of La Restinga, which connects Margarita and Macanao works very often and if there is wind, there are waves as well. Nothing to drastic but easy to play with

Punta Arenas

the Caribbean Spot with finest blue and super flat water, but offshore winds and no real rescue nearby, plus the drive there takes a while from El Yaque and there is no windindicator, so the journey could be for nothing

Taguantar

close to the City of Juan Griego can offer pure flatwater close to the City of Juan Griego and Waves with northerly swell directions. During good wave days, stay away from the surfers as it is mainly a surfspot and it can be crowded 

There are much more Spots around the Island, but for more information contact one of El Yaque´s Kitesurf Centers and it is always the best choice to book Trips to those Spots with the Centers. One can easily get lost trying to find the Spots plus their is no rescue at none of the Spots

All images copyright tom-brendt-foto.de