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Kite Boarding in Cozumel
Whether you’re new to the sport, or an unhooked pro, Cozumel Island in the MexicanCaribbean offers endless possibilities for kiteboarding.
In the past decade, a new form of wind-powered fun has emerged, in the form ofkite boarding.
While a windsurfing board is pretty much like a surfboard with asail attached to it, a kite board is more like a wakeboard, with propulsionsupplied by a large traction kite held and operated by the boarder.
With largekites for light winds and small kites for high winds, the energy brought undercontrol by the boarder is considerable. In Dan's words, "Kite boarding islike wakeboarding behind an airplane,
with you piloting the plane and ridingthe board., it is a ski boat in the sky".
You don't have to know how to windsurf to learn how to kite, and the payoff isthe ability to fly.
Brief History of Kite Boarding and Cozumel Kite boarding
Although the sport of Kite Surfing or Kite boarding is fairly new, it is not aone-man invention and actually, people have been playing with the concept for along time. In the 13th and 14th centuries in China and Polynesia, kite sailingwas a form of transportation in the Pacific Rim!
In the early 1800s, British inventor George Pocock enlarged common kites andflew them in groups to pull carts on land and boats on the water. His effortsresulted in what were, at the time, the fastest speeds on land and water.
In 1919, American inventor Samuel Cody kite-sailed across the English Channel. In the late '50's, individuals used the concept of being pulled by aparachute/wings above and on water.
In the mid 1970's, American kite designer Peter Powell of Florida built atwo-line delta kite with which he sailed small dinghies. These kites weremarketed for use with boats and buggies, and in fact, one was used byEnglishman Keith Stewart with a nine-foot catamaran to cross the EnglishChannel.
In October 1977, Gijsbertus Adrianus Panhuise (of the Netherlands) received thefirst patent for the sport. The patent, as well as the sport, is defined as awater sport using a floating board of a surfboard-type where a pilot standingup on it is pulled by a wind-catching device of a parachute-type tied to hisharness on a trapeze-type belt. Although this patent did not result in anycommercial interest, Gijsbertus Adrianus Panhuise could be considered as the originatorof Kite Surfing.
Cozumel has some of the best conditions for all wind and water sports, sokiters from all over the world come here to enjoy the perfect waters, steadybreezes, reasonably flat water, and world-class teachers to show you how.The north part of the island is the best, as there are frequent north windsthat blow in steadily.
Cozumel has had a champion windsurfing team of kids from 14 to 18 years old.They have won first, second, and third places in many events and are considerednational champions. Cozumel will always be an attraction for windsurfersas well as kite boarders.
In the past couple of years, a new form of wind-powered fun has emerged inCozumel, in the form of kite boarding. A kite board is more like awakeboard, with propulsion supplied by a large kite held and operated by theboarder. With large kites for small winds and small kites for large winds, theenergy brought under control by the boarder is considerable.
There were only two kite boarders on the island until 2000. Thereare now many licensed and certified kite instructors and many recreational kiteboarders in Cozumel.
Raul de Lille pioneered the sport in 2000 in Cozumel. He makes it look so easy.He was born in Cozumel and grew up knowing the waters and the winds of Cozumel.He is Mexico´s windsurfing champion and has traveled all over the worldcompeting windsurfing. He became a PASA certified instructor and now is afull time kite board instructor.
Dan Withington of Dune Buggy Tours learned about the same time. Raul taughthimself and at the same time, Dan learned with him. The northern part of theisland is the best place to kite board on most days. With only skiingexperience behind him, he learned to kite board. He is now a PASAcertified instructor. In Dan's words, "Kite boarding is likewakeboarding behind an airplane, with you piloting the plane and riding theboard."
You don't have to know how to windsurf to learn how to kite, and the payoff isthe ability to fly.
If you're interested in getting connected with certified instructors in kiteboarding, then please email or call us and we'll get you set up.
So . . .let´s go fly a kite!
(2005 text-Published in Cozumel newspaper)
Kite Board Schools in Cozumel |
Kite boarding has quickly become one of the world's leadingextreme sport developing with its high tech equipement now readily available. Cozumel has one of the perfect areas with many variables all comingtogether to provide the perfect winds.
Whether you’re new to the sport, or an unhooked pro, Cozumel Island inthe Mexican Caribbean offers endless possibilities for kiteboarding.
Kiteboarding has become one of the most popular recreation water sports inCozumel. When the wind blows in Cozumel -- and it does quite often --gliding the turquoise clear waters of Cozumel is hands down one of the mostmagical experiences on the island.
Contact us for more information.
Cozumel Kiteboarding came out from the idea of a group of local kiters with onecommitment: Give information about where to kite in the island of Cozumel andhelp others locals and tourist to get into the sport safely and fun.
Our Mission is to make Cozumel a Top Kiteboarding destination in the world,diffusing information from the island to make of your vacation andunforgettable experience.
As natives from the island we have all the knowledge as to where to practicethe sport and we will take you to the greatest destinations to have the besttime ever while you Kiteboard.
 | 2010 VIMA Kiteboard Tournament | |
Cozumel Kite Board 'kids' |
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| 2007 VIMA Kiteboard Tournament | |
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| | Cozumel Kite Board 'kids' | |
WHETHERyou’re new to the sport, or an unhooked pro, Cozumel Island in the MexicanCaribbean offers endless possibilities for kiteboarding.
Raul de Lille
Olympic windsurfer Raul De Lille had a successful career as a wind surfer. His travels took him all over the world to compete in conditions thatwere unlike those of Cozumel. He return a champion, cheered on by Mexico,the people of Cozumel and his family. His children grew up on his windsurferand thus two of them, Jazmine and Jadie went on to became national champions in windsurfing aswell. he now has a kiteboard school, located in the Country Club Estates. He and his 'partner' Nicole have a lovely Boutique Hotel that is just steps away from the beach.
He became interested in kite boarding as soon as he found out about it. He taught himself, and at the same time, taught Dan Withington, and mastered the new sport. He continued to train with REAL kiteboarding and is now a full time instructor. He was one of the first to introduce kitesurfing to Cozumel. Raul isone of Cozumel's top instructors of the island. Be sure to book yourreservation for instruction in advance. He is a PASA certifiedinstructor.
To contact Raul:Send mail!
Dan Withington
Dandidn't have any windsurfing experience but grew up skiing in rivers, on snowcovered moutains,and remained a toned athlete through the years. AfterRaul and he learned to kite, the two of them learnedtechnique and practised together. Kiting, like most water sports requirestwo people; a buddy system. So they practised together. He has enjoyedcompeting in different kite meets and has won a few awards. His most important student is his son, Adam. Adamhas been kiting professionally, sincethe PKRA 2007 world tour. Dan is a PASAcertified instructor.
To contact Dan:Send mail!
Tom Elliott
Tomhas been windsurfing Cozumel for over twenty years, coming down for weeks ormonths at a time from Canada. He started kiting with Raul and Dan as soonas he came for his next trip.
To contact Tom:Send mail!
Adrian and Letty Angulo
Adrian is the islands biggest activist to educated people about kiting. He learned to kite with just a few instructions, and got better by practicing. He met the PADI instructors when they came to Cozumel and got his teaching certification, after giving free lessons to anyone he saw on the beach. He gives kite lessons and on his free time, offers unique tours around the island, and into the waters. is a PASA certified instructor and has the best kite equipment store on the island-Puro Mar. They carry bathing suits, and other beach needs. He offers unique tours to Passion Island. He and his wife Letty are deeply involved in VIMA, the yearly kite board tournament in Cozumel . Adrian is also head of the environmental movement, especially amoung the youth on the island. He is bringing national and international awareness to the sport and the island.
To contact Adrian:Send mail!
Miguel Ruiz Lavalle
Miguel began kiting about 5 years ago, while managing one of Cozumel's most popular coffee shops, Coffee Bean.He is married and has a son. He was a judge in the 2010 Vima Tournament.
To contact Miguel:Send mail!
Adam Withington
Adamwas the youngest kiter from Cozumel when he began kiting 2006 at 17 years old. At that time,everyone else on the island who was kiting was in their 30's so his nick name became "Chamaco"-which in Spanish is slang for the young one. Adam started strong and began competing professionally within a couple years of learning. He works on technical skills, and is great at tricks! He is developed and skilled as others who have kitedlonger. Wise men call it the "genius of youth". He haslived in Cozumel all his life, with a two year experience in American high school. Adam wasranked Mexico's No.2 in 2007.He won first place in the VIMA 2010 races in Cozumel.
To contact Adam:Send mail!