St. Lucia's Coconut Bay Offers Kitesurfing School
Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa now offers a kitesurfing school where novice or advanced kitesurfers can learn how to harness the strength of the wind and water. Guests over 8 years old receive a complimentary introductory kitesurfing “taster,” which includes flying a trainer kite on the beach and experiencing a guided joyride on the water. Guests over the age of 16 have the option of taking lessons with a seasoned pro. “Kitesurfing appeals to all kinds of active travelers,” said Chris Haysey of 2Elements Watersports Centre at Coconut Bay. “Our water-loving team uses state-of-the-art equipment so we can teach anyone with the desire to learn how to kitesurf. Using the power of the wind and water is exhilarating.” The best months for kitesurfing are December through August, and the average wind speed is between 18 and 20 knots in the winter and 14 and 16 knots during off-peak season. Kitesurfing is quickly growing in popularity and is ideal for those who are water confident, can tread water and like to experience adrenaline rushes. The sport is easy to learn and can be taught in a series of lessons over a few days.
Coconut Bay’s new on-site water sports complex rents paddle boards, kayaks and kitesurfing equipment for guests. The resort will also store equipment guests bring. Their high-tech kitesurfing gear is top of the line and features helmets equipped with strategically-placed cameras and internal radios so surfers can communicate with instructors on land who help correct performances and improve technique. The sports shop also serves as a hideaway from the heat where students can later review their kitesurfing tapes and watch instructional videos.
After the initial “taster” course, each person usually needs about 10 hours of lessons to become confident on the board. A complete kitesurfing package at Coconut Bay is $400 per person and includes 10 hours of lessons. At the completion of the course, each guest will receive an International Kiteboarding Organization (IKO) certification card. During the lessons, students are in groups of four or fewer to get the full experience and appropriate attention from coaches. Guests can make kitesurfing reservations online, over the phone or at the Adventure St. Lucia Desk located in Coconut Bay’s lobby.
2Elements is a kitesurfing school run by instructors who have more than 20 years of combined wind and kitesurf training under their belts. All instructors are qualified by the International Kiteboarding Organization (IKO) and Royal Yachting Association (RYA). The center is managed by Haysey, who holds the highest instructor certification through RYA, Senior Advanced Plus Windsurfing. He has offered private kitesurfing lessons at some of the premier locations in the world which include Egypt, Tobago, Margarita, Turkey, Greece and St. Lucia. For more information, visit www.2elements.co.uk.
Coconut Bay Beach Resort is located on St. Lucia’s southern coast. An all-inclusive resort catering to families, couples and honeymooners alike, Coconut Bay is divided into two areas, Harmony and Splash. Harmony is an adult-only oasis. At the opposite side of the resort, Splash is oriented to families and features CocoLand Kidz Klub, a paintball facility and the island’s largest water park.
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Allison Patton
Skyline Destinations
404.933.2542
AllisonCTravels@SkylineDestinations.com
http://www.SkylineDestinations.com
