kite surfing in co clare

chprt

folks


how are you? I was hoping to try out kite surfing in co clare this weekend in la hinch. I had found a company "orbital winds" but can get through to them or get an answer from emails...

... does anyone know if they are still going or anyone else down there that does lessons.


thanks paddy

fincollins

paddy


heres another one http://www.lahinchkite.com/

i have never dealt with any of them to be honest.

you could ask over on http://www.kitesurfing.ie and someone might be able to give you more info

RayJ

Hello Paddy,

I am a somewhat experienced kitesurfer and have kitesurfed in Lahinch before. There were no kitesurfers out as the wind was very light last weekend. I left all my kites at home and just brought my surfboard.

Orbital Winds gave lessons to my sister about 2 years ago and she said they were good. I should be back down in Lahinch again this weekend. If I remember I'll go in and ask them if they're still doing lessons.

I don't know where you are in the country but Dublin (or a bay) might be a better place to learn as there is less swell and waves. Even after 2 years kitesurfing, big waves are not easy to kitesurf in, especially if you're on a big twin-tip board which most beginners will start on.

Give 3 days to the kitesurfing to do your beginner course in decent wind conditions. You will need on/cross shore wind so keep an eye on conditions. Remember also that Lahinch is tidal so you cannot kitesurf at high tide. It's a great sport but remember that safety is paramount.

As fincollins says, there's loads of info on http://www.kitesurfing.ie

Sniipe

I'm heading kite surfing this friday around lahinch/west clare (lessons) I have a contact number if you want to PM me for it. I was told its 100euro per person for 3 hours or 250euro per person for a 2 day mid week session (9hrs).

I got the number from one of the sites above; left a message and they rang me back on a number I have now. I asked him about conditions this weekend and he said that the 9knot winds are grand.

RayJ

Sniipe wrote: »

I asked him about conditions this weekend and he said that the 9knot winds are grand.

Really? I wouldn't expect to be going very far unless you had a big kite and big board. I remember learning in these light winds on a 17m kite in J-Bay and it was very difficult. Most people use 8-12m in Ireland. If you are just learning, maybe these winds are fine for flying the trainer kite, some work on the beach and maybe bodydragging or practicing water starts.

Remember that it's your money and instructors will be earning nothing if they can't get people out learning. You might be better off waiting until Sunday if possible for 12 knots.
http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=47735

But sometime, definitely try to get 3 days of training in consistent winds and you will nail it then. Good luck learning!