intomountains

Sorry to hear about the gear. I will keep an eye out. Could insist on keeping their car keys, a bit difficult to make a gateway in a wetsuit on the bus from Broomhill Sands.

The best kiter is the one having the most fun .....even if that means winding himself and injuring his feet.

Went as far as Sidi Ifni in June last year in a Toyota Hiace camper... excellent trip. Make sure you stop off at Essouira on the way and also there is a wave spot just beyond called Sidi Kouaki which is a bit less touristy. If you do go to Essouira go to a camp site called Camping Le Calme. It is a bit inland but like an oasis of civilisation in the midst of Moroccan chaos.... toilets, showers, swimming pool and even a restaurant which serves non-toxic food.

A big van

Just by the kitesurf spot on the lake there is a motorhome camp spot with an old bus and a French pikey living in it. I was away for 6 weeks and this bloke stole all of my clothes except for a t-shirt, pair of shorts and flip flops and then buggered off for a couple of days. So if you see a French pikey here walking around in branded board shorts and T-shirts then nick all his clothes and chuck them away or something.. I do not want my clothes back though please!!!!!

Biscarosse beach has loads of lifeguards and restrictions on what you can do where. I am not sure about kitesurfing because there was no wind the times I was there. If you go north from Biscarosse there is a spot at the southern end of the Dunes du Pilat. At low tide the waves break on a sandbank out at sea so it is a good flat water spot. A bit choppy at high tide and not the friendliest locals (maybe they just didn't like the look of me). It you want a wave spot I went out somwhere south of here too. I think it might have been Mimizan Plage. Good wave spot with plenty of surfers but plenty of room for all so no-one seemed to have a problem.

I have the old version of the tide master - the only watch so far which seems to survive kitesurfing.

PS Heard from someone in Serre Chevalier that it is already snowing there, so much they were worried about getting out of the valley. Lets hope it doesn't melt.

Get in touch with Johann at Snowkiteair (johann@snowkiteair.com). He runs a school from the hut with the Ozone flag in the previous post. They will provide eqipment etc an give lessons up at the Col. I have never seen anyone kiting on the fields and I would imagine the wind and snow conditions here are rarely suitable. The Col works in a number of wind directions and snow is pretty reliable there.. if you are skiing, decent off piste skills may be the diference between a good day and a c**p one.

Vallee Blanche is in Chamonix - a long way off.

I have the same jacket, which is the best I have ever owned. I doubt you will find one in TKMaxx though -they are a bit pricey.

It is all very well to take yourself out of the gene pool like this but a bit unfair to take other more intellegent beings out with you.

I was on the North coast of Brittany last week and went out in a slightly offshore wind. The bay turned around so I knew if the worst happened I would drift towards land. Unfortunately the worst did happen (I blame the lumpy offshore wind) and for the first time in a year and a half my kite didn't relaunch. After about 30 mins I got back to shore with a kite covered in seaweed that looked like the creature from the deep and spent another hour picking the seaweed off the bridles (lots of bridles/weed- its a Flysurfer). I reckon even if you think it is safe it is better to avoid. A rubbish offshore wind and a kite stuck in the water whilst you wait for land to appear does not make a pleasant day at the beach.

His name is Joss. From what I know he is an experienced ski mountaineer but new to snowkiting.

Thanks for the help - the lucky friend is now booked into the school for the end of March... Lucky b*****d.... Meanwhile I will be at work!