Just got back from the most peaceful place on earth, Aitutaki. 5 hours flight north of NZ, A small island in the middle of the ocean protected by a barrier reef with scattered islands across the lagoon with clumps of palms in the middle. We arrived to trade winds South easterlies of 18-28knots varying day to day, It was Epic. I was there a similar time last year and had the same conditions, wind everyday! A group came with us for instruction, some from scratch and some that could ride and wanted to lean back rolls, kite-loops, & passes etc. We were on Aitutaki for 7 days then off to Rarotonga.
Only 2000 people populate the main island with a very basic lifestyle. It’s a great place to escape to away from the comforts and discomforts of city life. It hasn’t taken off as a huge kite destination but it looks like it will be as more people come back stoked with their trip. That’s the beauty of it at the moment, it is so untouched and it can be just you and your friends with all the paradise to yourself. The conditions are world class flat water with smooth offshore winds, with safe places to end up if you have a major problem with a tangle of some sort. The only thing I wish it had was natural kicker’s, flat water can get boring after awhile, there was a little bit of chop but not enough to class as a kicker.
The highlight of the trip for me was a session at 1pm after a few whiskies and beers, We had a full moon, 18knots, low tide and smooth sandy flat bottom, throwing tricks in the dark is amazing, its all done on feeling, amazing sensation. 4 of us stayed out till 2pm after a hard days kite and then had to wake up the next morning to do it all again!
We finished the trip off in Rarotonga, We didn’t get much in the way of wind, I had some sick sessions there last year, but it didn’t produce this time round, I got one session in but it was too weak. A few guys had a crack over the next couple of days and failed. So we resorted to chilling and climbing the biggest mountain on the island, which I thought was pretty intense, I got told yesterday by a student I taught that many people have died climbing that mountain because they didn’t have a guide, neither did we, Haha.
That looks amazing mate!
Kiorana…
Aitutaki lagoon is a magic place, im glad you enjoyed yourself. I was the first kiter in Raro, 8 years ago and Aitutaki lagoon as every 4 years i go to visit relatives in raro and get drop off at OneFootIsland… yep, that’s the pearl in the south pacific.
You where close…
may the gods be with you…
anotherUKlocal