Travelled around Morocco a bit, but never kited there. All I know is Essaouira can get very very windy and very very busy! If there's no wind, I guess you could surf? Guy here at work went on a surfing trip there recently and said it was awesome.

Other than that, Allah willing- jump on a bus and head into Marrakech and get lost (quite literally), in the souks for a day!

if you were to heed every warning on smart traveller you would never leave your house.
there were probably 3 kidnappings in australia last year too

Anchor point, Tarazout, one thilthy right ender!!!!!

on your way to purchase the "one way" ticket, you could drop your sup off at my house, at least you'll have the piece of mind knowing your sup went to a good home if you dont come back.......... & on the bright side,if you do come back i can charge you storage fees !!! :-)

jokes on the storage fees..................... "your not coming back"

daz

- Is it an ok place for a beginner? (How much variety in locations/kiting space would I have? Is it a difficult place to launch/land alone?)

Pretty much only one beach that I remember. Wind is full on. Best in the morning, very gusty in the afternoon. The beach is large and I had no problem finding a place to self launch and land. Some people will help you if you ask. bring a small kite.

- What are the local shops like? (for gear hire, lessons etc)

I found an instructor on the beach and hired my kite directly from him. Not much choice in equipment though. Most people seem to bring their own kit.

Yes sounds good lock your car up when over there.Don't leave anything on the beach as it will not be there when you come in from kiting.

wdric said...

Lplater said...

Hey kiter-monkeys!
If there's no wind, how much other sport-related entertainment would there be around Essaouira to keep me from going postal?


Is there where you play hide and seek in the red post office boxes
I can just imagine
10 knots where are you
12 knots i still cant find you
14 knots I found you hiding behind that parachute
16 knots - games over





Google.................

Going postal.

in American English slang, means becoming extremely and uncontrollably angry, often to the point of violence, and usually in a workplace environment.

The expression derives from a series of incidents from 1983 onward in which United States Postal Service (USPS) workers shot and killed managers, fellow workers, and members of the police or general public in acts of mass murder. Between 1986 and 1997, more than forty people were gunned down by spree killers in at least twenty incidents of workplace rage.

Thanks "Mr Google"

.....although to be honest I find the idea of someone playing hide and seek in a post office box much more disturbing than the actual meaning....

Lplater said...

Hey kiter-monkeys!

I'm planning a trip to Morocco (Essaouira) May/June and







i think kiting in one of these would be quite restrictive

stamp said...

if you were to heed every warning on smart traveller you would never leave your house.
there were probably 3 kidnappings in australia last year too

Nicely put stamp.

Lplater said...

Essaouria is awesome - i was there for ~1week in Aug 2009. The wind was good about half the days, the other days were spent hopping from restaurant to restaurant drinking mint tea and eating pancakes!

Kiting AND pancakes??!!!! That's what I always imagined heaven was like.....

Do they serve beer with pancakes ????? the closer to heaven the better :)

What is the cheapest way to get to Morroco from Perth? Or anywhere in Oz for that matter. I've looked at it but the flights are always crazy expensive but maybe I'm not hitting enough thrifty traveller websites to get the right deal.

Craig66 said...


http://www.kitesurfdakhla.com/kitesurf



this looks like a great place to kite

On the website its said:

"Note that all kiteboarders need to use a leash (mandatory!) and that we foresee a daily, full time rescue service with 1 or 2 permanent security boats, during the centers openings hours (9.30am - 6.30pm)."

"THE RESCUE SERVICE IS NOT A BOARD RECOVERING OR KITE RELAUNCH SERVICE! If you are uncertain of how to body drag upwind towards your board, or how to relaunch a kite, you can always contact the center and ask for an advanced (security) lesson.
"The price for one week material storage is 60? and automatically includes the rescue service.
"In order to give the best quality with our lessons, we teach with IKO certified instructors that speak multiple languages. You can take lessons in French, English, German, Spanish, Dutch and Arabic (depending on availability.)"

Just visted the website and .... are your kidding me? It says 'Leash mandatory' and 'Advanced lessons' for just body dragging upwind! That sot of lack of skills in a 20-35knt side-shore they promote sounds like a nightmare scenario of a load of tourists learning in full conditions. I'm a bit skeptical now ...

Craig66 said...

Well there is nothing better than finding out first hand about a kite spot. Just spent 7 days/nights at Dakhla Attitude
http://www.dakhla-attitude.ma/index_en.php
Kited every morning and arvo for 7 days straight. Wind was strong and constant. Only used 9.5 or smaller. Ride 15 at home.
Ill up date more when i learn how to use a Moroccan key board :)
And post photos when i get home
.

Kited every morning Hey, I guess they never had a bar well

Essaouira, the windy city. 45 knots
http://www.club-mistral.com/en/destinations/weather/18
(link for wind reading)
Kited here this morning, on water at 10.30 am. 9m north evo fully depowered and over powered. Went back to get a 7m, others on 4m.
Very gusty (like squids on a shocker of a day)
The locals had a race planed for this arvo but as far as I could tell they didn't run it as too much wind. So windy the head of my beer blew off.
Will try again earlier tomorrow before the wind kicks in.
Ps Ric, I had a second beer for you