I kite the spot near the wreck often. the spot is about 100 or 200m south of Scuba Seraya Resort (maybe 2 or 3 kms from the wreck). it ain't a great spot, but I spend a lot of time here and it's all I can find and I go as often as I can. Look up Tulamben on google earth as it is about 2 kms south of there. The SE wind is what you want. That's the normal wind and it is offshore at Seraya. so you can't get back to the beach. I use one of 2 guys here that have outrigger jukungs. Ratoc 0852 3826 9771 and Kari (pronounced curry) 0878 6131 3536.

You can start from the Seraya beach (Batu Niti if you ask directions from a local) but your best bet is to start from Rubaya near Ratoc and Kari's houses, go from there to Seraya in the jukung, and either kite there or come back downwind, which also shows you some very nice scenery. It's flat water, no surf whatsoever.

To get started, lay your lines out as per usual on the beach, with the bar at the upwind end. The wind will be very very light on the shore and will curl around a bit. Kari or Ratoc will put the kite in the water, and as the puffs of wind pull it out slowly, just walk in and drag yourself after it.

When you get into the windy zone, keep on body dragging maybe 500m offshore. At first it will gust up and down you'll think you are away, but the wind will drop out again. And that turns to tears because often the kite falls over backwards and the lines get inverted and all round pain. So you need to get well into the windy zone where the kite will fly strongly and keep flying. Be prepared for usually at least 15 minutes of dragging. No problem, be patient, the water is warm.

On a good day, which is quite likely when you will be here, it can be over 20knots. Usually in July august September, if it is working it will be 15-20 knots. I am usually armed with a 12 and a 17. The jukung has room for 2 boards and 2 kites and 2 riders.

I always use a leash here, even with my surfboard, because Kari and Ratoc hang well away and they may not find your board if the wind drops out and you have lost the board.

Now the getting home part. And the other reason for the leash. When you've had enough, finish say 200 metres offshore and sort of do a self rescue. You don't have to get yourself ashore though.

When you've got the kite all rolled up, wave the driver over and he'll get the board and you and the stuff. And by then you'll be stuffed too. And then you will just get taken in the jukung to wherever you started.

YOU MUST HAVE BOOTIES. I also always have flotation either in the form of a vest or a wetsuit, because of the selfrescue bit. A 3 mm longjohns wetsuit is the go if you've got one, but a 3mm steamer is okay. And don't try to land on the beach. If you do a downwinder, the wind will be onshore where you finish but it is too dangerous to kite onto the shore.

Ratoc and Kari have reasonable English, good enough at least. Most of the fishermen here don't, and they would have no idea of the danger to them if they do the wrong thing, so I don't use them. These guys are both friendly. They charge me Rp 100,000.

Usually the wind is best between about 11 and 3, but the guys are reluctant to come before 1230. That suits me anyway, and if it actually is a good wind, it usually hangs in until 5 or so, if not all bloody night. If you want them at say 11, you'll need to arrange it the day before. Use SMS as messages get a bit mixed on the phone. And if you don't turn up, pay them anyway, please, or my life will turn to crap. $11 ain't a lot of money. And if the wind doesn't blow, the joyride is worth $11 anyway.

Give it a spin. It is worth it just for the backdrop. If you are coming with a non kiter, he or she might enjoy the boatride as well, but there's no shade of course. Or biccies or any niceties.

Any other questions? If so, send me a private message perhaps. I'm happy to help. I'll be back in Perth when you get here though.

Dazza.