Hi guys,
It has now been 4 years I have have been living in Kalpitiya and that’s because it’s a great spot for kitesurfing. I am really fed up of reading everywhere that Kalpitiya is very gusty. People who say that Kalpitiya is gusty, it is because they have been only in Kalpitiya lagoon. The peninsula of Kalpitiya is more than 100 km long and there is excellent wind everywhere.
It is true that in Kalpitiya lagoon, during the summer season, the wind comes from a huge coconut tree area which can affect the wind, however, it is still great compared to other spots! Also, from December to the end of February, beginning of March, it is a thermic wind and it is coming directly from the ocean, so it is a super steady wind!
Last summer season was great, compared to 2016, especially during the months of May and June. During July, August and September we also had good wind but in August we had 5 days without wind! There was also one week in July when the wind was very light, so I had to use my 17 meter kite.
Apart from these days, most of the time I used my Airush Union 10 meters kite (18-20 knots) and in May and June I had to use my 7 meter kite, as during some days the wind was marked at 25 knots. (I am 75 kg)
Apart from the main kitesurfing spot located in Kalpitiya lagoon, there are other kitesurfing spots with SUPER GOOD WIND!
This year I was doing downwinds with friends and clients almost every day. I normally start from Kalpitiya Town, or from Dream Spot and we go to many islands where the wind is great. Sometimes we do 1 hour downwinds, sometimes up to 3 hours!
These are the kitesurfing spots that I enjoy to kite often:
* Vella Island
Vella Island (paradise island) is located approximately 50 min by boat from Kalpitiya and it is the perfect island for kitesurfing! Probably one of the best kitesurfing spots in the world!
BE CAREFUL BEGINNERS DUE TO OFFSHORE WIND, YOU WILL NEED A SAFETY BOAT
Sometimes I do downinds from Kalpitiya to Vella Island (3h), however, I rather recommend to go to Vella by boat.
* Dream Spot
Only 25 minutes by boat from Kalpitiya, Dream Spot is located on the “Dutch bay”, where the wind is very steady. There, there is narrow strip of sand that separates the ocean and Puttalam lagoon. In the lagoon there is flat and shallow water with side shore winds.
I also do downwinds from Kalpitiya to Dream Spot on the ocean. During summer season the ocean is very rough, so when we do downwinds the safety boat can not come with us. However, it is safe to ride on the ocean as there are always onshore winds.
* Puttalam Lagoon Islands
There are many islands on the vast Puttalam lagoon with flat and shallow water. I usually end up on one of these islands for my downwinds.
* Donkey Point
There are probably no other places in Kalpitiya where the wind is so strong and steady as it is on Donkey Point. This spot is located in a cape where you can kite on the ocean. When there is light wind, Donkey Point is where I go, because here the wind is a little bit stronger than in the lagoon.
* Kappaladi Lagoon
Kappaladi Lagoon is a small lagoon with very steady wind and flat, shallow water, located only 30 minutes by vehicle from Kalpitiya. We normally go there either by tuk tuk or motorbike.
My place is a small lodge, kite centre called MARGARITA VILLAGE (www.kitesurfsrilanka.com), however, I am happy to recommend other accommodation who organise downwinds and kite surfing trips to places I mention above . If you stay in one of these places, it means you have chosen well:
FACING DIRECTLY KALPITIYA LAGOON:
Ruuk Village; Sri Lanka Kite School; The Rascals; Valampuri Resort and Sun Wind Beach
FACING THE OCEAN:
Kitesurfing Lanka; Horizon Hotel and Surpoint Sri Lanka
Do not expect Kalpitiya to be full of nightlife and parties. At the moment there is only one place where you can enjoy good music, food and drinks and this is called Lak Laguna Bar, with Jessen and Mitch. They are super cool people and know how to host great parties.
I hope to meet you one day in Kalpitiya and enjoy some kitesurfing with you, for now
Ruben 