Brazil Kiteboarding

Shane · Since 19 Sep 2009 2 Posts New Member

I am headed down to Brazil this November. Looking for advice for spots to hit and accommodation, preferably on the cheaper side. So far I am thinking of spending time in Cumbuco and Jericoacoara. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

Do a search on kookforum, I mean kiteforum if you haven't already. Sounds fun.

nickdward · Since 11 Aug 2008 130 Posts Seattle Stoked

Hey shane, you're going to have a hell of a time! I just finished a 2 week trip to Ceara (currently in the Amazon).

I spent a few days in cumbuco, a week + in Ilha do Guajiru, and 4 days in Jeri.

The basic rule of thumb is as you go north it gets more windy. Cumbuco will be mostly around 10 or 9m, with an occasional windier day and Jeri will be small kite...I brought a 5.5m and 9m on my trip and kited everyday.

Cumbuco is jam packed with kiters and a fun place to party. The lagoons are crowded, but nice flat water, with some ok little waves in the ocean. The biggest attraction is proximity to the airport.

Ilha do guajiru is about 2.5 hours north of fortaleza and an hour south of jeri. The wind is strong (people mostly on 7s, but I was good on 5.5m everyday). It's a lot more quiet, as the kiting pousadas are a 5 minute drive from the main town, Itarema, and it's not a huge party scene. You'll spend all of your time right there at the beach, so this is a great spot to go to for relaxing and kiting non stop.

If you stay there you should get in touch with David at windyaddiction.com. He is a Canadian who has spent time a fair amount of time in the Gorge. His pousada has a nice family vibe...dinners are at a big table with all of the guests. I've met a lot of great friends there. the rates are very good, and if you talk to him about getting a transfer from fortaleza or cumbuco, you'll get a much better deal than with anyone else.

The key to Ilha do Guajiru is to go when there are high tides during the day, so if you want to stay a week, arrive when high tide is around 10am, and it will change an hour each day, giving you plenty of water for the whole week. You ride in an "inland sea" which has great flatwater, and you can also cross over to the ocean or do sweet downwinders through mangrove lagoons. There are some awesome secret spots he'll show you, and he's currently trying to build a slider.

Jeri is a great party scene and many brazilians go there for vacation. The kiting within walking distance isnt great...really gusty, so you'll mostly be taking buggy rides to lagoons or up to Prea for a downwinder, for example. I'd suggest going to Jeri on a thursday and staying until sunday. Other than thurs-saturday, the town is quite dead, so you might as well be somewhere with more convenient kiting. In Jeri I'd suggest not reserving a pousada, just show up and everyone will come out to offer you a room...ask around for the best price and nicest room.

Paracuru is another cool spot, and the waves are a bit nicer. the downside is that you have to take a taxi from the town to the kiting spot everyday, so it adds a cost and inconvenience.

Everytime I've gone to Brazil (this was my 4th time) I've started out at Ilha do Guajiru because I know Dave and it's easy to make arrangements with him (responds to emails, speaks english, really friendly, etc). Staying with him I've always met several other guys who want to travel to the next spot, so I'll share the cost of a transfer and pousada. Ive met some great lifelong friends doing this. From there I usually head to Jeri, then back to Guajiru for a day or two, then stop at cumbuco for a few days before heading back to the airport.

wylieflyote · Sat Sep 17, 11 3:15 pm

Shane,
I arrive at Ilha du Guahira (sp) on Nov 17 or 18, leave Dec 14. Also first time in Brazil. PM me if our schedules match.
Kip

Shane · Since 19 Sep 2009 2 Posts New Member

Thanks for all the great info! How hard is it to find accommodation when you are down there ? Do you generally need to book your accommodation far in advance for Cumbuco and Ilha do Guajiru?

wylieflyote · Sun Sep 18, 11 2:54 pm

Go to the Industry Soap Box section of Northwest Kite. Several Seattle kiters will be here basically from October to March. It's $30 a night with breakfast included. David has donated many weeks at the pousada to the auctions at KB4C over the years, and helped raise many thousands of dollars (so please forgive my promoting industry in this non-industry portion of NWK this one time):
http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-23939.html&highlight=windyaddiction

Kip