Progresso Yucatan Mexico

fredf · Since 10 Jan 2009 80 Posts Eugene. Or

Does anyone have any advice on this interesting looking destination?
It looks like costs could be way less than in US - at least based on instruction at $60/hr.
What about gear rental and conditions making for a good kite trip?
Thanks.

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

I've not kited at Progresso but I have kited numerous times on west side of the Yucatan at Tulum and Playa de Carmen. For the Yucatan area I always bring at least one big kite and you can expect about 20-30% of the days to have enough wind to kite.

Last year I brought a 14M and a 12M, this year I plan on bringing my 9M and 14M. Bringing a 9M this time as ossasionally the northerlies switch on and they can be stronger.

Lcal · Since 12 May 2011 33 Posts Gresham

We went in April of 2013 for 10 days. I would like to go back again about the same time. Not many people speak English there, so at least some basic Spanish skills are recommended, but you could struggle through with out any. We used VRBO and rented a nice place right on the beach about a mile or so west of the pier. We kited the beach right behind the house. About a mile further west was the main Kite beach where all the locals and students kited. There was a designated area there just for kiters marked with warning signs. The kite school was a couple of houses away from that area. There is a car path on the beach between the water and the houses that runs all the way from Progresso west to a jetty. The wind is mainly from the E or NE but sometimes N which is typically stronger and we even kited one day with a WNW wind which was great. The water is shallow, you could walk out at least 100 yards easily. It is choppy with small wind swell/chop. A little smoother inside but shallow. The beach is littered with pieces of flotsam that washes up and some glass and other crap. Be careful where you walk and put your kite down.
Good wind everyday except one. Rode 12's a couple of days and 8's a couple and 10's the rest of the time. 18-32 MPH is what we saw. Almost fan steady. Really warm water at 84+ degrees. Wind turns on at about 1:00PM every day and blows slowly a little stronger until way after dark. As it is mostly side on wind you will either learn to go upwind quickly or spend a lot of time walking back through the water. Safe to walk in the water barefoot, but on the beach watch where you step.
Progresso has some good places to eat on the Malecon and all around the city. We ate everywhere from little shops to large restaurants. Prices a little less than US. Good Walmart like grocery store just as you come into town from Merida. The city is stretched out along the beach for miles and you would spend a lot of time walking and sweating if you don't have a car. I would really recommend getting a car so you can visit some of the amazing Mayan sites in the mornings or if there's no wind. Many are with in 1/2-2 hours drive. Driving in this part of MX is easy. We had a GPS with MX database and it worked like a charm. Made getting out of Merida and travelling all around the area easy!!
I'll try and post some pics Wednesday morning when I get back home. I also have contact info for a great house on the beach and a contact for really easy private rental car.

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 594 Posts Addicted

Ive been to cozumel for some long stays, it is exposed to the same wind systems as progresso. its a big kite place (as in =>14m kites), and when its on it is a lot of fun. Id say you go to be in a beautiful and sunny place and maybe get to kite. the expense per hour is less, but you'll likely not get wind even half the days and there for will likely spend more money. it is pretty great down there though.

you didn't ask for it, but my advice would be to take lessons near where you will actually be riding at the early part of the wind season. That way you will have some familiarity with your local launch, will hopefully have been introduced to a couple of regulars whom you can ask a couple of questions, you'll see your instructor who you will rest assuredly continue to harass, and if you bring some cold ones and respect the rules you'll likely make some friends pretty quick. Not to mention, you'll have the rest of the summer to graduate from kook status and become part of a nomadic tribe of gypsy freaks that think living in a van down by the river would rule!!

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 899 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

I was just down there for my winter break (Dec 23 to Jan 4) in the Tulum area and way south to Xcalak. I only brought a 12m and only put it up once in Xcalak and was completely underpowered. Basically the wind blew 9-12 mph on a regular basis, and a couple of times came up stronger for an hour as a squall was approaching. I was never "johnny on the spot" with my kite rigged and ready to pounce so I just got denied by being to late for the show several times.

It is a beautiful place to snorkle, beach walk, fish and explore Mayan ruins, but it is not a destination kite venue. If I were to go back to kite I would for sure consider bringing a 17m and that would be the go to kite for most days. Attached a couple of photos to show the visual attraction of the area.

fredf · Since 10 Jan 2009 80 Posts Eugene. Or

I sense that conditions on the north facing shore of the Yucatan peninsula are way better for wind than on the east coast (Cancún, Tulum, Cozumel, etc) so a comparison of areas in all the Yucatan might not be valid.
I speak Spanish so your comment Lcal about communication problems would be an asset for me since I would have an opportunity to use the language.
It appears there are several kite schools in the area which makes me think the wind is consistent. I hate to travel with gear so maybe I could rent; something that is difficult to do in the US because of liability issues.

consumer · Since 28 Nov 2010 406 Posts banned Obsessed

fredf,

I think you are right about the N shore getting more consistent wind. I have been to the East shore a few times and have always wished wind was better. People have told me that Progresso blows like clockwork because of its location.

Sorry I cannot comment on the instruction. It's Mexico anyhow, anything goes.

Lcal · Since 12 May 2011 33 Posts Gresham

Sent you a PM.

senorparker · Since 06 Aug 2009 20 Posts

lcal,

Did you scope out the lagoon just SW of Progresso? The photos from google earth showed a lot of vegetation on the shore, which could make for a tricky launch.

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 594 Posts Addicted

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2026 Posts Windward

We went there 12 years ago,

they didn't really know anything about kites then

We spent about a week there ,murky Golf of Mex. water,

An hour and a half Driving time later,

we spent a month in Playa del Carman (see Windian Pic)

Lighter wind but we give didn't care

fredf · Since 10 Jan 2009 80 Posts Eugene. Or

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 663 Posts Addicted

My wife took a lesson in Tulum in Feb of 2012. The local guys were great to work with and she learned a lot, however I agree with the previous post stating learn where you will kite. My wife had to learn how to deal with the surf break, and while she had fun learning, I think her time on the water here in the Gorge has been the most beneficial towards her current status of up and riding.

During her short time in Tulum she never got to the stage of putting a board under her feet.

Ditto regarding Big Kites. I'm a big guy and rode a 14m RPM exclusively. I was almost always underpowered. When I go back I will take my turbine.

On a side note, a great place to learn is Isla Blanca. Downfalls of this location are stingrays and offshore wind. However if you work with the local school they have a boat available to pick you up, and the location provides for a huge shallow flatwater environment that makes the learning curve extremely quick.

/J

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

OG and Bigjohn, you guys have me thinking I now need to pick up a 17M....

Going to Tulum in 3 weeks with my 14M and 9M (maybe 12), hate getting skunked

decisions, decisions, decisions

senorparker · Since 06 Aug 2009 20 Posts

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 663 Posts Addicted

Jerp,

For Reference, I'm around 250 lbs. My main go to kite in the Gorge is a 12m RPM. I'm regularly flying one of the largest kites on the water.

However, that being said... If I had a turbine with me (about 2 week vacation) it's the kite I would have been flying 90% of the time.

Also, I just got back from extended period in La Ventana (over a month).
I flew:
10M 15% of time
12M 35% of time
14M 35% of time
17M 15% of time

Hope this helps for reference.

/J

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

oh man, you guys drive a hard bargain:) I weigh about 205 and a 9M is normally my go to kite.

will any four line, equal line lenght bar work for the Fat Lady? i'm cheap so wondering if my LF CPR bar will work.

thanks....err, I think:)