winter warm spots

[JimPat]

I am looking for suggestions on places to live this winter. We want warm and windy and American friendly! Has anyone been to Puerto Rico? We appreciate any ideas you guys might have. Thanks

[Luiz]

Jim, I've been to Puerto Rico a few times. San Juan has a very friendly kiting/windsurfing spot right at the city (no waves). The problem is that there is no longer a rental shop in San Juan. Velauno used to rent windsurfing gear. But he is now only renting beginner equipment for lessons.
If you want waves you'll have to travel 1 1/2 to 2 hours west. Nice surf I heard (have not been there). But again no rental shops.
At this time of the year go to Jericoacora, Brazil . Delta has now non stop flights from Atlanta. You'll get there in just 7 hours and will not regret it...

[dtownkiter]

i spent a winter down in St. Croix, USVI...unfortunately it was a few years back and I spent all my time surfing without a kite. good wind and waves can be found on any of the islands. if you are living there i would recommend st thomas or st john. st. croix is a little dicey with crime. st. john would be my top pick. absolutely amazing.

[Paul F]

A windsurfing friend from Puerto Rico sent me to La Parguera when I went to PR for business. He got all nostalgic and homesick when talking about the times he sailed there. Apparently there are lot of little mangrove islands where they sailed towing coolers of beer and picnic supplies. I didn't have enough time to try surfing because it was way on the SW coast and the Intel plant was on the NE side, but I did find a nice shop. It was before kiting so it has been a while.

Google finds some kite shops there. This one give tours of the the mangrove islands.

http://www.blastkiteboarding.com/

[markjohnson]

Try St. Martin. There are quite a few people that kite up on the French side on Orient Beach which is probably the nicest (although somewhat commercialized) beach on the island. There is a kiteboarding/windsurfing shop right on the beach and they give lessons, too. But they don't speak English very well. I know a guy there from New Zealand who could show you some other good kiting spots in that area.
We have stayed on the island many times and could tell you where to stay. You can get a non-stop, direct flight on Sun Country right to the island. 5 hour flight. If the wind doesn't blow you can always wander up to the nude beach at Orient Bay. I, of course, hardly ever go over there.

[RobH]

Bonaire is super easy to get around and we have a Minnesota gal (Ann Johnson) that makes it her home most of the year. Windsurfing flats is excellent while Kiting is off shore with rescue boats. Easy to get around this dutch island, plus the shore diving is some of the best. Barbados is one of my fav's and could be done on a budget as well. It doesnt offer the flat waters that Bonaire has but excellent waves for both windsurf and kiters. Allot more going on as its more developed infrastracture and the Bajun's are friendly and proud people so its one of the lower crime islands in the Carib. Better yet, just get the 46 foot cat and sail the BVI's and we will come visit you for a month or two!