By Greg Bertish
It was as if I had arrived in a far away land! The smell of spices in the air, the rickety roads full of pot holes and flustered chickens squawking for cover, the little roadside villages full of vibrant everyday tropical life, and that feeling! You know the one, the feeling of adventure and excitement. The feeling we all dream of as we sit at our office desks or in bumper to bumper traffic on our drive to work.
The dream feeling of wind in your hair, salt on your skin, sun on your face and tropical wind and waves across a white sand beach.
So…..To get from there (your mundane everyday office desk or morning traffic jam), to here (this Dream Island), takes a lot of effort and a secret recipe……
Yes, when I was younger, faster and free it was easy to throw on a back pack, put a kite and board under my arm and blow this joint at a whim or at any last minute invite….
But now it aint that easy….. And I don’t even have a wife and kids ( just yet).
So how do you sell this kiteboarding, surfing adventure to your better half or family for that matter! Actually that’s NO Problem if you do it just right!
Mauritius has always been the South African (poor mans) Hawaii! And yes its had a bad rap from Adventure travellers like me, who have always seen it as a cop out, a tourist trap and an “all inclusive resort package holiday”!
But hell, so what! Now ive done it and guess what? It was bloody fantastic! And this is the perfect angle and destination to get her ( the family) into loving going on holiday with you to Kite and surf destinations. “ Honey, come away with me to a beautiful Tropical Island; only a short flight away; on the beach; warm , clear water, buffet meals; all inclusive land and water sports; GYM, SPA, MASSAGE, KIDDIES CLUB and Facilities………………… and read the small print “cooking surf and world class kiteboarding!” PARDON! SOLD! Thank you very much.
Anyway, as my story was going (and what you will soon experience)…. I arrived in this far away land and was heading south with may gal, in our little island rental car piled high with surf and kite toys.
On thru the little fishing villages we scrambled, over bridges, around mountains , through tunnels and then out into the bays. Beaches lined with Palm and Horse tail fir trees, and grass down to the water or tropical sand. Small islands, point breaks , beautiful little reef setups, a lagoon with water as clear as crystal. I could feel the pulse of the ocean , and my blood and adrenaline began to boil and splutter with excitement and anticipation.
My girlfriends eyes were alight and sparkling blue, as we pulled up at the INDIAN RESORT, the signs displaying SPA, JACUZZI, MASSAGE clearly evoked the same stimulation in her as the sight of the ocean had done to me.
And that Ladies and Gentlemen is the secret. You see, we as kiters, surfers and adventurers, we know the feeling! The call of the “wild” (the call of the ocean, the wind and the waves). We know what that does to us, how that dream entices and lures us away from our 9 to 5 everyday monotony. We know the feeling , and desire that will offer us no hesitation in dropping a few Gs , and taking a week (cos that’s all you need) and just going kiting at the drop of the notion of scoring Big Air, blistering runs or deep throaty barrels.
But you see, your other half and your family don’t know this feeling. And that is why so many avid kiteboarders and surfers, fall by the wayside, and NEVER get to experience the magic of Mauritius. (or any other tropical location for that matter)
So here I am (sorry) here we are…….. On the beach, Spa, Jacuzzi, Massages, palm trees, white sand, warm crystal water, love, romance, quality time………… yaaaaah and the honking 20 knot cross shore and perfect 4 foot lefts peeling across the horizon!
Balance, Boyz Balance. Remember what you put in now, you will get out again tomorrow.
I calculate and weigh it all up; time 4.45 pm I still need to unpack my kit, put in fins etc, pump up, and get on the water……hmmm, that means ill only get in the water at 530 pm for a rushed hour if imp lucky. And where will that leave me with the lady? Not happy, off to a bad start already. So balance and calm is needed…… never easy when conditions are so good. But necessary right now.
So, cocktails by the pool, a dip or two, a sunset to die for doll, and a little lovin before a romantic dinner for two on the terrace over looking the beach. Not half bad actually!
Fast forward >>>>>>>>>>>>
640 am the next morning.
I’m in my rashie, surfboard waxed already. Binocs in hand, I pan the horizon and the lineup. Clean, glassy four to five foot. It’s my time!
A sweet note on the bedside table, a peck on the cheek of my sleeping princess and i'm gone mate!
The beach is still, the sun glimmers over the lagoon and reef and as I paddle, small reef fish dart at every stroke. Three guys out. Locals! “Bonjour, bonjour messieur” I greet as I enter the line-up. Not too friendly, but lets just say we get on amicably and a great uncrowded, barrel filled session is enjoyed by me.
Yes please, island coffee and a full buffet breakfast…… that’s what I'm thinking about as start my paddle back to shore two hours later.
9.28 am. I’m showered and just in time to join my beauty at the breakfast table.
Almost an hour later, feeling very hearty and pretty damn fine, we stroll back to the room to don the cozzies, and collect our books and the goggles.
Yes, balance and foresight my friends. Balance and foresight! You see as we wandered back from breakfast, unbeknownst to my love, my eyes had seen the coming of the South Wester. Just a ruffle, just a breeze, unfelt by mere mortals, unnoticed by most, but enough to get the juices of any kiter going.
Now generally id be off, to hone my tools, set my lines and ready my ride…. But this is not the time to lose the focus. I stay sharp, I time my play.
A little bit of lotion, a little bit of sun. A swim in the pool and a stroll down the beach and even a snorkel in the bay. She is happy, she is smiley, she is loving this place and she is putty in my hands.
Almost lunch time, almost my time. The ocean is stirring the wind is brewing.
A lekker lunch of Mauritian style and proportions. And now is when I play my second hand. I merely suggest that the wind might be good soon and I may go for a kite after lunch. If I do go, I suggest that she goes over to the Spa, as I saw they were offering a special on the Mauritian Massage – and the treat would be on me. Fantastic!…… done deal, I’m her hero, “wow thank you so much!” The afternoon is mine. Seven days of Balance, equalled seven days of epic kiting and surfing for me. I even scored two sessions at the infamous Tamarin Bay; 4 to 6 foot with 5 guys out…Epic!
So that boys and girls is how you play it. For a holiday with your non surfing or kiting partner or family, this is how it must me done. Get them passionate about your passion or the place that best suits your passion. This is the secret recipe to your future kite and surf holidays.
WHY MAURITIUS!?7 Nights all inclusive from around R10 000 p/p/s
Only 4 hrs from SA (Direct flights from CPT/DRB/JHB)
BEST MONTHS: From April till Nov is best for both consistent wind and waves (but this is a year round destination)
SURFING: world class waves directly in front of your resort (One eye Reef) as well as the infamous Tamarin Bay and other fun waves close by.
KITEBOARDING: The Kiting conditions here are perfect! Or as close to perfect as I have ever experienced!
Amazingly consistent cross shore winds, that blow between March and Nov/Dec at an average of 15 to 20 knots nearly every afternoon. A launch site just down the beach or directly in front of your room (depending on the resort you choose). Flat, waist to chest deep water for hundreds of meters, and then perfect peeling left handers (and rights) wrapping and rolling down the point. So if you’re a Master blaster or total beginner , you will be all set here in southern Mauritius. I met beginners from Europe and Pros from Australia, and both groups rated this as the best holiday and kiting set up that they had ever experienced. I would have to agree. And the beautiful thing is, so would my girlfriend!
KITE SPECIAL- valid till end Sept 08Flights from JHB or DRB
Transfers
7 nights Breakfast and Dinner at Indian Hotel
From R9990.00 p/p/s
Information and Bookings: True Blue Surf and Adventure Travel
021 426 0881 ( CPT)
031 573 21 71 ( DRB)
info@truebluetravel.co.zawww.truebluetravel.co.za