Go fly a KITE!

Hidden in the quiet village of Morjim is a panacea for the soul. Montego Bay, which has become synonymous with the Morjim Beach as an exclusive address… where kite surfing began in Goa years ago. Sailing upwind is what brings many wide-eyed adventures to this beach front. It’s a wonderful tale that had its beginnings on a bright sunny day in 2008 when Britisher Philippe Dartnell walked on this quiet expanse of beach with lulling waters and level sands, and felt spectacular winds. He sauntered to the only haven on it, Montego Bay, a Goan resort, and met Alvin Fernandes, the affable owner. They struck up a kite surfing conversation and it became a phenomenon that has now credibly become an address where hopeful novices try their hand at this sport, with the kite strapped on, balancing on a board with the wind dictating their swoops and turns. Dartnell has taught over 800 people since he started teaching here, and the resort’s lap is where lessons run through the season, with many students opting to stay for the course — anticipating, adventurous and hopeful of being able to master this difficult sport.

Depending on the wind strength, there are groups of students learning how to conquer the water and air with an impeccable sense of balance. Of course, many clumsily fall into a heap in the sand many a time as this is not a sport for everyone. A sense of balance and coordination is key. “The breeze on the Montego Bay beach has become even better since kite surfing or boarding was started. It’s quiet, undisturbed and flat, which makes it great for kite surfing. Philippe has been teaching so many students, and it’s been over 10 years now that we have become synonymous with the sport,” says Fernandes. The beach incidentally also offers dolphin rides, fishing trips, and come end of November, if you are lucky, an opportunity to spot turtles laying their eggs — The Olive Ridley turtles await, only if you are fortunate, though.

The kite surfers’ paradise
Dartnell, a profession and champion wind surfer has been busy since 1979 doing it on his own. He brought kite boarding to the Bay when he spotted a kite flailing high up in the sky, manoeuvred by a tiny human riding the waves below.  The curiosity led him to his new profession. He began in 2001 teaching power kiting and kite land boarding in the UK. In 2006, Philippe returned to Goa to set up the first kite surfing school in India, and became certified as an IKO (International Kite boarding Organisation) Instructor. Today, his school gets students from across the world and has certified hundreds of students since. “I went to England after I saw someone kite boarding and bought myself a kite, learnt it myself, did a few courses, and got certified at the International Kiteboarding Organisation as an instructor, and was the first to learn and teach it in Goa.” Though the sport is not for the fainthearted, and Philippe says, it needs immense patience, and most importantly, “they must know how to swim in open waters for at least 200 metres. As invariably as a beginner, you land up in a heap. Getting the kite and you back can be a difficult task! So it’s important to know how to swim in open water.” The pristine beaches beckon you, and its aquamarine waters are wonderful for a swim with an untouched exuberance that other parts of Goa might not have. Today, Montego Bay is a kite surfers’ haven and the hustle and bustle of expectant learners getting their moves right is a sight to see. A place to get a piece of heaven on a seafront, away from the madding crowd, many students, exhausted after rigorous training can be seen basking and doing what is apt: A bit of beach bumming!

“I usually teach two courses, one is a 10-hour certified course and the other is a certification on different levels, which once completed, IKO certifies them, and they can learn the next level at any kite boarding school across the world, it is similar to a Padi system,” explains Philippe of his school http://kitesurfinggoa.com. On any given Sunday, or any day for that matter, there are newbie students ready with their kite to get lessons from their instructor, who is very patient. It’s quite a sight to see the adventurous novices try their hand at learning to use the wind on golden sands first, before going into the water. Of course, with their instructor by their side, they proceed almost gingerly towards the lapping waters… only to splash ungainly and flap about for help as the kite surfing gear gets into a tangled mess. But, learn, they do!

It can be a bit overwhelming, as the winds race and you’re left wondering what you did wrong. The trick is to listen carefully, follow simple instructions. Soon you’ll be kite surfing the waves with confidence, or even a tad apprehensive, but enthused at the freedom to walk on water. It’s tiring, and the power of the wind can be underestimated as if you get it right, you can literally scour the sea in jumps! Finish that class, brush off the sand, and rest in a cabana for some more instructions as Alwin Fernandes joins in, regaling you with stories of kite surfing gone wrong or wonderfully right, or just order a nice refreshing lemon-pudina smoothie. It’s a tough lesson, and you’re hungry as a horse. Order the famed xiit kodi and sausage fry or walk out to the village ahead, and get a meal at the small bars that offer meals. “My students are the get-it-on-your-bucket-list learners who want to experience it once, and the other is a more serious learner who’d like to finish levels, and is passionate about the sport,” explains Philippe, who adds, “I usually take them out into the water first, attached to me, and once they are confident, they go out on their own. The thrill is phenomenal and sort of addictive. There are students who are jumping 30 to 40 feet high in the sea, or surfing the waves. Once you learn it, it’s awesome… but it is one of the most difficult sports to master as you are dealing with two elements, water and air. We see a 40 percent Indian clientele and a 60 percent international clientele coming to learn.”

Montego Bay also had a Sailing Regatta for the Indian Sailing Week earlier that saw a confluence of kite surfers gather to learn. With colourful kites dotting the blue skyline, it was beautiful. The students also love the green haven and usually opt for tents and cabins there, so that they are up bright and early for a lesson, and to catch the wind when its roaring! The sheer exuberance of conquering the high seas, jumping over waves and twisting and turning across the water is something that is fast emerging as a trend for the eclectic adventurer, and with a bit of training, you can master that walk on the waters yourself.