Hey everyone!
I just got back from Kite Surfari in FNQ and had an amazing week coaching some riders from all over the country. We had wind 6/7 days and had an absolutely fantastic time. If you haven't been there, I really suggest going up. The kiting is sensational as the lagoon is even better than it was last year and the food/hospitality is second to none. I believe there are a few spots left in August so email ant (at) australiankitesurfari (dot) com (dot) au or head to www.australiankitesurfari.com.au/ to get in touch with them.
I know some people really want to go overseas to kite, but honestly, with a spot like that in your back yard, you need to go at least once - you definitely won't regret it. When the flat water is on it rivals Brazil and Sri Lanka for kiting quality (both of which I have been to).
A massive shoutout to Paully and Ant for giving my guests such an amazing trip.
Here's a shot from last year during golden hour :)
Elliot, it has indeed been a great trip. Luckily I bought an 8 m a few minutes before getting picked up. Initially I thought I will only use it one day but in the end I used it for four days. The other great thing about this trip was that we became a nice group of friends rather than just kiting on our own. The setup was definitely helping. There was nobody there but us and the dogs, having breakfast , lunch and dinner together (dogs separate :=) around the same one big table. Oliver's stretch/yoga sessions every morning were great too.
I'll put up a shot or two a bit later on.
Thanks guys! Great trip.
It sounds like you guys had fun. My understanding is that it's mostly flat water. Did anyone find a wave to ride?
A few waves (wind chop waves, still good fun ) on the other side of cape Bedford. (Approx 15min beach and sand track drive )
Ask Ant and he will happily take you over there ... Well at least he did when I was there.
Truly had an awesome time up at Ant and Paullys.
Heaps of wind with a flat water lagoon to play in, lashings of great food, comfortable accommodation, hot showers every night, friendly dogs to play with and the place all to your self.
Do yourself a favour and banish yourself to kite heaven a millions miles away from everything!!
Had a great trip up to Ant and Paully's Tank town for the clinic with Elliot.
Well worth a trip up, the transfer from Cairns brings you to a near abandoned part of QLD where for us the wind blew 80% of the days for 24hrs a day.
The wind was very consistent, I only ever pumped one kite a day and was able to ride consistently all day on whatever size I chose for the morning conditions.
Tank town is very welcoming with clean accommodation out of the wind and as others have said a pack of super friendly dogs to welcome you. More food than you could dream of eating available and although you could go there to get away from it all, there is the odd pocket of reception available to make those much needed calls and photo uploads.
The kiting are in front of the camp is flatwater with chop coming in once the tides start getting high. Bit of reef and sandbars to look out for but just ask Ant and he'll gladly point out where to avoid in the low tide and where is best for practising trips.
The clinic with Elliot was definitely worth the extra bucks. He watched and analysed our kiting, always willing to kite up to you and give tips whilst on the water as well as taking the time to do video analysis in the evenings. His explanations and demonstration of techniques were easy to follow and improved my kiting greatly.
I for one would/will gladly make the trip back up to Ant and Paully's and I'll be looking at doing the clinic again next year.
So, this is my first post. I'm making this effort because I really believe Kitesurfari is a special place. I have been there twice now and should be on your "to do" list if you love kiting. You can seriously kite as much as your body lets you. Some days are bit lighter than others so take your big kites too. I found it helpful learning in mixed conditions. Ant and Paully are awesome hosts willing to help you out in any way they can. The food is always good and plentiful. Yes there are dogs there, they are really friendly and loved following me for a morning walk. You have the place all to yourself and can kite any tide. Its also great to intetact with like minded individuals. There's something unique about watching people push themselves and progressing. At low tide buggying is great fun and quite addictive. As mentioned, there is reef section, just dont do major tricks around it and you'll be right. Hopefully I will go there again and again....
Questions (potential client later):
* How many kites can you actually take? Limits on baggage?
* What about repairs in case of a tear or blown valve/bladder? Does Ant fix kites?
* What's the food really like? I cannot stand this cold salads and cold hams/meats crap. I want a hot proper meal at the end of the day and a beer.
* Is there a lot (I mean like Yeppoon beach) of sand for the opportunity to do a land kite? I am not into buggys, just land boards
* What about crocs?
* Medical requirements? What if you need to go by ambo to a hospital?
Just honest questions
-Connor
Select to expand quoteColoColo said...
Questions (potential client later):
* How many kites can you actually take? Limits on baggage?
* What about repairs in case of a tear or blown valve/bladder? Does Ant fix kites?
* What's the food really like? I cannot stand this cold salads and cold hams/meats crap. I want a hot proper meal at the end of the day and a beer.
* Is there a lot (I mean like Yeppoon beach) of sand for the opportunity to do a lad kite? I am not into buggys, just land boards
* What about crocs?
* Medical requirements? What if you need to go by ambo to a hospital?
Just honest questions
-Connor
I will attempt an answer as I have been three times but bear in mind I have not been in the last 4-5 years but from everything I have heard it has only gotten better. Particularly as we were in tents the few times I went.
1) no limit to the amount of kites (within reason ) I took three two 8m ( one as a backup) and a 12m
2) don't think Ant repairs kites.... You should be able to repair your own but if you are not sure I have no doubt between everyone there it would get fixed. There is a fair bit of camaraderie up there.
3) food is awesome ... Yes hot meals. I cannot stress this enough I was never hungry which is saying a lot when you kite 8 hours a day. There was also plenty of beer but I also took some coopers.
4) mid to low tide there is anywhere from 50 -150 or more of tidal flat sand stretching at least a km in each direction... Again this may be different now but from Ants book face pics it looks the same.
5) Crocs are around I saw 1 in 18days total... Most of the kiting is in ranges from ankle/waist deep clear water to as deep as you like.
6) hospital.... Just hope you don't need one in a real hurry but I'm pretty sure if it was a major emergency a heli could easily get to you (if there is one in Cooktown ) in 30min.
Failing that I have seen Ant drive like Fangio.
I honestly couldn't fault the experience hence why I went three times in 12months (2 seasons )
Only reason I haven't been back in the last few years have been two young kids now but may get up there again next year.
^ pretty much nailed it. I hung out there for three months last season, originally planned for a couple of weeks. Won't get back this season as I'm working in egypt and the kiting here is....acceptable, will be back next season though.
Only limit on gear is what you can get on the plane.
Food is epic, sure as hell not cold meat and salads. Spit roasts, pizza, curries, lobster if you're lucky, coral trout if you catch it, full English breakfasts, snacks...the food is brilliant.If things get desperate they have a pig there to put on the spit. Paulie will argue that that's not what the pig is for but we all know it is, tasty looking bugger.
Low tide there is heaps of room to landboard, can get a nice little 1-2km circuit going if you're alright at it.leave camp, go upwind, out to the reef, tear downwind along the reef then back across to camp.
Don't worry about crocs. During winter they hang around in the rivers. Remote chance of seeing a juvenile and they make good sliders.
If you get in to trouble there is phone reception so they could call a heli in and Ants new bus could get you out most of the time anyway.
Just go, it's incredible, you won't regret it. Ant and paulie are awesome. Claude, George, tinka and the gremlin are fantastic dogs. The pig is piss funny if you're there for less than three months. The kiting is reliable and if you happen to get a no wind day you can go fishing or in to cooktown which is good fun. Seems to attract a really good mob too, everyone I met there was awesome.
Oh and it's legit value for money unlike a lot of kite trips.
Awesome pic Elliot 
It seems you guys are missing some pics.. Even though I haven't been for a couple of years I completely agree with Harry Potter and Elliott - the place is AMAZING and Ant and Pauly are SUPERB people. From what everyone says the improvements over the last year have been fantastic and Ant and Pauly are continuously making it a better experience, may they be blessed (by ME) LOL..
Here's a few photos for your delight (frothing)https://www.facebook.com/SirVV/media_set?set=a.10150370255201018.402471.619161017&type=3
www.facebook.com/SirVV/media_set?set=a.10150342635366018.395270.619161017&type=3
www.facebook.com/SirVV/media_set?set=a.10150370131976018.402444.619161017&type=3
Enjoy.. remember, it's much better now :) so you're in luck..V
Haha pig is gone. Who knows where...
Yeah great photo Matty - it was awesome shooting with you.
We didn't see any crocs and I have never worried about them up there. I'd bring 7, 9, 12 or similar as a quiver - good chance you'll use them all. I rode my 9 most of this trip and could have been on a 7 at times easily. If you hate dogs then you'll probably feel a bit uncomfortable as there are now 7, but if you hate dogs you're a bad person anyways so spare them of your presence ahaha.
Freedom just did this write up from our trip
www.freedomkitemag.com/kite-all-winter-in-far-north-qld/?utm_content=buffer8f182&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer#sthash.YJ7eU0P8.dpuf
Select to expand quoteDrury said..
Haha pig is gone. Who knows where...
Yeah great photo Matty - it was awesome shooting with you.
We didn't see any crocs and I have never worried about them up there. I'd bring 7, 9, 12 or similar as a quiver - good chance you'll use them all. I rode my 9 most of this trip and could have been on a 7 at times easily. If you hate dogs then you'll probably feel a bit uncomfortable as there are now 7, but if you hate dogs you're a bad person anyways so spare them of your presence ahaha.
Freedom just did this write up from our trip
www.freedomkitemag.com/kite-all-winter-in-far-north-qld/?utm_content=buffer8f182&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer#sthash.YJ7eU0P8.dpuf
wow, lagoon looks way better then last year!
Ant invited me to come up and see all the changes, which are amazing. Last time I was there about 6/7 years ago we slept in tents, and it was more of a camp site. Now Kitesurfari is 4 star glamping, its still a massive adventure in a very remote part of Oz, amazing natural scenery is the backdrop to every view. Water is the same a bit discoloured when its windy (most of the time), but it has something for everyone, even me who took a 5'4" Vanguard, there were small wind chop runners right in front of the camp, and thats where I spent a couple of sessions everyday. Anyone on a TT had heaps of options, but most days they were spent in one of the lagoons getting some practice or tips and instruction from Elliot Drury. Met and got to know some great people, Goz the firebug, Greg the pilot, Adrian the professor, Sean the Doctor of madness, and Alex the playboy, and we had Ollie Jacobs from Freedom Kitemag, as well as a couple of locals Duncan the vet and his family. Do yourself a favour and book a winter getaway. Notice how we are all kiting in boardies and rashies? Meals, lets just say you will not go hungry, and all food types are catered for even vego and allergy.
Pics probably speak a thousand words, so here's a few...
A typical bedroom, yes you sleep in total comfort in proper beds
Central meeting room for the odd rain shower, chilling in between sessions, and limited internet (3G)
Main kitchen living area, bedroom tanks are off to the side, some are literally adjacent and others are behins these ones, I think there are about 10 tanks in total, plus showers/bathrooms/toilets (his and hers)
The main entrance
South view, this is high tide, there is a nice lagoon here at low tide
North view and buggy beach area, massive lagoon beyond, this is where a lot of the pics of elliot are taken.
The gang of 5, the other 2 dogs are an older golden retriever and a small fluffy terrier with a funny overbight. Very friendly and entertaining. These 5 are all rescued from starvation and cruelty and love the chief Ant!
View from the North showing how well the camp is protected and blends in with the dunes.
Ant and Paullys magic benchtop
Elliot Drury in his office
Yeah Elliot
More Elliot goodness
Alex Leslie
Elliot B&W carve in a tiny lagoon
Osprey
Alex Leslie again
Sean the Doc, heading back for a smaller kite
Instruction time
Which kite will I use this session?
Goz cooling off
Greg the pilot taking off
Yeah that bench with a fisheye this time, yours truly lower left ready to catch the camera!!
Select to expand quoteTerryMcTool said..
Ant invited me to come up and see all the changes, which are amazing.
Freaking awesome place Terry! Thanks for the pics. They really show the laid-back look and feel for the place and it's pure kite surfing nirvana with all that wind. Now to convince the misses to forget Cocos and all those overpriced places (Sri Lanka was our other option).
What if you don't have a small enough kite? My smallest is 12m.
Do what Adrian did, he purchased a used 8M Park from a local cairns person, we had to wait a few minutes at 5.30am while the 2 of them did the exchange haha! You will definitely need a smaller kite. I'm 80kg and I used my 7 on 2 days, my 10 on 1 and my 9M on the other 2 days. I only used the 10M because someone stole/borrowed my 9M. You will need at least an 8/12
Interior but distorted view of Kitesurfari's very comfy new 4WD bus for the trip up. First stop is just outside of Cairns where we meet a local mobile coffee van and pick up and excellent coffee, then its a 2-3 hours till the next break, then one more leg to Cooktown for last minute supplies that customers might want, then its 45 mins on dirt roads through Hopevale and down to the beach where we do a transfer to another 4WD and trailer for the 6klms up the beach to camp. We were all kiting by 2pm on the first day!!
I think the coolest part about that place is that wet sand they are standing on in pic 5 from the bottom (I think), is freshwater! So cool. If you if you were stranded there is no shortage of fresh up there!
Australian Kite Surfari is amazing! Warm and windy right now! Our editor just did a week there with Elliot and it is indeed magic as everyone says.
For more pics and a run down on this slice of paradise please view:
"So the majority of Aussie kiters right now are becoming depressed…. our skin is getting itchy from the icy off shore winds, your summer white sock tan is slowly taking over the rest of your body as you try to find comfort on your time off indoors watching mind numbing TV serials. Your once perfectly kite sculptured body and tiger like kite tuned reflexes wither away, into just another flabby, pasty white skinned zombie on your way to work…."
- See more at: www.freedomkitemag.com/kite-all-winter-in-far-north-qld/#sthash.wq4i67xb.dpuf
"A windy winter escape doesn’t mean you have to leave Australia. While the bottom half of the country shivers through the dark days of winter the top end enjoys warm, long, trade wind-filled days. No one has captured it better than Australian Kite Surfari."
- See more at: www.freedomkitemag.com/far-north-east-australia-australia-kite-surfari/#sthash.EBN967G5.dpuf
Totally agree with the above, spent the week in the care of Ant's incredible hospitality. Honestly if you like bacon, dogs and kiting everyday then this is the place for your next mid year kiting trip. The accomodation here is super comfy and as previously said the food is amazing.
Heres a little clip of riding in the lagoon, the wind is super consistent and the water is super flat in the good tides, perfect for practicing freestyle and freeriding. The only thing i'd say is you probably get the most out of this location on a twin tip, as the only swell produced is the windswell (courtesy of the Great Barrier Reef). If the wind is light then there are two buggies which you can scream around on which is great to work on your overall kites skills.
If you want a hassle free kite holiday with plenty of time on the water this winter then i can't recommend Australian Kitesurfari enough.
If you are thinking of going up to Australian Kite Surfari...think no longer, I had the opportunity to go up for the 2017 Cabrinha dealer testing meeting and it was awesome!! The lagoon has super flat conditions for both the beginner and experienced with wind most days!! From the minute we arrived Ant and Paully were super friendly and helpful, The rooms are very comfortable and happy hour drinks are cheap!! (ie BYO) Ant did a great job in the kitchen serving up some great food everyday.
The fishing is also awesome for a change of pace!!
I would recommend this trip to any one looking at a low cost kite trip!
looks ideal except...
has anyone got pics of the water actually being flat? I mean flat like what I call flat. Looks choppy as hell in all the photos and even that video above, maybe a small section of flat water ..maybe. Please i want to be proven wrong as I'd like to go.
Select to expand quoteeppo said..
looks ideal except...
has anyone got pics of the water actually being flat? I mean flat like what I call flat. Looks choppy as hell in all the photos and even that video above, maybe a small section of flat water ..maybe. Please i want to be proven wrong as I'd like to go.
The first pass in the clip shows the "flatness" of the water in the main lagoon at mid tide. Its definitely not super flat like say Woodies along the shoreline, but its definitely within the definition of flat in my opinion.
The rest of the area outside of the lagoons is windblown, and on the days I was there this year it was windy most days. I used a 7M on 2 days and a 9M on 2, with a day I used a 9 and a 10 (but could have been on the 9). Away from the lagoons its obviously water affected by that much wind, the 7M days it was quite choppy and on the section where it is onshore there were half meter windchop waves breaking which I was getting barrelled in.
Just my opinion but a week up there was way better than a week back home where there was no kiteable wind and it was fairly cold!
I agree with TerryMc - the wind is always cross onshore so if the water is deep over the sandy lagoon - ie high tide there will be chop ! In the deeper water outside the reef its choppy so fun to use the little waves as ramps for back rolls etc - but its not surf - far from it.
As the tide drops and the water gets shallower the smoother it gets over the lagoon areas - right down to the point where it is smooth but very shallow.
There is no upwind sandbar (at least there wasn't when I was there last year) to kite behind so its not like Sandy Point (Wilsons Prom) smooth.
Ant has picked an amazing spot - it is truly special and worth a visit (but don't expect surf at the camp location)
Ant offered to takes us for a drive to the 'south beach' - its a beachcombers paradise and on the way the views are awesome !! - at the south beach there is a short wind swell but we didn't bother to play in that.
The photos above pretty much give you an idea of what to expect :-)
I agree with most of what has been written however if you dont take the biggest kite you own you will be sorry...IMO .
Been twice. Will go again but both times i needed the 17 mt and i am 75 kg.
