Sooo.... whats the typical wind strength in winter?
Somebody mentioned a 'solid' 15 knots. Thats not very solid to me as Im a bigger bloke.
Zephyrs website appears to say the same with average wind at 30kph in August.
The flipside could be a US presence will deter even more non-kiting visitors and make the place even more deserted!!! If you want to make sure Our Dear Leaders know what their humble, breeze-addicted citizens think, try [email protected].
Smith is the Defence Minister and MHR for Perth, so any WA comments about how it's our 'special place' - like Fiji or Lord Howe for the east coast -would ring a bell.
Cocos is my favorite kiting holiday destination. Everything positive that has been mentioned here is pretty spot on. However, I would not want to leave people with the impression that you will need your 7 metre kite half the time you are on the island. I take 3 kites and I use them all. 8m, 11m, and Ozone Zephyr 17m. Most people just take one or two kites.
The wind runs in cycles and there can be a light/no wind day or so between cycles.
Last season, Jen and Al had a couple of brand spanking new lightwind kites to demo (North Dyno and Epic Screamer?, I think) and some bigger boards to try as well. The cycle will often include some sessions around the low 20 knots. And just as you should expect, many days I will be riding my 11m kite.
If everyone decided to to bring just one kite and rely on borrowing, demoing or hiring it would not work so well. If you are new to the sport and only have one kite that's fine. If you have 2 bring both for sure. If you have a 3 kite quiver make every effort to bring them all. Bring one board. My opinion.
