Top 10 things to be aware of on Kite Beach Cabarete

Top 10 things to be aware of on Kite Beach Cabarete

1. The only place a "normal" person can have a problem is on the Road. *(click here to avoid road problems)
2. Never brush your teeth with tap water. * (click here to avoid the Caribbean Stomach Funk.
3. Very Sexy girls alone in a bar are working.
4. A finger wag is the most effective way to say "no thank you".
5. Cacao, Cigar, Mamajuana, Rent-a-friends, Massage sales people will not stop selling until you give them the finger wave.
6. Cash is king, but don´t "change" money at bars. Change money at Caribe Express,
bring your passport.
7. Paddle Board early, Sunrise is the best.
8. Kite late, Sunset is the best.
9. Two dollars is a good rate when paying kids to pump up and derig your gear
10. Ten dollars an hour is a good rate if you need a kid to rig, launch, bring your kite back up wind.

Wave Action Starts for kite Beach Cabarete

Waterman Winter continues

Advanced Waterman Alert...Looks like Wave Riding Action most of next week (March 8th to the 13th). Look for Swell to start hitting manana with a 57 percent chance of strong Westerly Winds Monday at Sunrise. These winds will give way. Tuesday through the Weekend looks solid for Sunrise wave Riding SUP action with a 62% chance of Late Great Kite Action...contact me for coaching, rentals and tours

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/east/carb/flash-wv.html

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/learn-to-kite/id569331917?mt=11

Windy Christmas for Kite Beach Cabarete

Windy Christmas...wow, it continues to be windy on Kite Beach Cabarete mainly because of an extremely late season Tropical Low Pressure System spinning off shore of Columbia and Panama. These type Tropical Lows bring 24 wind to Kite Beach Cabarete. They also draw moisture passing to the North back onto the North Shore of the DR. This is why there are so many evening and morning showers. This trend works well for Kiters here on Kite Beach Cabarete, not so nice for SUP and Surf wave riders but really nice for SUP Touring because the cloud cover and scattered rain keep things cool. For Kite and SUP Coaching, Rentals, Lessons and Tours contact me.

Wow...loto wind...now waves

After 2 1/2 years of solid wind we finally got some Surf and with Surf comes rain...but wow the last years were awesome kite action. Endless down winders with no threat of rain, just strong winds and clear skies...the down side was no waves, we had a drought and the wind blew our beach away. Those days are gone, the rain came and with the rain came a loto surf, big beaches and cooler temps. Now we are back in a Surf mode so look for quality winds 5 days a week with good Surf action 3-5 mornings a week. Moderate cloud cover and ample rain should continue.  

Learn to Kite, Kite boarding Lesson #4

Kite Beach Wind, Learn to Kite, Kite boarding Lesson #4

Learn to SUP, Paddle Boarding Lesson

Learn to SUP, Paddle Boarding Lesson

Kite Lesson #3, Kite Lines

Kite Lesson #1

Kite Lesson 2

Waterman Rules

Generally Watermen (and Watergirls) are ruled by the Laws of Nature and simple Physics. The reason is because they operate in "Near Shore Waters" on rugged Windward Coasts.  The Appropriate Regulatory Agency almost never have the Time, Money, Desire, Experience or Equipment to patrol World Class Wind and Wave spots.

With that said there are "Guidelines" Watermen should follow. Here is #1

1. Let the Conditions Dictate ride Location, Style and Equipment

Watermen should realize spots like Kite Beach Cabarete have Large Channels and a number of quality Breaks which work perfectly for SUP Wave Riding and Kiting . Beaches like Enquentro don´t have this feature (Large Channels).

So what is Enquentro? Enquentro is a World Class Surf and Advanced Kite Surf Spot!

Kite Beach is a World Class SUP and Kite Spot. The reasons why are obvious to Watermen.  

Enquentro does not really have a "Kite scene" but certainly does have a strong "surf scene".
Kite Beach has a strong "Kite Scene" and a small but growing "SUP Scene" .

As "scene´s" grow guidelines often become rules. Rules generally don´t work because again,  Ocean Athletes operate in Near Shore Waters which are Regulated by Federal Agencies like the Marine Patrol, Coast Guard, Marinia or Army Corps of Eng.. These Federal Agencies don´t have time or resources to deal with a dozen salty´s bitching and moaning about another salty taking their wave. Local authorities simply don´t have the jurisdiction.

So "Rules" almost always lack Enforcement, but it could be a bit irritating to prove this point and it´s not what Watermen spend their time doing. Watermen advance Kite, SUP, Surf and Spearfishing while finding the appropriate spot for the days action.

People on the beach making "Rules" should understand a few basics:
1. Those who are already doing a sport should ALWAYS be "Grandfathered" or "Permitted" to continue riding the Ocean the way they chose and where they chose. To approach a Waterman with a new rule about his sport is actually a "Crime against all Ocean Athletes" and brings much same to the "rule makers".

2. A Lesson is defined by the exchange of money for services. Traditionally the "Art of Wave Riding" and "Ocean Education" is passed from the Father through the generations. So if no "money" is being exchanged no "commercial lesson" is happening.  Again...approaching a Waterman passing on Ocean Culture to his crew is criminal. 

3. Don´t be "that Guy" who banned the "next" Ocean Sport...especially if you have no idea what this next sport is going to be!

For a good fictional read about "Watermen" check out my latest book The Waterman

If you want to rent Executive SUP or Kite Storage on Kite Beach  contact me
If you want more info or you want to Learn to Paddle Board contact me

pages from the Book

Kite Beach Cabarete has been lucky this winter, we have had quality Morning Surf with Great Kite Wind coming in late...fortunately this pattern looks like it will hold through next week. Mainly because the Winter Low Pressure Systems are Lifting as they pass through Florida. This action gives Kite Beach Cabarete quality SUP and Kite conditions with out heavy weather and driving rain. Looks like this pattern will continue through next week with the next swell hitting our reef at Sunrise, Sunday Morning. Waves and Whales are here so Let´s Paddle!

Ladies day SUP Club Sup river, cabarete

Method SUP Club this Thursday is for the Ladies. we start off with a tour through the Tropical Garden and Orchard. Then some SUP action on the Jungle River followed by an Organic Lunch on the river ...$20usd includes, gear, lesson and lunch

Dream SUP and Kite Job

1.1 million usd
A Hostel and a BnB on the National Park Side of the Property and over 50´x 250´ feet of Kite beach Frontage on the beach side of the property is for sale. All 3 properties have individual titles. These properties together make for the ultimate SUP and Kite Resort, with one side of the property on the SUP Lagoon, the other side on the Kite Beach divided by the Beach Road. The Kite and Paddle Board Tours and Schools are set up and jamming on the adjacent property. Those serious about purchasing these property should have:
1. BnB Marketing and Management experience or desire.
2.  Construction Experience
3. Operating income

The BnB and Hostel are complete (new construction) the beach side has a dated 2 story building which is scheduled for demolition or it can be remodeled. 

These properties together can become the Ultimate Paddle Boarding Kite Hotel and a jem for some lucky group or individual.

Method Lodge, Kite beach Cabarete - getting there

Welcome to the Method Lodge, home of the KITEs Method.

All our accommodations are steps from the Kite Beach and the Kite Beach Lagoon/ National Park.

The World Famous Kite Beach Cabarete is only 20 minutes from the (POP) Puerto Plata International Airport. If you are unable to to fly into POP you will most likely fly into Santiago or Santa Domingo. Let me tell ya, these airports are far away and driving in the Dominican Republic is not a good idea. Let me put it another way...don´t drive. Although taxi´s and drivers are expensive, it´s worth it...if you don´t want to spend the money, the bus service is excellent, unfortunately a bit limited but Caribe Tours and Metro are bus companies which provide an excellent service for a super low price. 

Taxi´s from POP Airport to Kite Beach are generally $35us or 12oo pesos. The price is not so negotiable, but the drivers have no problem stopping at the Major Supermarket on the way to Kite Beach. Take your time and purchase what you want, buy a soda for the driver and perhaps a trip, but don´t feel pressure to hurry because there is no pressure.
Money
Don´t change money at the airport or the restaurants. It is easy to change money at the Banks and Caribe Express, the exchange rate is much better and unless you got some cheap rental, you don´t have to worry about money getting stolen here on Kite Beach. If you opt for a cheap rental, plan on problems.
Water
All the drinking water and ice comes from bottles. With that said, most people use the tap water to brush their teeth. Don´t do that...the North coast of the DR has so much water that, basically river water is running from the taps.
Wind
Late is great for kiting. The island heats up as the day passes, this air rises, cool trade winds replace the lifting air.  Good kiting action happens 2-7 daily.
Waves
Good surf happens in the am hours. Surf at sunrise.

24 hour wind for Kite Beach Cabarete may spell trouble

Wow, it´s been a good year for kiting Cabarete Kite Beach. We almost have 24 hour a day wind. This is because the Big Winter Storms which continue to pound North America are passing far North of Kite Beach Cabarete. Generally these Winter Storms would take a more North to South Movement, bringing Kite Beach Cabarete Big Northerly Swells, Rain and Lite Winds. Because the Storms  are moving rapidly West to East, Kite Beach Cabarete is getting wind all day and all night because:
1. The Bermuda High is not being Displaced
2. A Southerly is mixing with the Trades.

Because the Storms are so far North of Kite Beach Cabarete, the High Pressure System which brings us our winds ( Bermuda High) is not being displaced. The Southerly (wind before the front) mixes with the Trades to make for nearly 24 hour wind. This is good news for Kiters, but may spell big trouble for Kite Beach in  July and August of 2014. Strong Trade Winds help the sand migrate off kite beach and the North Swell brings Kite Beach Cabarete waves (and new Sand). These North Swells simply are not happening. Instead of having a 50 meter beach this time of year, we have a 15 meter beach. If this cycle continues, there will  be no Kite beach this summer, or a bigger ocean at Kite Beach depending on how you view it. Either way let's hope the storms slow down a bit and turn to the South!

Checking In at the Method Lodge

ahhh...Break fest in Manhattan, Dinner at the Method Lodge, Kite Beach Cabarete.

It´s an easy trip and the Method Lodge is on the Main Road in the Center of Kite Beach, 20 minutes from Puerto Plata Airport (POP) 

Fly in, take a left out of the airport, kite a bit and then enjoy a quality fresh Sea Food Dinner!

 
email us at methodlodge@gmail.com to book your trip

Calm before the Storm for Kite Beach Cabarete

Quality small surf continued to roll into Kite Beach Cabarete as a Large Winter Storm approaches. This Low Pressure System looks will at some point displace the Bermuda High Pressure System which brings Kite Beach Cabarete Trade Winds.  There is a chance that there will be strong trade winds today as the southerly winds before the front mix with the the light winds caused by the heating of the Island.  This Low will bring Large Surf to Kite Beach Cabarete, Big Wave Paddle Boarding is expected by sunrise Tuesday. As the Low Passes there will be one morning of cranking westerly winds...Theese winds are expected Wednesday or Thursday...this will be the only opportunity for good kite action other than late Tuesday!

New Books by John J. Holzhall, Owner Operator of the Method Lodge

It´s Here, it´s up, the latest Fictional Book by John J. Holzhall, owner operator of the Method Lodge.

The Waterman

by John J. Holzhall

Description

The Waterman (fiction)
 Written in "movie format", this is a story of a broke Waterman who decides to tempt fate by diving into a deadly  battle with a Giant Blue Marlin way off shore in the Gulf Stream, aboard a Kite Boat. His battle turns out to be minor compared to the agonizing love he finds.  The Author's insight into Ocean Culture, Coastal Organics, the world's of Spearfishing, Kite, and Paddle Boarding lay the theme for a story of Courage, Addiction, Love, Triumph and Loss like no other book.

Learn to Kite

by John J. Holzhall

Description

This book provides the quickest way to teach and the safest way to learn kiteboarding. This book details kiteboarding gear, areas to kite surf, wind and water. This book was shot on Kite Beach, Cabarete, Dominican Republic.

This book details the KITEs Method and is the 4th book detailing exactly how to kite in a fun safe way.