MICRO GUIDE : NAMOTU ISLAND, FIJI
BEN WILSON’S KITESURFING INSTRUCTION
After spending years as a team rider for developing his skills and products, Ben Wilson now offers a range of instructional camps, eBooks and private clinics where he continues to share his passion for the sport. Here’s how things roll on Namotu…
For Ben, Namotu Island is where it all began. This is the place he first learned to kiteboard and the place he first merged his love of surfing and kiting to create kitesurfing as we know it today. Now, fifteen years later, Ben hosts his own Jeep Kite School camp where he shares his favourite place and his skills with guests from around the world.
The philosophy behind the Namotu Island Kite Weeks is simple: to provide kiters and their partners the ultimate kitesurfing experience. Each day Ben takes kiting students through a theory session before hitting the water when the trade wind picks up in the afternoons.
Beginner to advanced, these camps attract wave kiters who are looking to perfect technique and make some rapid progression. According to Ben, most students want to focus on kite positioning, riding toe-side, body technique and positioning, transitioning from strapped to strapless, or twin-tip to surfboard, strapless airs and riding un-hooked. For those starting out, Ben’s instructors take charge of the beginners and coach them from the ground up. “The wide expanse of flat water and sandy beach provides an incredible platform for learning plus the boat support means you’re never stranded miles from a hot shower and cold beer,” says Ben.
“ THIS IS THE PLACE BEN FIRST LEARNED TO KITEBOARD AND THE PLACE HE FIRST MERGED HIS LOVE OF SURFING AND KITING TO CREATE KITESURFING AS WE KNOW IT TODAY”
Non-kiters are also welcome and the island boasts a range of activities such as kayaking, surfing, snorkelling, wakeboarding, sailing and fishing. Nikki Fogden-Moore (The Vitality Coach) co-hosts the weeks, providing alternatives for girlfriends and stretch sessions for tired muscles.
The Island itself is located a 30 minute boat ride from the west coast of Fiji, positioned near some of the region’s best surf and kiting spots. Namotu is just 15 minutes from Cloudbreak and at the centre of its own surrounding reef breaks. With unlimited surfboat transfers you can hop between Namotu Lefts, Restaurants, Tavarua Rights, Desperations, Wilkes and Swimming Pools. If you’re after a long down-winder, there are miles of open ocean and a friendly Fijian skipper to pick you up at the end.
Now in their third year, the Namotu Island Kite Weeks are a popular choice for kitesurfers from Australia, the US, Europe and Asia. However the steady growth in the sport has led to a demand for worldwide coaching packages and products to make learning more accessible. Ben now offers private clinics from his home on the Sunshine Coast or anywhere in the world and has produced an expanding range of free eBooks via his website. “People see guys like Ian doing crazy airs or surfing so fluently with their kite. They want to know the technique behind that and I just want to get more people enjoying the sport and doing it well.”
Find out more at www.bwsurf.com/kiteweek
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