Set sail to The Grenadines with the Eleveight team and Kite2Sail! This dreamy destination is known for its turquoise waters, gentle breezes, and picture-perfect kiting conditions. Join the crew as they sail through a tropical paradise, discovering new kite spots, exploring hidden coves, and getting to know this Caribbean destination!

Every adventure starts in your mind, usually beginning with a simple idea that quickly evolves into a detailed mental picture of the excitement ahead. In this case, it was the thought of gliding over crystal-clear waters, the wind in your hair and the sun tanning your face as you and your crewmates search for breezy beaches in an incredible island paradise. Sounds like a pretty great daydream, doesn't it? But you can live this dream; all it takes is hopping on board a catamaran for a kiting and sailing trip in the Grenadines! 

Where and what are the Grenadines? Somewhere in the Caribbean, in the Lesser Antilles, between the larger islands of Saint Vincent and Grenada, lies a small island chain. While there are dozens of small islands in the Grenadines, only nine are inhabited and open to public visitors. These lush islands decorated with palm trees are scattered like emeralds across the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea. From the vibrant markets and lively music of Grenada to the secluded anchorages and pristine beaches of Tobago Cays, each island in the Grenadines offers its own unique charm and flavour.

With so much to explore, it all starts with assembling the right crew. Mark Rosendahl, the visionary behind the Kite2Sail concept, first planted the seed of this adventure back in 2022. His passion for watersports struck a chord with the Eleveight crew, leading to an invitation for a collaborative trip to Grenada. The Kite2Sail team included Mark, his wife Marcella, and Lea Mae. On the Eleveight side, North American distributor Kevin Wade and his wife Kate were on board, along with team rider Chris Bobryk and his girlfriend and photographer Nicole Laiben.

Lea had the planning covered and explained, "We, at Kite2Sail, took care of the planning, so our American friends only had to arrive in the Caribbean!" Kevin recalls the excitement leading up to the journey. "Lea Mae started a WhatsApp group prior to the trip to keep everyone connected, which started buzzing with excitement from the get-go," he shares. With relatively inexpensive flights from Miami, the American crew set off with their kite and freedive equipment. Arriving first, Mark and Marcella began sharing photos in the group chat, leaving the others frothing to join them and get back into boardshorts.

Having been to various places in the Caribbean before but never in Grenada, Kevin couldn't wait to get his feet on the ground. "The mountainous terrain and clear water were absolutely amazing. The weather was mild, and the winds were steady. We really couldn't have hoped for better conditions."

Lea Mae, from Kite2Sail, reflected on the magic of the Caribbean as the journey unfolded. "WOW WOW and WOW again! The Caribbean is simply wonderful to experience, and everyone should see it at least once!" From the bustling markets of Grenada to the turquoise waters of Tobago Cays, each stop along the way was a feast for the senses.

Sailing aboard a modern 45-foot Catamaran, the group set sail on a Monday morning, heading north from Grenada. The first stop, in Carriacou, was where all the formalities were taken care of before the adventure continued to Sandly Island, visiting spots like Frigate Island, Mopion Island, Clifton Harbour, Salt Whistle Bay and the Tobago Cays. Each of these spots is truly fantastic, boasting turquoise water, turtles, palm trees everywhere, and excellent wind conditions!

Kevin had brought his fishing pole and a few lures along in hopes of catching some fish while sailing. He managed to catch several different species and was even able to contribute to a few meals! Unfortunately, his line snapped during one of the crossings, but, ever resourceful, he used the line extensions from the 14m Eleveight FS kite to catch the last fish. As Kevin says, "If you're in a pinch, Eleveight kite lines are great for deep-sea fishing!"

Lea enjoyed the group she had on board, sharing her perspective: "Our American friends loved fishing and catching lobster! I found that personally very interesting. We prepared them together in the evenings. Everything in the Caribbean is just great, with vibrant colours everywhere and wonderful experiences, whether on land or in the water!"

Of course, fishing and sailing weren't the primary goals of this trip. Everyone was keen to get some kiting sessions in! "Due to the light and steady trade winds in the Caribbean, we decided to take 9-14m Eleveight RS+ and FS kites and 4-5m GT One+ wings," Kevin explains. "One of the many amazing things about a boat trip is the mobility! Don't like the wind over here? Just sail on to the next location!"

While you can take the dinghy to any beach, Lea highlights the unique experience of kiting from a catamaran. "Kiting from the boat is completely different from kiting on land!" she shares. "Starting from the catamaran requires a certain line technique and know-how for the drift start. The crew helps with that, and together, it's no problem!" Kevin pointed out how easy the crew made this boat launch process, stating, "The crew has boat launching and landing all sorted out, from laying out the lines on the boat to drift launching once you're ready to go. We were all familiar with the technique, but the crew made it easy." 

For Lea, her most memorable session was in Frigate Island. Although the water is much more turquoise in the Cays, Frigate Island offers truly butter-flat conditions. With very few people around, that special session felt like having access to their own exclusive paradise. 

With 16-22 knots of wind for all but one day of the trip, there were plenty of sessions to be had. In particular, Kevin enjoyed Union Island and described his experience. "Union Island provided some of the best flat water on the trip. The hedge and sandbar created the perfect slick, and we couldn't have been more content. This was the best session, as everyone got in a decent amount of riding. We took turns filming each other and kiting just above the waters that we had snorkelled the day before with tons of sea life out there!"

Of course, adventure is never far when you're on a boat. While the conditions were near perfect during the trip, Kevin told the story of one of their most extreme days on board: "We did have a pretty gnarly squall roll through while visiting Tobago Cay. We had just dropped anchor and were setting our sights on a large rock just off one of the islands when the wind went from 15 to 50 knots in a matter of moments! The anchor came loose, and it started pouring with rain. The crew was quick to react, and we ended up heading for brighter skies with nothing but a story to tell."

Amidst the exploring and plentiful kite and wing sessions, along with leisurely sails between islands, the group also savoured the flavours of the Caribbean. "Local cuisine in general was amazing, and Grenada is known as the spice island for a reason!" Kevin enthuses. "I had some of the best curry dishes that I have ever had." Sightseeing, shopping at the chocolate museum, enjoying lobster barbecues on the beach, and freediving off of the ledge at Umbrella Island were some of their favourite memories.

With boatmen to greet the arriving crew at most locations, they were able to enjoy offerings of fresh fish, bread, coffee, and anything else they could possibly want. The people of the Grenadines are so friendly and welcoming, and while you can enjoy the company of your crew on board, there's also plenty to experience off the water. 

One of the most unique attractions in the Grenadines is Happy Island, a tiny islet in the waters just off Union Island, created entirely by hand using conch shells and sand. Originally built by a local bartender, Happy Island is now home to a rustic bar where visitors can sip ice-cold drinks while soaking up the sun and enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding turquoise waters. It's the perfect spot to unwind and experience the laid-back island vibe that defines life in the Grenadines. And, as Kevin says, "The Rum Punch was amazing!"

As the trip drew to a close, as is often the case, the time for reflection began. "This trip is truly one that I'll never forget," Kevin reflects. "I can think of no better way for someone to immerse themselves in the kite lifestyle. We kited at a different spot every day, explored amazing tropical islands, ate local cuisine, lived on an amazing boat, got some sailing lessons from an amazing captain, and made great new friends."

In the end, the kiting and sailing adventure in the Grenadines wasn't just about wind and waves; it was about creating memories and embracing the spirit of adventure. As the sails were lowered and the kites packed away, the bonds formed during this journey remained, and the still active WhatsApp group is a testament to the connection the group created while exploring this Caribbean gem together!

 

By Kevin Wade

Comments