Lemnos – Less Known Pearl of Greece

Lemnos is not the most popular island regarding mass-tourism, but it is starting to be the opposite for windsurfing and kite surfers alike. The name "Anemoessa" that the ancients gave Lemnos literally means "windy island", and is a fair description of the conditions there. 

On the countless beautiful beaches on the island, you can find all; Flat-water beaches, bump and jump terrains, and even the legendary Gomati which awakens in winter and gives birth to 3-4m glassy waves! The turquoise waters, the widespread sand-dunes, and the crazy rock formations of the island, really make you believe you are on a surf trip in Australia, Mexico, or Hawaii.

The home of all windsurfers and kite surfers in Lemnos is without doubt, Keros beach. A very friendly 4km sandy beach with conditions that suit everyone. On the very north side of the bay, is a crazy flat section with incredible Caribbean-like colours. In the middle, just around the Surf Club there are free ride conditions with small chop kickers and some small side shore waves on those big days. The very south end on those extra windy days there can be up to 1,5m high side-onshore waves, happy days!

The "Surf Club Keros" is a windsurfing and kite surfing school opened by the people that discovered this well hidden paradise. "There are many things that we run differently at Surf Club Keros", says Rick and Giannis, owners of the club.

"First of all, we are not a typical business-profile surf club. Here we try and keep the vibes mellow and friendly. It is a place from surfers to surfers. Second of all, we are the first Eco-friendly surf school in Greece. Our whole building is powered by solar panels and is mobile, so when the season is over we pack and leave. This way we have the minimum impact on the protected Eco-system surrounding Keros beach. When we first came here, we fell in love with the place, and want to keep it pure and protect it."

Pantelis, the local photographer and as well windsurfer, puts it this way: "People have not realized it yet, but Lemnos is the new windy paradise. All year round wind, extraordinary beaches, magnificent food and it is still cheap, unlike the other touristic Greek islands."

The Cape, South Africa.

The Western Cape is the primo kite surfing destination of South Africa. Big Bay & Bloubergstrand offer big waves and cross onshore wind on a near daily basis, perfect for free ride & wave sessions. For flat water &  freestyle enthusiasts, one hours drive will take you to Langebaan, a crystal clear 25km long lagoon and the only natural sea lagoon in South Africa. The lifestyle on the Western Cape is super chilled, friendly and extremely beautiful. Hot summer sun, fantastic wind, wild parties, braai's, crazy summer nights, sundowners over looking table mountain, the Cape has it all. For anyone planning on a kite surf holiday here, I strongly suggest planning it for Mid January to late February, the wind is strongest and pumps consistently. It tends to get gusty as the day draws on but also increases in strength, the water is cold (Atlantic Ocean) and wet suits are a must. However this is overlooked when you are on the water, with awesome conditions and with Table Mountain as the back drop to your down winder, parking off for sundowners after your session with beaming smiles, it is easy to appreciate why The Cape, South Africa is one of the top destinations in the world.

Esposende, Portugal.

I have been in Portugal for five months and I have one week left before heading to the UK briefly to see my family and then to Langebaan, South Africa for six months. I arrived into Portugal on the 1oth of April, the past five months of which have been areal adventure. I decided to come to Portugal to undertake the IKO Level 1 ITC, which I successfully passed and qualified as an IKO Instructor, a proud moment. The first month or so was very touch and go as Tiago Rocha, the IKO Examiner and I, teamed up and began rebuilding the Kite School which was in serious need of new direction. We found new premises and begun constructing and building what it is today, an awesome kite centre. I have really become a part of the community here and one of the locals. They are all such gems and have extended my welcome with friendliness and sincerity. I must say a special thanks to Alex & Sandra from Café Marina, they have been amazing and I have had some very drunken nights with Alex, Septembro! It really has been the scene for fond memories, a place I will never forget. Some really cool friendships have been made and needless to say, the parties have been wild and the beer flowing. Tiago, Joao M, Gabriela, Neia, Jakub, Robert, Dominika, the Deadly Blonde Assasins, Karen, Marina, Petter, Joao Miguel, Tozei and everyone else I met, you are all super stars that rock like a rocking horse. I will leave here with such amazing recollections of some awesome kitting sessions with you all, although the best has been just Tiago and I at the end of the day, the sun low above the dunes, no one else riding, the lagoon all to ourselves and then heading out to the waves to ride and take a mini down winder back into the lagoon, Happy Days! By far though July & August has been the best and it wouldn’t be right not to give a special mention to my good friend and partner in crime, Joao Rocha, Dudes are we and unforgettable nights we have had. Never a dull moment, Bib Offir and Pasha has been our playground for drunken madness, Vodka sessions, Foam Parties, debauchery, silliness and good old fashioned mischief of the highest quality, Sir I salute you /:)))))= Sadly however like all good things, eventually they must come to an end and I will miss this place. An enormously grateful thank you to all that have shared this part of my life with me and made it a very special and amazing time, Peace, Harmony & Respect.