Saipan!

Nak · Sun Dec 02, 07 12:47 am **Saipan!**

Well Joanne and I are off to Saipan at the end of my current work trip! I haven't been able to find out much about the kiteboarding there, but it looks promising! 25 mile barrier reef, miles of flat water on the inside, waves on the outside. (Not that I'm much of a wave rider yet.) I've been watching the wind for about a month now, and it's been completely awesome. A couple of days where you'd need a glide, (11 to 13 knots) the rest averaging 20 knots! (Some light days where it's only 15 G 20, some windier days where it's 23 G 30.) There's a small Island about 1.5 miles out in the lagoon that is kite launchable around the entire perimeter. (About a 20 minute walk to circumnavigate the entire island.) There's regular shuttle service to the island from shore. Crystal clear turquoise water, white sand beaches. Why is this spot not more well known I wonder?

We're staying right on the beach the locals use for launching kites, so I'm hopeful that this is going to be an epic trip. What's weird is that there is so little information on this place, as far as kiteboarding is concerned. Hopefully I'll have lots of good stuff to post next week! We get there Friday afternoon and leave Tuesday. (Unless I can talk Joanne into Leaving wednesday!)

Anyway, One flight back to Tokyo from Bangkok, San Francisco and back, and then a 3 hour flight to Saipan. It's kind of funny how everyone reacts to the pilot carrying on regular gear plus an NSI golf bag and a Kite backpack! Fortunately the A330 has a large cockpit... Very Happy

By the way, I was able to fit a Glide and another board, 1 kite with bar, a harness, impact vest, pump and misc gear in the NSI bag @ 46 pounds. 1 more kite in the backpack and I had all of my kite gear, flight gear and 2 weeks worth of clothes handled as carry on! Very Happy

It's a lot of stuff to carry, but surprisingly easy to manage...

Nak · Sun Dec 02, 07 1:05 am

Some Pics. Mahagaha island is mostly obscured by clouds, but you get the idea...

tonyb · Sun Dec 02, 07 7:36 am

Cool! Looking forward to the after action report. And pictures!

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Looks wild - can't wait to see some pics.

Rollo Tomasi · Since 17 Mar 2005 983 Posts Attractive

Lucky!! Looks cool Mike.

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

Mike, I have two friends from Saipan..they nothing about kiting, and I tried to contact them, but they are both off island right now...but felt it was "probably pretty windy sometimes".

Good of you to be my scout for spots Smile

A.

Nak · Thu Dec 06, 07 12:39 pm

Thanks for the encouragement guys! We leave Tokyo in a couple of hours for Saipan. Wind forecast looks pretty light for tomorrow, of course. I think I can kill the wind anywhere! It's blowing 23 right now... If we can get to the hotel quick enough I'll try and get in a quick session before dark. Sunday is supposed to be a bit better, Monday pretty good, and Tuesday 22 - 25... Of course that's the day we leave! Maybe I can talk Joanne into another day! (That would mean she'd have to go to work the day we get home after flying all night, so probably no go. Sad

) Alex, no problems being your spot scout! Very Happy

Should be an easy trip for you; Continental flys non-stop HNL-SPN.

Pics to come!

Nak

Nak · Fri Dec 07, 07 3:42 am

As usual, I've managed to kill the wind! By all reports it's been epic for the last month. The wind died off as we got to the hotel... Looks beautiful here, should be fun anyway. Yeah, right! Evil or Very Mad

Anyways, the forecast is shit for Saturday, but maybe better on Sunday and should be good Monday and Tuesday morning...

Mark · Fri Dec 07, 07 8:43 am

Mike, I will keep my fingers crossed for you. Looking forward to some pics!

Nak · Fri Dec 07, 07 12:18 pm

Thanks Mark!

Mixed forecasts this morning. NOAA showing 15 - 20, Windguru showing zip. Actual wind a howling 6mpph right now. First morning I've checked in the last 30 days where it was less than 17 -20... Still an hour to go till sun-up. It truly is a beautiful place here. I'm certain that it would be incredible when the wind is blowing.

I talked to the windsurfing instructor here at the hotel. He doesnt kite, but seemed knowledgeable as to what kiters need for wind & launch conditions. The launch here on the main island really needs to be E to NE. I was at the launch yesterday afternoon; it was ESE and pretty fluky. However, you can take a short boat ride out to Managaha Island and be able to launch regardless of wind direction. That looks like the ticket when the wind comes up. Water temp 84, air temp 87.

Pics still to come.

Nak · Sun Dec 09, 07 1:08 am

Wow! OK, that was the best day I've ever had! Managaha Island delivers!

Nak · Sun Dec 09, 07 3:06 am

More photos...

Nak · Sun Dec 09, 07 3:09 am

Even more photos...

tonyb · Sun Dec 09, 07 8:18 am

Nic Pic's Nak! Love the pilot going to work shot. You should tell people it's a parachute in the backpack.

Glad to see you finally got some wind. The place looks beautiful. Make sure to give us a recap at the end of your stay.

Tony

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Nice place but looks kind of crowded. Wink

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

Awesome Nak - I could use a dose of that about now. - C

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Wow - that spot looks amazing. Golfbag and parachute - funny.