new 2008 nemises (test in Brazil)
former kiteboarding student Tracey P
September 26, 2007
April 25, 2007
goslow bend Nassau Bahamas kiteboarding/kitesurfing Locals
bellow is a youtube clip of goslow bend Nassau Bahamas locals on a NE wind.
December 23, 2006
another kiteboarding article
contact Capt Aj Watson for all of your kiteboarding trips and lessons/gear in the Bahamas on 1 (242) 393-3261 email :xshore@gmail.com
Proximity to Florida and consistent trade winds, make Nassau, Bahamas the ideal place for a quick kiteboarding getaway. With hundreds of beaches and only a handful of local riders, you can count on lots of space for learning or riding. The Bahamas offers shallow, sandy bottoms with clear, warm, turquoise water and incredibly diverse riding conditions ranging from butter flat water to fresh clean Atlantic waves. Cross-shore Bahamas, the only full service, licensed kiteboarding school in the Bahamas is based in Nassau.
Nassau, located on the island of New Providence, is the capital city and is centrally located between several other Bahamian islands which are ideal for those looking for virgin kiteboarding beaches. Nassau has a very efficient and affordable ferryboat system linking the islands so trips away for a day are very common and easy to organize.
In the Bahamas the US dollar is interchangeable with the Bahamain dollar so you won’t waste time standing in line getting the local currency and Bahamians speak English so communication is easy. There are limitless places to stay in Nassau, ranging from five star suites to cozy bed and breakfasts and family run inns. The number one location for the visiting kiteboarder is Orange Hill which is minutes away from the airport and situated across the road from one of Nassau’s on a long, wide beaches.
slightly removed from the tourist mecca but still close enough to get there and enjoy the night life, fine dining, shopping and casinos. Kiteboarders are well know at Orange Hill, tell them that AJ sent you and you will become instant family.
There are literally dozens of ways to get to Nassau, with several airlines making two or more trips a day out of Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa. There are direct flights from major America hubs including New York, Chicago, and Atlanta. You can also get direct flights from most Canadian cities and there are several direct flights from London. Nassau is also a major cruise ship destination with many ships landing in Nassau just long enough for you to fit in a kiteboarding lesson with Crossshore Bahamas and a tasty lunch of fresh seafood.
However you choose to get here there are several things, besides kiteboarding with Crossshore Bahamas, that you MUST do as a tourist in the Bahamas. Make sure you try conch. It’s a local delicacy and, so say, aphrodisiac. Eat at least one conch salad and have a sky-juice (gin, coconut water and sweet milk) at Goldies on Arawak Cay, a village of stalls selling fresh seafood and Bahamian dishes. Drink a Kalik, the local beer of the Bahamas! Take a trip to the Exumas for the day. There are several companies that offer day packages that will blow your mind. Check out the aquarium at Atlantis on Paradise Island. Even if you are not into the ‘disneylike’ set up it is hard to beat the aquariums for sheer amazement value. Go scuba diving. The water in the Bahamas is world famous for is clarity and warmth and the reef systems around Nassau are still in excellent condition. The Bahamas actually has the second largest barrier reef in the world and there are some truly awe inspiring dive sites around Nassau and the other Family Islands. If you are feeling extra adventurous you can even dive with dozens of reef and silky sharks!
There are also several things we suggest taking a pass on, the biggest being scooter rentals. Heaps of tourists get hurt every year on scooters and, lets face it, people on scooters look silly. Crossshore Bahamas picks you up from your hotel or cruise ship and takes you to all the best kiting spots and throws in a tour of some of the lesser seen places in Nassau along the way. While you are here stay away from the drug scene. Tourists that get busted for ANY drugs in the Bahamas usually face a pretty hard time and you DO NOT want to go to jail in Nassau. Drugs are not legal in The Bahamas. The legal drinking age in The Bahamas, however is 18! Nassau has an active nightlife. There are several casinos and dozens of night clubs, bars and restaurants.
Cross-shore Bahamas is the only full service, licensed Kiteboarding school in the Bahamas. They offer packages from beginner to advanced as well as kite caddy services and day trips to neighboring islands. With the combination of winds averaging 15-20 knots during the season (October – June) and higher wind speed in cold fronts, and warm water, there is no better place to learn to kiteboard. In winter the most common kite sizes used are 12m and 9m and sometimes 16m. Water temperature in the winter is high 60’s and 80’s in summer. Summer water temperatures create thermals perfect for late afternoon riding. On light wind days Cross-shore will keep you busy with wakeboarding to hone up on your board skills. Because Nassau is so small ( 7×21 miles) it is easy to move from one side of the island to the other in search of perfect wind.
Cross-shore offers the longest lessons (4hrs) in the business and uses only the most recent Best Gear for teaching. we are always developing new packages to the the Family Island and some of their destinations include Exuma, Eleuthera, Spanish Wells. Up to date package are available on their website at www.cross-shore.com
August 31, 2006
poem for my fave place to rip it up
My Wind Vane Points East - Ode to Blue Hill
My wind vane points east, the flag is flying straight
Coco nut fronds dance in the breeze
Time to bail to unleash the beast
Pack the car my sons stashed my keys
Tides coming up
Sweaty palms and a sore lower back (getting old feeling young)
Set up to ride
I’m off like a prom dress the wind whispering through the casuarinas trees
It’s cross shore
I’ the only one out
That’s ok I ride for me , not to impress others
The sound of water slurping under my board
the wind steady out of the east 18 to 20 whistles through my kite lines
As I set up for my first jump
Power in my hand weight and will against the kites mass
Power transmitted through the kites fabric causing lift
WAHOOOOOOOOO I can fly
At that moment of love nothing seems to exist except for here and now
It’s a selfish sport (my wife says)
I love to ride the wind and it has consumed me but I am just one of many.
A growing cult of wind worshipers.
The wind has no face just direction and strength
No wars will be won or lost over the wind
Just personal triumphs
Take nothing but photos leave nothing but wake.
June 3, 2006
thermal winds of summer in nassua bahamas 2006
two years ago summer, the winds where awsome 15 - 18 kts SSE every day just about (my wife wanted to devorce me for kiteboarding to much)
last yearsummer the wind sucked, the trade wind had moved 160 miles ESE of Nassau bahamas.
it’s late spring here and the wind has gone SE(it’s summer) allready ,witch is a good sign the summer trade wind is back over Nassau.
There are a few hurincanes predicted this year so we will just have to see what effect that has on our wind conditions.
so far so good and it can only get better.
May 8, 2006
April 26, 2006
welcome to the blog of cross-shore.com
gday my name is AJ Watson the owner of cross-shore bahamas ltd .
I am dedicated to the growing culture of kiteboarding in the bahamas and teaching saftey to all of my students ,and this is my blog.
all are welcome.
aj
