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BVI Kite Jam has light wind but heavy fun!!

// March 11th, 2010 // Liquid Force Travel, REAL Travel

This winter in Cape Hatteras has been a cold one. Fortunately kiteboarding allows me to travel to warmer destinations in search of sessions and good conditions. The most recent adventure took me back to the BVI’s in the Caribbean for the inaugural BVI Kite Jam. The BVI Kite Jam was held at and in conjunction with Necker Island, which is Sir Richard Branson’s private island resort sitting just outside of the Eustacia Sound and a short distance off of the north east tip of Virgin Gorda. I was lucky enough to be part of the small group of riders, consisting of Andre Phillip, Susi Mai, & Tom Court, invited to stay on Necker Island as guests. We were all blown away at the resort itself as well as the service and the simply AMAZING staff!

The 2010 BVI Kite Jam officially started with a kick off party on the evening of February 28th and the first day of riding scheduled for March 1st.  I had arrived a day earlier to help provision a Moorings charter boat that we would be on after the Kite Jam was over and was lucky enough to score some great surf with fellow kiteboarders Davey Blair and Jon Modica. We lucked into an evening session at Cane Garden Bay at about 6 feet with almost no one out and glassy barrels just grinding down the rock point. Davey and Jon were in awe, having never been to the BVI’s before and scoring solid Cane Garden their first day! The next morning Cane was not working so we explored Brewers Bay but then ultimately decided on an Apple Bay session instead. We all traded off waves for a few hours in fun A-framing waves that were about 1 to 2 feet overhead and very rip-able! After the surf it was straight to provisioning and then off to Necker for the nights festivities.

Davey and I were dropped off at the Trellis Bay dock near the Beef Island Airport by our man Frank. He is just one of the courteous and dedicated Moorings staff that we have gotten to know over the years from the REAL BVI trips. We were then loaded into Lady Bee, one of the Necker Island inflatable ribs with twin 250hp outboards, of which we quickly found out does close to 70mph on the water. The trip from Trellis to Necker took only about 20 min (a usual 2 or 3 hours in any other boat that I have been on in the BVI) and when we arrived the party was just getting started! When it comes to parties, Richard Branson and the staff on Necker does know how to do things right!! There was a great band on the beach with a delicious catered meal and beach bars set up everywhere. The plug was pulled on the beach party at midnight, but that is when things just started to heat up at the main house! Dre, Susi, Tom, & I danced, sang, & partied with the guests until early in the am. What an introduction to life on Necker Island!

Day 1

The first official day of the BVI Kite Jam got a slow start due to light wind and the late night of the opening festivities. Throughout the day event organizers Charlie and Scotty did an amazing job providing activities for the competitors media staff and spectators to be involved together. There was a great lunch on the beach sponsored by Mount Gay Rum from Barbados with the rum punches flowing early.

For the activities there was beach volleyball, standup paddling around the island, and even sumo wrestling suits for people to duel it out on the beach which ended in some funny and very sandy wrestling matches! In preparation for the planned race to a nearby island the following day, kite racer Jon Modica and Kristin Boese provided a race clinic for both the competitors and spectators sharing their wealth of knowledge and opening up and sharing their bag of race tricks with all who attended their clinic.

That evening started off in style with a “press & pros” get together on the mega yacht the Resolute upon an invite from the boats owner. After a few quality cocktails and finger foods we headed to The Sand Box beach bar in the North Sound for a beach BBQ and some live Reggae music. The night was very chill and mellow as everyone was getting amped for the crossing/race the following morning.

Day 2

We awoke on day two to a promising forecast and some breeze in the proper direction, but not quite enough to make the crossing possible. Charlie and Scotty held off as long as possible at the request of Richard Branson (who really wanted the crossing to happen) and then at around 10am switched to plan B. Plan B consisted of a catamaran race with all of the competitors 38′ Sunsail boats. Seeing how I was staying on Necker and did not have a boat I decided to join Davey Blair, JB, Lex, and their crew and head off on their Moorings 47′ Power Cat to catch a surf.

We arrived to find Madison Van Heurck and his sister Charlotte already taking a break from their morning surf and ready to join us for another. We all traded off waves as we watched the boats cross the finish line and anchor near Pomato Point for the day. A lunch was scheduled for Cow Wreck beach on the North Shore of the island. Figuring that we were closer by foot than any other way Davey and I hitched a ride with Madison and Charlotte to the inside of the reef, helped anchor their boat and all waded to shore for the few mile walk to Cow Wreck.

While at lunch the wind began to fill in and although it was not very strong wind the smaller and lighter riders were able to hit the water for the first kite session of the 2010 BVI Kite Jam! The beach was filled with riders, spectators, and media all frothing for some action. But for me, when a girl the size of Susi Mai is just staying upwind on her 13m, that means I am stuck on the beach. I took the time to put a few people who were more suited for the conditions out on some the 2010 Liquid Force gear. It was great to see so many kites pumped up on the beach and such a good vibe amongst all involved with the event!

As sunset neared I was extended an invitation to join Richard Branson and another guest from Necker on the Necker Belle, an invitation that I could not pass up! The Necker Belle is Sir Bransons’ 104′ Sailing Cat that was being chartered by a kiting friend and long time REAL client, Dan O’Connell. That boat is outstanding!!! It is hard to describe in words the luxury feeling that every aspect of the Necker Belle. We all chatted, talked kiting shop and then I was told it was time to go to the top of the mast!!?!?! The mast has an elevator style basket on the front of it that will take two people almost 100′ above the deck via remote control! It was an amazing view to have of the Anegada anchorage and the islands lying off in the distance. I felt very luck to have had that experience, but I had to say my goodbyes and head to shore for the evenings festivities at the Anegada Reef Hotel.