kitesurfing-in-brazil

Kitesurfing in Brazil

10 reasons why it rocks!

Kiteboarding in Brazil: 10 good reasons

Kitesurfing in Brazil means kitesurfing at one of the best kite locations in the world. It’s not for nothing that Brazil is considered the “Promised Land” among kitesurfers. Most of those who have already been kitesurfing in Brazil, always return for more. And for good reason – or rather – for the following 10 good reasons:

1. Wind

For kitesurfers, there is probably nothing more depressing than making an expensive trip halfway around the world – only to find out that you only have a few days of kiteable wind during your precious vacation time. It is obvious that when choosing a kitesurfing destination, the wind probability plays a major role.

So let’s get straight to the most important point – the wind.
So what is it about the legendary wind in Brazil?

Wind strength and wind guarantee

Thanks to the constantly blowing northeast trade winds, the wind in northeastern Brazil blows almost 100% from the end of July to mid-January. And we are not talking about a mild breeze. 5 Bft (16 – 22 kn) is the lower limit. Normally the wind reaches a strength of 6 Bft (22 – 28 kn) daily. Rarely however substantially more than 7 Bft (28 – 34 kn). In other words, the perfect wind strength to have real fun and learn new tricks while kitesurfing in Brazil.

At this point, however, it should be mentioned that the wind has a lower density due to the high temperatures and thus generates less pressure. Or in other words: 6 Bft on a Swiss mountain lake at an air temperature of 14 ° degrees are significantly more intense than at twice the air temperature on the beach in Brazil.

Wind direction

So much for the wind strength and wind guarantee. But that is not all that needs to be considered when it comes to wind. Another important point when kitesurfing is the direction of the wind. Offshore, i.e. blowing out to sea, can be life threatening and is absolutely not recommended without a lifeboat.
But don’t worry, the wind in Brazil does not blow offshore! No, in north-east Brazil it blows mainly side-onshore from the right. A lifeboat is therefore not even necessary. If you have a bad crash, you and your equipment will be washed up on the beach relatively quickly.

Wind quality

On the last point, concerning the wind, we deal with the wind quality.
Is the wind gusty, rough or are there many wind holes?
All of these questions can be answered with a resounding ‘no’.
The wind on the beach in Brazil comes from the open sea to the land without being swirled by obstacles. Therefore it is neither gusty nor rough and free of any wind holes. If you like, you can speak of wind quality under laboratory conditions.

2. Ocean

Thanks to its proximity to the equator and the tropical temperatures there, the water temperature of the Atlantic Ocean is between 80,6 – 84,2 °F all year round. The sensation of a bathtub and the long wetsuit can stay at home.

There are only a few sea shells on the fine sandy beaches. Shells with spikes, which are feared by kitersurfers, are thankfully not common here.
In the sea there are very rarely dangerous obstacles like rocks, corals or groynes. In most cases they are exposed at the latest at low tide. If you are at a spot for the first time, ask the local kite school or other kiters to give you information about the spot.

When kitesurfing in Brazil you will find a wide variety of conditions.
Mirror-smooth shallow water, waves of 1.6 to 8.2 feet, salt and fresh water lagoons and river mouths. A seemingly endless playground, which is guaranteed to make every kitesurfers heart beat faster. At many kite spots in Brazil you can even have wave and flat water at the same time thanks to lagoons, sandbanks or estuaries.

3. Kitesurf Downwinder

Brazil is the country of the kitesurf downwinders or the so-called downwind kitesurf safaris. Driving your car along the beach is allowed almost everywhere. Since the wind usually blows cross-onshore, it is possible for kitesurfers in Brazil to be accompanied by a vehicle on land while kiting.
Unlike in many countries, in which you are only allowed to kite back and forth in front of the hotel or the kite station, you can kitesurf anywhere in Brazil.

On a downwind kitesafari you will not only discover new kite spots and stretches of beaches, but you will also collect a lot more impressions, which will prolong your kite vacation mentally. If you spend three weeks in one and the same place, sooner or later everyday life inevitably creeps in. The valuable vacation days are coming to an end faster and faster.
The kite conditions are perfect in the entire north and Brazil is far too beautiful and varied to stay in just one place. That’s why more and more kitesurfers appreciate the advantages of a kitesurf downwinder where you travel from spot to spot with the kite.

In our downwind groups consisting of an international audience, neither the fun nor the learning effect is neglected. Getting acquainted with new people and sharing experiences about our mutual passion over a few drinks. We offer 3-day downwinders with 105 miles up to the 24-day Iron Macho kitesurf downwinder, during which an unbelievable 930 miles are covered on the water.
With the Iron Divas kite event we offer a kiteboarding downwinder exclusively for kite girls

4. Free space

Perhaps you are now thinking: “With these fantastic conditions it must be packed everywhere“.
No kitesurfer, no matter if beginner, intermediate or advanced, likes overcrowded kite spots. If you constantly have to watch what the person behind you is doing, you can’t enjoy kitesurfing to the fullest. Especially in the lagoons near the hotspots, all hell can break loose in the high season. But do you have to kitesurf where everyone is kitesurfing – of course not!

The coastline of the state of Cearáalone is 573 km long and there you can kitesurf almost everywhere. During our Kitesurf Downwinders in Brazil you will travel countless miles together with a small group and enjoy free space without any crowds. And that with perfect water and wind conditions.

5. Air temperature

3 degrees south of the equator has it all year round 86 °F. Thanks to the constantly blowing wind by the sea, this temperature is pleasant to bear. Waterproof sunscreen or sunblock is a must when kitesurfing. A Lycra with UV protection and board shorts are sufficient as clothing.
A shirt and dry board shorts are also sufficient after dark. If you tend to freeze quickly and you’re exposed to the wind after sunset, a thin sweatshirt is recommended. At night it does not get colder than 22 °C (72 °F).

6. Landscape

Brazil occupies almost half of South America and is the fifth largest country in the world. The geography of Brazil is extremely diverse. In the north you can find lush, extensive rainforests of the Amazon lowlands. In the south, however, plateaus, hills and mountains predominate. The south as well as the middle west is used a lot in terms of landscape. However, most people live near the Atlantic coast, which is where most of the major cities are located.

In total, Brazil has a coastline of 4660 miles. The best conditions for kitesurfing can be found in the northeast of Brazil in the five states:

If you add up the coastline of these states, you get a whopping 1140 miles. Palm fringed sandy beaches as far as the eye can see. Numerous lagoons, estuaries and sandbanks invite for kitesurfing.

Brazil undoubtedly has a special flair. It is a paradisiacal place far away from the stress of everyday life. The latest news and other media move into the background there. You reduce your stress level and can recharge your batteries on the very first day at the beach.

7. Eat and drink

The Brazilian cuisine doesn’t need to hide. The traditional dishes are very tasty and there is something for everyone. Freshly caught fish, shrimps and lobsters are available in abundance and hardly burden the vacation budget. The meat is also fresh because it is regional and of excellent quality. Tasty chicken meat and butter-soft steaks are available in almost every restaurant. But pizza, burgers and sweets are also very popular among Brazilians, as the menus reveal.

What better way to end the day than enjoying a caipirinha or a beer on the beach after an extensive kite session at sunset? Caipirinhas as well as local beers are dirt cheap and rinse the salt water from your throat. Those who prefer to grab a freshly squeezed juice are spoilt for choice. Mostly orange, pineapple, papaya and passion fruit juice are available. Or maybe you’d prefer a chilled coconut first to quench your thirst and then 1-2 caipirinhas ?

8. People

Brazilians are cheerful people and extremely hospitable, helpful and open-minded. Unfortunately, the crime rate in large cities is very high. As a gringo you shouldn’t be out there at night. However, if you move away from these metropolitan areas, the crime rate drops significantly. Of course, you shouldn’t walk around with a big bundle of money in your pocket, even in rural areas. If the accommodation does not have locked and guarded kite storage, it is safer to keep the kitesurfing equipment in the room overnight.

Willingness to help is very important in Brazil. Be it with headlight flashers or hand signals on the road in case of impending adversity such as free-ranging animals or road damage. Or if you get stuck on the sand with your car. At the latest when you wave, the first one stops and willingly helps you out of trouble.

In northern Brazil, however, it is rare to meet a native who speaks English. If you speak Spanish or Italian, you can communicate with your hands and feet. But English doesn’t get you very far in these regions.

9. Value for money

Even though Brazil was cheaper for a vacationer 15 years ago, the price-performance ratio is still absolutely okay nowadays. Whoever is looking will find a suitable accommodation or dining opportunity for every purse. In the small markets, the so-called Mercados, the goods are mostly priced out and you can buy them without gringo surcharge for the same price as the locals.

Good to know: You do not have to pay a visa when you enter or leave the country

10. Nightlife

What would Brazil be without carnival, samba, capoeira and caipirinha? Brazilians love life and that is how they live it. But if you still have strength and endurance for a party after an extensive kite day, you should better pitch your tents in Jericoacoara (aka Jeri) or Pipa. Elsewhere, all restaurants in the small fishing villages close by 10:00 p.m. at the latest. However, those who were awake for so long have clearly not done enough kitesurfing 😉

Brazilians are casual and like to party. Be it carnival, a birthday or just the weekend. On this occasion, many drive from the hinterland to the beach or from the big city to the country and party there. They are not afraid of strangers and so it can happen that you suddenly find yourself in the middle of a Brazilian birthday party and eagerly celebrate with them.

Kitesurfing in Brazil: The conclusion

As you can see, Brazil is ideal for kitesurfing. The largest country in South America clearly knows how to convince on the most important points. You can rely on the wind, it’s pleasantly warm and the coastal landscape is beautiful. Thanks to the enormous length of the coast, the kite scene is spread over many kite spots. There are numerous flat water spots and even beginners can learn to kite in waist-deep lagoons. The accommodations are fine and the food and drink are not bad either. Overall, the price-performance ratio is very good.

What are you waiting for? 🤙 See you in Brazil!

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