Saudi Arabia, kiting on the south west coast?

[Skele]

Hi, KVH

Haven´t been there since 2015. Some non kiting friends still there. They told me that the beach access has been restricted by Saudi Aramco, since they are building/expanding there constantly. Just looking at the google maps satellite imaginery and have to say that a lot has happened there in the last 4 years!

This was my go-to place at the time https://goo.gl/maps/5sFSVgPmqHp . Apparently this area with the lagoon down south has been restricted.

This lagoon was another gem: https://goo.gl/maps/cFrB8k3MrmS2 Go there with a 4x4 from wherever you can reach the seafront, based on the sat pics that area has remained more undeveloped. I used to drive first here https://goo.gl/maps/NXfdcJomGnw and then head north from the beach, not sure if this access point is restricted, looks bad from the image. Luckily you can drive trough the desert from somewhere else.

If your up for a drive a bit further, this spot was very nice, with some actual facilities as well https://goo.gl/maps/cmWcKky3rDP2

Season wise I was there from september to april and pretty much for that whole time there were good winds for a 12 m2 kite. Based on yojimbo´s link in the beginning of this thread indicates less winds for the summer period...

Here´s an edit from the spots

Good luck, hope that you get to do some kiting there.

[fat blokes can fly]

From my man over there:
Wind is generally 14-16 knots
Beaches are a shit hole. Trashed most of his kites. Lots of plastic too.
Tricky part is dependant on what shift of coast guard are on regards access.
Has to be on the public beach, can get crowded after 3-4 ish, not in the water just on the beach. Coast guard don’t like you there then.
Wind is generally sw so pretty much bang onshore at Jizan too
Oh and if it gets to 20 knots they ban you as it’s too windy

Don't know any more, just what he has said.

[KiteVanHike]

Cant thank you guys enough! I'll report back on the current details.

[prop_joe]

Here´s an edit from the spots

Great video, really enjoyed that. Nice riding too A shame they don't look after their beaches though.

[KiteVanHike]

Just did a recon mission:

3pm Friday (weekend day off)
5-7 cars with mostly expat workers from the refinery project. One local couple.

The public beach is 300m or so long located here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fFMXU

Getting there is very easy, just stay on the road where you turn off on coming from airport on your way into the gate to Jazan economic city (refinery under construction). However don't turn into the gate just keep going west to the sea.

There is a newly constructed beach just to the north built by Aramco but it's not yet open.

The beach was relatively clean. No piles of trash but some scattered on the sand. I could see kite or line damage if you are not careful. I plan to bring a broom or something.

The wind was dead onshore steady 10-15 kn maybe a bit more.

There is a small marina to the south that has a breakwater extending maybe 50m into the water. To the north there are baricades separating the public beach from the Aramco beach.

It looks promising I plan on giving it a go with my 12 or 14m with a few (non Kiter) buddies soon. If anyone else is nearby send me a message.

[Skele]

Thanks KVH, very interesting to hear on how the area develops. Although pretty sure not going to go back there.

Good to hear that there´s actually some good development to be seen.

Let us know how it turned out...

[KiteVanHike]

Mission accomplished, just came back from a great session. I tired a few weeks ago but the wind was a little too low for my 14m, ended up droping it in water after a min or so. At that point, the local police came over from Royal Commission building under construction across the road and beeped their or so I decided to call it a day.

On the 2nd try the wind was much better, very consistent, maybe 17kn sideshore (coming from the SSW). The water was very smooth by my standards maybe 0.5-1ft of chop. I parked my SUV (although a car would be fine) in the parking lot and used the tow ring to launch right from the beach. Next time I'll drive right up to the water line as many others do that.

A few people also working on the refinery/economic city project (mainly laborers) came up to ask what I was doing but did not cause any issues. Again, the beach had plenty of room and was clean enough (after I moved some rusty hangers). The wind stayed strong and SSW direction from Noon-3pm and I could have stayed longer. No issues with law enforcement even though I did see some drive by. There were a few cars that drove on to the beach to watch but did not make contact with me at all when I came in. One guy pulled in later and talked to me saying he saw another kiter a few months ago. (So if anyone seeing this in the area kites send me a message for sure ill be around for a few years likely.)

Thanks again for the tips guys!

[Toby]

Please make sure to add all spots on here: https://se.kiteforum.com/spots

and if already listed, pls add or edit the info if incorrect.

thank you!