Aruba Offshore Kiting 12m or 14m

[billwhite]

Heading to Aruba this August. Last time I was there They dug out a 14m for me to rent. Old kite had a small hole in the bladder. I was offshore and it started folding on me. Kite went down and I got blown 1.5 miles offshore till they sent a boat out.

This time I am gonna buy a new kite to mitigate equipment failure. I am really having a hard time deciding between a 12m or 14m. Any bigger guys kite there with advice. I am 230lbs/104kg.

[seaplus]

I recommend a 12m(and you'll prolly still be overpowered).
Plus make the drive to Boca Grandi at least once while you're there for some steady onshore vs gusty offshore.

[irwe]

As mentioned it's worth the drive to Boca Grandi. You may be able to connect with some locals or other tourist kiters in the hotel strip to share a ride down.
When I go to Aruba I don't bother staying on the hotel strip but rent a room at the Kite Inn (near Boca Grandi).
If your at BG then 12 m should be OK most days if riding TT.

[windrider1]

should not have been kiting offshore to begin with.

[billwhite]

Only option is offshore to rent a kite in Aruba. I am gonna rent a car and try Boca. I went down there last time and saw it. You just have to overlook all the trash.

[badgb21]

They just cleaned the beach following an oil spill.
Fishermans huts can be very frustrating. BC miles better.

Only option is offshore to rent a kite in Aruba. I am gonna rent a car and try Boca. I went down there last time and saw it. You just have to overlook all the trash.

[Jamie-NYC]

How well do you kite upwind? If you are very good, the 12m will be fine and likely more than you need, but for sure the bigger kite does help when you get close to shore. There are very good kiters who have trouble working their way back in the crazy shifty/gusty wind there. It can be a challenge. If you don't rent be sure to befriend the guys on the beach and know who is watching out for you and when they close up. I never needed a rescue when there a few years ago, but the guys I went with needed 2 a day each ($40/day). Nonetheless, I tipped the guys each day for keeping an eye out. Calculated it as part of the cost of an otherwise inexpensive trip (apart from airfare).

Boca would be a beautiful place to kitesurf, but it is ridiculously crowded and a very small area - makes Cabarete look lonely by comparison. I kited there once on a light day, only kite out, but with a 13.5 - all of the kites sitting on the beach were 9ms. Did not see too much trash, but odd to have the prison overlooking the beach. Sure, Aruba is always windy, but in my book that's about all it has to recommend it.

[poools81]

i went there and thought i kite gusty offshore wind at home well it was real gusty there and be honest i wasn't impressed with most the instructors on the beach. most of them weren't friendly and really weren't that good of riders kinda funny cause they all acted like they were pros. either way if you can kite you don't need to hire anyone for help just self rescue if you need too. wish i got over to the other side but was only there for 4 days i think the ritz carlton crushed there spot as it brought another huge building in the way.

[hugolopez]

I'm heading to Aruba too, the first week of july, weighing 70 kg is my 12m going to be too much???, I'm also carrying an 8.5m

[seaplus]

Yes hugolopez...12m will be too much for your weight.