Kitesurfing/scuba diving school - conditions

Veronika26



Joined: 20/01/2011
Posts: 30

Message Posted:
21/04/2011 20:52

Hi,

does anyone know whether there are some licence conditions to open a kitesurfing or scuba diving school in Northern Cyprus? Thanx

roady82


Joined: 11/04/2011
Posts: 23

Message Posted:
21/04/2011 21:55

Hi veronika

as for the kitesurfing! there is a couple of us that teach it on the side but nothing officia,l and there aint an official iko school on the north. i have no idea whats required from goverment but i know that if u want to start an official kitesurfing school anywhere worldwide it will need to be registered with bksa or iko and have the same registered qualified instructors.



ps do you kitesurf??

shaun

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
22/04/2011 09:25

Hi Veronika,

I'm not a kitesurfer, but used to do a bit of windsurfing when I lived in Paphos. I would think that kitesurfing would be quite difficult on the TRNC's north coast because of the NNW prevailing winds that blow onshore most of the summer - in fact, most of the year. Different, of course, in Famagusta - but would you get enough tourist business there?



When you add this 'factor' [see link below] on so many beaches; and apart from the bureaucratic hurdles, hassle and expense of setting up any business, I think you might be wise to change your mind and channel your ambitions elsewhere!



http://www.allcrusades.com/BB_pics/Beach_in_TRNC.jpg



As for starting a scuba diving service/school - it's already well covered.



Be VERY wary of putting your money into ANY partnership enterprise that is offered - you have been warned!

darius


Joined: 22/04/2011
Posts: 10

Message Posted:
22/04/2011 09:54

Be VERY wary of putting your money into ANY partnership or enterprise in trnc.

Cazleo


Joined: 06/04/2011
Posts: 232

Message Posted:
22/04/2011 09:58

Hi Shaun

I am going to write an article about Kitesurfing in North Cyprus, can you get in touch with me so we can discuss? Thanks.

Email: clairemorley@hotmail.com

Veronika26



Joined: 20/01/2011
Posts: 30

Message Posted:
22/04/2011 11:15

Dear all, thank you for your comments.

Shaun, thank you for the information! Where do you teach kite surfing?



Tenakoutou.. thank you for your info and your warning, I appreciate it. But I am sure that you are wrong saying that the conditions for kite surfing are not suitable here and the picture of the beach is also a little bit misleading.. I saw many beaches here and I must say that this is what you can see on some, of course, BUT it is not everywhere.



V.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
22/04/2011 11:59

Veronika - you posted this subject because you obviously wanted advice. I posted mine in sincerity. I was involved in watersports of all types in Paphos for 18 years. I started 'Paphos Sponge Divers', which ran for 11 years and specialised in underwater photography for tourists - the first and only one that did. I admit that I have little experience of scuba in TRNC; however, I am all too aware of the restrictions imposed for various reasons, which did not apply in the South.



My advice re. TRNC still stands - but, please act as you see fit - I'm sure you will!



I really do wish you all the best - I hope you make a success of whatever you decide!

Veronika26



Joined: 20/01/2011
Posts: 30

Message Posted:
22/04/2011 12:23

Dear John,

I really appreciate your advice and I will take it into account, thank you!



I am mostly interested in kitesurfing, as there is not any school yet. I am working here for one company through which I would like to establish it on a suitable place, but the thing is that the people who would run the school would be foreigners..

JohhnyLee


Joined: 25/04/2009
Posts: 2495

Message Posted:
22/04/2011 12:49

I wish to learn Kite Surfing, I did ask about it last year. I have Water Skied and Keeboarded and been involved in most aspects of Watersports (behind the boat) .



More info please.

Veronika26



Joined: 20/01/2011
Posts: 30

Message Posted:
22/04/2011 13:55

Johny, if you wish to learn kite surfing, I would recommend Aphrodite Beachfront Resort near Gaziveren- the beach is perfect for kite surfing, we can provide with the instructor as well as kite surfs rentals. It is possible to stay there for a few days - accommodation in luxurious apartments for a good price, restaurant on site, swimming pool, jacuzzi etc.. Or just come for one day and enjoy kite surfing For more info and photos, please contact me at: veronika@mezort.com. V.

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
22/04/2011 14:32

mess 9 - they'd need a big bleedin' kite old fella..............

roady82


Joined: 11/04/2011
Posts: 23

Message Posted:
22/04/2011 16:12

generaly in the summer most lessons are done at akdeniz beach as its a large open beach and mostly empty of people but it depends if there is wind or what direction it is in. the past 2 years has seen good nw winds in june for alagadi which is also a nice safe place if its not to crowded. otherwise the north coast doesnt tend to get regular enough winds! aphrodite beach in the summer is 1 of the most reliable places for wind as its picks in a good sea breaze in the afternoons.



johhnylee.. theres an 80% chance of a good west wind tomorrow and a few of us might be at alagadi turtle beach in the afternoon, check out the online cam at the beach if u see us surfing pop down for a chat



http://www.alagadi.net

pacos


Joined: 16/08/2009
Posts: 119

Message Posted:
22/04/2011 17:25

I would like to buy windsurfing equipment,secondhand or new.I am grateful for any information.

roady82


Joined: 11/04/2011
Posts: 23

Message Posted:
22/04/2011 17:56

@ pacos



the windsurfing guys gather at yedidalga or next to escape beach when its windy or pop into the billabong shop on the roundabout for the hsbc bank speak to ozgu they might know somthing

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
23/04/2011 17:45

roady82/Msg 14:



Do you guys have a rescue jetski standing by at all times when you are out on the water?

racoonchic



Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3223

Message Posted:
23/04/2011 18:01

pacos ive got winsurfing gear for sale 05338384636 or nemomaintenance@yahoo.co.uk im in esentepe

racoonchic



Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3223

Message Posted:
23/04/2011 18:13

veronika .i live in esentepe and sometimes need a dive buddy ... if you fancy it sometime

JohhnyLee


Joined: 25/04/2009
Posts: 2495

Message Posted:
23/04/2011 18:34

Mesaage 10 and 11, thank you I have taken note, where is Gaziveren please.



Message 11 N.N. ( I always needed abig water Ski.)

roady82


Joined: 11/04/2011
Posts: 23

Message Posted:
23/04/2011 19:10

re msg 15



no we dont bother with a boat or jetski! dont really need 1 as we dont go out in off-shore winds generally its side-on to onshore!



we surf in pairs or groups most of the time and there is a self rescue technique that we all "should" know and if all else fails another surfer will go out to help!

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
23/04/2011 20:40

roady82 - Sorry, but if you intend to teach/take newcomers and tourists, it is absolutely essential to have a powered rescue craft - RIB or jetski.



I can't begin to tell you how many rescues I've had to make during my time in commercial watersports, working from the Paphos seafront hotels. Once a wind or kitesurfer loses his/her strength, usually from multiple failed attempts to pull up the sail, they're in big trouble! I've seen the strongest, fittest young guys crying like babies, either when we got to them, or when we'd hauled them on the boat!



I can only wish you all the best and 'fair sailing'!

racoonchic



Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3223

Message Posted:
23/04/2011 21:29

i agree ..any type of watersport should be monitored and full motorised assistance on hand..otherwise its just irrisponsible..

roady82


Joined: 11/04/2011
Posts: 23

Message Posted:
24/04/2011 00:02

1st of all i never said i teach i said theres a couple of us "as in us kitesurfers"

2 if the instructor allows a student to get out of their depth so that a boat is needed then yes,he is irrisponsible

3 with a kite, the 3rd most important thing u learn"in waste deep water"is water relaunch the 4th important thing is bodydragging upwind to collect your board if u come off! untill u can do those "with your eyes closed" as a figure of speech " then u shouldnt be allowed out of your depth!!

4 as i said earlier with the wind being side-on or on-shore then if u have a break down or the wind becomes not enough then youll naturaly drift"safely"to the beach and we DONT surf in off-shore winds for that reason

and last of all as iv said, there isnt an official iko school here and if their was an OFFICIAL iko school then yes there would need to be a rib available

now i understood your question to be related to the few of us in the north that know how to kitesurf not to be teaching related!

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
24/04/2011 09:24

roady82/Msg 22:



In message 22 you wrote: 1st of all i never said i teach i said theres a couple of us "as in us kitesurfers"



In message 2 [to Veronika] you wrote: as for the kitesurfing! there is a couple of us that teach it on the side but nothing official....



Mmmmm - when I went to school 'us' meant 'we'!



Msg 22/Clauses 2/3 & 4: Let's take 2./ - Any beginner/student is usually carried along/away out of control much of the time, so can easily and quickly get out of his depth, or fall and be swept away by a strong current, which puts both the instructor and student in real danger - a panicking, drowning person becomes totally irrational, there is no reasoning with them. They are extremely difficult to save and a life threatening hazard to the rescuer.



3./ The sea is never a constant depth, especially near to shore, and swimming upwind to retrieve gear and getting exhausted can also bring on cramp [due to changing thermoclines].

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
24/04/2011 09:34

Cont'd: Also,attempted retrieval after gear failure is a very risky business! None of us want to lose our gear - we've generally paid to much for it, and that goes for all watersports gear, so a man's natural tendency is to try to get it back at all costs, and in too many cases this has cost people their lives.



4./ Not 'every time a coconut', pal!



All I mean to say, when out on the water is: 'NEVER ASSUME!' - cos 'Sod's Law' is 'Sod's Law'!



Anyway, good on yas all for giving it a go!

Veronika26



Joined: 20/01/2011
Posts: 30

Message Posted:
24/04/2011 14:28

Message 18

Gaziveren is near Guzelyurt - western coast of the island. Please check http://www.mezort.com, also youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orT0v4cBj1Q&feature=BFa&list=ULIiGskcwhYzw&index=1

V.

JohhnyLee


Joined: 25/04/2009
Posts: 2495

Message Posted:
24/04/2011 14:32

Thank You Veronika 26

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
24/04/2011 18:15

An excellent video, Veronika - well done!



How often are wind conditions like that?



Are there any other beaches in Girne district that are suitable?

Veronika26



Joined: 20/01/2011
Posts: 30

Message Posted:
25/04/2011 10:37

Hi John, thanks

Well, the wind conditions like that are not very frequent - the sea is usually calmer, but people are kitesurfing there all the time.

For instance, recently it was quite windy so the conditions for kitesurfing were similar to what is on the video.



If you want to, add Afrodit Sahil Sitesi at Facebook - you can find more pictures of kitesurfing over there.



Around Girne.. I saw 1 or 2 beaches suitable for kitesurfing - but I can´t remember the names:(



V.

erdemmm


Joined: 25/04/2011
Posts: 1

Message Posted:
25/04/2011 17:11

Dear All,



I will be in Magosa this weekend and would like to know if there is anyone who is teaching kitesurf near Magosa. I am beginner.



Thank you very much.

Clarissa2


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 1476

Message Posted:
25/04/2011 18:51

Re : Msg.29,



I saw kite-surfers on the Long and Silver Beaches in Famagusta area - far better conditions than on the North coast: no choppy water) , but I don't know about the school.