Kiteboarding

While windsurfing [1] put Cabarete [2] on the map, kiteboarding is gaining in popularity quickly. It is impressive to watch from the shore, let alone try. One moment you’re skimming along the surface of the waves, then you suddenly swoop into the air for a hang time above the ocean.

Both Kite Beach and Bozo Beach [3] are good spots for learning, but Bozo seems to be less crowded. This exhilarating sport is best when you have lots of hours of instruction (6–12 is standard), and it is best to choose a quality school. It is a dangerous sport that you’d be wise to learn from the best.

Kiteboarding is more expensive to learn, and beginners should expect to pay around US$250 for six hours of lessons. Try to shop around, though; there are so many instructors around that you should get your money’s worth by having an instructor with whom you have a good rapport and who makes you feel safe.

Kiteboarding Outfitters

Super-cool Kite Club (Kite Beach, tel. 809/571-9748, www.kiteclubcabarete.com [4]), at the upwind tip of Kite Beach [3], offers beginners a three-day beginner course (US$459), including gear and insurance. Lessons are available in English, French, German, and Spanish. If you buy a membership (starting at US$20/week) for the duration of your trip you get special incentives, like use of a locker, use of Kite Club facilities, and access to a rescue boat (could come in handy). An on-site restaurant specializes in tasty food that perks you up after a good run but won’t weigh you down so you can get back out there. Inquire about the accommodation choices: cottages (US$30 includes breakfast and dinner, shared bath), studios (US$66), and apartments (starting at US$77).

Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding (ApartHotel Caracol, tel. 809/571-0564, www.laureleastman.com [5]) offers lessons in many different alluring packages like one called Transformation into Kiteboarder, which is a four-day package for those new to the sport for US$460. Other packages include kids’ classes and women-only classes.

Club Mistral (Playa Cabarete, tel. 809/571-0770, www.club-mistral.com [6]) has the credibility of having many operations worldwide. This German company offers many kitesurfing (US$240/six hours, private lesson is US$193/two hours), windsurfing (US$65/two hours), surfing (US$45/two hours), and combo packages. Prices are for beginner lessons only and increase for skill level.

Dare2Fly (Cabarete, tel. 809/571-0805, www.velacabarete.com [7]), owned and operated by Vela Windsurf Center, is a full-service IKO-affiliated (International Kiteboarding Organization, www.ikointl.com [8]) outfitter offering lessons and gear rental. All beginners get board, kite, harness, helmet, and vest included in their lesson rates (maximum three students to a lesson). The beginner group course is three days long for nine hours a day (US$390).