La Playa Panama - Volume 12, January 2014 | Page 16

P. 16 - LA PLAYA

WWW.PLAYACOMMUNITY.COM

Kiteboarding in Panama

JANUARY / ENERO 2014

From February 18 to the 23, Nitro City will host the Freestyle World Championship of kiteboarding.
Some of the best athletes in the sport are already on the peninsula training for the competition. This
is the first time the event will be held in Panama.
destination, in their 2013 Fall/Winter
travel guide. Furthermore, with big
names in Kiteboarding like Youri
Zoon, Colleen Carroll, Kevin Jacobsen and Nick Langeree filming and
talking about Panama, we can
expect the more and more kites to
soar in the Punta Chame skies this
year.

the most visually
enticing. The Lagoon
is before Nitro City on
the right hand side
and can only be
ridden during high
tide. The bay is dry
when the tide is low.

lack of trust is with good reason;
kiters with limited knowledge on how
to launch, depower and fly a kite
pose a threat to themselves, other
kiters and beachgoers.
In the heart of the season, the point
can get pretty busy. Much like surfing
there are rules to be followed in order
to ensure riders are safe and lines
don’t get crossed. Learning the right
of way, passing other riders and
launching are important rules that
are learnt from an instructor.

There are two kiteboarding schools
on the point: Nitro City’s Kiteschool
and Machete Kites. Neither place will
rent equipment until you have taken
a couple of lessons and have a good
understanding of the basics. This

There are two main spots to
kiteboard in Punta Chame: La Punta
(The Point) and La Laguna (The
Lagoon).

Specializing in Baby Back Ribs
HOURS
Tues - Fri: 1pm - 9pm
Sat & Sun: 9am - 10pm
Closed Mondays
345-2071

Located in Coronado on Avienda Roberto Eisemann

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www.elrincondelchefpanama.com

Op
e

17

With Travis Pastrana’s Nitro City
located at the tip of Punta Chame,
kite boarding in Panama is earning
it’s place in the action sports world.
Kiteboarder Magazine named “Nitro
City, Panama”, as a top kiting

Experienced kiters say La Laguna is
a great place to freestyle. The area is
not recommended for beginners
since there is not a lot of riding area.
That being said, when you see
someone who knows what they are
doing, ride the lagoon you will be
amazed. Freestyle kiteboarding is

Ja
n

Throughout the month of January a
growing group of kiteboarders from
around the world set out to find
sunny shores where the winds are
still strong. Within the last few years
Panama shores have been gaining
their attention.

Op
en
ing

A

s we enter the summer
months on the pacific coast
of Panama, the rain begins
to subside and warm winds pick up.
From mid December to early April,
extreme sports enthusiasts from all
over the world head to the pacific
coast for kiteboarding season. Punta
Chame offers miles of empty shoreline and consistent side- on shore
winds blowing 15 – 30 plus knots
daily. These conditions make Punta
Chame one of the best kiteboarding
experiences around.

La Punta is a long open stretch
spanning from Nitro City to the tip of
Punta Chame. La Punta offers a
safe environment for those learning
to kiteboard. With few obstacles on
shore and in the water, on a day with
strong shore winds you can ride for
miles uninterrupted.

“Pints & Po’Boys”