Alberto throws some surf then leaves blasting winds. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at1.shtml?5-daynl#contents Tropical Storm Alberto provide nice swell for Sup early last week but as the storm moved towards the East Coast, it 'pulled' a loto wind with it. Leaving the North Coast, Kite beach with great side off shore action 20-25 knots...



Thursday, May 17, 2012

Hurricane Season 2012 wave predictions, SUP, Paddleboarding, Cabarete, Dominican Republic Interview with SUP and Kite Board Coach, Maui John, about 2012 Hurricane Season for Kite Beach and the North Coast of the Dominican Republic. Q. What is your surf fore cast for 2012? A. I just came in from a nice session off a Tropical Wave . It's was an early wave and i'm looking for an all time SUP 2012 Hurricane Season. Q. Most of the Hurricane Experts are calling for a mild Hurricane Season, but not you? A. Ya, there is a big difference between a good surfable swell and a Named Storm. See those guys don't care about the Tropical Wave we just surfed this morning. To them it almost does not exist, to those who crave the wave, these type swells are very important. Look for a lot of surfable swell in 2012 Hurricane Season. Q. I see, 5 Tropical Waves could be better that one Hurricane that hits the coast. A. Ya, more times then not a Named Storm close by does not throw Sup or Surf waves without a lot of wind. Q. So what are you calling for? A. A lot of Tropical Storms and Waves, consistent easterly Swell making for quality SUP, Paddle Board waves. Q. Why do you think this? A. Heat is gonna be the thing this season...already it's hot and already there is good movement from Africa to through the Dominican Republic. Maui John Coaches every level of Paddle Boarding and Kiteboarding from the Method Shop on Kite Beach.  If you are interested in How to Kite Surf or  How to SUP contact Maui John. 809-849-2147. The SUP and Surf Map pictured above shows the SUP Waves, the Method Shop, and the Kite Beach Lagoon where the SUP Tours and Coaching Happen.

Interview by Juan Ariel Paddle boarding , Cabarete with  Maui John Q. How did you get into Paddle Boarding? A. I started Paddle Boarding years ago as a way to get waves on the outer reefs. I brought Paddle Boarding to the DR from Maui mainly for spear fishing. Q. How did that go? A. Not very well, I found out two things for sure: 1. Paddle boards don't work for spear fishing when there is surf. 2. There is a lot of quality surf around the DR. Q. So you ended up surfing instead of spearing? A. Ya, I would go out on what I thought were "small' days and I realized quickly that there is quality surf on the outer reefs. The more I paddled the more great waves I found. Q. Was anyone else out? A. It was funny, because the older guys from this island know about the waves on the outer reefs, but most people who visit don't think there is any surf other than Encuentro...it's great. Q. More waves for you. A. Ya, there are more great waves around the DR than great surfers, that is for sure. Can't say that about many tropical places. In Costa Rica or Puerto Rico there may be 40 good guys on a wave, and here one guy maybe working two or three great breaks. Q. How has Paddle Boarding changed since you first brought it here. A. Definitely growing, there are probably 4 or 5 shop/schools now. A lot more people paddling. Q. What do you enjoy most about Paddleboarding? A. Coaching...I love to get out in good surf and share my knowledge of how the waves, currents and reef work as well as Coaching the strategies of wave riding. Q. Do you still get solo sessions? A. All the time...the North Coast of the DR is amazing...there are so many waves, almost every one I know who paddle boards has their own spot. This is a huge island. It is also an old Island, which matters, old islands have a lot more beaches and reefs. Q. So behind the beach there is a lagoon? A. Yeap, the Kite Beach Lagoon is directly behind the Kite Beach, it's all National Park, beautiful and perfect Paddleboarding. The fact that there is no current and no wind makes it perfect for  anyone of any age to experience Paddlboarding. We offer rentals and tours. Q. How big is it? A. Over 80sq kilometers Q. Huge A. Yes, massive and beautiful! Q. Where do you see Paddleboarding  going? A. Gonna be huge because you can surf the power in the paddle, the wind and waves. You are always surfing when your are on a Paddle Board. Q. Will it replace surfing? A. No...well...it will replace parts of surfing like longboards, but  waves like Encuentro and La Boca will always be great for surfing and never be great for Paddleboarding (compared to the outer reefs). Q. Why is that? A. Waves close to the beach and hollow are great for surfing where as a big Hawaii-five-0 wave breaking a mile off shore is perfect for Paddle Boarding. Going a mile or two is no problem on a paddle board. I would never lay down and paddle so far away. Q. So both sports exist but not on the same wave? A. Ya, that's right. A great paddle board wave is probably not a good surf spot and a good surf spot is probably not a good Paddle board spot. Q. Which do you like better, Maui or Dominican Republic? A. Maui and the Dominican Republic are very similar, both are 18 degrees off the equator and surrounded by outer reefs. With that said,  I prefer the DR much more because there are a thousand more breaks and beaches. I love being able to surf solo and develop new spots. DR is the 'new' Hawaii! -- John Holzhall Method Lodge, Dominican Republic methodlodge@gmail.com Kite Boarding SUP Method Lodge Kite Beach, Dominican Republic Video SKYPE kbcmaui (305) 432-2530 cell - 8098492147 methodlodge.com

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Not long now, the next KITEs Method 'How to Kiteboard' kite boarding ebook is almost finished. This is the most complete 'How to kite surf' book. Shot on Kite Beach Cabarete, this 'How to kite' book explains every detail  of kite boarding. It is the easiest way to learn kite boarding and safest way to teach.  The book is written Maui John on Kite Beach. John offers kite board classes everyday on Kite Beach Cabarete

Hurricane Season 2011 SUP CUP -Big Wave Challenge Starts now!

SUP Cabarete Rentals and Paddle Board Tours. Contact us for SUP rentals in Cabarete. Paddle Board Tours and Lessons available. Irene rolled in, fortunately the North Shore of the Dominican Republic stayed in the Lee side of the Storm. Monday August 22nd was wet wild and sloppy. Kites were up as winds pulsed to over 40 knots. On Tuesday the wind went off shore as huge surf pounded the North Coast of the DR. A few 'face down' surfers tried to paddle out Kite Beach to no avail. Maui John was the only one to pass the break at Kite Beach  on "Big Tuesday. " He quickly got to 5 waves, the minimum required to win the storm. He got his 5 waves outside OP2. He took mostly lefts and had little trouble passing the break on the way back out. "...waves were clean, wind was slight off shore, really couldn't ask for better conditions..." says Maui John. After 'Big Tuesday" the winds picked up incredibly to gusts of over 50 knots. Kites went up as paddles were put away for the duration of the storm. Maui John won "Hurricane Irene" decisively giving him a 1-0 lead over Gannon and Goodwin.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Cabarete started out good and got a lot better.  SUP Rentals happen at the Method Lodge Kite Beach Cabarete. We rent Paddle Boards, by day or week. We do rentals SUP tours and SUP Lessons. Hurricane Action Today was another perfect SUP day, swells rolled in as glassy conditions prevailed...Katia keeps pushing waves our way as she takes a turn to the north. Maui John was out early and took advantage of surfing 'Heaven and Hell' alone...The wave was bowling up and holding up for a classic right hander...the occasional was there also..."...it's so nice to have that quality of wave to yourself...like a dream..." says Maui John.  Julian Kidd was the second paddler to pass the break, he pulled in at Heaven and Hell also and quickly started catching quality waves. Gordon 'McLoven' Gannon was the third one out, he chose to surf "Mclefts'...the left was working well but the last section was closing. All three paddlers had a great day...all scored perfect 8-10' action today

Learning to kite surf has never been easier. Our 'How to Kite board' book #4 is almost finished. We shot all of it on sunny and windy Kite Beach, Cabarete. If you want to learn how to kite board, come train with the Author of the book, Maui John, here on Kite Beach, Cabarete, Dominican Republic. Maui John is the most experienced Kite Instructor and you can train with him here on kite beach, just email us.

How to kitesurf eBook - Quickest way to Learn Kiteboarding. Finishing up the next How to Kitesurf, Kite Board eBook. It details How to Kiteboard from 'Bro to Pro!'   Pages from the Book...