Hi,
I am keen to take a trip to either Fiji or Atutaki at the end of Sept/early Oct. However, it is going to be pretty expensive so would like to know what the wind conditions are likely to be. Am I going at the right time of the year? Does anyone have any experiences of going in Sept/Oct.
I am pretty new to the sport so dont need a huge amount of wind but will save the money for another trip if I am not likely to get good wind.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Mat.

Hi Matt
I lived in Fiji for two years and kite surfed a lot up there. Best time of year is winter when the easterly trade winds kick in, you can pretty much go out every day. Sept/ Oct can be less predictable, but if you strike it lucky you can get 4 or 5 days straight of good wind. Summer is a non event really, the odd day here and there, with the warmer air temps you need more knots to get the same power as you would on a cooler winters day ( thats an air density thing).

While Fiji has good spots and can be good, it's just a gamble, as well as generally being an expensive third-rate dump, crap food, bad service all delivered at island-time rate.

So, my advice to you: Noumea. 2.5 hours away, almost guaranteed wind, it's cheap and fun. Seriously, you'd need your head read if you wanted good wind, great location, then chose Fiji or any other south pac island over New Cal...

Oh yeah, and good medical attention if your hip pops out...

Then again, I TRIPLE TRIPLE DARE you to book a holiday at Nananu-i-ra / Rakiraki with Warren Francis...