Are you a kitesurfer based in Singapore or Malaysia and you're wondering where to have a regular blast? Maybe you're thinking of going on periodic kitesurfing safaris to Vietnam or Thailand? Well, before you book your tickets, consider this: there's no need to travel that far. If it's consistently windy conditions you're after, friendly 10-15 knots of wind, then head up to Tioman. Time it right and you could well be in for a honk-fest!
Kitesurfer getting stoked
In fact, during the months of November/December to February/March, Tioman gets hammered by winds of up to 20 knots or more. This wind is part of the yearly monsoon event, dense North-east monsoon winds barreling down the South China Sea, before colliding with Malaysia. Throw the wind-swept 2 meter Tioman swell into the mix and you've got yourself a happening mix that's ideal for endless fast and furious kitesurfing action.
Kitesurfing Tioman - Need for speed
After the monsoon, the so-called intermonsoon months, March to April, winds tend to be light and variable. This is the time to check your gear thoroughly or get the latest board or kite so you're ready for the coming season.
The season that's up next, is the Southwest monsoon, a time when winds around Tioman are a decent 10-15 knots, more than enough to get your
kitesurfing fix. Productive spots to have a go at are at the Southwestern tip of Tioman, just off Kampung Genting, where the SW wind broadsides that exposed part of the island obliquely to create a semi-Venturi effect of up to 20 knots.
The other consistently windy area is at Kampung Juara, at the Eastern coast of Tioman. This bay is blessed with a pretty regular sea breeze. It isn't as strong as the wind at Genting, but it's enough for a solid day's kitesurfing and it's cross-onshore, so easy to launch and easy come back in, even if you're becalmed.
Kitesurfing courses
Do you want to learn how to kitesurf? Whether you're 15 or 55, simply head to Tioman for a weekend of kitesurfing classes with an IKO-certified kitesurfing instructor. Kitesurfing is one of the fastest growing sports world-wide. And small wonder, given the relatively easy learning-curve, the awesome air-time and the high-octane record-breaking speeds that kitesurfers routinely attain.
Getting the basics down
Tioman's officially IKO-certified kitesurfing instructors are not only experts at passing on their kitesurfing skills, but they never lose sight of their number one priority: your safety.
Next step, launching the kite with a buddy
The kitesurfing course is broken down into separate modules so you can complete each one individually till you've done them all. Alternatively, you can just take a few clinics by the hour to polish your skill. Should weather conditions change to unfavorable, you can always come back and pick up where you left off.
Tioman offers various kitesurfing lesson packages, as well as kitesurfing gear rental, so fill in the form below if you're interested in feeling the rush of kitesurfing.
