Kiting Brazil
Mega Downwinders & Kite Safaris
in CEARÁ, BRAZIL
Part 2
(July 08)
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Kiting Brazil - Some history on the origin of the downwinders in Ceará, Brazil:
The first downwinders started as windsurfaris in 1999, when double-motocross champion & windsurfer fanatic Daniel Araujo ventured along the coast in his 4x4 truck leading groups of amateur windsurfers from Cumbuco to Jericoacoara.
“I have been roaming these beaches and dirt roads for well over 20 years” says Daniel who was also the first native to windsurf in Jericoacoara in the late 1980’s. He used to train along the coast for endurance in motorcycle competitions and has an unmatched knowledge of the area.
Daniel now runs a service that provides 4 x 4 assisted downwinders (kite-safaris) which offer total freedom to kiters so they can focus on enjoying some of the most epic downwinders in Kiting Brazil.
While kiteboarders enjoy the reliable winds and beautiful scenery, Daniel and his assistant help with landing & launching, they watch out for the riders security indicating dangers ahead (and rescuing if necessary), and organise the lunch stops during the kite-safaris.
Daniel also programs the stays in the “pousadas” (local name for small hotels) where the kitesurfers recover from the safari and get some rest at night, these are usually quiet, comfortable and located on the beach.
He adds “We often work with pro-riders, but these downwinders are accessible to anyone with
decent kitesurfing skills and experience that are looking for something different”.
It is currently not possible to provide 4 x 4 assistance along the entire coast kiting Brazil because of river
mouths and mangrove areas which oblige them to go inland. “we try to do as much as we can along the beaches, the other few sections turn into a fun safari!”
In addition to assistance during the trip they take pictures and video of the safari and provide the
kiters with a CD or DVD upon arrival to destination.
According to him, a GPS system is in the works for this season, he wants to track how many
miles kiters actually ride in a day in order to better schedule the following days and deliver a
report at the end of the kiting Brazil trip.
“We usually start in Cumbuco and go down from there” says Daniel, “depending on the kiters
levels we can go all the way to Paracuru on the first day and keep on going for 2 to 3 days.“
He says it’s all up to the kiters, what he offers are custom designed trips that will usually end up in
Prea or Jericoacoara, “but anything is possible”.
Useful info:
- The windy season starts in July and goes all the way into mid-January.
- The closest international airport is Fortaleza (code: FOR).
- No wetsuits or booties are necessary (water and air temperature average 28 Cº-78 Fº).
- Bring loads of sunscreen.
- Kite size ranging: 7m² to 12m² (14m² for beginning of July & January recommended)
- Expect winds ranging from 15-20 to 30 knots, the further West (downwind) along the coast, the
windier it gets.
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