Pasty Adventures kitesurfing & watersports school news - Pasty Adventures Kitesurf School Gwithian & Marazion, Cornwall

Cornwall Kitesurf Clinics 2016

8/2/2016

Pasty Adventures Autumn Clinics 2016

If you are looking to improve your kitesurfing, Pasty Adventures Kitesurf School have some great clinics coming up in Cornwall.
Run by BKSA Coach and British Champion, Lee Harvey each clinic is aimed at improving your level using real time demos via a speaker system and 2 way headsets.

28th August - KITEFOIL Clinic at Marazion
This clinic is for people that can ride on the foil and want to nail turns and transitions, as well as start ripping upwind and downwind at speed.
Ketos Foils and North Kites will be available to test.

17th September – Intro to Wave, Gwithian or Marazion
If you are just starting to ride a surfboard, this is the clinic for you.
North kites and boards available to test.

1st October – Wave Clinic, Gwithian
This clinic is for people who are comfortable riding the surfboard in the waves and want to improve their turns and overall wave ability.

For more info including back up dates, please see the website-
http://www.pastyadventures.co.uk/kitesurf-clinics.html

One In Every 17 Surfers Has Had An Operation For Surfer's Ear. Don't Be One Of Them!

6/21/2016

Surfer's ear is a common condition affecting the hearing of those who go in the sea regularly. Whether this for surfing, swimming or kite surfing they are all at risk of surfer's ear if they don't take precautions. The body reacts to the cold by forming tiny bony nodules around the opening of the ear. These slowly grow over the next few years, narrowing the opening. This leads to conductive deafness and a higher rate of ear infection in sufferers. To avoid this they need to protect themselves.
Having not used protection, the only treatment for the condition is surgery. The extra bone is chiselled or drilled away by a surgeon under local anaesthetic. ZenPlugs wanted to find out how often surfers needed to have the operation. They carried out a survey of 203 avid surfers who were contacted using social media and a hospital staff newsletter. Surprisingly, in this group 6% of the surfers had the operation at some point in their lives. This comes to 1 and 17 surfers. Several of them had even had it more than once. Having the operation does not protect against the condition coming back if protection is not used.
The research also showed that wearing surfing earplugs and a surfer's neoprene cap more than 90% of the time prevented the condition.
Summary. One in 17 surfer's have had their ears chiselled or drilled. If you don't want to be one of them wear your surfer's cap and ear plugs more than 90% of the time.

Cold but sunny start to the Kitesurfing season in Cornwall

5/5/2016

Although it has been a very cold spring we have still had some amazing conditions for Learning to Kitesurf at Marazion.

Our private lessons have been very successful with the use of the new BBTalkin 2 way headsets. This has greatly improved the speed of learning and all the students that have used them have been extremely happy with some great feedback.
We are using them on all private beginner lessons and coaching sessions. Check out our full range of courses here.

This year we are also using the new North Mono 1 strut kite which has really impressed us with its ease of use and water relaunch. The light weight also means it has lots of power for its size and well as being super friendly in the small sizes. For 2016 we have the full range of North Neos, Evos and Mono kites ensuring we have the right tools for the job.

We are also pleased to now be using ION products in the school and Lee has signed on to the UK Team. Check out the full range at www.ion-products.com

With summer approaching now is the time to start getting to grips with Foiling and maximise your water time while experiencing one of the greatest thrills you can get on the water.
We are please to be one of the only fully qualified and insured kite schools in the UK to teach Kite Foiling and with Marazion and Mounts Bay we have one of the greatest locations for Hydrofoiling in the World. Check out our Foil lesson packages here

Have a great summer and we hope to see you on the water in sunny Cornwall at some point. Remember to keep an eye on our Facebook page for all the latests news and happenings from our World.
If you are in need of some new Kitesurf equipment check out our Kitesurfing shop, where you will find unbeatable packages from North Kiteboarding, KiteFoiling setups, Kite Surf boards and New & Used Bargains!

Have Fun and Stay Safe
Lee 'Pasty' Harvey

Job Vacancy - Freelance BKSA instructor

2/22/2016

We are looking for a Freelance BKSA Kitesurf instructor to work for the 2016 season and possibly beyond.

Good rate of pay (depending on experience)
Must be available during peak season (school holidays) when we can pretty much guarantee work every day it is windy.
Work on weekends and outside of high season available if desired.
Kit deals available

We take pride in offering the highest quality lessons and coaching.
If you want to improve your teaching skills along with your personal kiting on the best kitesurf beaches in the UK.
Email your c.v with covering letter to - lee@pastyadventures.co.uk

Our teaching locations voted No.1 & 3 for Kitesurfing in the UK

11/12/2015

Pasty at the Bluff

Really pleased to see Gwithian or more specifically St Ives Bay which includes our beginner kitesurf teaching spot of Sandy Acres as well as Gwithian and the Bluff where we run more advanced coaching, has been voted the No.1 place to Kitesurf in the UK by Red Bull.

Even better is the fact that our other spot of Marazion came out at No. 3, proving that there is no better place to learn or improve your kitesurf skills than here in West Cornwall. Read the full article here-
http://www.redbull.com/uk/en/adventure/stories/1331758180222/10-top-uk-kitesurfing-spots_

Lee 'Pasty' Harvey wins the Kitesurfing, 3rd Overall at Watergate Bay, Cornwall

4/20/2015

This weekend saw the Legend of the Bay event being run for the 2nd time at Watergate Bay near Newquay. In this unique event athletes compete in Kitesurfing and Stand Up Paddle boarding to find the best overall waterman who claims the titleof Legend of the Bay.
As in 2013 Lee dominated the kitesurfing side of the event with the qualifiers held on saturday 18th april in tricky offshore conditions. Despite the small waves Pasty perfomed some powerful and stylish turns to advance to the final without losing a heat.
The final of the kite was held on sunday 19th april in much different conditions, a light sideshore wind with double overhead waves, Lee again dominated with some high scoring rides to take the win infront of Josh Coombes in 2nd and Neal Gent 3rd.

In the SUP side of the event, held on Sunday, things were a little different with the conditions showing everyone who was boss with 8ft closeout sets making the paddle out somehwhat tricky at times.
Lee managed to make it to the quarter finals and 9th place to give him 3rd Overall while Newquay locals Dom Moore and Josh Coombes made it all the way to the final. With Dave Ewer nailing so awesome rides he took the win while Dom battled into 2nd place with Josh unable to get a 2nd scoring ride and ending up 4th. This left Dom and Josh tied for the overall title and making it a 1,2,3 for Cornwall.
Well done to all the winners and everyone for surviving in some very challenging surf on Sunday!
pics by Keira Ridel

If you Surf in Cornwall you should also Kitesurf. Check this & you will see why!

3/24/2015

For me Kitesurfing has always been an extension of my surfing and a means to ride waves when it's windy using the same board but just adding a kite. The amount of waves you ride and the speed you can get from the kite really helps improve your surfing due to increased time riding waves. In a single two hour kite session at Gwithian, I will probably ride 50+ waves where as when I surf I normally ride around 20. Do the maths it makes sense and the amount of extra days you get especially in Cornwall is just crazy. As well as waves kitesurfing is so much more. You can do massive jumps, throw down tricks, race or even fly above the waves on a Hydrofoil.
At Pasty Adventures we offer lessons for all levels from beginner to advanced in all disciplines. Don't delay book your Kitesurfing Lesson in Cornwall with us and open up a whole new world of pleasure.
The school is open from Easter. Detail on all our lesson are here- http://www.pastyadventures.co.uk/beginner-kitesurfing-lessons.html
If you still need convincing check out this awesome video from Patagonia-

Dakhla Kitesurf Coaching Holidays the best yet!

3/23/2015

Our recent coaching holidays in Dakhla, Morocco were without doubt our best yet.
First up we had the Lagoon camp from 21st Feb - 1st March on which we had 6 fun guys. After the morning brief and preparation of action plans, it turned out we had 3 groups of 2 to work on similar goals which was perfect. The wind blew everyday from dawn to dusk and with the Dakhla Spirit camp providing the best possible setting, it enabled the coaching to run at the best times according to the activity.
At low tide we worked on freestyle tricks in our on private flat water area or carves and turns both on twin tips and surfboards out in the lagoon, including the use of video coaching. When the tide came up we ran group sessions on jumping or follow my leaders in perfect waist high water. Kites used were everything from 12m on the first morning down to 6/7m kites the rest of the time. Being based at the camp, also meant that the guys could take a break whenever they wanted and still learn at the same time by watching the others.
During downtime I also managed to sneak in a few Kite Foil sessions and hit a top speed of 34.1 mph riding a Sector and Rebel 9m one windy lunch time.
The vibe at the camp in the evenings was great with some good Moroccan food and a few beers during evening theory sessions and daily debriefs.
Well done to all for a great week and learning lots. Also thanks for the great feedback :)
Check out some of the pics from the Lagoon Camp-

The Wave Camp ran the following week 28th Feb - 7th March and again had six people. Two from the previous week camp on the lagoon with the other four flying in. For this camp we stayed in town at the Dakhla Spirit Surf House which is the perfect base for the amazing wave spot of Oum Laboiur.
Starting off on Sunday morning with a brief and action plans we then had an perfect little wave session for everyone to warm up and get used to the spot. Following on from this we were blessed with perfect 2-4 ft waves and wind everyday, so much so that the guys even needed a morning off half way through.
On two mornings we went back to the lagoon to run some footwork and flat water exercises while we waited for the tide to push up and make the wave even better. The spot is just so good and with no one there (the most we had were 2 windsurfers and 3 other kiters on one occasion), it really is the best place to improve your Kite Wave riding. In the evenings we had great food at the house and watched back the video from the day. Mornings were early surfs followed by theory or general feedback from the previous day.

"Lees enthusiasm for wind and water is relentless, his skill and experience exceptional. Hes been a great mentor for chasing the best waves from sun-rise to sun-set, giving unlimited attention and pushing you further. Its been great to be a part of his trip, and 'its on' for the next one." Jason, Dakhla Wave Camp.

The next Pasty Adventures Kitesurf Coaching Holiday is looking likely to be in Cape Town.
Stay tuned to our Facebook page for all the latest updates and news from Pasty World.
Kitesurf Coaching Clinics are on in Cornwall this Easter, click here for info
Cheers
Lee 'Pasty' Harvey

Lee wins the IKSurfMag Wave Classic

11/3/2014

West Cornwall played host to the IksurfMag Wave Classic Kitesurf Wave competition from 20th – 25th October. The UKs top kitesurfers battled it out on the beaches of West Cornwall in a varied range of conditions with 22 competitors across the 3 fleets of- Pro Men, Seniors and Ladies.

Lee ‘Pasty’ Harvey won the Pro Mens division with Marc Rowley (Porthcawl) winning the seniors and Sukie Robertson (Perranporth) the ladies.

For more info, pics and write up check out http://www.iksurfmag.com/kitesurfing-news/2014/10/iksurfmag-wave-classic/

Junior National Watersports Festival, Stithians Cornwall

5/6/2014

Joining forces with North Kiteboarding UK we attended the Junior National Watersports Festival held at Stithians Lake, Cornwall on the 3rd May 2014.
Along with demoing all the new North equipment, Pasty Adventures ran free Kitesurf Taster sessions to the future generation of British watersports entuaiasts. Over the course of the day, we had four groups of 8-16 year olds who all left grinning and smiling after experiencing the fun of flying a kite.
Hopefully some of these will take up kitesurfing in the future, or one of the other sports they got to try out over the weekend.
It was great to be a part of it and see so many brands and pros giving their time to encourage youngsters into our fabulous sports of Kayaking, Kitesurfing, SUP and Windsurfing.
Well done to all the organisers for a great event.