Kite boarding in Squamish, BC (Includes interview and first-hand account)

The place is called The Spit, a narrow dike that spikes into the Howe Sound. It has excellent steady wind conditions between May and September. Predominant direction of wind is South-Easterly. First it’s not easy to find this location and its starting point should be by Save-on-Foods supermarket at the very first shopping centre when heading north on the Sea to Sky Highway (Hwy 99) from Vancouver. Then, after following the railway line, the road sign “The Spit” shows the final leg to the dike which is right on the other side of the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park with spectacular Shannon Falls.

Kite surfers on Howe Sound with Pyramid Mt. (2,113m) in background, Squamish, BC.

Joseph Boltrukiewicz

The dike is a rocky and treeless area, 15-20 metres wide at its end where the kites are launched. It’s covered by pieces of stiff canvas on gravel rocks to protect the kites from scratching. The kite boarders have to pay cover charge of $Can15 per day; it includes a boat rescue operation in case of troubles on water. A season pass cost $Can150.

Catching the wind and enjoying freedom to surf with the kite, Squamish, BC. Stawamus Chief Provincial Park in background.

Joseph Boltrukiewicz

This growing in popularity sport has completely replaced surf boarding. With its heavy and complicated elements to assemble, most surf boarders quickly switched from boards to kites. Now it takes a backpack for the folded kite, accessories and wet swimsuit, inflating pump and the surfboard that can be carried and assembled in 10 easy minutes. Then the other pair of hands can assist in launching the kite after inflating it. Some kite surfers can do it themselves and be completely independent from other kite boarders.

The kite ready to launch in the air, Squamish, BC.

Joseph Boltrukiewicz

Mostly males predominant in this sport but there are also females that enjoy it. It requires a bit of strength to hold inflated kite in the air before going with full speed on water and previous experience with surf boarding helps much in this sport.

Holding the kite in the air at “point zero” before stepping on the surf board.

Joseph Boltrukiewicz

Launching the surf board with the sail, Squamish, BC.

Joseph Boltrukiewicz

Joseph Boltrukiewicz

Assembling the sail for surf boarding, The Spit, Squamish, BC.

Joseph Boltrukiewicz

Thumb up, “thank you for helping me launch my kite”, Squamish, BC.

Joseph Boltrukiewicz

Soft landing on water with the sail.

Joseph Boltrukiewicz

Soft landing on water with the kite.

Joseph Boltrukiewicz

Quite a traffic in the air, on water and in the base of The Spit, Squamish, BC.

Joseph Boltrukiewicz

In the middle of the day there’s no free spot on the launching pad for the kites at The Spit, Squamish, BC.

Joseph Boltrukiewicz