Kiteboarding Palawan: Blood, Sand, And Saltwater

We have been kiting quite a lot. We found some really great, remote, uncrowded spots to kite, mostly in lagoons, inside reefs, with onshore wind, and lots and lots of coral. By now, in our travels, and owing mostly to the fact that I never really wore shoes if I wasn’t required to most of my adult life, I can walk on pretty much anything barefoot. These lagoons though have almost gotten the better of me. Sea Urchin spines manage to make their way through the thick soles of my feet, and the jagged limestone and coral can really take chunks of callous and skin out of the soles when I let my guard down (I have had a few chunks taken out, but they heal eventually).

Good thing I am too dumb (stubborn) to worry much about it…

So far, every spot we have kited here in the Philippines has had the same hazards, so at least we know what to expect.

They are beautiful spots, though. This one was on a crazy remote sandbar in the middle of nowhere, a one hour boat ride from what was already the wonderfully remote place we were staying on the very Northeast tip of Palawan Island. Needless to say, we were the only kiters out there, and only five of us kited anyway (probably too shallow over the coral), so it was never crowded. Sadly, I did not get pictures of Tam. She was smart enough not to go out at this spot. The wind here was super strong, gusty, and quite difficult to manage, but as long as we didn’t try too many crazy tricks, we were able to have a great time.

It’ is sort of a rule: If you find a sandbar you have to jump over it. Weird gusty wind or not.

And again…

But what a gorgeous spot!

Sometimes you just gotta jump for joy. Or just jump for the joy of jumping.

It is days like this in places like this that keep us traveling, searching for these spots.

And more jumping. It seems there is a lot of joy here to jump for.

Occasionally you crash.

And the coral bites.

S’okay though, at least I am still smiling.

Momma always said, “If you are going to be stupid you gotta be tough”.

Ah, well, what’s a little blood? No worries. Back to cruising that beautiful cruisey flat water.