Travel

Cape Town to Tarifa: My Year of Chasing Wind

2026-01-19 · 3 min read

I spent twelve months living kite-to-kite across five continents. Here's what I learned about the global circuit, what worked, and what I'd do differently.

In 2024 I sold my flat and bought a kite bag, then spent the next twelve months working remotely from one kite destination to the next. By the end I'd kited on five continents and ridden in 47 different conditions. Here's the honest debrief.

The route

Cape Town (Nov-Dec). Cabarete (Jan). Punta Trettu (Apr-May). Tarifa (Jun-Aug). Cumbuco (Sept-Oct). I came home in early November. Each spot was 4-8 weeks - long enough to get past tourist mode, short enough to keep the variety.

What worked

Renting a single apartment for the whole stay. No moving every few days. A local SIM in every country. Membership to a co-working space in each town - all of them have one now. Two kite sessions a day max - mornings on, afternoons working, sunset session optional.

What didn't work

Trying to take all my own gear. I lost a kite to baggage handlers, paid £200 in airline fees four separate times, and ended up renting locally three times anyway. By month four I was just renting everything except my harness and bar. Cheaper and lighter.

The unexpected lesson

Wind quality is inconsistent everywhere. The destinations with the best statistics had bad weeks. The "minor" destinations had brilliant weeks. The variability of wind made me realise the kite-trip industry oversells certainty.

The financial reality

I spent about £2,200/month all-in including flights, accommodation, food, kite rental and lessons. Cape Town and Maui were 50% more expensive than the average. Cabarete and Mui Ne were 40% cheaper. Average works out near what I'd have spent staying at home.

Would I do it again

Yes, but shorter. Six months would have been enough. The first six were transformative; months 7-12 were diminishing returns.