SUPS are coming to town - Stay tuned for 7 day guided atoll paddle Tour [more details here]
NEW WESBITE due to be available in 2012. |
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WOW! What a busy few months we have had a ZKT!
Last week we finally packed our containers and kissed them goodbye ‘till we see then next on the Cocos. We have spend much time and money making our tours and the beach shack full of new surprises and amenities. We will have fresh water for drinking and showers, 2 Troopy’s for the tours, 10 new mountain bikes and luscious new very comfortable sun loungers - not to mention the bigger bbq, better sound system and lots of TOYS! Oh, we even put in a beach cricket set!
It’s starting to get cold so get planning – book your winter holiday now.
Availabilities to date...
We have just 2 months to go until the start of the season and we have the following places available:
27 th July - 2 spots, 14 th August – 6 spots, 24 th August – 6 spots, 11 th September – 5 spots, 21st September – 8 spots
If your thinking of coming, let us know asap as the next Kiteboarder Magazine due out in June will have a 3 page spread and our tours and membership will surely sell out.
Don’t forget we only have limited space in our shack and for rescue and other services, so if you are making your own way to the islands and want to join us with membership, let us know asap.
Our new Cocos DVD
It’s more like a visual brochure – it’s got the kiting, kite beach, snorkelling, golf and plenty more... see it here.
Not Just Group Tours...
Our main product at ZKT is the group houses where the costs and the fun is shared. These are the most affordable and fun for an individual or friends, but there are also many other options and ways of enjoying your time on Cocos. We have now been to the Islands for 5 years and know the set-up very well. If you would like us to find you suitable accommodation and transport let us know and we will find you the best available options for your desired dates.
National Kitesurf Survey is now over.
Check out how the Cocos rated in the top 3 kiting destinations – 91% of people rated it 4 & 5 out of 5... and 89% of people kited ‘all day every day ’ and ‘most days’ – can’t go wrong there!
Free Hire for Beginners!
Check it here
New Gear for your tour?
We are offering 5% off any equipment purchased from us if you join us on the Cocos – and - if you get it before the tour you can claim the GST 10% back at the airport! Ask us how
The survey winner!
Graham Snowdon from Botany Bay was the winner of the National Kitesurf Survey and he chose to come with us to the Cocos Islands for a fully paid tour in August this year.
With 934 participants, we now have a greater feel for where kiters kite, where they travel and who they are.
Here are a few results from the survey.
For more results check out www.kitesurfsurvey.com
Cocos Culture and Kiting - Pondok tours
This year on cocos there is a very special new cultural tour that allows you to explore other parts of the atoll and experience the Malay way of life. A Pondok is a “holiday house” on other islands that are owed by large families and usually visited on weekends. The regular tour offer’s a boat ride to the Pondok but as kiters, we can kite there! The package includes dinner and refreshments upon arrival, 1 night's accommodation, a Pondok tour and crab entree by a local fisherman, breakfast and snacks. Tea, coffee and fresh water also supples with cooking facilities. Some of the things you can do are: relaxing with your favorite beverage in one of the hammocks, hermit crab races in the crab pit, watching the sunset and bonfire or, for something more energetic there is : swimming and snorkelling, beach combing on the ocean front, night cray-fishing on low tide, feeding the chickens with coconuts, sand golf & Fishing.
If you are keen to do a Pondok tour, let us know and we can book you in. So relaxing, So beautiful!
Photo comp on FB
Vote for the Jumping Manta’s photo here on the Kite world wide FB page.
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Our Survey has shown, not surprisingly, that the number of kitable days that can be anticipated is a major factor in choosing a kite holiday destination. On this criterion alone, the Cocos Islands, due to its favourable position in the Trade Winds of the Indian Ocean, its low profile, and without any other land within hundreds of kilometres, enjoys a significant advantage over other kitesurfing destinations.
Over the past six years, ZKT clients have been able to kite for over 90% of their days on Cocos. This compares more than favorably with other destinations in the Pacific which average around 60% of kitable days based on published weather statistics.
On a “Cost per Kitable Day” basis, a 14 day package tour with ZKT to Cocos can therefore end up being nearly 50% cheaper than a similar package elsewhere. As the Cocos Islands are very isolated in the middle of the Indian Ocean, it’s not a cheap place to get to, But at Zephyr Kite Tours, we have created a safe, fun and friendly environment to enjoy the amazing winds.
Our group packages make it affordable and more fun than travelling to the Islands alone. Check out our new wind stats page here.
Whether you come on one of our Group holiday packages or make your own way to the Islands if you join ZKT and get ZKT Membership, you will be looked after from the moment you, arrive in the Islands and everyday while you are kitesurfing. We know everything about kiting on Cocos and being the only Kitesurfing Centre, we have can offer the following amazing services.
Airport pick-up & Island Tour: We meet you at the airport (usually with a cold-one), take you straight to kite beach & your accommodation and show you around the Island.
Kite Beach shelter: Where your kites will be safe at the beach and ready for you to use day after day. The shelter offers shade, seating and safety equipment, music, sun cream, tools, water cooler and a great hangout for everyday at the beach.
Rescue Service: Our Inflatable boat is available for rescue all day - with staff always at the beach so you know you will be safe.
Professional instructors & Staff: There are always 3 ZKT staff on Island and 2 at the beach all day, every day to assist everyone, Kiter or Not! We’ll entertain you, take you snorkelling, have a drink or 3 and sometimes get the party started.
Free coaching: We offer free advice and any help needed at the beach or on our fantastic down-winders and other kiting adventures. This means you have expert advice all day and night to iron out any bad habits or improve your kitesurfing technique.
Kitesurfing Instruction: Our highly qualified instructors can teach complete beginners to advanced kiters. The flat water makes it easy to learn or try big jumps and tricky moves. Beginner & Advanced lessons from $60/hour, $40/half hour or $200 for 4 hours (pre paid).
Kiting & Social Events: There's never a dull moment as our hosts and instructors will organise down-winders or lagoon crossings, and in the evenings - social events at the beaches or with the locals.
Demo & Hire Equipment: Use the latest and greatest equipment from some of the best brands. With the consistent winds you can get a good feel for all the kites & boards.
If you’re thinking of coming to the Cocos this year, book early as the June issue of KMAG will feature an article on Cocos which is sure to get some attention. Being such a small island, there are only a few accommodation options and car rental places. We can help you book suitable accommodation and transport, give you advice on the best ways to book or you can book through your local travel agent. If would like to have a rescue service, storage facilities, free coaching and a social hangout, book your package or membership with us.
This month’s www.kitesurfsurvey.com winners are: Trevor Turnbull who wins the Slingshot B2 trainer kite, Mark Rieger who wins the Cabrinha headphones and Anne Clayworth who entered in March to win the Girls only prize of a Mystic Women’s Waist Harness. Well done everyone and thanks for taking part in the national kitesurfing survey. We have had many responses so far but would like more to find out more about our fantastic sport in this country. There is just 1 month to go until the final draw of the 10 day kite holiday to the Cocos Islands or a North Kite n Board package.
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Due to the huge popularity of the KITECHICKS weekends in NSW we have decided to offer a KITECHICKS ONLY tour on the Cocos this year. We have set aside the 1st tour for 14 days from the 27th July. We must have enough interest by the end of April to confirm KITECHICKS event. Reply here if you’re keen
Well, you can just go and buy a new one (as you really needed an excuse anyway) or you could save some $$ and get fit with www.surfingfit.com.au.Check out this fantastic fitness programme for kiters, windsurfers and SUP’ers in Melbourne. A good friend of Zephyr Kite Tours, Brendan Boxall, has been teaching these sports for AGES and now as a professional fitness instructor he is getting us fit for the water. Perfect for the upcoming winter months. Brrrrrrr.
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NATIONAL KITESURF SURVEY
Don’t forget to fill out the survey and get all your mate to as well. www.kitesurfsurvey.com Remember there are great monthly prizes up for grabs and the major prize is a 10 days kite tour the the cocos islands or a complete North Kite and Board package!
THIS MONTHS WINNERS.. February winners for the National Kitesurf survey are: David Vlassic from Melbourne who won the Cabrinha Headphones and Keiren who win the Cabrinha wakeskate Congratulations guys – WE HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR NEW TOYS!
GIRLS PRIZE FOR SURVEY – MYSTIC HARNESS Surely there are more girls in this sport than 13%? We are giving away an extra prize for any kite chicks that fill out our survey between the 2 nd of March and the 2 nd of April. The prize will be a female Mystic harness worth $? Tell your wives, girlfriends and friends – get them onto www.kitesurfsurvey.com
NEXT MONTHS PRIZE For the March draw we are giving away a chicks Mystic harness, a B12 trainer kite package from Slingshot and another pair of Cabrinha headphones drawn on the 2 nd of April 2010.
SOME INTERESTING STATS: From our National Kitesurfing survey 13% of kitesurfers are female, ?% are Under 21 & ?% are over 60, ?% believe in Santa claus, ?% of Guys between 21 & 40 are single!
COCOS KITESURFING TOURS
If your thinking of coming to Cocos this year, let us know. Register your interest at here.
If you are thinking of getting your own way to the Islands and want to have access to our kitesurf centre, rescue service and great kiting and social events, then let us know your dates. We have limited membership spaces available so to avoid disappointment – book early. Details can be seen here.
ZKT KEEN TO STOP DIVORSES OVER KITESURFING! FREE LESSONS FOR KITE-WIDOWS ON COCOS
Cocos is the perfect place for ladies to learn as we understand that everything has to be PERFECT!
There is warm winds, shallow clear water and a female instructor on hand the whole tour to give lessons, encourage and understand all the issues women have with learning to kite. We are offering FREE lessons with equipment for non-kiting partners who book as a couple on any fun-house tours before the end of March. Check out the packages here (4 hours including equipment valued at over $300)
KITESTOCK – WA. ZKT a Winner!
Just back from Australia’s largest kitesurfing gathering – KITESTOCK, the event was put on my WAKSA and their volunteers. They did a sterling job organising and hosting the event in Dongara WA (about 3 hours north of Perth) We had soooo much wind all day everyday, great food - breakfast and lunch, and then great meals and entertainment in the evenings at the local pub.
There were over 350 kitesurfers on the beach and in the small waves and many kitesurfing companies had all their gear on the beach to demo all weekend.
Jen from ZKT entered the women’s wave kiting event on the 2 nd day only to find that it was blowing well over 25 knots and she only had a 7m (small for the east – large for the west). After borrowing a Wainman 5m and a Takoon directional from Stonka, she sailed downwind to the competition area to “express herself” in the waves for ½ an hour. Jen won the event and many prizes donated from the sponsors of Kitestock.
Thanks to Kitestock for putting on such a great, relaxing and friendly event!
MEET OUR INSTRUCTOR – EVAN
Evan Richards – famously known for his photos jumping the giant mantas on Cocos last year, is coming out again to help out on the beach. Evan will be 1 of 3 staff ready to help and assist all ZKT kiters with kite choice, rigging, safety and especially entertainment!
’ I’m a baker that finishes work early and kites nearly every day ha ha ha ohh yeah! My favourite tricks would be double kite loops so long as there’s enough wind, double backroll-kiteloops, frontroll-kiteloops and kiteloop hand slides with a backroll - I just really like kite loops he he!. I bought my 1st kite in 2005 off ebay and didn’t take lessons, after getting my ass kicked a couple of times I locked the kite up in the garrage for a year then decided to give it another go properly. the best thing about kitesurfing would have to be the freedom, It’s the best feeling ever! you can bust out big air, ride waves, practice tricks or kiteloops but at cocos I loved cruising around, looking through the crystal clear water at the reef and sea life”.
WANTED – PHOTOGRAPHER We have a good holiday deal for a professional photographer/kitesurfer. We are keen to do a deal with anyone that can come over in early September who can take some awesome kitesurfing shots on the islands. If this is you or know someone who might be interested – let us know asap. |
Alright people, this is it! NEW website, NEW airline, NEW dates!
NEW DATES FOR THE COCOS ISLANDS TOURS!: The Cocos Islands & Xmas Islands now finally has a reliable, professional and larger airline servicing them and because of this we have new dates and luckily we have the same prices and remarkably more luggage allowance! So it’s all GOOD!
2010 Tour Dates:
14 day tours departure dates: 27 th of July, 24 th of August, 21 st of September.
10 day tours departure dates: 14 th of August, 11 th of September, 9 th of October.
We have 12 spots available on each tour and some are already filled. So to book... choose a tour date and fill out the booking form at www.zephyrkitetours.com/bookingform.htm ,see our new website for more details or reply email for a tour info sheet.
OUR NEW WEBSITE:
It’s been 4 years and now we finally have uncluttered and razzed the ZKT website up a bit. We have a great new gallery, the new Cocos Video filmed and edited by a professional in 2009 and even a shop and reviews page. CHECK IT OUT www.zephyrkitetours.com
WIN A COCOS IS. KITE HOLIDAY OR NORTH KITE N BOARD PACKAGE!
If you haven’t already filled out the survey at www.kitesurfsurvey.com then now’s a good time to do it. This month’s big minor prize is a Cabrinha WAKE SKATE kite board! A massive price! And then if that’s not enough, there’s a chance to win the Holiday or kite package in April!.
Last Month’s winners are Justin from Sydney who won a Mystic Harness – he was stoked as it was his birthday this week and now intends to kite all weekend in it! Al, also from Sydney wont some Cabrinha headphones.
KITESTOCK WA:
I’m off to Geraldton on the 19 th of Feb to spread the Word! If you’re up there for Kitestock, come and say ‘Hi’ and find out more about the tours
THIS YEARS STAFF: 2010 sees the introduction of 2 beach staff on the Islands at all times. This means we have the same high level of advanced instruction and professional advice but also a beach assistant that will help everyone get the best out of their gear, offer advice and keep up the good vibes at the beach. Check out the staff on the ZKT team page.
Get wet!
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WIN A COCOS ISLANDS KITE TOUR IN 2010 Take the National Kitesurfing Survey to help us gather important information about kitesurfing in Australia.We have taken on this massive task of trying to get every kitesurfer in OZ to fill the survey out so we can bring you better kiting holidays, the shops bring you better products and the mags and websites can give you more info.There are monthly prices of harness & trainer kites, T-shirts and DVD’s - so the earlier you enter, the more chances you have of winning. The major prize being a Zephyr Kite Tours 10 day Kite Tour Package or a complete NORTH kite and board package of your choice – both valued at $3140!
DATES – JULY – OCTOBER 2010 We have our dates set and are taking bookings now. The most popular and fun tour are the fun house tours. Stay in a massive group house with a maximum of 6 people, eat, drink laugh, and kite together. These are a great way to meet new people and make long life kiting buddies.If your keen on any tour, let us know and we’ll pencil you in. We will hold places without deposits until the end of Jan to let you get over your Xmas spending sprees.
GROUP BOOKINGS Get 6-8 of your mates together and get a whole house to your selves! Discounts are $100 off per person, couples discounts, non kiters discounts and an exclusive group kiting activity once you on island. Deposits are required with your booking as the Houses fill out quickly with single bookings. Email or call us to find out the details.
KITECHICKS3 Big-ups to Pryia and NSWKBA for pulling off a massive weekend in Jervis bay for KITECHICKS3.45 women, 20 volunteer instructors and some extras, kited or learnt to kite, all weekend at the not-for-profit women kite lesson weekend on the 5 th & 6 th of December 2009.It was my 1 st all women’s event and it was great. Nice to see so many people learning and teaching in a safety conscious manner and giving confidence to the girls to enjoy this sometimes-extreme sport. Chicks... stay tuned for more all girl KITECHICKS weekends around the country and maybe even on Cocos! Send us an email if your keen for an all girls Kite tour to the Cocos.
PHOTO COMP WINNERS Congratulations to EVAN RICHARDS of Caloundra who took the incredible photos of the Lagoon Crossing from his kite cam.His timing was amazing as he jumps over 3 giant mantas in the shallow waters near South Island. Congrats also to Claude for taking the amazing photos of the Islands and the Shack photo that best sums up the Cocos Islands – beer, surf and sunset!We’ll be sending the winners a prize in the New Year. You can see these photos and more on our website here or on our Facebook page.
MERRY CHRISMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR from Jen, John, Zephyr & Mike... We hope you have a great Christmas and a Rockin’ New year.Hopefully Santa will bring you lots of kiting presents and the wind blows! |
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