You came to Croatia for a summer vacation with
beautiful beaches and the sea, but after the first few days of vacation, you are ready to
try something new and more challenging? Do not think long, but immediately try yourself in one of the many
water sports - among which
kitesurfing stands out. There is no better place for kitesurfing in Croatia than the
Neretva valley, which in recent years has become a real summer destination due to its
beautiful sandy beaches. Otherwise, known for its Mediterranean fruits, especially mandarins, the Neretva valley's extremely special geographical location will make every visit
a real sensation. Therefore, enjoying the natural beauty of this valley from the sea perspective. The very place where you have the opportunity to try kitesurfing, represents a
natural phenomenon as such - the
connection of the river and the sea.
But let's first go through the most important information about kitesurfing. Kitesurfing is a newer sport that
gained popularity at the end of the 1990s and the turn of the year 2000. The speciality is that it actually represents a combination of many water sports that include utilizing different forms of boards, such as
surfing, water-skiing and wakeboarding. The key elements of kitesurfing that are necessary for a successful performance are of course the kitesurfer, the sail, which is commonly called a kite in kitesurfing, and the board on which the kitesurfer stands. However, perhaps the most essential elements of this sport are
beyond human influence, which makes it even more enticing. Namely, for successful kitesurfing, nature also needs to give its contribution in the form of
wind, waves and weather conditions that define generally good weather. Thanks to its unique location, the Croatian coast offers an average of over 100 such days a year, ideal for kitesurfing.
And now you might be wondering,
how does it work in practice? A kitesurfer stands on the board and controls the previously mentioned kite, which takes on the role of a sail on the surface of the sea. Your own
strength is not the key factor, it's about using the
power of the wind to move your board across the sea and navigate through the waves. The kite can be of various sizes, from 5 m2 up to 20 m2, and is attached to the central part of the kitesurfer's body using a belt - the kite harness. For better control of his own movement, the kitesurfer has a control bar at his disposal that is connected to the kite via a rope system (flying lines). It may seem like a complicated undertaking at first, but
this sport is fully adapted to all levels of kitesurfers.
The Neretva valley with its
width, sandy beach and shallow sea makes it a perfect place for beginners, but also for advanced kitesurfers who will not be fret of bigger waves due to the stronger wind. In the Neretva valley, you can usually encounter the
Maestral, which is a
pleasant, consistent wind, characteristic of better weather conditions, while the
Jugo blows with
greater intensity, and therefore creates bigger waves, and is common for the months of April and October. But it doesn't have to scare you, even if you don't have the necessary knowledge about wind types because there are
instructors and schools for kitesurfing in the Neretva valley, where you have the opportunity to learn everything you need for successful kitesurfing attempts. All other benefits in the form of equipment like wetsuits, showers and everything you need for your safety during kitesurfing are provided as well.
One
fun fact is that there is a sport related to kitesurfing -
kiteboarding. Given that these are newer sports, neither of these two names is usually wrong for any of the mentioned board and kite activities. However, what distinguishes kitesurfing from kiteboarding is the
surface on which it is performed, which is the sea, or surfing on waves, when it is more correct to use the term kitesurfing. So, one could say kiteboarding is a more
creative branch member of similar sports activities, given that it is performed on
snow, ice, dirt or even grass.
The positive sides of kitesurfing are numerous because it is not necessary to be in the best physical shape, almost
all age groups can participate and
no prior knowledge of the sea or wind is necessary. All these factors make the sport extremely attractive for all visitors to this
wonderful part of the Croatian coast. Therefore, if you have chosen
one of our beautiful villas in Dalmatia, enjoy all the charms of the
ultimate relaxing holiday. However, on those days when you are looking for adventure, hop in the car and after just a short drive, you will find yourself in a completely different environment and have an
unforgettable experience!
Josipa Primorac
27.1.2023
MY ISTRIA GUIDE
