On the 4/2/10 we were invited to a North Kiteboarding test week to Boa Vista Cape Verde. Along with 20 others including Steph Bridge World Champion from Edge Watersports, IKitesurf Magazine, Kiteworld, and Kitesurf magazine we landed on a runway in the sun with the wind waiting for us. Boa Vista is an unspoilt Island with Ship wrecked Beaches and clear warm waters. This is what Kitesurfing is all about! North Kiteboarding supplied all the new range of Kites and Kiteboards for us to use. The first day was 14m weather so with sun protector on we hit the water, this was a warm up session! The 14m North Rebel flew nicely and went well with a 140cm North X Ride Kiteboard, the sun was shinning and everyone was on the water all day.

Day 2 the wind picked up, at a new location it was cross off shore at a long bay. As soon as the first rider went we all hit the water on 12 and 10m Kites. The Vegas, Fuse, Rebel, and North Evo were all being tested with a variety of Boards including the new Jaime Pro, Wham, Kontact, and Bullet Surfboards. The wind became gusty so I changed down to the 9m Rebel. I found I was starting to prefer the 140cm X Ride to the 136cm. Then I tried the Jaime Pro and was now starting to have a different view on this Board. Last years was very stiff for Freestyle Riding, now the tips of the Board have been made more flexible it is a much better feel.

Day 3 with a tan and peeling skin we hit the Beach outside the hotel, with a 2.5m Shore break this was a testind day! There were wave riders already out from the local Kitesurfing School, further down the Beach is a nice lagoon and in the middle a nice entering point that you had to time your water start otherwise the shore break would take you under. I went for the 7m North Rebel fresh out of the bag as I was watching riders get boosted around in the gusty conditions. I sat on the beach with the board on my feet and waited for the white water to hit the shore. Off I went heading towards some masts from a ship wreck about 400m out, this 7m kite was strong and did exactly what I wanted. This got me stoked and I really enjoyed using the 7m, awesome the Rebel improves year after year! After my ride I sent my friends straight out on it and all the feedback was good!

Day 4 at Shark Bay! Yes Shark Bay with another huge ship wreck! This was onshore with lots of tall white water breaking everywhere, this is what I kitesurf for! Challenging waters that want to steel your Board at any chance it gets. After digging out a holiday maker and his wife who were tyre deep in soft sand with an incoming tide I pumped up the 12m Rebel, chose my riding line and went. Dodging and racing the waves this was the start of an amazing session! Turning and working my kite to jump over the waves and keep my Board on my feet was real hard work and I was in my Kiting zone, me against the Ocean! Burning legs, strong winds crashing waves, in the end the Ocean claimed my Board and I had to slowly Body drag in whilst my new Friends retrieved my X Ride and took it back to the Beach. With people crashing kites, getting massive air, and packing down lines in the water this was to me the best day so far! These conditions were'nt for everyone but for me lets go again! Thats the last time the Ocean takes my Board!

Day 5 back to the cross offshore downwinder beach. With a big set of waves coming in on the point to the left the guys headed off on the surfboards with 9 and 10m Evos and North Rebel Kites. Amazingly Oliver Bridge a 12yr old with 5yrs kitesurfing behind him was pulling off some big air and tricks that made me really think about the potential of learning to kitesurf. I have never seen a younster do what he did, big air with a back loop to handle pass and landing toeside on a 7m North Vegas. Amazing to watch and outstandingly impressive. This has made me want to persue kitesurfing more and more along with my teaching. I pumped up the 12m and headed out on the Jaime Pro 137. This board showed amazing upwind capability and I was enjoying it more and more. With a low kite the wind picked up and and I decided to test my nerve and see how fast I could go.  The board had me racing to and from the shore and I was loving the speed I was getting out of it. The Jaime Pro was so comfortable I have added it to my Board collection and it will stay there right next to my X Ride. And I might even go to say that I prefer it. Another awesome session, kitesurfing is an amazing freedom sport that I will do forever!

All in all I was biast towards the Rebel as we use them to teach but they have improved from last year and you will not in any way be dissapointed with this kite. The new X Ride and Jaime Pro Kiteboards are awesome! And as for Boa Vista, go and kitesurf there! It does'nt get much better!

Yes there is a day missing here due to some incredible snoring from my room mate through ear defenders even I got minimal sleep and was done so took a day off to catch up. Next time the plugs are going in your nose!!!!