Charlie Really Does Surf at Vietnam’s Princess d’Annam
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Charlie Really Does Surf at Vietnam’s Princess d’Annam
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Category: Asia Pacific - Vietnam
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2010-02-26
Wind, sun, and seclusion combine for ideal water sport learning
At most wind-and-wave sporting destinations there is a high and a low season. But when it comes to the Vietnam coast along Binh Thuan province, the season seems to be stuck on overdrive --which suits guests at Princess d’Annam Resort and Spa just fine.
In February, one year after its grand opening, Princess d’Annam has debuted a genuine surf experience in the unspoiled setting of Ke Ga Bay. The hotel’s new wind sports program trades on the allure of a remarkable new destination and its inimitable breeze and surf.
“In the movie Apocalypse Now, they said Charlie don’t surf,” said Nguyen Thanh Trung, the resort’s wind sports instructor. ”But Charlie’s sons, they do.”
Trung learned to skim the waves and read the wind just north of Ke Ga in Mui Ne, the first spot in Vietnam to pick up the craze and now a very busy area for surfers. He has an International Kiteboarding Organization (IKO) license and five years of teaching experience.
In contrast to resorts along the Mui Ne strip, Princess d’Annam shares pristine Ke Ga Bay with only a nearby fishing village so beginners need not be concerned about navigating around or cutting off other kite surfers as they get the hang of the sport.
“There really isn’t a better place to learn,” said Trung.
This area of southern Vietnam is characterized by sand dunes, the rising heat from which contributes to wind power and plays a part in making this the most consistently sunny spot in the country.
Surfing options at Princess d’Annam include the traditional surfboard and body boards for the swells which roll in from offshore, especially from May through September, and kite surfing and windsurfing which take advantage of year round winds.
From November to March northern winds gust up to 35-40 knots and average about 20 knots (1 knot = 1.852 km/h or 0.5 meter/second). From March to November the southern winds ease back to an average of 5 knots gusting up to 15.
Trung and the resort staff provide well-maintained, professional equipment featuring Nash kite boards and sails and windsurf boards by Starboard with Simmer brand sails. Four “kite” sail types (six to twelve meters) are adapted to the different wind speeds as well as the guest’s weight and skill level.
Boards also come in four sizes (125-154 cm) adapted for wind speed, guest weight and height, and skill level. Additionally, windsurfing boards offer five options. All of this means optimized time on the water for everyone from beginner to expert , no matter what the winds are up to.
Trung encourages guests to give it a try. “It’s not as hard as it may look. First timers can get up and going in as little as five hours of training.” The resort’s packages come in five and 10 hours. “After 10 hours a student is going to want to buy his own kite surfboard,” says Trung. “They may not want to leave Ke Ga.”
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