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When folks coming to Puerto Rico think about big, consistent waves that will challenge the sail on a windsurf rig, they will probably first think of Rincon and not our world here at Aguadilla.
Rincon and windsurfing are well known - and deservedly so. But Rincon is no longer the fresh unfound spot. It and all its windsurfers are no longer the "unfound".
Rincon and surfing are "found". Done that. Been there.
Now, here in Aguadilla and Isabela are a sequence of pristine, virtually deserted, excellent windsurfing beaches with the waves that make them first class challenges to the intermediate and the expert windsurfer.
And here at Villa Montana, as you walk through our Caribbean resort enclave, you'll pass a resting wind surf sail here and there.
Not all days will make a windsurf learner feel comfortable. When the wind is up we need experts here.
We can get severe challenges when the Atlantic kicks up the rollers into foam. - usually December through mid April. In the morning and evenings we can usually get the right winds for our learners to take flight. And always it's good season for learning from May through November.
Before the winds start in the morning and as sunset comes on, windsurf learners will be in a better position to get up and get sailing during the winter months. The summer months for Puerto Rico windsurfing regularly bring calm waters and low wave sets, unless, of course, there is a hurricane up north of us.
At the moment, there is no one giving windsurf lessons and there is no one renting windsurf rigs here so our guests need to be prepared to take responsibility for bringing their own gear and, if. a beginner windsurfer, a friend to help out with pointers - or, of course, a good book to give those hints. We hear that one of our pros here will soon be starting lessons.
The nearest rental shop for wind surfers is San Juan at Velauno
Windsurfing in PR is a throwback to the '80s. Everybody knows everybody else, the conditions are great, the locals are excellent sailors, and there are no crowds. No doubt, the island offers variety you won't find in any other Caribbean destination: killer wave sailing, excellent free-riding spots and tons of racing action.
The best time to go to Puerto Rico really depends on what you're after. If it's waves, December through April; for fun, anytime except the fall; and for flat-water blasting or racing, April through August.
The wave-sailing season starts off with the Christmas winds in December and tapers off in mid-April. Winds are somewhat inconsistent in the 10- to 25-knot range, blowing side-off to side-on, starboard-tack jumping. Waves up to mast high are usually generated by frontal systems coming off the East Coast of the U.S.
The North Atlantic high generates the trade winds that blow during late spring and summer at a steady 12 to 18 knots. The water gets flat, and the racers come out in full force.
The entire northwest of the island is teeming with superb
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surfing and diving beaches and is rich with good wave-sailing spots. Our most famous is Shacks, located in the town of Isabela. Conditions range from inviting to threatening and can change daily. It's windier here than anywhere on the north coast. If you only had one sail, it would be a 5.0.
Warm water all year around, head to mast high waves, no crowds and the best wind in the island. Shacks is the windiest spot on Puerto Rico, with 5.0 or less sailing conditions. Although Shacks might get by as an intermediate spot when the waves are small, it's definitely an expert-only break when the places goes off. The wave is hollow and pitches over a shallow and sharp coral reef. To the non-windsurfing members of the family, the reef offers incredible diving and snorkeling when calm.
This is the only spot on the whole island where you can rent a place right on a wave-sailing beach overlooking the break. Imagine yourself waking up in a nice apartment at the cliff in Ho'okipa, and that's basically what you get at Shacks (minus a few sailors). One place to check out is Villa Montana. Beach Resort.
This area offers a great scuba-diving experience in summer or flat-water days, where you will find underwater caves that will take you across the reef.
:: see and read more about Windsurfing at Shacks, Caribbean beach at > http://www.windsurfingpr.com
Just east of Shacks is Jobos. This beach is perfect for less experienced sailors. The access is easy and the reef is gentle. The east part of the beach is a bathing area protected by a rock outcropping. Surfers take off just off the rock on waves that peel left and right. We sail more toward the middle of the bay. There are plenty of restaurants and bars on the sand hill overlooking the beach. Happy Bellys is the best of the bunch. They serve a killer chicken quesadilla and have the coldest beer at a great price.
Surfer's Beach, just west of Shacks on the north side of the military base in Aguadilla, is an easy-access spot that goes off often, and it's very sailable in northeast winds. The beach is easy to find once inside the base if you ask for directions. Its flat, rocky bottom is a lot more forgiving than Shacks, but the downwind shoreline is jagged rock and nasty. If you get caught on the inside and can't get out, get ready for a painful walk of shame. This beach is popular with surfers. Show them the respect they deserve to guarantee your good time.
The south coast is fairly well known to local sailors but largely ignored by visiting windsurfers. With more than 60 miles of beaches, it's a pity because the sailing can be very rewarding to those willing to explore a bit.
You will find a lot of things to do in Shacks. In the morning the waves are perfect for surfing since the wind starts blowing after 10:00am. From 11:00am to 5:00pm is windsurfing time. At 5:00pm you can go on a horse riding tour until sunset or just sit at the beach and watch the beautiful sunset. For horse riding you need to call earlier to make reservations: Tropical Trail Rides ( tel. 787-872-9256).
In the night there are some good places to go dining before you go party. Just east to Shacks is Jobos' beach here you will find Happy Bellys where they serve some great home-made hamburgers. Another place west of Shacks is Rosalinda's ( tel. 787-890-5531 ) where you will find a great seafood and Mexican menu and the coldest beer at a great price.
After you eat and rest you can go party to Carambola, east side of Rosalinda's, here you will find and nice and friendly environment, late in the night there is a pub call Sunset, next to Jobo's beach, this is the place to go party all night long.
Finding a place to stay in Shacks is the easy part. Shacks is the only place in the island where you can rent a house just in front of the beach. Image renting a house in front of Ho'okipa for a whole month. You will find some great apartments in front of the beach at Villa Montaña ( tel. 787-872-9553 ).
The best way getting to Puerto Rico is taking a flight directly to Aguadilla's airport which is 5 min. from Shacks but if you are not this lucky take a flight to San Juan airport.
Car rental is easy but you should call in advance for the beast deals. Try calling Charlie's Car Rental ( 787-791-1101 ) or LM Car Rental ( 787-791-1160 )
We have a casual windsurfing fraternity here that has not really gotten around to renting boards and rigs.
For windsurf rig rentals, we have to refer our guests back to San Juan or La Parguera
In San Juan, there is Velauno : http://www.velauno.com/
e-mail: jaime@velauno.com
Tel 1-866-778-3521 or 787-728-8716 or 787-982-0543
Brian Carver runs a kiteboarding business. He gives lessons, sells equipment and will sometimes loan equipment to those he is teaching. He teaches his students down at La Parguera on the south side of the island as it is much more sheltered for him to control the lesson and the learner. One thing at a time. Tel: 787 638 2597 He has a complete kitesurfing the Caribbean website with all the details at : http://www.blastkiteborading.com
In Aguadilla, next to Shacks you will find El Rincon Surf Shop. Roger there rents body boards and fins >787-890-3108
e-mail: roger@elrinconsurfshop.com
