Today, after one month we sadly said our goodbyes to Betrand Fleurry (Wainman Kites) and Ian Alldredge (Naish Kites). They had come down with top female rider Tuva Jansen (Takoon Kites) and one of the sport’s leading photojournalist teams based out of Mauritius, Stephane Fournet and Leena Ballack who had left last week, to write and record a kite surfing story in the Turks and Caicos.
They were led by Philip Shearer (Big Blue) and Big Blue’s top instructor and wily pro Wes Matweyew (Cabrinha Kites). Hope Le Vin, our 16 year old local team and sponsored rider (Naish, Big Blue and Blue) was ever present with her enthusiasm and skill as was local rider Stephane Gaudet.
To say we had fun is an understatement. Even if the weather for the month of February was bizarre (with winds blowing out of the south and west for much of the time) and stacking the odds against us for that perfect cross off shore wave, we still managed to score some great sessions both in the flats and in the waves. That said a tremendous of hard work has gone into this story by all involved both in front and behind the camera.
The team were based in Leeward near Big Blue’s base and would venture daily to find waves and wind. We traveled from West Caicos to East Caicos and everywhere in between.
While we wait for the story and images and DVD to be released it is safe to say we enjoyed each others company and vibe a lot. Betrand, Ian, Tuva, Stephane and Leena were welcome guests. We learned from all of them. Stephane and Leena: your patience and professionalism. Tuva: getting the ball rolling. Betrand: great sense of humour and of course a brilliant rider thanks to Wainman Kites. Ian: natural skill and flair with a bit of “I don’t mind, whatever works” thrown in. Hope: infectious passion. Stephane: perfectionist. Wes “handy me my skimmy please” Matweyew: persistent all rounder. Philip “island time” Shearer: the art of self landing a kite!
Thank you one and all. We look forward to seeing you back here for some more cutbacks and sliders!! Safe travels. Philip.
The Humpback whales of the North Atlantic have returned. The last week of January saw the first big wave of their annual migration. Numerous sightings were made on the surface between North West Point, Grace Bay and Pine Cay. By far the best encounter had to be Jim and crew from the Yukon, who marked his return to the TCI and to Big Blue after 8 years with an stunning in water encounter on scuba at the Football field off Pine Cay! Welcome back Jim. More recently Chris, one of new our instructors and captains, has had the rub of the blue on arriving in the TCI with numerous sightings and then coming face to face with 4 whales at G-Spot off French Cay on Wednesday. Epic! The season is in full swing and the whales should provide us with encounters right until April.
In November 2009, Aaron Sales of Kiteboarding Magazine, Sam Light, the UK # 1 and top watersports photographer, Bill Doster joined our team for 10 days on a memorable adventure over and under the water. What we got was magical. Even though the wind was un cooperative, through sheer persistence and hard work we nailed the cover shot with Sam on it and an 8 page spread in the magazine. Big shout out to Wes, Hope, Jackie and Philip for a strong team effort. Pick up the Kiteboarding magazine Feb/ March Issue.
Check out www.samlight.co.uk, www.billdoster.com and www.kiteboardingmag.com.
Attached are the PDF’s for cover and story:
http://bigblueunlimited.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/KTB0310_TurksCaicos3-pages.pdf
http://bigblueunlimited.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/KTB0310_CU1Final.pdf
http://bigblueunlimited.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/KTB0310_TurksCaicos2-pages.pdf
We have added the ultimate beach escape to our guests this year. Live out your dream of being on a deserted island with your love one. We will drop you off on a deserted beach, leave you to it and pick you up later. For more information see Beach Escape under Private Charters.
We welcome the arrival of Chris, Laura, Will, Wes and Dr Jadot to our 2010 team.
Last week a 12 foot long hammerhead shark was seen by Jackie and a couple of her guests while they were snorkeling in only 8 feet of water at French Cay on the ‘Edge of the banks’ snorkel trip.
The Turks and Caicos have a new Spotted Eagle Ray Monitoring Program and it has recently been extended to the island of Providenciales. Jackie Walker of Big Blue Unlimited is coordinating the project. Check out the latest issue of ‘Times of the Islands’ magazine or www.spottedeaglerays.com for more information.
Big Blue sadly looses the talents of Niki Flowers, a great instructor and Lizzie Foster, our on island concierge. We are grateful to have had them work with us and would like to thank them for their hard work, dedication and commitment. We wish them all the best for their futures. Thanks very much you two.
Our first official kiteboarding safari down winder was an instant success. Lead by Philip and Wes with local Naish and Blue Rider Hope Le Vin in the mix. We were joined by David Zingg of MA, John Lalley of Ca, Marc of…and Jim Welsh of the Yukon. Leaving North Caicos at around 9am with a good eaterly breeze we arrived at Leeward 3-4 hours later. No hitches no snags. Beautiful smooth water all the way. The stoke factor was huge. We look forward to seeing our guests back again.
Check : video coming…
This season also sees us bring Stand Up Paddle boarding to the islands. A fast growing sport the world over, Big Blue is perfectly located to offer our guests adventures through the mangroves guided or unguided. An awesome work out, they are already attracting lots of attention.
Check: video link coming….
