Mauritius is a dream holiday for any kitesurfer with world class waves, tropical lagoons, and an island vibe that can’t be matched! Our Brand Manager, Anastasia Pankina, joined Antoine Auriol and the crew at C Mauritius for the inaugural C Kite Festival this June. Read on to find out what she thought about the up-and-coming destination of Palmar!

"When I think of Mauritius, I think of backside barrel kiting at One Eye." Olivia Jenkins told me this when I asked what first comes to mind when she hears "Mauritius". It's true for any of us; when you hear Mauritius, most likely, the first place as a kiteboarder that comes to mind is Le Morne and the infamous One Eye. However, being an archipelago and one of the most desirable destinations in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius has much more to offer around its 177km of coastline. 

We've always wanted to see the other side of Mauritius, and, luckily, the perfect opportunity came up in the form of the C Kite Festival, hosted by C Mauritius resort, located in Palmar, on the island's east coast. Their oceanfront property sits on a calm, shallow lagoon protected by the outer reef with consistent cross-onshore wind, perfect for flat water play. 

Antoine Auriol, team rider for F-One International, was the host of the event and the perfect person to guide us through this trip. We caught up on the beach, and he shared some insight into what inspired him to plan this event. It started during a visit to Mauritius back in November. Armed with his kite, foil and a wing, he instantly fell in love with these turquoise waters and lush mountain backdrops. 

November is not exactly the high season for wind in Mauritius, but Antoine, a talented foiler, lucked out and was able to either kite or foil most days during his week stay. He was almost always alone on the water, not only because Mauritius was still so restricted due to Covid last November, but also because the location of Palmar is relatively undiscovered in the kite community. Unsurprisingly, he couldn't wait to share this stunning spot and its good vibes with others.

The idea of the C Kite Festival was born to help raise awareness of this paradisiacal spot. Antoine wanted to create an event that doesn't exist at the moment and help to promote the peaceful east coast of Mauritius. He envisioned professional riders mixing with local riders and resort guests in an informal atmosphere, sharing their passion for kitesurfing, riding together, and soaking up the chill, beachfront vibes, all under one roof. 

His dream became a reality six months later, and I was lucky enough to be there! I was bursting with excitement as I boarded my flight to join in on this island adventure. Not to mention, I couldn't wait to leave the thick wetsuit at home and put my new Manera Bikisuit to the test in the blissfully warm Indian Ocean.

In late June 2022, the C Kite Festival was ready to welcome riders from all parts of the world, and local kite heroes were on the way to join the fun and share the water at Palmar. The C Mauritius resort would be our playground for the next few days, and the location couldn't have been more perfect. Arriving from the hustle and bustle of city life in the UK, I can't describe the immediate feeling of relief when I stepped off the plane, saw the swaying palm trees, and felt the heat of the tropical sun. The resort arranged our transfer, and the high level of organisation and hospitality was a welcome holiday from the responsibilities of home! We instantly felt welcomed and, somehow, a part of the family. 

We were lucky enough to have a couple of days to unwind before the event officially kicked off, and as soon as the wind picked up were quick to grab our gear and explore the beautiful lagoon. Sadly, some were not so lucky with their luggage, and some board bags decided to take a trip of their own, and it wasn't to Mauritius! Thankfully, the local reps from F-One, Manera, Duotone, Airush and North stepped in and saved the day! 

As the wind filled in, as did the sandy beach in front of the hotel, which quickly filled up with the latest gear from these brands, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to borrow and test the new releases they hadn't tried before. C Mauritius resort is a gem for a relaxing kite holiday; it is quite a novelty to be in the pool one minute and on the beach, ready to launch your kite the next. After your session - or between them - you can grab a drink or a snack at the bar in a flash!

During this trip, Airush athlete Victor Hays said, "We who live in Europe are so used to kiting busy local spots. It is so unusual to be in a spot such as Palmar with maybe two or three kites on the water at the same time, right in front of a beautiful hotel; it is just amazing". 

Most of the riders were blown away by the beauty of this location, and even the locals who often ride at Le Morne enjoyed this new experience in the tranquil lagoon of Palmar. The more we chatted to the riders at the event, local and international but frequent visitors to Mauritius, the more this location identity became obvious; Palmar is not a wave spot, and Palmar is definitely not Le Morne. It is, however, a perfect location for freestyle, freeride and coaching. The comfort of riding in their waist-deep, with the added safety measure of a rescue boat in case one is needed, makes this the place to kick back and leave your worries - and the crowds of Le Morne - behind.

However, this time, a crowd is just what Antoine envisioned. My time in Mauritius was shared with a crowd of like-minded kitesurfers, all taking part in the downwinder to the nearby Poste Lafayette beach. The wind was on, kites were pumped and ready, and the beach at C Mauritius quickly became the colour of a rainbow. The excitement was high as the community came together, helping each other to get on the water safely and get the downwinder started!

Just a day before, the lagoon was bare, but today, it was filled with people! It never felt overcrowded, and there seemed to be space for everyone tacking back and forth upwind of the resort, waiting for the signal to "go"! This downwinder was not a race nor a competition to show off; it was an experience to share this beautiful coastline with others and an opportunity to create a memory of everyone riding together while sharing this incredible adventure. Over sixty riders took part, both professionals and amateurs, men and women, young and old, and everyone arrived safely at Lafayette beach.

The downwinder was a real highlight of the trip and a fantastic achievement by Antoine and C Mauritius. Later, he shared that he was quite stressed, as the journey was not far, at only around 9km; however, with currents and a large group, anything can happen. But, thanks to our wonderful kiting community, everyone was on the lookout for each other on the water. Just in case, there were four safety boats following us all the way, and I felt very safe at all times, with only an occasional sea turtle popping up to check out what all the fuss was! 

Later in the day, back at the resort and after a filling lunch, the wind was still blowing, and the Big Air competition took place. The entry was open to anyone who wanted to give it a go and was a fun community event judged by the professional athletes. It was yet another way to share this location with local riders and guests at the hotel, and a fun atmosphere with a touch of competitive energy, given the awesome prizes available to be won!

Jeremy Chan, a local athlete who was at Palmar for the first time, said, "When I got invited to the event, I didn't have a lot of details of what to expect. However, the event was very impressive, such great organisation by the C Mauritius team and Antoine; they really made a great event happen!"

Sitting on the plane on our way back to the UK, we couldn't stop reminiscing about our experience. We were so impressed by the smooth running of the event and how quickly strangers became friends and guests became family. It was hard to leave after soaking up those good vibes and the relaxed atmosphere. Then again, when staying at a place like C Mauritius, it's impossible not to have a great time! They really made us forget our worries, and having a fantastic kitesurfing lagoon literally on your doorstep was just a cherry on top of the cake. 

We hope that C Kite Festival returns for another edition next year. As Antoine said, it was his first event of this kind, and you can always do better. Considering what a success the first year was, we can't imagine how epic the next will be! Let's see what happens, and maybe we'll see you at C Kite Festival next year, where you can experience this little slice of paradise for yourself!

Videos

C Kite Festival with Antoine Auriol
By Anastasia Pankina

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