RESORT REPORT z

Caption>Secluded beaches

Intro>Ben Dawson experiences the relaxed environment of the newest addition to the excellent Red Sea kiting resorts, Wadi Lahami

Photos>Ben Dawson

resort report WADI LAHAMI,REDSEA, EGYPT

Caption>Grab some lunch, or grab your nose. Sometimes life is full of tricky decisions

Caption>The attraction is obvious

Caption>The neighbours

Caption>40 winks

k

itesurfing holidays in the Red Sea

area of Egypt conjure up images

of turquoise blue, flat water riding,

with reliable warm cross-shore winds and

the chance of sharing your session with

dolphins, sea eagles or turtles.

I thought I knew what to expect having

been to Egypt on several previous trips,

however, all the info I was armed with was

that it was an eco village, so I should take

loads of books.

Wadi Lahami is the southern-most of

the popular kiting resorts in this area,

and the two-and-a-half-hour transfer

south from Marsa Alam airport passed

easily in the company of twin sisters I

met on the plane. We snaked our way

along the shores of the Red Sea and

watched as the sun set over the western

mountains. The massive resorts and vast

building sites were gradually replaced

with bedouin camps and camels.

We arrived at 9.30pm, were greeted by

an ice-cap melting smile that belonged to

Virginie, a kitesurfing instructor, who along

with Ross, manages the resort. After a

couple of beers and a delicious dinner I

was ready to turn in to make the most of

my first day.

I woke at six am to the sound of ten

metre weather, made my way to breakfast

and saw the resort in daylight for the first

time. This place is stunning. Wadi Lahami

consists of a small shaded terrace and

restaurant, 16 or so eco tents, over ten

chalets, a dive centre and a kitesurf hut.

All of this nestled between mangrove

swamps, a huge bay and white sandy

beaches. But for a hotel a mile away there

is nothing there, just pure white-capping

heaven. I wolfed down my breakfast and

minutes later I was ripping across the

flattest turquoise reef protected a two-foot

deep bay, grinning like an idiot.

I didn’t want any first day injuries so I

said to my self only 99% safe moves and

nice old school airs, but this place is such

a sublime training ground. I started going

for tricks I had never tried before, landing

most of them. After a few hours the wind

built and I should have sized down but

decided to explore the upwind wave spot

where I found sweet waist high waves

breaking on the outer reef. After a fun

filled and rewarding four hour session, I

went in for some lunch and met some of

the other guests. Most people are here for

the diving, and the unspoilt reefs are

some of the best you will find. Speaking

to some of the people over various meals

I realised what a hidden treasure this

place is. The eclectic mix of fascinating

and talented people that return time and

time again love the beautiful simplicity of

this quiet idyll. Quite a few of the divers

were signed up for kitesurf lessons during

the week and I was lucky enough to enjoy

one of the best dives of my life.

Wadi Lahami is not for everyone, If you

want night life or something other than

kiting, sleeping or eating, then this place

will drive you mad. But if, like me, you like

nothing more than kiting all day, relaxing in

hammocks and chatting to great people,

then this place will suck you in.

< KITEWORLD #32 104

RANGE FINDER: WIND AND WEATHER: The wind is mainly from the north or north west which comes cross-/cross-onshore from the left. The windiest time of the year is between September and March – December to March is incredibly consistent, seeing the winds reach up to 30 knots. September to December sees calmer winds, averaging 1115 knots. Avoid June, July and August if you're not also interested in learning to dive. Air temperatures top out at around 40°C in June/July and only drop to 20°C in the winter. GETTING ABOUT: The Marsa Alam airport is a two-and-ahalf-hour bus transfer away and everything is contained within the resort. CURRENCY: Egyptian pound (EGP) £1 = EGP11.26 / US$1 = EGP5.52 / €1 = EGP8.12 Languages spoken by instructors: English, German and French. TRAVEL AGENTS: www.oonasdivers.com www.kiteworldmag.com/egypt/wadi-lahami/