A Trip to Puerto Rico
By: Peter Nick
WaterSports in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island unincorporated U.S. territory with a vast selection of kiteboarding and wingfoiling paradises. It's an island of mountains, waterfalls and the El Yunque tropical rainforest. There are many amazing spots in Puerto Rico but the main ones I got to check out are La Parguera, Ocean Park, Dorodo, and Isabela.
Wind and Wave Conditions
It is seasonal so the winter has very strong and consistent wind joined by big waves. During summer, when I was there, it was a solid 17- 20 knots everyday with a rare lightwind day and an occasional strong wind day creating perfect winging swells.
La Paguera
I started the trip off with a kiteboarding spot called La Paguera, a beautiful buttery flat water haven protected by a shallow reef and rocks with mangrove islands. To get there you have to travel by boat half a mile out from the closest marina. The winds were blowing at a modest 18-21. I was riding a 9 meter FX2 paired with 133 XCal Wood and the Dakine C-2 Harness. Amazing set up for an amazing location. Proficient for throwing down some freestyle and freeride tricks.
Ocean Park
Next I moved locations to Ocean Park San Juan, a side shore beach location with an offshore reef creating some stunning winging swells. The kitesurf twin tipping is nothing insane with a small wind chop not enough for kickers and hindering clean freestyle. The winging though is extremely fun as you can tack out to this big rock 5 minutes away and score with waist to chest high rolling swells.
Dorado
During my stay in Ocean Park I was invited by a local shredder to take a morning trip to Dorado for some foil surfing. Right at sunrise we did a 10 minute paddle out to sweet foil surfing and SUP waves.
Isabela
Wrapping up the trip, I visited Isabela located on the northwest side of the island. It has a pretty advanced winging spot where I caught some of the best waves of my life. To get out to the set you have to travel down this narrow canal parallel to the beach dodging the reef on both sides. Once you're far enough downwind you can ride upwind to the set.
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