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Posted by KiteSurfSail
on February 22, 2009, 1:28:53, in reply to "Best Coast to live "
71.178.191.X
I am probably one of the few persons who can answer this question. On my last tour to Oki I had all bases covered. This was my quiver:
7'4" Mini gun big wave board
6'4" Linden small wave board
10m Airush bow kite
14m Airush bow kite
8'3" JP Sailboard (4.0m,4.6m, 5.2m, 6.4m)
This question really depends on the specifics.
1. If surfing is your number one thing then the West coast Sunabe area is where you want to be. There are better waves on the island, but no place as consistent. It is the Huntington Beach of Oki. Lots of crowds, lots of night life, lots to do and eat.
2. If kiting is your thing I would definitely live on the east side near Kaicho Doro. This is by far the most accessible kiting area and very consistent on many wind directions N to SSE. There are nicer places to ride, but most other beaches have radical launch sites. Most beaches in Oki are pocket beaches surrounded by trees, lava, buildings, concrete jacks, etc. Kaichu is also very close to Ikei Island which is probably one of the next most consistent places to surf. You can also kitesurf and wavesail Ikei, but it is pretty radical due to beaches with lots of razor sharp rock formations.
3. Kaichu is also one of the most popular windsurfing areas because of its flat sandy bottom. But it is flat slalom sailing. I prefer wave and bump and jump riding, and usually only windsurf when maxed out on my kite (25+ mph).
4. If your a high-wind, bump and jump, and wave windsurfer, than I would live near Moon Beach on the West side. When its cranking out of the north the Waves smash on the reef and then reform. You can get a huge running start and launch big air. However, if wavesailing in Oki you will be by yourself. I never met any Japanese sailors brave enough to go out on the reef. They have expensive slalom equipment and go back and forth on the inside.
With that all said here is the skinny. No matter what you read on this site Oki has good surf, it is just extremely, extremely fickle. You only have a small window on each side of high tide and swells just do not last long. Sometimes you get a good summer/fall with lots of typhoons and different places will break. I hate to say this, but if I was going to go to Oki to surf I would live near Sunabe with the other thousand Oki surfers. It is your best chance of surfing. Even then you are talking a handful of good days a month. (I am sure there will be disagreement here)
I personally would live on the east side near Kaichu. Because you could kite basically all the time from October through April. The ideal quiver is a 16,12, 9. You will get mainly 15-20kt days, but you will get probably 10+ days of 20-30kts. The wind goes out of the North starting in October and keeps blowing until mid spring. It also gives you access to surf on Ikei.
The lifestyle over on this side of the island is very different. More rural, less night life, less crowds. If you are a young partier then West side, if you are an old waterman like me then East side.
One more thing. If you never been here before do not be deceived by the short distance from coast to coast. It may only be 10 miles coast to coast, but this could take an hour or more with traffic.
--Previous Message--
: We'll be moving to Okinawa this
: summer. I was wondering if you
: could advise as to the best
: beach/coast/neighborhood to live in
: that it would be family-friendly,
: and where you could easily
: surf,kitesurf, or windsurf, possible
: rental home just minutes walk to the
: beach. Thanks...
:
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