Test Riding the new Duotone Neo SLS 2023

by | Mar 29, 2023 | Kitesurfing | 0 comments

NEO SLS 2023

Introduction

As an experienced rider for Pacific Watersports, I have had the pleasure of testing the Duotone Neo SLS 2023 kite in various conditions. Based on my personal experience, I can confidently say that this kite is a game-changer in the world of kitesurfing.

 

 Construction and Design

The Duotone Neo SLS 2023 boasts an incredibly strong and lightweight construction that delivers insane drift, turning speed, and wind range. This kite is designed for wave-riding and foil-boarding, making it an excellent option for riders looking to take their skills to the next level. The Neo SLS 2023 features Penta TX and Trinity TX technology that combines to create a super-light and durable kite that weighs up to 15% less than regular kites. This makes the kite incredibly responsive and easy to manoeuvre, even in the most challenging conditions.

 

Turning Speed

One of the standout features of the Duotone Neo SLS 2023 is its turning speed. The changes to the struts have substantially increased the turning speed, both under load and when sheeted out. This means that the kite is incredibly agile and easy to turn, even in the most challenging conditions. I have found that the kite is incredibly responsive to rider input and can turn on a dime.

 

 

Wind Range

Another benefit of the Duotone Neo SLS 2023 is its wind range. The low end of the kite starts with the 9m at 15 knots and the 10m at 13 knots. This means that you can use the 9m Neo for most conditions and still have enough power to ride in low wind. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a wider wind range, the 10m Neo is an excellent option.

 

Versatility

I have found that the Duotone Neo SLS 2023 is an incredibly versatile kite that performs well in a variety of conditions. Whether you’re riding in light patchy winds or in onshore conditions, the kite stays in the air and can still turn in less wind than the SLS. This means that you can ride in conditions that were previously challenging or impossible.

 

Conclusion

In summary, the Duotone Neo SLS 2023 is a top-of-the-line kite that is perfect for riders looking to take their skills to the next level. With its incredibly strong and lightweight construction, impressive turning speed, and wide wind range, this kite is an excellent option for anyone looking to improve their wave-riding or foil-boarding skills. I highly recommend this kite to anyone looking for a high-performance kite that is both versatile and easy to use.

Feel free to contact us if you are keen to demo or purchase one! We are always down at the beach at Yorkeys Knob in the afternoons.

 

Watersports in Palm Cove

Watersports in Palm Cove

by | Mar 21, 2018 | Cairns Kayak Tours, Kayaking, Kitesurfing, Paddle Boarding, Uncategorized | 0 comments

Pacific Watersports – The Home of Watersports in Palm Cove

 

Here at Pacific Watersports, it is our honour and privilege to offer you watersports in Palm Cove.  We are obsessed with getting out on the water ourselves because we know how great it makes us feel, and we want you all to experience it too!  Whether you come on a kayaking tour, take a kitesurfing lesson or try paddleboarding, we will help you to have fun on the water.

 

Watersports in Palm Cove- What do we offer?

We offer 4 awesome watersports experiences in Palm Cove. Whether you are here on holiday or are a local looking for adventure, we’ve got you covered!

 

Double Island Kayak Turtle Tour

That’s right, TURTLE tour! On this Kayak tour, we head out to Double Island and look for Turtles.  There are many Green Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles hanging out around the coral reef just to the south of the island.  As we cruise over the reef on our kayaks, we look down through the clear blue shallow water and count the turtles as they pass underneath us.  Sometimes they pop their heads up to take a breath too! This is an incredible experience for the whole family and one of our most popular watersports in Palm Cove.

Double Island is just a short paddle from our base at the South end of Palm Cove beach.  After we have paddled over the reef, we go around the island, stopping on a beautiful secluded beach for drinks and snacks and a quick dip.  We then enter Double Islands secret cave, before heading back to the mainland.

Perfect for those that want to be out on the water for half a day.

Watersports in Palm Cove

 

Island Hopping Kayak Tour

We don’t just have Double Island within arms reach of Palm Cove… We also have Haycock Island (aka Scouts Hat).  Scout’s Hat is Double Island’s little brother and just sits slightly to the north of Double Island.

On our Island Hopping Tour, we do everything that you do on a Kayak Turtle Tour (above) AND we explore Scout’s hat by foot, spend time snorkelling around the islands and have a relaxing lunch over on the islands (provided).

Perfect watersports in Palm Cove for those that want to be out on the water for the whole day!

 

Cairns Watersports

 

Kitesurfing Lessons

Perfect for those who want to try adrenaline fuelled watersports in Palm Cove! 

Learn to fly with us! We will teach you how to become independent and confident riders here in paradise Palm Cove.  We take our lessons in 2 different locations, Yorkeys Knob and Palm Cove.  The Kiteboarding community in Palm Cove is awesome! If you are a local that has wanted to learn for a while, the support network available here will really help you to get comfortable with this sport quickly.

 

Kiteboarding Lesson Palm Cove

 

Paddleboarding Tours and Beach Lessons

Paddleboarding is the perfect activity for the whole family.  Whether you come on one of our Kuranda Rainforest Paddleboarding Tours, or just take a paddleboarding lesson at the beach, you are sure to have an awesome time.  It doesn’t take long before everyone gets the hang of this awesome watersport activity.

 

Watersports in Palm Cove Beach

 

We hope to see you soon trying some watersports in Palm Cove!

 

 

 

Top 3 Cairns Adventures Not To Be Missed!

Top 3 Cairns Adventures Not To Be Missed!

by | Mar 14, 2018 | Cairns Kayak Tours, Kayaking, Kitesurfing, Paddle Boarding | 0 comments

Want to add some Cairns Adventures to your Bucket List?

Cairns, Far North Queensland is an incredible part of the world.  There is so much to do here, which is why so many people return here for their holidays time and time again.  The tropical climate of the Cairns area means we all spend a lot of time outdoors and Cairns Adventures are usually part of everybody’s experience in Far North Queensland.

 

Top 3 Cairns Adventures with Pacific Watersports

 

Double Island Kayak Turtle Tour

Join us for a morning kayak adventure to the magnificent Double Island.  Double Island is situated just 1km from the coast of Palm Cove.  Our Kayak Tours leave Palm Cove daily at 7 am (click here to book a spot!) and return at around 10.30 am.  

On our Kayak Turtle Tour, we paddle over to Double Island on our Kayaks (25-minute paddle) as a group.  To the south side of the island is some amazing coral reef, so we slow it down a bit here to look for some of the green turtles and hawksbill turtles that feed here.  We often see other marine wildlife too, including rays, reef sharks and a variety of different tropical fish.   We then continue our paddle around the back of the island, pulling up on a pristine and secluded tropical beach for some drinks and snacks (provided by us).  On our way back to the mainland we explore Double Islands secret cave and have plenty of time for taking great pictures.  This is one of the Cairns adventures not to be missed!

 

Cairns Adventures

Explore Tropical Islands

 

Island Hopping Tour

Another morning kayaking adventure not to be missed! On our Island Hopping Tour, we leave Palm Cove daily at 8 am and return at 1.30 pm.  In this tour, we explore double Island and the surrounding reef in much the same way as the Double Island Kayak Turtle Tour, but we also explore Haycock Island.  Haycock island is the small island that sits just to the south of Double Island.  Within this tour, we have more time for snorkelling over the reef, as well as exploring Haycock island by foot.

A perfect Cairns Adventure for the whole family! Exploring tropical islands… what is not to love?  Click here to find out more and book your spot.

 

Cairns Kayaking

 

Rainforest Paddleboarding Adventure 

Visiting the rainforest is a must when you are visiting Cairns.  Another of our Cairns Adventures not to be missed! 

Join us on a rainforest Paddleboarding adventure.  This tour usually operates in the afternoon (from around 2pm-5pm) and pick up is available from anywhere in Cairns should you need it.  We start the tour with an introduction to paddleboarding on the river bank, before jumping on our sups and cruising downstream.  The rivers gentle current carries us down, with minimal effort needed!  We travel down the river, observing the beautiful rainforest all around us.  This tour really is suitable for the whole family, from kids to seniors.  

Click here to find out more and to book your spot!

 

Cairns Adventures Paddleboarding

Chilling in the Rainforest

 

Any questions? Contact us and ask away!

Kiteboarding Lessons in Cairns

by | Mar 1, 2018 | Kitesurfing | 0 comments

Kiteboarding Lessons in Cairns

Unleash your Soul With Kiteboarding

Ready to make a life-changing commitment? Or just want to try out this super exciting and highly addictive watersport?

 

You’ve come to the right place.  Here at Pacific Watersports we have helped change the life of thousands of people by teaching them this amazing sport.

 

Always wanted to learn Kiteboarding? Cairns is the perfect spot to learn this incredible sport.  Here at Pacific Watersports, we are passionate about Kiteboarding and teaching as many people as possible to become independent riders.

 

Season for Kiteboarding Lessons in Cairns

The best time of the year to come to Cairns to learn Kiteboarding is April – November. In our cooler months (but still 25 degree c days!) we get pretty consistent southeasterly trade winds, usually in the afternoons, but sometimes they will start blowing in the late morning.

Our Location – Yorkeys Knob

An awesome spot to learn to Kitesurf.  Yorkey’s Knob is a beach suburb just north of Cairns City.  It is probably the most popular spot for locals to go kiteboarding and there are sure to be a few people out on a windy day at Yorkeys Knob.  Here there is plenty of space on the beach front to learn how to fly the kite safely and some cool shallow flat water spots to practice on when we first introduce the board to you.  There is a great kiting community vibe down at Yorkeys Knob, so be sure to check it out. All our lessons take place at Yorkeys Knob Beach.

Our Lessons

2 Hour Private Lesson. – $250

Perfect for complete beginners, or for those with some experience that just want to refine their technique.  For complete beginners, we often recommend 3 x 2-hour private lessons.  After the 6 hours, you will be well on your way to becoming an independent kiteboarder.  Some people with previous board sport or windsurfing experience may take even less time to become independent.
Feel free to get in touch with us to discuss your options so we can tailor your lessons to suit you.
kiteboarding Australia
Kiteboarding Cairns Lessons

BOOK HERE


3 Hour Kiteboarding Group Lesson – $250

Want to learn Kiteboarding in Cairns with your partner or friends? A group lesson may be the perfect option for you all!  In this group lesson, we spend 3 hours learning the skills and techniques required to be independent kiteboarders, with plenty of time for you to play around on the water together.
Dice SLS 2022 Duotone Kiteboarding Action Pics_13

BOOK HERE


Palm Cove Activities – Check Out What’s Happening In Palm Cove

Palm Cove Activities – Check Out What’s Happening In Palm Cove

by | Oct 23, 2016 | Cairns Kayak Tours, Kayaking, Kitesurfing, Paddle Boarding, Uncategorized | 0 comments

Palm Cove activities, there’s so much going on in this little town. Palm Cove has to be up there with one of the nicest beaches in the far north. Ever year it attracts people from all over the world to its beautiful beaches and amazing scenery.

Palm Cove activities

Palm Cove Activities  

I often get asked what activities are there to do in Palm Cove, so I’ve decided to write a blog with a few of the things there is on offer.

Palm Cove Activities And Tours

Here at Pacific Watersports we offer a range of different tours and lessons.

Kayak Tours

One of our most popular Palm Cove activities would have to be the Kayak Turtle tour. The Kayak turtle tour is a kayak tour to, and around the fringing reefs of Double Island. On the tour can can expect lots of marine life, caves, fish, snorkelling, amazing scenery and a real adventure. Check out this link to find out more about this tour.

Palm Cove activities

Paddle Boarding Tours Palm Cove

Another great Palm Cove activity is to jump on the Kuranda Rainforest adventure. This tour departs daily from Palm Cove and is a great option for those windy days. It really is suitable for everyone and a great way to also try a new sport. This tour is very relaxing and a great way to see the rainforest. Click here to make your booking.

Weather permitting, we also run a paddle boarding tour out to the beautiful Double Island. It’s a very similar tour to the kayak tour except on a stand up paddle board.

Palm Cove activities

Kitesurfing Palm Cove

Palm Cove is also one of Cairns’ top kitesurfing locations. The beach receives consistent trade winds from May to August. Pacific Watersports offer a range of different course option, lessons and equipment sales. A must try from those adrenaline junkies!

Palm Cove activities

Cafes, shops and restaurants

If you’re after shops, cafes and restaurants, then look no further than the south end of Palm Cove. There you will wind cafes and restaurants like Jack & Shanans, Chill Cafe and Portobellos. If you’re looking for clothes, then check out Buccaneers the local surf shop. These guys have a wide verity to suit everyone’s needs.

Our website

 

kitesurfing Yorkeys knob

kitesurfing Yorkeys knob

by | Jul 19, 2016 | Kitesurfing | 0 comments

If you’re looking for a great place for kitesurfing or looking for somewhere great to learn kitesurfing, kitesurfing Yorkeys Knob is one of Queensland’s most popular. The area receives consistent trade winds most of the year. The beach is a wind open beach with a river mouth at the south of the beach

Kitesurfing Yorkeys Knob

 

Kitesurfing Yorkeys Knob – conditions

The conditions at Yorkeys Knob are near perfect for everyone. It has near perfect flat-water at the river mouth. The wind speed during the dry season is usually between 15-25 knots. The prevailing wind direction during the dry season is form the south east. During the wet season the prevailing winds are from the north. These conditions are usually very hot and can attract box jellyfish, so it pays to wear stinger protection during these months. Seabreeze.com.au is the weather website you will find most people in the area use as their go to site for weather updates. Windguru.com is another reliable website worth checking out too.

Where do I go to learn to kitesurf at Yorkey Knob

When it domes to kitesurfing Yorkeys Knob, you really won’t find much better. The conditions are absolutely perfect for learning the sport. The winds are consistent and predictable. Kiteboarding Cairns and Pacific Watersports are your local kite schools in the area. These 2 schools teach at the high IKO levels an don’t try pushing you into doing big group lessons.

Kitesurfing Yorkeys Knob

How do I get you Yorkeys Knob’s kitesurfing area

If you are leaving from Cairns, it is very simple to get to Yorkeys Knob. Simply head north along the Captain Cook Highway and turn right when you see the sign for Yorkeys Knob. The rigging area is at the south end of Sims Esplanade on the grass. You can also catch a bus from Cairns CBD. Buses leave every half an hour.

 

Well there you have it. I hope this blog is of some use to you if you are new to the area or just looking at getting into the sport. It’s a very friendly welcoming vibe down at Yorkeys Knob. Any questions, feel free to contact us