Kitesurfing is a watersport that is becoming increasingly popular around the world. Click through to find out why many enthusiasts are heading to a small town on the Atlantic to perfect their tricks, turns and grabs...
Fancy flying? —
Kitesurfing is a watersport that is becoming increasingly popular around the world. Click through to find out why many enthusiasts are heading to a small town on the Atlantic to perfect their tricks, turns and grabs...
COURTESY: DAKHLA ATTITUDE
Dakhla, also known as Ad-Dakhla or Villa Cesneros, is under Morrocan control, but is well inside Western Sahara. The area was a Spanish colony until 1976 and has approximately 55,000 inhabitants.
Kitesurfing Mecca —
Dakhla, also known as Ad-Dakhla or Villa Cesneros, is under Morrocan control, but is well inside Western Sahara. The area was a Spanish colony until 1976 and has approximately 55,000 inhabitants.
COURTESY: DAKHLA ATTITUDE/Filmurray
Kite-surfers from around the world come to the 30km long peninsula and the large lagoon to take advantage of flat, shallow water which is usually around 22°C, and constant wind.
Wonderful conditions —
Kite-surfers from around the world come to the 30km long peninsula and the large lagoon to take advantage of flat, shallow water which is usually around 22°C, and constant wind.
COURTESY: DAKHLA ATTITUDE
The difference in temperature between the ocean and the Saharan desert creates a thermal wind, which usually travels at between 15 and 25 knots throughout the year.
Thermal thrust —
The difference in temperature between the ocean and the Saharan desert creates a thermal wind, which usually travels at between 15 and 25 knots throughout the year.
COURTESY: DAKHLA ATTITUDE/Filmurray
According to kite surfer Klaus Warkentin, who has lived in Dhakala for five years, there were 311 days of "useable wind" in 2014. As it is not a tidal wind, the conditions are constant throughout the day.
Useable Weather —
According to kite surfer Klaus Warkentin, who has lived in Dhakala for five years, there were 311 days of "useable wind" in 2014. As it is not a tidal wind, the conditions are constant throughout the day.
COURTESY: DAKHLA ATTITUDE/Filmurray
Moroccan entrepreneur Driss Senoussi is credited with building surfing and tourist infrastructure in Dakhla, including the country's first Cable Wake Park. The area has only entered the global spotlight over the past decade.
Cable Wake Park —
Moroccan entrepreneur Driss Senoussi is credited with building surfing and tourist infrastructure in Dakhla, including the country's first Cable Wake Park. The area has only entered the global spotlight over the past decade.
COURTESY: DAKHLA ATTITUDE/Filmurray
Globally, the kiteboarding holidays market is worth approximately $70 - $100 million per year according to Kiteatlas, and around 180,000 kites and 75,000 kiteboards are sold annually.
Business Opportunity —
Globally, the kiteboarding holidays market is worth approximately $70 - $100 million per year according to Kiteatlas, and around 180,000 kites and 75,000 kiteboards are sold annually.
COURTESY: DAKHLA ATTITUDE
While average wind speeds in Dakhla are around 20-25 knots through out the year, the area can experience wind speeds as high as 40 knots -- conditions only suitable for experienced kite surfers.
'Crazy Days' —
While average wind speeds in Dakhla are around 20-25 knots through out the year, the area can experience wind speeds as high as 40 knots -- conditions only suitable for experienced kite surfers.
COURTESY: DAKHLA ATTITUDE/Filmurray
But the area offers more than kite surfing. When looking for waves, the best time of the year to go to Dakhla is winter. Experienced watersports fanatics can expect waves around 1.5- 2 m high.
Wave Riding —
But the area offers more than kite surfing. When looking for waves, the best time of the year to go to Dakhla is winter. Experienced watersports fanatics can expect waves around 1.5- 2 m high.
COURTESY: DAKHLA ATTITUDE/Filmurray
Kite-surfers are often joined by birds, including pink flamingos, fascinated by the colorful kites. According to Moroccan ornithologist Hassan Dalil, there are between 3,000 and 4,000 flamingos in the region during the summer months.
Participating Wildlife —
Kite-surfers are often joined by birds, including pink flamingos, fascinated by the colorful kites. According to Moroccan ornithologist Hassan Dalil, there are between 3,000 and 4,000 flamingos in the region during the summer months.
ABDELHAK SENNA/AFP/Getty Images/File