We seem to have been reporting lots of healthy exercise activities that you can take part in, here in Kalkan.

Well, here is one more for you to consider for next year: kiteboarding at Karadere beach, near Patara.

A business called KiteXtreme Turkey came to Patara in the summer of 2011, after several successful years in other places in Turkey, including Fethiye and Gökova.

The guy who runs this exciting sporting activity, is Taner Aykurt, and he spoke with KTLN.

Background about kiteboarding
Kiteboarding, also known as kitesurfing, is a relatively new sport.  The guys from KiteXtreme were amongst the first in Turkey, and indeed the world, to get into the sport, back in 1999.

You may be familiar with windsurfing, where you stand on a board with a sail, which enables the wind to push you along, in the sea.  With kiteboarding, you stand on a board, but instead of a sail, you have a canopy or kite in the sky above you, which catches the wind, propelling you along.

It's already very popular all over the world, and there is a possibility it will be included in the 2016 Olympics. 

It's classed as an extreme sport, and can give you an exciting ride, in the right wind conditions.  You need to consider personal health and accident insurance, before undertaking this activity.

Where in Turkey is it popular?
This sport is becoming popular all over Turkey, but a popular spot is Gökova. That's why KiteXtreme launched a second centre there.  Almost every day it has a good, gentle, thermal wind, with a huge shallow area, making it easier to learn kiteboarding.

Apart from Gökova, known kiteboarding spots are Karadere (Patara), Fethiye, Bodrum's Fener Beach, Datça, Ula, Çeşme-Alaçatı, Ayvalık and Gökçeada.

About the guys at KiteXtreme
This is a family run business - Taner, and his brothers and sister.  The story started with eldest brother Şener Aykurt (a maths teacher in Fethiye).  He started to windsurf in 1989, and by 1995 he and his brothers had opened their first windsurfing school.

They began kitesurfing in 1999, and started to teach the sport in 2001, in Fethiye.  Now they have around 10 people working within the business - mostly family members.

All the instructors are fully qualified, and experts in their chosen sports.  Taner has been the Turkish Kiteboard Champion on several occasions, and last winter he took part in Kite Tour Asia, where he got 1st place in the course racing category, and 2nd place in the freestyle category.

When did they start at Patara, and why?
The main school is in Fethiye, but over the last 5 years they have often gone to Karadere Beach, at the west end of Patara beach, for kitesurfing.

Starting this year (2011), KiteXtreme has taken people on daily training sessions, but next year, they intend to launch a full kitesurfing/windsurfing school there.  They will welcome students from Kalkan, Kaş, and even from Antalya, for lessons.

Taner told KTLN, "We prefer Karadere because it has such great conditions for kiteboarding: strong wind, all day long, with very good/safe wind direction, and a huge empty beach.  We need space for this sport, for safety reasons. Kiteboarding on a very crowded beach is not really comfortable".

How much does it cost to take part, and do you hire kit?
Here are some guideline prices, but please note they may change for the 2012 season. 

• Kitesurfing: 1 hours trial lesson: 35 euros.  An 8 hour beginners course will cost about 275 euros.
• Windsurfing: 3 hour lesson: 65 euros.
• Catamaran: 6 hour course: 180 euros.

KiteXtreme have equipment rental for all windsurfing, kitesurfing and also a catamaran.  Before you get in the water, you will be assessed to ensure you are capable of undertaking the activity.  They won't hire equipment to anyone who in their opinion, would not be safe.  You can of course bring your own equipment.

You can find KiteXtreme - Turkey/Gökova on Facebook.

They also have a website. www.kitextreme-turkey.com

You can also find them in the KTLN Business Directory.

Please note that they are now closed, (November 2011), but they will be open in time for the 2012 tourist season.

Good luck!

Kalkan Turkish Local News - your window on Kalkan Turkey