Arugam Bay Information

– Majority of the world, especially the West got to know about Arugam Bay, only after the 2004 tsunami.

Arugam Bay 'City' Centre and view to Main Surf Point

There was a moving episode on America’s most-popular talk show, the Oprah Winfrey Show where a tsunami survivor Nate Berkus was interviewed. The Chicago-based interior designer Nate Berkus related his story on television about his vacation going awry. He was relaxing at a beach cottage in Arugam Bay with his partner photographer Fernando Bengoechea, when the deadly tsunami struck. Even though Nate was spared, unfortunately, Fernando’s life wasn’t. Continue reading ‘How the world knew Arugam Bay.’

Kite Surf Sri Lanka writes, in his blog and on his web site:

Master Dilsiri in action

Been on this island for 28 years and have travelled a lot but Arugam Bay still remains the best and most exciting place on this island paradise.
Jungle beaches with amazing breaks, winds in the afternoon for some kitesurfing amongst the surfers, the crocodiles and ruines, nights under the stars and food….oh, how I long to head to Arugam Bay again.

Arugam Bay,
That’s where I want to be
Arugam Bay.
That’s where I want to stay

Kite Surfing. A great sport and play with elements and nature

http://kitesurfsrilanka.blogspot.com/2010/02/oh-how-i-long-to-head-to-arugam-bay.html

The kite surfers jumped in winds gusting at more than 40mph

Two kite surfers from West Sussex took advantage of strong winds on the south coast to realise an ambition to jump over Worthing pier.

Jake Scrace, 25, and Lewis Crathern, 24, had been planning Monday morning’s jump for three years but had to wait for perfect weather conditions.

They took off from ….. Continue reading ‘Two kite surfers jump over pier’

Sri Lanka is blessed with the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, which lap the entire 1,585 kilometres of the coastline. This, together with the two seasonal monsoons that hit each side of the island at different times of the year, means that water sports such as Windsurfing can be indulged in at any time.

Windsurfing began in America sometime in the early 70s after the discovery that a mast located on a swivelling pivot could be used to steer a small sailing craft by using body weight instead of a rudder. The first boards made their way to Sri Lanka in the late 70s, when a group of Swedish holidaymakers decided to try to bring them along on vacation. After this more and more tourists started bringing boards, some of which were intentionally left behind. It was these boards that west coast locals used to learn the sport for themselves. Continue reading ‘Windsurfing Arugam Bay’

Kite Surfing

Keshini Hapugoda might be Sri Lanka’s first female kite surfer. The 28-year-old IT consultant loves to surf and dive, and kite surfing is her latest passion. A few weekends with an instructor in Negombo have helped her learn the basics of kite surfing and while she’s sticking to the shallows now, she’s hoping to head into deeper water soon.

Dilsiri Welikala is already comfortable out at sea. “It’s an amazing feeling, harnessing the power of the wind to propel yourself along,” he says. He talks of skimming along the water for hours at a time and of chance encounters with pods of dolphins. Though he needs a little help getting his 10 square metre kite up, once that’s done and the lines and harness are secured, he’s good to go.

“Your kite becomes like an airplane wing,” says Dilsiri, explaining that he controls the direction of his kite by changing the angle of his board. Kite surfers are slaves to the winds and will drive many hours to catch the right kind. As a result, this group has been all over the island, from Puttalam to Arugam Bay. Continue reading ‘Games to play at Arugam Bay’

Offshore Winds, Boats Rescues – What an Experience – Kitesurfing in Arugam Bay

While 99 percent of the kitesurfers in Lanka stayed on the West Coast, 1 percent decided to try out Arugam Bay. Offshore winds are not ideal conditions but the sea and wave riding conditions were too tempting. Learning points at Arugam Bay;

1. Its always good to have a standby boat ready when kitesurfing in unfamiliar conditions Continue reading ‘Kitesurfing in Arugam Bay’

At the 4 th time this season and the wind looks good in Arugam Bay! Even if Windguru is wrong, at least we will have some nice waves to surf on. Either way, the long weekend is set to be a blast! You’d probably see us if you are there – come say hi! Perhaps you can have a go kitesurfing – not, haha.

September '09: A Stormy long weekend?

July sixth 2009 saw the return of some great international surfing at  Arugambay. The UK Pro Surfing Association’s Sri Lanka Surf

Andrew Foley @ Arugam Bay

Championships (UKPSA) was an event that showcased the surfing location to surfers from all over the world. ‘Hats off’ to the UK Pro Surf Organisation for their decision to hold the event in Arugambay, a decision based on the quality of the surf and the charm of the location. Arugambay was embedded in the memory of these surfing enthusiasts since their last visit and it was that memory that made them determined to get back there as soon as possible. Well done! There is talk of this surfing championship becoming an annual event.

A brief scan of some pro surfing websites indicate that Arugambay is fondly called ‘a-bay’ by the surfing community, and is reportedly one of the ten top surfing locations in the world with well documented 5 to 6 footer waves and a 400 metre ‘ride’. The relatively isolated rural location, balmy tropical weather, spectacular sunrises, great sea food and budget accommodation makes this place the free spirited surfers dream. Continue reading ‘Arugambay: One of the world’s Best Surf Beaches’

Thursday, July 2, 2009

In 1 hour 30 minutes…we leave for Abay

We head to paradise! Arugam Bay. Yahoooo. Hope for nice waves in the morning and then windy afternoons. Surfing in the morning, Kitesurfing in the afternoon.

• Somlak – must try your thai cooking
• Fred – the local brew
• Richard – perhaps some surf lessons for Curt
• Saman and Minna – mmm, the pizza

The crowd from MAS, now dont stay indoors, go out in the sun and get tanned! Ah, Sri Lanka Rocks!
source:

http://kitesurfsrilanka.blogspot.com/2009/07/in-1-hour-30-minuteswe-leave-for-abay.html

http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=101854870893&mid=ae5e88G4c5ed3a7G976a45G7

Very well air borne

-

Three kitesurfers brave a long journey to cruise in Arugam Bay. Was it worth it? Definitely. With an early morning surfing session under our belt, the wind stared to pick by 11 AM enabling us to pump our kites and rock on when the rest of the bay were relaxing.

It truly was beautiful, the turquoise blue water, the waves and raw scenery of Arugam Bay gave us a glimpse of heaven. The ideal wave riding conditions were exploited to the maximum by us.

We did also glimpse another French kitesurfer who went down winder over the bend at Pottuvil Point. No sure how he got back . The winds did pick to around 30 knots in the evening. Our 9M kites seem to utterly overpowered in those strong winds.

Special thanks to Fred from SVH. Enjoy your hospitality and support.
Arugam Bay – its paradise – not just for the surfers – but kitesurfers as well! Until we meet again, Hangloose!

It was the first time for our gang  to Arugam Bay -  Dinesh, Keshini, Shanil and Magda. What a wonderful experience we had. Arugam Bay is not a place just for the surfers – it’s for everyone – it’s truly paradise.

Highlights

ü Surfing in the wee hours of the morning with just paradise around us

ü Waking up on a hammock in the afternoon and realizing ‘it’s windy’ and we can kitesurf on the turquoise blue ocean

ü Walking through the night to reach Elephant Rock and take photos of the most amazing sunrise

ü Spending time ad sharing a beer with our local surfer Richard at his humble yet very welcome surf pad at the main surf point

ü Midnight sea swim under full moon

ü Heading to Muhudu Maha Viharaya in the night, chatting with the lone Buddhist monk and marveling at the structures built over 2,000 years ago

ü CChilling and watching Surf Movies with Fred at SVH; Saman, Minna and having their awesome pizzas; Ramesh, Liz having their out of this world homemade chocolate ice cream and chocolate fudge cake

It’s certainly raw, but it is beautiful. Arugam Bay, that’s where I want to be… in a couple of weeks perhaps…again, we’ll be there.

Dilsiri Welikala

Protecting Our Past

Ancient site nr. Arugam Bay

The Muhudu Maha Viharaya situated near Pottuville is over 2,000 years old. According to the resident monk, not much emphasis has been paid to protect this very ancient structure. There has been immense encroachment and much of this wonderful monument could be lost forever. Could it be that this Buddhist Monument is in the middle of a Muslim Community or the relevant authorities just don’t care.

The background to Muhudu Maha Viharaya  could be found http://www.nation.lk/2009/03/01/eyefea1.htm

We need to protect these treasures. Its history, it’s part of Arugam Bay and its things like these that make the place so wonderful and appealing to all people.

Dilsiri Welikala