| Kitesurfing Expeditions |
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Thanks to satellites and survey planes, there isn’t much left on the earth’s surface that is totally unknown to mankind. But that’s only the big picture. There are details, vast and exciting, that still remain off the map. Rainforests still hide uncontacted tribes, and oceans still hold untold mysteries. There are still places to explore, it just becomes harder each year. That’s one of the reasons the kiteboarding expeditions led by Gavin McClurg aboard Discovery may be so appealing to adventure travelers. McClurg offers a rare opportunity to cruise the tropics on a luxury catamaran, riding astounding waves while exploring islands that may as well be off the map. If you’re in for the thrill of the unknown, you can't go wrong onboard Discovery. When asked which of his upcoming trips offers the best chance for true exploration, he said, “All of them.” Perhaps more surprising than the expeditions themselves is that McClurg still has a few open slots on these upcoming voyages: Tonga and Samoa, November 10 to 19, 2008 Marshall Islands, December 27, 2008, to January 4, 2009 Marshall Islands, January 5 to 18, 2009 Pohnpei to Truk Lagoon, March 11 to 24, 2009 Palau islands, May 16 to 25, 2009 Southern Indonesia, July 25 to August 2, 2009 Bali to Singapore, October 13 to 22, 2009 
Photo courtesy Offshore Odysseys
Sustenance: The current chefs on Discovery are both veterans of the Fat Duck (an hour west of London), considered one of the best restaurants in the world by Restaurant magazine. “All of our chefs so far have Michelin-star backgrounds and world-class resumes and experience,” says McClurg. “We take food very seriously. It’s all you’ve got when the weather turns sour.” The chefs will make quick work of any spearfishing successes, presenting sushi and sashimi. In addition, expect eclectic dishes with international flair as well as freshly made ice cream and breads. Kiting: McClurg expects to have idyllic kiting, and the best chance to kiteboard where no one else has, on his Marshall Islands and Micronesia trips. “January through March are the strongest wind months north of the equator,” he says. For higher-level kiters, the Pohnpei trip offers “fantastic albeit advanced waves.” For novice kiters, it’s best to do some homework. A few weeks of lessons before the expedition will make the difference between fumbling and breaking new ground. To make sure you’re in the latter category, get your lessons from a dedicated instructor at a serious kite center. Novices are welcome on a trip, but to make it more enjoyable, McClurg recommends hiring an instructor to come aboard. He says he can help pick the right one. Details: “We want people who seek true adventure,” McClurg says. “We’re all about spontaneity.” Depending on the weather, all of the trips offer freediving, scuba diving, paragliding, spearfishing, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and, if the winds are too tame, land-based activities such as trekking, visiting a village, and partaking in a ceremony of kava, a mildly psychoactive beverage. “[I]n much of the South Pacific, kava is a big deal,” McClurg says. The cost to get onboard is $300 per person per day, plus a $35-per-day provisioning fee. Serious adventurers can buy a share in Discovery, assuring four ten-day trips over the remainder of the expedition and a cut of the ship’s sale price at the end of the voyage. Shares start at $20,000; offshoreodysseys.com |
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