Even though H.Earl passed about 200 miles off the North coast D.R. – we took these photos late this afternoon as the waves peaked – the outer reef at Bozo had a likely face of 4 to 5 meters and the shore break 2 – 3 meters in height. We took a ton of photos but here’s a small selection……………These were breathtaking moments;
Cabarete Spinning has been getting people fit in Cabarete for 6 years. It is easily the best indoor cycling available in the Dominican Republic by a long way and the only studio with Johnny G qualified instructors
I should know, I began the studio
We’ve just reduced our prices following our 6th successful summer – and we’ve never been busier!
Now Spinning for residents is just 200 pesos ($6 usd) and for visitors to Cabarete it is 300 pesos or $8 usd.
Please check out our timetable here Cabarete Spinning
Cabarete Spinning is a town-center, air-conditioned facility with a state of the art sound system and imaginative lighting. We use Star Trac Spinner Pro’s which are in excellent condition. Whilst you are in Cabarete, put us on your to-do list. You can contact me directly from the website and I’m happy to answer any questions you might have about working out on a spinning bike.
See you in the Studio 

A beautiful morning – no wind and some easy surfing conditions, typical of the summer months in Cabarete – so perfect for beginners to take their first rides and discover the love of surfing.
Pictures courtesy of Swell Surf Camp

quick chat before…..

paddling out together

the whole family together in the water –

Yael has an easy style

Brett and Drew on the same wave

Maya

Orin

Jonathan

Orin

Jonathan

Luciano teaching Donata and Nina the correct way to jump up

Dad, Gideon

Mum, Yael

An interested spectator

V for victory!

Orin stylish



Sniffothon………



Jay….arrived as a stressed out criminal lawyer and leaves today a DUDE……


a passing weather front…….

just makes the day………

even more beautiful…….

That’s me admiring the view………


Jonathan is done for the day 

Big smiles after jay’s last morning in the water for a while

Gideon and Jim

Brother and sister compare notes

Mother and Son
Those of you reaching for the Spanish dictionary – don’t worry, here’s the translation – we’re getting married
Jim proposed to me last week after almost 4 years together.
I never imagined that it was possible to meet the man who’s perfect for you in a tiny town in the Caribbean like this, but I did.
Since we met, we have rarely been separated; I’ve written about him before a long while back in this Blog and what an understated, intelligent, funny guy he is. He’s extremely modest despite being one of the most talented people I’ve ever met.
I am extremely happy that I’ll be his wife when we tie the knot next year, most likely in Bali.
picture courtesy Hugo
Is it just us or is this not one of the best kite boarding seasons we’ve had in recent years? Weeks of good wind continue and follow a fantastic surf season when North Swell followed North Swell again and again from October to April……… any doubters who might think that Cabarete, or the north coast DR is past history (beaten by Punta Cana, aka All-Inclusive-ville) think again……you know why Cabarete will always be a better place to be? Because it has soul and character and a ton of active people enjoying the waves and the wind and afterwards, the beach night-life and the friendly, fun and chilled vibe.
When you have a town like this with so much to do, being inside a manufactured corporation hotel is a complete waste of your holiday. There’s a ton of places to stay in Cabarete to suit all budgets – get out and see what’s on offer. Nearest airport is Puerto Plata (POP).



Pictures courtesy of Swell
Jim and I were saying two weeks ago, in a conversation about Richard Branson, that he’d probably love Cabarete as an avid kiteboarder.
He’d never been – until last night. On a super quick visit (just 24 hours) he’s packing in a ton of stuff in his first trip to Cabarete. He says he likes the town a lot. He was kiting with Laurel Eastman on a down-winder from La Boca to Encuentro. We caught up with them on a break at LEK where we also kite from.



Laurel Eastman (far right) enjoying the pool at Millenium


With this weekend came the unexpected death of one of the most respected and loved ex-patriots on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic. Ginnie Bedggood, alternatively known as ‘Lambada’ on the D.R.1 forums passed away unexpectedly.
I never met her in person, but had many exchanges with her on the forums; the depth of her knowledge and understanding of all things Dominican was astounding. Instead of just living in someone else’s country (as many of us do) in the many years she lived on the north Coast of the Dominican Republic, she appears to have made it her passion to know and understand the country in a way that many of us merely wish we could.
She spent countless hours passing on her wisdom on DR1……….Questions on the forum would be answered by her intelligently, knowledgeably and above all, kindly, even when the questioner was displaying an ignorance that would have made lesser people give up on them. I cried last night when I read that she had died and I never even met her in person. When I read the tributes from her real friends, my heart broke for them and for her partner Grahame with whom she was obviously so very close.
A prolific and entertaining writer, I am sharing the link to her own website GinnieBedggood.com
What a terrible loss for everyone, especially Grahame and her family to whom we send our deepest sympathies. Clare and Jim.
Cabarete has so much to offer the watersportmen and women; early birds get up for the surfing or Stand up paddle boarding now growing so fast on the town’s various reefs. Wind kicks in around lunchtime and then the kiteboarders, windsurfers and sailors are happy too.
Another nice swell is on it’s way this week (courtesy of an area of stormy weather north east of the DR, which did the perfect job for us; creating some waves and then dissipating). All’s good; we’ve been lucky. Jim and I watched some tourists setting off for Cancun on Sunday when we were at the airport; it was hard to believe they were still running flights there when H. Alex is creating so much havoc. I don’t think I would have boarded
My children are in the UK with their Dad for the next 4 weeks and I’m torn; it’s too noisy when they’re around half the time, but what a terrible silence when they’re gone
Still we’ll make the most of it, trying some new SUP spots on the North Coast here – it’s an adventure. 