Looking For Things To Do in Anguilla?
Try These Adventure Anguilla Sports in the Sea!

"What do you DO in Anguilla?" Friends who have never been to Anguilla always ask.

48 square miles, 13,000 people, no movie theaters, big night clubs or shopping malls... It's not hard to understand why many people believe Anguilla is a prime travel destination for long naps and beach walks.

And, it is! Lounging on the flawless beaches and sucking back rum punches are two of my Dad's favorite Anguilla activities. ;-)

But, it doesn't have to end there... There are many things to do in Anguilla.

One of the best ways to beat the heat, and get your blood pumping?...

Adventure Anguilla water sports!

There is really only one man in Anguilla who knows all about adventure Anguilla water sports... Mr. Thierry Dehove. We recently met up with Thierry, one of our old Anguilla friends, renowned photographer and adventure water sports expert.

Thierry Dehove
Photographed With His Cover For CondéNast Traveler

Originally from France, Thierry lived in Anguilla several years ago, in 2002. He is a professional photographer and graphic designer, having designed and photographed for some of the most widespread Caribbean magazines (and non-Caribbean magazines, including CondéNast Traveler) and exclusive luxury villas and hotels.

His photography and graphic design work is exceptional...

Sample of Thierry's Photography of Viceroy Anguilla

Sample of Thierry's Design Work for Imagine Magazine

Tip: Thierry also does exceptional family portraits and vacation photos on the beach. If you are interested in creating a special, lasting souvenir, get in touch with Thierry by clicking here.

After living in Anguilla in 2002, he traveled for 3 years between the States, Canada and Europe. Today, he is back "home" in the Caribbean. He currently lives between Anguilla, St. Martin and St. Barths.

We originally met Thierry through mutual friends, and bonded over our attraction to adventure water sports. Thierry is a kite-boarding master, and also knows his way around the water on a surfboard and a stand-up paddleboard.

On our catch-up at Viceroy Anguilla Sunset Lounge, I had to ask him about the adventure Anguilla sports... "Have you been in the water yet?"

He smiled, "Of course." Perhaps he could see the jealousy in my eyes, because we arranged to get on the water the very next morning...

Stand Up Paddle-Boarding (or, SUP)

If you stay at Viceroy Anguilla, you are in luck.

No, not just because of the five-star cuisine (from gourmet breakfast to sushi lunch to Italian dinners), or the luxurious rooms, or the endless views, or two of the island's best beaches at your fingertips...

You also have access to one of the most fun and easy-to-learn adventure water sports, Stand Up Paddle Surfing!

Stand Up Paddle Boards on Meads Bay

Photo By: Thierry Dehove

Stand up paddle boards were originally used by ancient Hawaiians as a method to travel between islands. More recently, "stand up paddle surfing" was commonly practiced by the elderly in Hawaii.

It is much easier to learn, and much more leisurely than normal surfing. The board is usually over 9' long and 2.5' wide, making it much more stable and easy to balance. Contrary to what you may think, stand up paddle surfers don't strictly try to catch waves... Many times people enjoy just paddling around calm waters and scouting for sealife!

That is exactly what we did one early morning on Meads Bay with Thierry Dehove, and David Erlich, who heads up Viceroy's pools and spa and expanding the resort's water sports. He lived in Hawaii for 10 years, and like Thierry is very comfortable on surfboards and paddleboards. We were in good hands...

Gearing Up to Go Stand Up Paddle-Boarding on Meads Bay with Thierry and David

Photo By: Thierry Dehove

"There's nothing to it! Just hold a firm, square stance, feet wide apart, at the center of your board, and you're ready to go," David instructed.

We slid our boards into the water, and hopped on.

Photo By: Thierry Dehove

It was a calm, early summer morning on Meads Bay.

The water was cool, and the morning was fresh, not hot yet.

The sea was glassy and still, too still to "catch a wave" but...

Ideal SUP conditions for easy paddling!

It may be called stand up paddle surfing, but in my case it was sit down paddle surfing!

It may be easier than normal surfing, but getting your balance requires a bit of practice.

It wasn't long before Yuki popped up, paddling all the way around the rocky promontory between Meads Bay and Barnes Bay...

Yuki and David Stand Up Paddle Surfing

Cruising past the modern-chic Viceroy from the sea provides a unique view... It looked like a scene from Hawaii Five-0!

Note: The summer seas made for some smooth SUP-ing, but come December (through till April) when Meads Bay gets rougher (some days the waves can be 8 feet!), SUP may be a little more challenging. I would be cautious about navigating the rocky ledge between Meads and Barnes for fear of getting swept up in the rocks.

The paddling was peaceful. There is nothing like the magic of gliding over the turquoise sea, fish dancing below in the cool morning water...

Too soon we found ourselves paddling back and saying "Mahalo" to David.

Yuki and I couldn't stay away for long. We enjoyed it so much we returned later that afternoon when the hot sun was beating down. Hopping off the edge of the board and into the water was the perfect way to recharge before paddling-on.

If you are looking for an easy, peaceful Anguilla sport that keeps you cool, SUP at Viceroy Anguilla is most highly recommended.

Surfing

I certainly do enjoy the peace and quiet of cruising along Anguilla's smooth seas aboard a paddle board, but my favorite Anguilla sport, or water sport in general is surfing...

We have experienced Barbados surfing, Montauk surfing and Tofino surfing.

But never Anguilla surfing...

Anguilla Surfing at Meads Bay

Photo From: Thierry Dehove's Website: Tropical-Paradise.net

You may not believe me after looking at the photo above, but the truth is, Anguilla doesn't have much surfing.

There are three main surf spots: Savannah Bay, Forest Bay and Meads Bay.

Now and then you can catch a few small waves at Savannah Bay. Mostly though, these waves break on a rocky reef and pose some danger. They don't get very big, and can be difficult to navigate.

Forest Bay has a few small, constant swells. More details on this surfing spot to come.

By far the best spot for Anguilla surfing is Meads Bay. You can surf Meads Bay maybe once a year or once every two years. The photo above was taken in October 2007.

It may not be a frequent swell, but when it does come in, it's hard to beat...

Thierry Surfing Meads Bay Anguilla
Photo From: Thierry Dehove's Website: Tropical-Paradise.net

Viceroy Anguilla's sports center is well positioned on Meads Bay. They will soon be getting a full range of surfboards, and will become the go-to spot for surfing on Meads. Stay tuned for more information on surfing Meads Bay at Viceroy.

Thierry knows the best surf spots and all about them, from the "line-up" (where to catch the wave) to the type of wave (right or left "hander"), he is the expert.

Anguilla surfing with Thierry is next on my list of adventure Anguilla sports!

We're just waiting on the waves...

Kite Surfing (or Kite Boarding)

SUP and surfing are two Anguilla sports that Thierry knows well. But, his #1 area of expertise (and the #1 Anguilla sport on my must-try list)?

Kite Surfing!

Photo From: ThierryDehove.com

What is kitesurfing? Kitesurfing is often described as a combination of some of the most popular water sports... Surfing, wakeboarding and windsurfing.

It requires the use of both your arms and legs. You 1) are in a harness attached to a large kite, and 2) have your feet strapped into a board similar to a wakeboard.

The idea is to catch the wind with your kite and use the wind to build enough energy to catch waves. Because you are "harnessing" the wind, often times you are airborne, sailing 10-20 feet (and even higher) above the air for short periods of time. The experienced (Thierry included!) even do flips and back-flips in the air, sustained by the energy of the wind.

It is one of the most exhilarating and rewarding Anguilla sports, particularly because Anguilla has some of the best beaches and off-island cays, ideal for kitesurfing.

Take a look at some of Thierry's photos to get an idea of what kitesurfing is all about...

Chased By Waves, Photo Captured Using GoPro Cam

Photo From: Thierry Dehove's Website: Tropical-Paradise.net

Anguilla Kitesurfing, Photo Captured Using GoPro Cam

Photo From: Thierry Dehove's Website: Tropical-Paradise.net

The "One Foot Trick", Photo Captured Using GoPro Cam

Photo From: Thierry Dehove's Website: Tropical-Paradise.net

I still remember the first time I ever saw Thierry and his good friend Judd catching waves, some 'couple hundred feet off of Meads Bay and Long Bay, where the water runs a deeper shade of blue.

Jump after jump, somersault after somersault... In the air. They were flying!

Kitesurfing is #1 on our Anguilla sport list to try! Thierry has taught many people in Anguilla, from adults in their 40s to children as young as 8 years old. His methods are effective and safe.

He teaches you about the gear, how to launch, control and steer your kite, and just about everything you need to become a kitesurfing master, riding the wind and waves. Instruction begins on Cove Bay, one of Anguilla's most serene and gentle beaches.

Click the link to visit Thierry's website (Tropical-Paradise.net) for more information on Tropical Paradise Kitesurfing.

Click the link to find out more about Anguilla's Kitesurfing beaches.

Stay tuned for our kitesurfing story!

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