The Rascals Kite Resort

I'm Italian, and the family style dinners were a real treat. The food was so good, and I was pleasantly surprised to find good pasta in Kalpitiya. The Rascals was a fun place to stay, with comfortable rooms, nice staff, and competent kiting coaches.

The Rascals in Kalpitiya is relaxed and fun, with friendly staff and really good food. The flavors were fresh, and it's an easygoing place to unwind after a day by the sea. A memorable gem that's worth visiting and staying at for as long as you can.

Koddu, the hotel I was staying at next door, recommended Rascals. It was a great recommendation. Rascals has its own restaurant and accommodation, and the guests I saw seemed very happy. There's also a great yoga teacher available and superb massage. But back to kiting. Johanna runs the resort and kite school with a well organised, super helpful team. They speak many languages, the food is delicious, and the location is peaceful and relaxing. I met several guests who'd returned often, which is always a good sign. I'm 60 and last tried kite boarding in Lefkada 15 years ago, where I spent a fair bit of time scared. At Rascals, which is affiliated with Duotone, it was an entirely different experience. My instructor Chamara inspired confidence, and his English and instruction were both good. I was there in late August and early September. For four of the five days we were the only kites around. Even on the day another school came, there was plenty of room and it didn't get crowded. The wind is fairly reliable, and the sun is fierce, so I'd recommend zinc and/or sun proof Lycra. I took an IKO course and was delighted with my progress. Most of all, it was fun and enjoyable, and Sri Lankans are so friendly and welcoming. They have several boats and boatmen to get to good kite spots and help with safety. The spot we used was on the lagoon, so it was calm and smooth even with winds over 20 knots. There are other spots for more experienced kiters, and the ocean was just yards away across a sand spit. Thanks for a great time. I look forward to coming back.

The main kite spot is about a 20-minute boat ride from camp, so it may be inconvenient if you want to launch right out front. Still, the kiting conditions at Rascals Kite Resort were excellent, and the team made the place feel so welcoming. I had a memorable trip there.