Feb/Mar 2004 Margarita (El Yaque) Review

Stayed with Miguel & Gabi Bruggerman B&B and sailed with Planet Windsurfing.

This place is the best. Side/side-onshore (port out), shallow 300 m out, rolling swell on the outside, 80 degree water, tons of rentals, CHEAP (33 cent) beer. Our place was small but clean and new. Our hosts (expat gringo) did a super job of looking after us including currency exchange help, translations, transport to/from airport, security issues on the mainland (a mildly scary place). Rentals were Fanatic boards (nice!) and Arrows sails (good basic stuff), but Udo was just receiving a pile of new North Sails. Bueno. The staff was super. Nothing like having the 8th ranked freestyle sailor in the world rig your sail! (Remko DeWeerd). Friendly, knowledgeable and fun. My wife took lessons (Dani) and did great, had fun and had stiff arms and legs just like me! I sailed 12 days consec and improved dramatically (for me). I am 210 #'s and used mostly 6.0 - 6.2 (ave.), but even the 7.0 days (2) were fun. Wind is steadier here than anywhere else I've been. Food was excellent - primo sea food! Have the shrimp or blakened filet at Gabi's. Fruit drinks with or without rum are superb everywhere. Did I mention the 33 cent beers? The ultimate recommendation: we are going back!