Downwind Deck takes on Festival Del Viento in Nayarit, Mexico

Downwind Deck has ventured to Nayarit, Mexico for one hell of a week. We kicked things off at Festival De Viento with three days of non-stop kiteboarding action, packed beaches, stacked heats, and enough wind drama to keep everyone on their toes.

Day 1 — Big Air, Highest Jump & Absolute Chaos

Day 1 delivered pumping wind and full-send conditions for the Highest Jump and Big Air competitions. Riders were boosting to the moon while spectators lined the beach watching the action unfold across Banderas Bay.

The women from the Yucatán Peninsula absolutely cleaned up in the Women’s Highest Jump competition, taking two out of the three podium spots.

• @Courtnyo from Downwind Deck took 3rd place

• @Anna.goodday secured 2nd place

• And well… this writer completely forgot the name of the 1st place winner from PVR area. Very sorry. We blame the wind, sun, and lack of sleep.

• A special shoutout to @Sara.ricaurtee — someone we will gladly share a 3rd place podium with any day. If you know, then you know.

There’s honestly so much happening at Festival De Viento that it’s nearly impossible to keep every event straight. Who won Men’s Highest Jump? Men’s and Women’s Big Air? You’ll just have to stay tuned until the sweet awards photos get posted.

We’re hoping to share official Day 1 event photos from the photographers very soon.

Day 2 — Less Wind, Same Madness

Day 2 brought slightly lighter wind, but absolutely no shortage of action.

The morning kicked off with a chaotic downwind race across the bay. The strategy? Stay close behind the start boat, avoid kite tangles, don’t crash, and absolutely bomb it downwind. Easier said than done.

Many riders stayed on the water all day as organizers stacked competitions tightly together to make sure everyone got the best possible conditions during the wind windows.

Freestyle was up next, bringing powered unhooked tricks, huge rotations, and aggressive riding from some of the best competitors on the beach.

Our favorite women’s heat featured three of the Yucatán Peninsula standouts battling it out:

• @Anna.goodday

• @Sara.ricaurtee

• @Anandagamio

The event quickly rolled into Men’s Freestyle featuring our favorites:

• @einarsaad

• @ericrienstra

• @maxico25

Between surf freestyle, regattas, beach chaos, sponsor activations, and fiestas running late into the night, there’s simply too much happening to catch it all.

Day 3 — Less Wind, Bigger Sends with Kitefoil!

The inspiration has been collected and the mission has been set: Big Air Kitefoil.

Huge thank you to @maxico25 and all the riders pushing the sport forward and showing us what’s possible. Full-send boosts, insane board-offs, and a level that’s been set sky high. 🚀

Time to train harder, fly higher, and send it bigger. Festival del Viento set the stage, and next year I’m coming for a medal in Women’s Highest Jump Kitefoil and Big Air Kitefoil.

Huge thanks to all the sponsors, @festivaldelviento and @amk_mxoficial for throwing one hell of an event. Managing 300+ competitors, changing forecasts, live scoring, technology, scheduling, and nonstop moving parts is no easy task — and we appreciate everything happening behind the scenes to make this event possible.

More updates coming soon from Nuevo Vallarta. Stay tuned.

While the Puerto Vallarta area kiteboarding season is coming to a close, El Cuyo is still blowing! Head on over to Downwind Deck Hotel to book your stay and come kite with us!

Book Your Stay

Day 2 Photos taken by Downwind Deck

Day 3 Big Air Kite Foil Photos from Downwind Deck

Heroes & Villains at El Cuyo Kite Beach

April 27, 2026

There was something different about this particular Monday at El Cuyo Beach. The same steady, reliable wind we all know and love—but a charged energy, the kind that hints something epic is about to go down.

Just then... in the distance...

Heroes and Villains have arrive.

They came in force, capes flying, masks on, boards ready. Were they here to rumble?

To finally settle the score? Or just to see who could boost higher, loop cleaner, and land smoother? Whatever the mission… it was clear from the first kite in the sky: full send mode was engaged.

Super Mario and Luigi led one crew, bringing along a full cast of friends who looked more ready to party than to rescue any Princess. But let's be clear, this Princess did not need rescuing.

Not far behind, Marvel icons carved up the water with authority, while a few Disney favorites added just enough chaos to keep things interesting. It was part showdown, part celebration—and entirely unforgettable.

On Kite Beach, something magical happens when you mix wind, water, and a little creativity. Costumes —they turn the whole session into a floating festival. Every jump gets a little bigger. Every wipeout gets more laughs. And every rider becomes part of the show.

Because let’s be honest—costumes are just more fun on the water.

From massive boosts to stylish cruisers, everyone brought their A-game. But more than that, they brought personality. And that’s what makes El Cuyo Kite sessions at @MexicanCaribbeanKitesurf with @DownwindDeck something special—you’re not just riding, you’re part of a community that knows how to make every day on the water count.

Missed this months kite costume contest? Don’t worry. We’re just getting started.

Follow us @downwinddeck and get ready for the next Kite Costume Contest…

Theme: Smurfs.

Start planning. Start packing. And most importantly—get ready to send it.

We’ll see you on the water.

March 15 – March 31: When the Wind Doesn’t Quit in El Cuyo

I first discovered El Cuyo back in 2018 thanks to the rabbit hole of Facebook Kiteboarding Groups. What started as curiosity quickly turned into something much bigger—and this March was a perfect reminder of why.

This has easily been one of the windiest Marches I can remember.

Out of 31 days, I kited 27. Two more were completely doable, but life had other plans. That’s 29 out of 31 days with rideable wind—something that still feels a little unreal even after years of coming here.

But it’s not just about the numbers.

March in El Cuyo always brings a special kind of energy. New faces arrive daily, each bringing their own stories, progression, and stoke. By the end of a session, strangers turn into friends, and before people even leave, plans for next season are already being made. That’s the rhythm of this place—wind, community, repeat.

When conditions are this consistent, your whole mindset shifts. Everything starts revolving around the next session. Wind checks become second nature. Meals, work, and downtime all find their place around time on the water. It’s the kind of flow that’s hard to explain unless you’ve lived it.

This month also delivered when it came to gear. I spent a lot of time on the Core 10m XR PRO2, and it’s safe to say we’ve been building a solid relationship. Pushing limits, dialing in control, and getting rewarded session after session—it’s the kind of setup that makes progression feel inevitable. Pair that with the latest from Mystic Boarding, and you’re riding in both performance and comfort.

And when you’re not on the water—or if you’re looking to mix things up—Downwind Deck has you covered.

Stop by the Downwind Deck Wind Shop to check out the newest gear from Core Watersports, Mystic Boarding and Waydoo, get local insights, or just talk story after a session. If you’ve been thinking about trying something new, book an efoil lesson and experience El Cuyo from a completely different perspective—gliding above the water in conditions you’d never expect to ride.

Planning to stay longer? Downwind Deck also offers hotel accommodations designed for riders—comfortable, convenient, and just steps away from the action.

Because here’s the truth: when the wind is this good, you’re going to want to stay.

Life is simple in El Cuyo.

Wind. Water. Good people.

Right now, it’s as good as it gets.

And yes apparently Deadpool was here...