Dakhla Downwind Challenge: A Father-Son Odyssey

Despite the shaky start, optimism bubbled as we joined participants from around the globe. After a warm-up session on the lagoon, we embarked on the first 75-kilometer leg of our journey. From the moment we hit the water, it was clear this was no ordinary downwinder. “Blasting straight downwind on a twintip for a prolonged period is something else,” my father observed. “New muscles were tweaking, straps needed adjusting, fins needed changing. Was I ready for this?” By the time we reached the day’s finish line, exhaustion was etched onto every face of the 20-person crew. Even the promise of cold beers couldn’t erase the realization of how tough this challenge would be. Yet, the sense of camaraderie grew stronger as we shared moments of struggle and triumph. Already we could feel how the vibes of the crew were going to get us through this together.

Each day brought new lessons and hardships. The second leg, 120 kilometers long, was a grueling experience of light winds, towering cliffs, and relentless seas. For my father, it was something very different to his usual ‘champion sailing’ and the difficulty was already guaranteed to make it an unforgettable experience. “Before long, I was miles out to sea, no sight of land in any direction,” he recounted. “The thought of a snapped line or punctured kite went through my mind. No one would find me out here. But there was only one thing to do: embrace the moment, absorb the scene, sing a song and keep going.”

Navigating Cape Barbas, a massive cliff-lined headland, was a test of endurance, nerve and skill. As the wind dropped near the cliffs, dad found himself in a precarious situation. Watching from just upwind, I stayed close, helping him recover his board at the base of the cliffs before we drifted into the wind shadow that would have spelled disaster, and urging him to keep pushing through. “From behind came Tom’s voice, ‘You don’t want to be doing that here, mate! Don’t panic!’ There he was. Perhaps he was watching me the whole time. We were in this together,” he wrote.

The days blurred into a rhythm of kiting, camaraderie and desert survival. Campsites were rudimentary, with bubble tents blowing away in the wind and meals often arriving late after arrival – sometimes we needed to dig the supply trucks out of the desert sand before we could set up the camps. Yet, the group’s spirit remained high, galvanized by the experiences. “By midnight, we were set up and the DJ was playing; running on adrenaline, we were hungry!” Andrew recalled. “My energy gels were running out and the crew was getting edgy. I think we were all wondering who we would eat first…”

Despite the hardship, desert showers, exhaustion and aching bodies, moments of beauty punctuated the journey. From vast, empty coastlines to star-filled skies, the raw splendor of the Sahara desert left an indelible mark on us both, with the wild appreciation of the adventure and connection to the natural environment a stark contrast to the complexities of ‘normal’ life… “I sat naked in the moonlight on the edge of the ocean,” my father wrote. “The sky was clear and the stars were bright. Despite the day’s events, there was amazing beauty here that not many others have seen.”

The final leg to the Mauritanian border was both a triumph and a bittersweet end. The sense of achievement was overwhelming as we crossed the finish line, yet we felt a deep bond with this wild land and its untamed spirit. “Elation as I walked up the beach,” my father wrote. “Mission complete. Lots of smiles, high fives and stories to tell. Good friends made. A group of like-minded individuals had won through, helping each other and sharing the highs and lows of this true adventure.”

As we were escorted to the border in a high-speed convoy, it felt like a surreal conclusion to an extraordinary journey. The Dakhla Downwind Challenge was more than just a kite trip; it was a test of resilience, a celebration of human connection, and a reminder that true adventure lies beyond the comforts of routine. “If adventure is what you seek, the Dakhla Downwinder is for you,” Dad concluded. “But remember, with adventure comes the unexpected.”

For both of us, this was not just a tick on the bucket list; it was a profound experience that strengthened our bond and ignited a thirst for more. What’s next? Only time will tell, but the spirit of adventure will surely guide us there.