Latest news with #kitesurfing
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Somerset in Pictures: Heatwaves and naturists
Temperatures have risen to 31C across Somerset this week as the county experiences another people have been out soaking up the rays and we have had some stunning sunny scenes for you. Here comes the sun: It has been a scorcher of a week, so some weather watches have been heading out later to enjoy the cooler temperatures and witness the setting sun's golden light. This photograph was taken at Burnham-on-Sea's harbour. Daredevils: Kitesurfers have been making the most of the good weather and taking to the water in Weston-super-Mare. Cricket celebration: The popular Vitality Blast Women cricket match between Somerset and Essex at The Cooper Associates County Ground took place on 8 July. There were lots of celebrations as Somerset took the trophy. Naturism for Nudefest: Hundreds of people have descended on Thorney Lakes in Langport for one of the biggest events in the naturism calendar. From a volleyball tournament, to a performance from the Wurzels - they won't be leaving any tan lines. A wheely nice view: There was also an orange "buck moon" on Wednesday when it appears bigger because it is near the horizon. The above photograph was taken in Weston-super-Mare by one of our weather watchers. Putting down roots: Queen Camilla handed out seeds and cuttings from her garden during a day of visiting charitable organisations. Here, she is seen at Shockerwick Farm, near Bath, which runs a centre for children struggling with social exclusion. From Somerset to Wimbledon: Karen Dehalu, from Crewkerne, is part of the team which is behind keeping Wimbledon in bloom during the tournament. The event brings in more than 20,000 flowers for 'living walls', bedding displays and containers.
CNN
10-07-2025
- Politics
- CNN
First man to kitesurf across the Taiwan Strait
First man to kitesurf across the Taiwan Strait Swiss dentist and extreme sports enthusiast Geza Scholtz has become the first person ever to kitesurf across the politically sensitive Taiwan Strait. 01:16 - Source: CNN Trump praises Liberian leader's English. It's his native language During a White House meeting with leaders of African nations, President Donald Trump complimented Liberian President Joseph Boakai's English pronunciation, even though English is Boakai's native language. 00:49 - Source: CNN Houthi rebels release video of attack on commercial ship in the Red Sea Video released by the Houthi media center shows the bulk carrier "Magic Seas" being attacked and later sinking in the Iran-backed rebel group's first attack this year on a commercial shipping vessel in the Red Sea. 00:55 - Source: CNN Russia turns up the heat after Trump slams Putin At least one person has been killed after Russia launched a massive drone attack on Ukraine just hours after US President Donald Trump pledged more military support for Kyiv and accused his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of throwing 'bullsh*t' over peace talks. 01:19 - Source: CNN Who speaks for Hamas in ceasefire talks? With a possible Gaza ceasefire deal coming by week's end, CNN's Audie Cornish speaks with senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and a former adviser to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas Ghaith Al Omari about who speaks for Hamas. 01:51 - Source: CNN Trump told donors he threatened to bomb Moscow on Putin call Donald Trump told a private gathering of donors last year that he once sought to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from attacking Ukraine by threatening to 'bomb the sh*t out of Moscow' in retaliation, according to audio provided to CNN. The audio was obtained by Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager and Isaac Arnsdorf, who detailed some of the exchanges in their new book, '2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America.' The Trump campaign declined to comment on the content of the tapes. 01:36 - Source: CNN Three men found guilty of Wagner-backed arson on Ukraine-linked businesses in London Three men were found guilty on Tuesday of committing arson attacks on Ukraine-linked businesses in London on behalf of Russia's Wagner private mercenary group. Two others, ringleader Dylan Earl and Jake Reeves, had already pleaded guilty to offenses under the UK's new national security act. 01:38 - Source: CNN Mexicans protest immigrants from US Residents of Mexico City are protesting against gentrification that is forcing some people out, and they partially blame the United States. More than 1.6 million US citizens already reside in Mexico, according to the US State department. 01:30 - Source: CNN Drone shows rare site: Greece's Acropolis with no tourists Authorities in Athens, Greece closed the country's most popular tourist destination for several hours on Tuesday, sighting scorching temperatures nearing 108˚ Fahrenheit (42˚C) as a health concern. Drone video by Reuters captured the rare instance of the site being empty of visitors. 00:41 - Source: CNN Russian minister dies shortly after Putin fired him Former Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit died by suicide on Monday, just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin fired him from the job, officials said. Asked by reporters for the reasons behind Starovoit's dismissal, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied this was due to a 'lack of trust,' but he did not give any alternative reason. 00:49 - Source: CNN Analysis: How could America arm Ukraine? President Trump said on Monday that the US will send additional defensive weapons to Ukraine after previous shipments were paused last week. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh analyzes which weapons Ukraine most needs right now. 01:27 - Source: CNN Trump vents his anger about Putin during Cabinet meeting During a Cabinet meeting, President Donald Trump expressed his frustration with Vladimir Putin. 'We get a lot of bulls*** thrown at us by Putin,' Trump said. The remark showed Trump's frustrations at Moscow, which has shown no willingness to end its war in Ukraine. 00:30 - Source: CNN Which countries received a Trump tariff letter? 00:56 - Source: CNN Protesters in Kenya met with water cannons and tear gas Protests in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi erupted on Monday with police seen in video using tear gas and water cannons from armored trucks to disperse crowds. 01:07 - Source: CNN Royals greet Macron for state visit French President Emmanuel Macron has met with the King and Queen as he begins his three-day state visit to the UK. Macron will attend a banquet at Windsor Castle during his visit, address the UK Parliament, and meet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. 00:38 - Source: CNN Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano erupts Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted in Indonesia, sending a column of ash as high as 11 miles into the sky. 00:38 - Source: CNN Pet lion escapes and attacks woman and her children The owners of a pet lion that attacked three people after escaping from a farmhouse have been arrested. 00:34 - Source: CNN Dalai Lama hopes to live beyond 130 years Thousands gathered to celebrate the spiritual leader and Nobel Peace laureate's birthday in Dharamshala, which has served as the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile and home of the Dalai Lama since he fled Tibet during a failed 1959 uprising against Chinese communist rule. 01:13 - Source: CNN
The Guardian
02-07-2025
- The Guardian
Discover the magic of adventure in Denmark
From vineyard bike rides and hikes in Thy national park to kitesurfing coastal swells and paddle boarding around quaint islands, Denmark is made for the adventurous
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Daily Mail
The pretty town dubbed 'Bali of Europe' - with flights from £30 and £2.50 cocktails
With its beaches lined with palm trees, crystal-clear water and cheap prices, it's no surprise that Bali is a dream holiday destination for many. But the cost of long-haul flights means that a holiday in the Indonesian paradise can come at a hefty price. Luckily, there's a cheaper alternative that's much closer to the UK. According to travel influencer Travel with Rafa, Tarifa in southern Spain offers a similar vibe to the Indonesian island. In a video posted to YouTube, Rafaela says: 'It feels like a tropical paradise in the middle of the Mediterranean. It feels like the Bali of Europe!' Tarifa sits just nine miles across the shore from Morocco so it's no surprise that temperatures average 25 degrees in August. The town is located on Spain's Costa de la Luz or Coast of Light, so beaches are its top attractions. Tarifa's best-rated beach is Playa de Bolonia, which one reviewer describes as 'spectacular'. Writing on Tripadvisor, 'Inaki Rubi' says: 'Huge, clean, spectacular. The sunset blows your mind.' Playa de los Lances is the town's next best-rated beach and has been praised for its 'crystal clear water'. A reviewer writes on Tripadvisor: 'Super nice beach with very fine and great opportunities to take a break. You can watch the kite surfers walking. Great lifestyle.' And while you can sunbathe on Tarifa's beaches, the town's Atlantic waves attract surfers, kite surfers and wind surfers. Beginners can sign up at one of Tarifa's multilingual kitesurfing schools to learn the ropes while experienced kitesurfers can check out the waves at Playa de Valdevaqueros. After hitting the waves, Brits can visit one of the town's many beach bars which serve cocktails for just €3/£2.50 at happy hour. When it comes to eating out, seafood is the main event on many restaurant menus with swordfish a popular choice. If you fancy ticking another continent off your bucket list, the ferry to Tangier in Morocco takes around one hour. How to get to Tarifa Britons can reach Tarifa by flying directly to Gibraltar. EasyJet offers flights from Manchester and London while BA flies from London. The flight takes just under three hours from London and tourists will then have a one-hour drive to Tarifa once in Gibraltar. The town is also easily reached from Malaga Airport, which is generally cheaper to fly to from the UK. Direct flights to Malaga are available from Nottingham, London, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle and more, with offers available for just £30. Once in Malaga, it will take tourists just over two hours to reach Tarifa. If Tarifa doesn't appeal, why not take a look at the Italian city that's been named one of the world's best places to visit in 2025? Genoa has one of the world's largest medieval town centres. Within its depths, tourists will discover a labyrinth of caruggi (alleyways) packed with historic monuments.
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Travel + Leisure
16-06-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This North Carolina Island Is Home to a National Seashore, Quiet Beach Villages, and the Tallest Lighthouse in the U.S.
Stay in one of the residential-style suites at Edgecamp Pamlico Station. Spend a day learning to kitesurf on the Pamlico Sound; Kitty Hawk Kites offers lessons. Try the famous Apple Ugly from Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe. See the historic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in the U.S. Plan your visit for the fall, when the temperatures are still mild and the summer tourists have left. 'There are things we just don't have here,' Karla Jarvis, the president of the Hatteras Village Civic Association, tells Travel + Leisure. 'There are no big-box stores, no McDonald's, and you won't be going to a theater to catch a movie.' But that's the beauty of Hatteras Island, North Carolina—it's wild, rustic, and laid-back, even in peak tourist season. The southernmost of the Outer Banks' main barrier islands, Hatteras Island and its seven villages—Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras Village—are all located within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, a 70-mile stretch of stunning sandy beaches, salt marshes, and maritime forests. The island is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Pamlico Sound on the other, leading to ideal conditions for kayakers, fishermen, and paddleboarders. This particular geography also creates a haven for kiteboarders; the reliable winds, shallow water, and flat sand have led Hatteras Island to become one of the most well-known kiteboarding destinations in the world. Even if you're not interested in harnessing the power of wind for sport, Hatteras Island is still worth a visit. Its storied history, classic charm, and calm, relaxed energy are all reasons to plan a beach trip to this part of the Outer Banks. If you aren't careful, though, you may find you want to stay forever. 'One week is never long enough,' says Shirley Wicker, director of Hatteras Island Ocean Center. A guest room in Edgecamp Pamlico Station. Opened in 2024, Edgecamp Pamlico Station is the most stylish hotel on the island. Designed by Jonathan Adler, the 700-square-foot one-bedroom suites have kitchens, living rooms with pull-out sofas, and outdoor spaces. When you're not resting in your room after a long day of kiteboarding or exploring the seashore, enjoy the property's sauna, cold plunge, and hot tub. There are even Therabody massage guns and yoga gear in the rooms, just in case you need to work through any soreness or stiffness from your chosen outdoor activities. If you're traveling with a family or a larger group, or you're planning on staying on Hatteras Island for an extended period, your best bet is to rent a vacation home. You can look through Airbnb or Vrbo, but there are also a number of other rental companies, like Surf or Sound Realty, Hatteras Realty, and Sun Realty. The National Park Service (NPS) operates four campsites on Hatteras Island: Oregon Inlet, Frisco, Cape Point, and Ocracoke. Each campground is open year-round and has spots for tents, trailers, and RVs. Depending on the campground, you either make a reservation or request a site day of, but all payments are made online. Interior of the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum with exhibit. 'Hands down, the best thing you can do is walk down the beach barefoot,' says Jarvis. 'It's such a sensory experience. You feel the sun, the sand; you smell and taste the salt. The sound of the waves and seagulls just grounds you.' Aside from simply walking or relaxing on the pristine beaches, you can go shelling—keep an eye out for the rare Scotch bonnet, North Carolina's state shell—or venture down the shore on horseback with Equine Adventures. There have been a few versions of the historic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse; the first one, a 90-foot-tall structure, was completed in 1803. The current lighthouse, built in 1870, stands at exactly 198.49 feet, with 269 steps up to the lens room. In years past, visitors have been able to climb all the way to the top, but the lighthouse is undergoing restoration efforts and, according to the NPS, likely won't reopen until summer 2026. You can still take all the pictures you want of the iconic black-and-white striped structure. 'Hatteras Island has a lot of history woven into its tapestry,' says Jarvis, who adds that visitors should keep their eyes out for all sorts of historical markers and signs and make it a point to visit the various museums and educational centers on the island. 'The Lost Colony Museum in Buxton houses artifacts from our earliest inhabitants forward; the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is a great place to learn about maritime history; there's a museum at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and in Frisco, there's the Native American Museum & Natural History Center that showcases native history,' she says. The Atlantic Ocean is to the east of Hatteras Island, and the Pamlico Sound is to the west, creating plenty of opportunities to get on the water. 'We have charter boats, head boats, ferry boats, all kinds of boats. You can also rent kayaks and other water gear. At our Ocean Center here in Hatteras Village, we offer guided kayak tours where you pretty much show up and paddle,' says Jarvis. Several companies in the area have rental services; check out Hatteras Parasail, Hatteras Watersports, or Slask Creek Outfitters. Kiteboarders of all skill levels flock to Hatteras Island—and for good reason. This part of the Outer Banks is known for its consistently strong winds, particularly in the spring and fall, and the Pamlico Sound offers the flat, shallow waters that aid in teaching beginners. Take a class with Kitty Hawk Kites, then test your new hobby at Kite Point in Buxton. A white house in Buxton Village on Cape Hatteras. If you're a Nicholas Sparks fan, Rodanthe will ring a bell; Richard Gere and Diane Lane starred in the movie version of the author's 2002 novel 'Nights in Rodanthe.' This enclave is part of the Tri-Villages on the northernmost end of the island (Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo are located right next to each other), and it's where you'll find the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, a safe place for migratory birds to rest and winter. The village of Waves is known for two things: water sports and a quiet atmosphere. So grab your surfboard or kiteboard—or rent one from Real Watersports—and enjoy a peaceful day on the water. Similar to Waves, Salvo is popular among water sports enthusiasts and visitors in search of a restful retreat. Nature is another draw; Salvo sits right between the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge's wetlands and the Salvo Day Use Area, which has a beach, restrooms, a picnic area, and a couple of grills. You'll find Avon at the halfway point of Hatteras Island. One of the more developed communities on the island, Avon has several restaurants, gift shops, a spa, a medical center, and the area's only chain grocery store (Food Lion). Anyone visiting Hatteras Island will eventually make their way to Buxton, home to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and several restaurants and shops. It also has the most year-round residents on the island. Secluded but still convenient to the stores and other amenities in Buxton or Hatteras Village, Frisco appeals to visitors who want to fish, surf, or camp; the Frisco Woods Campground has cabins, tent sites, and RV hookups. 'I have to say, I'm pretty partial to Hatteras Village. I grew up here, I still live here. It's at the end of the island, and it's just a little quieter down here,' says Jarvis. Located on the southern end of the island, Hatteras Village (or just 'Hatteras') is one of the best spots in the Outer Banks for fishing; the Gulf Stream, which is just 15 miles away, brings in warm water and, with it, warm-water fish. The entrance and pastries from Orange Blossom Bakery. You can't go to Buxton's Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe without ordering its famous pastry: the Apple Ugly (basically an apple fritter). While there, pick up a few donuts, walnut sticky buns, and cheese danishes. It is vacation, after all. 'I can say the best smash burger I've ever had came from our village food truck, Toucana,' says Jarvis. Located on NC Highway 12 in Hatteras, Toucana also serves up burritos, tacos, hot dogs, and breakfast sandwiches. It's the perfect pre- or post-beach stop, and you can even order online to pick up on the go. Hatteras Island is a casual place, and The Froggy Dog embraces this attitude while simultaneously serving up delicious fare. The menu has something for everyone—chicken wings, Hatteras-style clam chowder, jumbo shrimp, and quarter-pound hot dogs. According to Jarvis, 'You just can't beat breakfast at Sonny's.' Family-owned for more than 40 years, the Hatteras waterfront restaurant is somewhere you want to arrive hungry. Expect hearty breakfast entrees, like homemade biscuits and sausage gravy or pancakes, or come for lunch or dinner and order the hushpuppies and crab cakes. Interior shots of Buxton Village Books. 'Our locally owned grocery stores—Conner's Supermarket in Buxton and the Village Market Red & White in Hatteras—are great options for your grocery needs,' says Jarvis. Both are historic island businesses, with the former dating back to 1959 and the latter having roots that go back to 1866—although Village Market Red & White was renovated and renamed in 2018. 'Lee Robinson General Store has some great specialty grocery items and an unsurpassed wine selection,' says Jarvis. The Hatteras Village staple, which Wicker also recommends, has been around since 1948, providing locals and visitors alike with all kinds of sweets, snacks, and souvenirs. If you need to pick up a beach read, Jarvis recommends Buxton Village Books. A local favorite, the independently owned bookstore is now in its 41st year of service (it first opened in 1984), and it has everything from the newest bestsellers you keep meaning to read to children's books, mugs, and T-shirts. A couple walks along the beach on Cape Hatteras. According to Wicker, early fall is the best time to visit; the weather is mild—expect temperatures between the mid-60s and low 80s—the beaches are less crowded, and there are still plenty of opportunities to fish, kiteboard, and gather around a beach bonfire. (Note that bonfires require a permit and are only allowed in specific areas of the island.) But, says Jarvis, the best time to visit Hatteras Island is determined by your perspective. 'I love the fall, but if you're in it for the beach, you're going to love the summer. If you have young children, summer is probably the right time to visit.' Even in the height of summer, temperatures on the island are relatively comfortable. The average daily highs in July and August hover around 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Marc Basnight Bridge on the way to Cape Hatteras. Most travelers drive onto Hatteras Island via NC Highway 12 on the north end. There's also the option to arrive by private boat, and there are a few marinas on Hatteras Island. If you plan on flying and then renting a car for the final leg of the journey, you'll want to look at flights into either Virginia's Norfolk International Airport (ORF) or Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in North Carolina. ORF is roughly three hours from the island, and the drive from RDU will take just over four hours. You'll need a car to explore the island; there's no public transportation, and the island's towns are a bit too far apart to comfortably bike between them. That said, you can bike around the individual villages, and rentals are available from Slask Creek Outfitters in Hatteras and Island Cycles, which has locations in Rodanthe and Avon.
