Presented by Barrat Homes
Europe’s No. 1 Kitesurfing and Live Music Festival came back with a bang this year
Report from the Armada crew, 16th September 2021
Not only did this year’s Armada on Hayling Island boast a new bigger site, but an incredibly exciting music line-up, led by 90’s band Dodgy. The epic live music also featured samba band Batala Portsmouth, Captain Accident and Town of Cats amongst many others.
Thousands of festival goers and kitesurfers enjoyed perfect weather with sun throughout the event, as well as great winds on Friday and Saturday for the kitesurfing.
Pro kitesurfer and Armada ambassador Lewis Crathern ran the beach, which was packed with kitesurfers and spectators enjoying the show. Lewis’ commentary and music created a fantastic atmosphere, with other international riders like Aaron Hadlow, Sam Light and Hannah Whiteley putting on kitesurfing demos for the crowds.
Photos: Eunice Bergin
The British Kitesurfing Championships took place with 80 pros, amateurs and juniors all competing. Congratulations to new British Kitesurfing Champions Craig Smith and Katie Evans. (Read the BKSA’s event report here).
Those inspired by the action could then check out all the new kitesurfing gear on display in the brands’ marquee which featured top international brands like Duotone and North Kiteboarding exhibiting.
Photos: Eunice Bergin
Several local schools came along on Friday to the Big Schools Day, supported by GWEC, where they got the chance to hear all about wind energy with Lewis, before heading over to the beach to fly a power kite and experience the power of the wind themselves.
Photos: Eunice Bergin
Nellie, the giant fish from local charity Final Straw Foundation gobbled up thousands of cans throughout the weekend.
Barratt Homes, presenting partner of the Armada, also made an appearance at the event. Barratt are launching a collection of new homes on the island in Autumn 2021 and are keen to support events and activities going on in the local community.
The event could not run without the fantastic support of Havant Borough Council and Alex Rennie, Leader of Havant Borough Council, was on site on Saturday to enjoy the festival. Alex said: “The Hayling Island Kite Surfing Armada was a fantastic event that showcased the Island at its very best. We had perfect Kitesurfing conditions and it was wonderful to see so many people taking advantage by being on the water or spectating from the beach. I look forward to continuing to work with the organisers to grow and improve it for future years so that it can become one of the premier water sport events on the South Coast.”
Event organiser Angus Chilvers said “This was our first event since taking over the management of the Armada and it was wonderful to see it all come together. The atmosphere, the action on the water, the music – it was a fantastic few days on Hayling Island and gives us a great platform to build on for the future of this event.”
The Armada launched in 2013 when Richard Branson lead off over 300 kitesurfers to set a new Guinness World Record. Since then, it has grown each year to become the festival we know today.
For more information, visit:
www.kitesurfingarmada.co.uk
