All the latest news from around the UK courtesy of the BKSA
There’s a stacked summer of events coming up around the UK. The Kitesurfing Armada – the biggest kiteboarding event in the world, the BKC tour and the new CR:X tour are just some of them! Find out what you need to know below.
BKC TOUR 2018
The British Kitesurfing Championships (freestyle) is back this year with four events lined up. The tour kicks off in Skegness in May 19 – 20th and culminates at a brand new event in Ramsgate in August. Categories will once again include: Pro men and women, masters, amateur men and women and junior boys and girls.
To enter or to get more details, email: events@britishkitesports.org
Follow the BKC tour on Facebook here.
YOUTH NEWS
Following on from the Youth Olympic Games regional qualifier for European and African riders in Dakhla in February, in which just two European riders could qualify (one boy and one girl – they eventually came from Italy and Slovakia), British riders are now looking towards the World Championships in China in May for their last chance to qualify for the YOG which take place in Buenos Aires in Argentina in October.
The RYA will send a team coach to China to support the rider’s performance and give the highest chance of achieving country qualification. Residential coaching clinics are also taking place, including one in Weymouth on the 24th March at the RYA’s Portland House following a grant to support the qualification of GBR riders.
NEW YOUTH SCHEME UNVEILED AT ARMADA KITE & SUP YOUTH TOUR
The BKSA have been working hard behind the scenes developing a new Youth Scheme which will help more young people get into kitesports. The scheme has been written and developed by Andy Gratwick and Jon Metcalfe with help from Eric Bridge.
The Youth Scheme will be available through all AALA registered BKSA Schools nationally and will be launched alongside the Youth Kite & SUP Tour. For more info contact: training@britishkitesports.org
Returning once again and run thanks largely to the sponsorship funds raised at the Kitesurfing Armada and the Armada Trust, the Kite & Sup Youth Tour will see a series of free events take place around the country offering kite and SUP taster sessions to anyone under 18 who has never tried these sports before.
PKA BUGGY RACING TOUR
Buggy racers keep going through the winter! The annual PKA Icicles event in February ran at an unseasonably warm Westward Ho! Three races were dominated overall by Ryan McGavin, with only occasional trouble from 2nd place Matt Job and 3rd place Adrian Lavelle keeping him from the front of the pack.
If you’re interested in trying kite buggy racing there are lots of local opportunities to take part with clubs like SWATK in the South West and WSYC at Hoylake. Event dates for 2018 are available at: www.parakartassociation.co.uk
Updates also on the PKA page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/parakartassociation
NEW FOIL COACHING PROGRAM
The BKSA have also been working behind the scenes with Progression’s Rob Claisse on developing a new foiling syllabus to be delivered by BKSA coaches.
Caption: Progression coach Danny Morrice following closely and offering advice through a radio helmet
“We love foiling and are excited to be working with the BKSA to share that passion and ensure others get to learn in the easiest and safest way possible. Developments in equipment and coaching techniques means learning to hydrofoil is now open any kiteboarder.” Rob Claisse.
Progression have a UK tour of weekend clinics, find it here: www.progression.me/live-coaching
AND OF COURSE – THE KITESURFING ARMADA
The 2018 Kitesurfing Armada Festival will return to Hayling Island this summer on the 22-24th June for yet another unforgettable weekend of kiting, live music, fundraising, family activities, camping and more. The festival has been voted Best UK Kitesurfing Event for the last three years and has raised over £180,000 for charity. This year’s event will be bigger and better than ever!
Order your tickets early and you’ll get a whole host of bonuses in the early bird pack!
Find out more and get registered at www.kitesurfingarmada.com
2018 EVENT REMINDERS:
Get these events in your diary and come along!
LEGEND OF THE BAY
• Watergate Bay, April 28 / 29th
BKC FREESTYLE
• Skegness, May 18 / 19th NORTHEAST
• Hayling Island, June 22-24th SOUTH CENTRAL (Kitesurfing Armada)
• Westward Ho!, July 14 / 15th SOUTHWEST
• Ramsgate, August 19 / 20th SOUTHEAST
EDGE RACE CUP
• Exmouth June 9/10th
WAVEMASTERS
• Rollover and dual Venue September 15/6th 29/30th SW / Wales / NE
ALSO – CR:X BRITISH KITE RACING SERIES
Newly launched, and using standardised foiling equipment, much of which is provided, these are designed to be fun events to help riders experience foiling and racing:
• Hill Head: April 14 / 15th
• Poole: May 12 / 13th
• Southend on Sea: June 16 / 17th
• Hayling Island: September 29 / 30th
• Daymer Bay: October 20 / 21st
