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Round 2 Earnse Bay, Walney Island, Barrow in Furness Final Results Event Location - Walney Island Barrow in Furness Cumbria Event Date – 13-15th June Event Sponsor - Vestas
Regional Sponsor - West Lakes Renaissance
Event co-sponsors - North West Kitesurfing, North West Thundercats, Rage Watersports, Thomas's Bakery, Thomas Hird Butchers and The Pied Piper Pest Control
Tour Sponsors – Red Bull, Deadman Kitesurfing, Buff VIDEO HERE
Competitors from all over the UK descended upon Barrow in Furness for 3 days of kitesurfing competition. They came from all over the country from Thurso in the North to Worthing in the south. The Sun was out and the wind was up on every day allowing a great spectacle to unfold. The competition was fierce in all categories. In the Pro’s division Lewis Crathern – UK number one – had a difficult run losing early on – however with composure he battled on to regain his place at the top of the podium. Battling it out in the 3-man final also were Sam Light from Hayling Island who took 2nd and North West Local Luke Whiteside. In the Pro Ladies last years runner up Helen Thompson from the Island of Tiree took top honours to secure her lead, closely followed up by last years Amateur Ladies winner Hannah Whitley Competition started at 11 am each day – Saturday finishing at 7pm 
There were a total of 52 competitors with the largest of the fleets being that of the juniors (15), indicating without a doubt that the imagination of the youth are hitting this sport big time, with some of them pushing the boundaries with tricks the pros of a few years ago were just getting to grips with. The standard in the amateurs was an indicator of who is going to be pushing the pros of today, and the pro’s of today demonstrated in many cases how they have upped their game since being involved on the world circuit.
At the same time for buggies and land boards there was a freestyle competition and an array of static kites that decorated the sky creating a colourful addition to the beautiful surrounding fells of the Lake District.
What a fantastic competition. Heats were run in all divisions on the first two days leaving the last day for the opportunity to show case the sport by having grouped freestyle sessions that were judged by the pro's en mass.
Juniors
1 Jack Shoulder
2 Sam Moore
3 Jack Daykin Seniors
1 Layne Dickenson
2 Kevin O’Brien
3 Gary Powell Amateur Women
1 Rebecca Morrice
2 Josie Robinson
3 Sheryl Confue Amateur Men
1 James Boulding
2 Tom Butler
3 Tom Ralston Pro Women
1 Helen Thompson ( North)
2 Hannah Whitley ( Hangtime )
3 Jemma Grobelaar Pro Men
1 Lewis Crathern ( Slingshot / Jimmy Lewis)
2 Sam Light ( Naish)
3 Luke Whiteside (North / Lost Cause) On the last day it was decided to run a set of 20 minute heats in each amateur class with the pro riders judging. This was an excellent showcase for the sport that was enjoyed by everyone watching and those participating. The winner was chosen as the one who pulled the best trick during the entire session. Without the pressure of full competition it was great to see everyone going for it knowing they had plenty of time Juniors – Sam Moore with a very powered railey to blind
Seniors – Layne Dickenson with a very big dangle!
Am Women – Cheryl Confue with a well-executed F16
Am Men – James Baulding with a slim chance Prize giving was presented by the Mayor Dave Roberts in front of a large crowd.
Gary Powell Regional event organiser said “ It was great to have the BKSA back for a 2nd year with the support of Vestas and West Lakes Renaissance and all the other local sponsors on board making the event bigger and better for everyone in the region – what an event!”
Some Quotes from Riders and Sponsors -
Helen Thompson – Winner Pro Women’s
“A great all round event, perfect conditions for three days. Excellent quality of competition at all levels. Well organised and a great craic!”
Lewis Crathern – Winner Pro Men’s & current and two times BKSA Champion
“Walney Island/Barrow proved again they can easily handle a big UK event. Well organised and deservedly blessed with 3 days of wind an sun.”
Rebecca Morrice – Winner Amateur Ladies
“Brilliant competition, all the girls were great. Conditions were excellent. Really enjoyed watching the pro’s and looking forward to the next event.”
James Boulding – Winner Amateur Men
“Sunny and windy – very good! Was my first comp, didn’t know what to expect but there was a great vibe!”
Jack Shoulder – Winner Juniors
“Good conditions, great people and great commentary!”
Laney Dickinson – Winner Seniors
“Excellent and good experience. Really enjoyed it and family had a good time.”
Tony Shepp – Kiteboarder.co.uk – Sponsor
"Fantastic location and great organization from both the BKSA and North West
Kitesurfing. The level of riding was exceptional, with some standout riding
in particular from the juniors, these guys are going to cause some serious
trouble over the next few years and with the BKSA' youth training in full
swing, I think we can expect to see the standard and numbers grow"
Mark Ward – Race Director
“Having been to many events you learn to enjoy them all whether the weather plays ball or not. When there is no wind you socialise, and when there is wind you enjoy the competition on the water.... and socialise! It’s rare that you come to such an incredible location and get 3 days of glorious sunshine, great water conditions and wind that anyone can get going in! The people of Walney Island welcomed us where ever we went so we look forward to coming back”
Hosted by North West Kitesurfing June 13th -15th 2008 Event Sponsors- West Lakes Renaissance , North West Redevelopment Co Event Sposnors- North West Kitesurfing Tour Sponsors- Deadman Kitesurfing, Redbull , Buff and Expix Prize Fund- £1500
Discipline - Freestyle
Thursday - Press Day - usually 2-4pm Friday- Pro Registration 8.30 - 9 am Location TBC Riders Briefing- 9.30am First Possible start - 10.30 am Register in advance
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Entertainment - BBQ
Saturday- Amateur Men/Ladies Junior and Senior Registartion 8.30-9am Location TBC
Riders Briefing- 9.30am First Possible start - 10.30am Register in advance
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Entertainment - Vickers Instutute Walney Island -Sevens local band ( same as last year ) + food £6 on the door ( free for competitors) Sunday- Riders Briefing - TBC on Saturday First Possible Start - TBC on Saturday Prizegiving - TBC Saturday usually between 2pm-5pm depending on wind Location Multimap coming soon Accomadation details Camping on site for tents on the car park grass area and on the shore front for the riders vans and campers.
Big thanks for keeping the late night noise down last year, the site is full of old folks and this was much appreciated.
I am trying to arrange hot showers at the nearby playing field for riders and crew, details ASAP.
Please find accom list below.
http://www.roosecotefarmhouse.co.uk/
Low Fell Farm House 16c Character Bed and Breakfast In the village of Bardsea South Lakeland Two minutes away from the sea and Golf course, . From £28 per person including breakfast, £30 single occupancy in a double room Tel 01229869304
Castle House Hotel
Biggar Bank Road
Walney
Barrow-in-Furness
01229 471362 On Site Cafe Toilets Showers Shop Any more info
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Or Local organisor Gary
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2007 Event Round up Date - 11 - 13th May 2007
Location - Earnse Bay Walney Island Barrow - In - Furness
Hosted by - North West Kitesurfing in conjunction with The BKSA
Headline Sponsor – West Lake Renaissance
Sub Sponsors - North West Kitesurfing
North West RDA
Euphoria Extreme
Power2Text
Hangtime
Trade Sponsors – KSA , Flexifoil , Da Kine, Stance , Kiteworld , Kitesurf ,Ikitesurf, Kiteboarder.co.uk
The top Pros of Kitesurfing came to Walney Island over the weekend to take part in Round 2 of the British Kitesurfing Association Grand Prix Series.
Wind conditions were favourable for the press call on Thursday and provided opportunities for practise sessions for Lancashire rider Ali Barret (RRD)(17) and Robin Snuggs (Flexifoil) (17) from Weymouth. Press also had the rare opportunity to interview 3 Times & Current KiteSurf World Champion, English Rider Aaron Hadlow.
Unfortunately with only light winds on Friday, heats had to be postponed until Saturday. Competitors and spectators however were amused with the impromptu Sumo Wrestling display, a contingency plan of Event Organiser and Sponsor, Gary Powell of Northwest Kitesurfing.
The competition went ahead as planned on Saturday morning starting with the Pro Men’s heats and moving onto the Pro Women’s & Juniors.
Local residents and spectators were eager to see the riders in action and were amazed at the number of kites on the water and beach. With only 9 local riders, Walney Island had never seen anything like it!
News had filtered through that 3 Times & Current KiteSurf World Champion, English Rider; Aaron Hadlow was on the island and interest remained high throughout the day. Spectators were not disappointed when Aaron took to the water.
Unfortunately the wind dropped for the rest of the weekend and it was not possible to complete the competition. The event finished with the prize giving ceremony on Sunday afternoon with prizes being presented by the Mayor of Barrow Ken Williams
Special thanks must go to Gary Powell and Gillian Pearce who hand made the magnificent trophies that were awarded to the Women’s Pro and Junior winners
Results: Pro Ladies 1st Helen Thompson (North) - Tiree Scotland 2nd Johara Sykes Davis (Flexifoil ) – Llandudno North Wales
3rd Sjoukje Bredenkamp (Naish) - South Africa Juniors 1st Dan James (North) 2nd Tom Butler (F-One) 3rd Toby Raw (Naish) 4th Rhys Langston (Flexifoil) Richard Gowers Chairman of the BKSA thanked event organiser Gary Powell of Northwest Kitesurfing, Barrow Council & West Lake Renaissance & volunteers for all their hard work in making the event possible and said;
“Although we did not have perfect winds, the event was a great success, we had great riding, an awesome location, friendly people and great parties! We would definitely like to come back next year and are looking forward to working with Gary to achieve this.
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