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Hosted by the Extreme Academy Watergate Bay Cornwall BKSA GRAND PRIX ROUND 1 
Date – 18 – 20th April 2008 Location –: Watergate Bay Cornwall
Hosted by – Extreme Academy in conjunction with The BKSA
Tour Sponsors – Deadman Clothing, Red Bull, ExPix & Buff Event Sponsors – Extreme Academy Media Partners – ExPix www.expix.co.uk The British Kite Surfing Association returned to Watergate Bay for Round 1 of the British Freestyle Championships. With good wind forecasted, expectations were high and riders were hungry for the chance to prove what they could do after a winter of hard training. Fresh from competing in international events were twice Pro Men’s British Champion Lewis Crathern from Worthing, who is sponsored by Slingshot, Jimmy Lewis, Dakine, Xcel, Relentless, Surface2Air Sports & UK Blinds, Sam Light from Hayling Island, sponsored by Naish & O’Neill, Ali Barrett, from Blackpool, sponsored by Lost Cause & Turbulence and South African rider Taro Niehaus sponsored by Best, 911 Energy Drink Hugo & Hugo Toyota, Island Tribe, Loop Clothing, Dakine & Xelerator. Following the success of the Youth Training Schemes, the BKSA were delighted to welcome a new bunch of junior riders to the competition including, Martin Tatchell from Hereford, Danny Marrice from Shoreham – by – Sea, Jack Brooks, sponsored by BTS, Alistair Fletcher and Luke Anyon sponsored by Hangtime Kitesports, all from Lancashire, Dan Sweeney from Rustington, sponsored by Andy Copper, Jack Daykin from Darlington, sponsored by Ozone, Sam Moore from Bideford and Robbie Shire-Maidment, from Dorset, sponsored by Flexifoil International, Fat Face, MBS, Dirty Dog, Lost Cause & Forcefield. Richard Gowers, Chairman of the British Kite Surfing Association said “With an average age of just 13 these youngsters are proving that development in the sport is working. We are very keen to expand our Youth Training Schemes and make Kite Surfing as accessible as possible to young people. With this in mind, we have more training planned for 2008 with training camps being run throughout the UK. More in formation is available on our website, www.kitesurfing.org” Over 50 riders registered to compete including South African rider, Jemma Grobbelaar, sponsored by Flexifoil, Xelerator, Dakine, Arnette, Pereuko, Lizzy Surf, CTi Ossur & Island Tribe. With the Race Crew looking good after being kited out in their new gear thanks to tour sponsors Deadman Clothing and tour sponsors ExPix back onboard to provide media & photographic services, things were looking good for the 1st Round of the Freestyle Championships. Ali Barrett, had spectators holding their breath on Friday when he took to the water to test the conditions. Renowned for his ‘Big Air Jumps’, Ali didn’t disappoint when he reached heights of over 50 feet. Unfortunately the gusty offshore winds proved too much, and the start of the competition was postponed until the Saturday. Saturday & Sunday brought with it further disappointment as the wind conditions failed to improve. Riders chilled out in the tent provided by tour sponsors Red Bull as Ewan & Dave from the Red Bull team had the job of keeping frustrated competitors happy with their specially adapted Red Bull vehicle featuring video and sound systems. Riders also amused themselves by finding new and imaginative ways of wearing the Buff headgear courtesy of tour sponsors Buff! The riders are now looking forward to the 2nd round of the Freestyle event which will be held in Barrow – in – Furness in June. In the meantime some will compete in the BKSA Wave event being held at the Atmosphere festival in Westward Ho this coming weekend. For further information about what kitesurfing is download the following pdf guide to ride leaflet or go to the online flick book Kind regards. Jo Edmondson Media & PR Coordinator for the BKSA ExPix Media Partners for the BKSA www.expix.co.uk
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Sunday Sunday morning started promisingly as riders woke to plenty of pranks and joke on this April Fools Day, however the biggest joke was that the wind disappeared during the riders briefing. Several attempts to run the competition in various formats from full heats to a slope style best trick failed in the disappointing wind. At least they tried! The presentation was held below the beach cafe at the Extreme Accademy where the Pro winners were presented officially with their results (see below). However due to the bad conditions two more prize were given to people who caught the judges eye Becky the only female riding in the Ams for best wipe out ... after being dazed she still managed to get back up and try to carry on with her heat, and Dan Sweeny with a fantastic attempt at a slim chance which he just missed landing in the poor wind. Saturday
 The weekend got off to a good start with the press call on Thursday. A good turn out from the pro fleet provided the press and film crews with plenty of action and interviews. Friday however was a disappointing start after a much anticipated beginning to this years events and the memories of last years epic conditions no wind arrived and the event was postponed until Saturday. Saturday started with clear skies and building surf but the wind was still not the best. N to NE which means cross offshore the cliffs created turbulence and the wind was very gusty and difficult for the pro fleet who were were first to sail. After a riders meeting the fleet decided to carry on with the competition even though conditions were very difficult. The gusty winds provided one or two upsets and proved a big hindrance to the more technical riders whilst the old school moves became the staple for consistent scoring. Both the mens and womens pro fleets were completed with one or two shocks on the podium. Results so far pro mens 1) Lewis Crathern(Slingshot/JimmyLewis) 2) Ali Barrett(RRD /Lost Cause) 3) Mark Conolly(Flexifoil)
pro womens 1) Andreya Wharry (Flexifoil) 2) Steph Bridge(North)
3) Helen Thompson ( North)
Look at the pictures so far here |
