Despite a less than hopeful weather forecast, round two of the British Kitesurfing Assocation Kiteival competition in Barrow, Cumbria proved to be a major success.
Friday at Walney Island dawned with a strong cross off South Easterly with a lovely drizzle. The pros got on the water at 12pm with nine-metre kites. There were small kickers and big moves going down with some spectacular wipe-outs.
The rain slowly cleared, however the wind then veered and dropped somewhat to a South Westerly direction. Riders were having to use larger kites, with most on 12 and 14 m – the most experienced riders showing their skills in the lighter winds.
It was a battle in the men’s contest, with Ned Taylor crashing out to the more consistent North West local Luke Whiteside, while Ali Barratt showed everyone the skill he has with an amazing execution of landed tricks to take a well deserved first place.
Saturday afternoon saw kites of every colour pop up against the Lake District background in the steadily increasing winds of up to 25 knots.
The races on the water saw 21 riders compete head-to-head, completing two laps over eight races in one day, which equates to almost three-and-a-half hours racing.
North Rep Callum Edge came out on top ahead of the Cornish duo of Denzil Williams and Lee Harvey.
The Land competition was a great sight and drew a large crowd to watch as riders spun and looped their way over the sands of Earnse Bay.
The ladies showed great skills and bravery in the increasing winds and Karen Cartlidge took the win in the Buggy section, while pro kitesurfer Sukie Robertson took the honours in the Landboarding.
The Men’s buggy saw some huge moves go down and it was two Flexifoil riders who made the final. Craig Sparkes took the win ahead of Dave Roberts, with last years champ Will Mckean in third.
The Men’s landboard saw some great kiteloops and board-offs. Ash Garwood was pulling all the stops out with some smooth stylish riding to take the win, with Steve Smith in second, while Daniel Smith was managing some 1080 spins.
The Juniors saw three riders competing with Greg Chilton taking part in both water and land on the same kite. Indeed, it was Chilton who took first place ahead of Tom Ford and Robbie Shire Maidement.
The Freestyle comp kicked off in a strengthening wind and there was some great riding in all fleets, however standouts had to be 35-year-old Marcus Hawkins who killed it in the Final of the amateur men, winning King of Watersports for the biggest move of the weekend!
Sam Bull new to competition put on a consistent run of heats to win the Youths and Danielle Durrant with some gutsy riding won the Amateur Ladies competiiton.
Richard Jones showed great skill and won ahead of Dave Williams on a 13m and an unlucky Daniel Vaughn who lost his kite in the final of the seniors.
Last up were the juniors with some riders missing due to international competitions, however Robbie and Callum fought it out with Callum taking first place.
Race director, Owen Stringer, was keen to run more races, however there was insufficient wind to get going even on the race boards and the prizegiving was done at 1pm in front of a huge crowd.
Race results:
1- Callum Edge
2- Denzil Williams
3- Lee Harvey
Land results
Men’s Buggy:
1- Craig Sparkes
2- Dave Roberts
3- Will McKean
Men’s Landboard
1- Ash Garwood
2- Steve Smith
3- Daniel Smith
Junior Landboard
1- Greg Chilton
2- Tom Ford
3- Robbie Shire Maidement
Ladies Landboard
1- Sukie Robertson
2- Karen Cartlidge
3- Pippa Grundy
Ladies Buggy
1- Karen Cartlidge
2- Nicola Hammond
Freestyle Kitesurfing
Pro Men’s
1- Ali Barratt
2- Luke Whiteside
3- Ned Taylor
Pro Ladies
1- Hannah Whiteley
2- Nicky Rudd
3- Sukie Robertson
Amateur Men
1- Marcus Hawkins
2- Andrew James
3- Martin Thatchell
Amateur Ladies
1- Danielle Durrant
2- Poppy Hawkins
3- Chloe Durrant
Seniors
1- Richard Jones
2- David Williams
3- Daniel Vaughan
Youths
1- Sam Bull
2- Jack Daykin
3- Joe Matthews
Juniors
1- Callum Asquith
2- Robbie Shire Maidement
For more kitesurfing action, check out five-times world champion Aaron Hadlow's page here
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