12th May 2009
Top kitesurfers hit Swansea Bay for opening round of British Kite Surfing Championships (15 t0 17 May).
The search to find Britain’s best kitesurfers begins this weekend in Swansea at the new Kiteival festival.
Leading exponents of the world’s fastest-growing water sport will be flocking to south Wales for the first round of the British Kite Surfing Championships, from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th May.
Joining the kitesurfers on the beach will be two other kite-powered competitions: Kite Landboarding and Kite Buggying. And with free power kite lessons running all weekend, anyone inspired to have a go can feel the power of the wind for themselves.
“This is the first time the British Kite Surfing Association have come to Swansea, and we’re looking forward to trying out our new expanded ‘Kiteival’ event format which sees kite-powered competition on land for the first time,” said BKSA Chairman Richard Gowers.
“As a relatively young sport, it’s great to see kitesurfing evolving at such a fast pace, particularly the ever-increasing standards and innovation that the young generation of competitors bring to the Championships each year.”
Upwards of 10,000 people are expected at Swansea Bay to watch the free event, which takes place on the beautiful sandy beach just a short walk from the town centre. Competition runs from 11am to 5pm each day, while live local radio broadcasts will keep the local community updated on the action.
Swansea Council Cabinet member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism Cllr Graham Thomas said: “I am delighted that Swansea is to host such a prestigious event in an increasingly popular sport. It should be a pretty amazing site with such a backdrop as Swansea Bay. This event illustrates just what a wide range of events we are providing for residents and visitors alike this summer.”
The Swansea Council-backed event aims to put the bay firmly on the kite surfing map, inspire a whole new generation of water sports enthusiasts and provide spectacular entertainment for residents and visitors alike.
Kite surfing has been hailed one of the fastest growing water sports in the world and is conducted on open areas of water, which can be shallow or deep, flat or bumpy, in preferably constant winds from 8 to 50 knots.
For more information and full details of the British Kite Surfing Association tour as well as everything you need to know about the sport, local venues and schools have a look at www.kitesurfing.org.
For information on other events in this year’s Swansea Bay Summer Festival visit www.swanseabayfestival.com
PRESS DAY – Thursday 14th May from 12pm onwards
All press are welcome to meet the professionals and take the opportunity to try out the sport by taking a “power kite lesson” on the beach.
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Notes to editors
KITEIVAL 09 ROUND 1
Dates: Friday 15th to Sunday 17th May
Location: Swansea Bay, Swansea, South Wales
Event Sponsor: Swansea Council
Co-Event Sponsor: Gower Kiteriders, Flexifoil, North
Tour Sponsors: Red Bull, Deadman, Buff, King of Watersports
Disciplines: Kitesurf, Kitelandboard, Kitebuggy Freestyle and Kitesurf Course Racing
Media Contact
Richard Gowers, BKSA Chairman
Tel: 07980 553057
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