9th April 2008
British Kitesurfing Championships back at the Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay - 18 to 20 April.
Cornwall will host the opening round of the 2008 British Kitesurfing Association Championships this month as the event returns to the Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay.
Over 50 of the UK’s top professional and amateur kitesurfers will be aquaplaning through the waves from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th April, in the first of seven rounds of the BKSA British Championships.
Spectators will see professional and amateur kitesurfers - many from Cornwall and the South West - harnessing the power of the wind to pull off spectacular manoeuvres, soaring up to 40ft above the waves.
“We’ve got a new crop of really talented young riders coming through in the men’s pro division this year,” said BKSA Chairman Richard Gowers. “There is a group of four or five guys, all under 20, and any of them could win the British Championships this year.
“The riders really enjoy competing at Watergate Bay and we have had some great events here - the 2006 BKSA competition was as good as it gets anywhere. We had four days of perfect conditions - sunshine, consistent W to SW winds - it was the best competition we have ever had. Last year we had some really difficult conditions, it was cold and the wind was quite gusty, but we still managed to complete both of the pro divisions.”
Competition for the professional men and ladies divisions begins on Friday 18th April, with their event expected to be concluded the following day. They will be joined on the water by the amateur, senior and junior riders on Saturday and Sunday. Heats on all three days of the event will run from 11am.
Worthing’s Lewis Crathern won the event last year on his way to becoming British champion for the second consecutive year. Lewis will be competing in the Professional Kite Riders Association (PKRA) 2008 world tour, leaving the new crew of Sam Light (Hayling Island), Robin Snuggs (Portland), Dan James (Dorset) and Ali Barrett (Blackpool) all looking to take his place in the men’s pro division.
The reigning 2007 BKSA women’s champion is 25 year old Johara Sykes-Davies, from Llandudno in Wales. Johara won the crown last year at her first attempt, finishing narrowly ahead of Tiree’s Helen Thompson. There was also success last year for Extreme Academy team rider Andreya Bennett (née Wharry), who won the women’s pro event at Watergate Bay.
“We were delighted that Dreya won her home event last year, it just goes to show what an all round quality athlete she is,” said Will Ashworth, Managing Director of The Hotel & Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming the BKSA back to Watergate Bay next weekend to launch a packed calendar of sports events on the beach this year. As the March storms have shown we can get plenty of wind at this time of year, but hopefully conditions will be more suited to kitesurfing than storm-watching.”
With the storm-damaged Beach Hut expected to reopen on Saturday 17th May, the event party on Saturday 19th April will move to the hotel’s Ocean Room. Tickets are available in advance from Claire Davies (claire@watergatebay.co.uk or 01637 861239) priced £10, and include a buffet and DJ.
ENDS
Images
High resolution print-ready images can be downloaded here.
Media Call - Thursday 17th April, 2-4 pm.
Members of the media are invited to a Media Call where there will be the opportunity to photograph and film competitors taking advantage of a special practice session. A number of the competitors and BKSA representatives will also be available for interviews with media. Interviews with competitors/officials can be arranged in advance - both at the Media Call and during the event. Please contact Jo Edmondson (BKSA on-site Media Liason) on 07773 335861 or jo@expix.co.uk to arrange interviews.
Notes For Editors
The Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay is one of Britain’s leading venues for beach sports and events. Founded in 1999, the Extreme Academy comprises specialist schools for surfing, kitesurfing, waveski, stand-up paddlesurf and mountainboarding; technical equipment hire; and the Extreme Store, stocking a wide range of clothing and technical equipment. The Beach Hut, located on the ground floor of the Extreme Academy, is well known as Cornwall’s coolest beach hangout, and a great place to eat.
The Hotel, Watergate Bay has emerged from a £2 million programme of investment as a must-visit beach destination. With the public areas and bedrooms all refurbished in the past three years, the décor is beach house chic throughout. The contemporary modern look, award-winning dining and relaxed atmosphere are only topped by The Hotel’s unbeatable location right on the beach.
White Stuff, the fashion lifestyle clothing label, are sponsors of the Extreme Academy and supply staff uniforms for The Hotel & Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay, and Fifteen Cornwall. Founded in 1985, the company have 45 White Stuff shops and over 100 wholesale outlets throughout the UK, as well as a website and mail order business. The brand is definitely fashion for lovers not victims – and this is reflected in the relaxed styling, lovely detailing and discreet branding on their quality clothing.
Media Contact - PR on behalf of The Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay
For more information and images contact: Jim Michell at Barefoot Media.
Telephone: +44 (0)1208 895089 Email: jim@barefootmedia.co.uk |
