Red Bull Island hopping, the island’s inaugural kitesurfing race, is all set to take place in Kalpitiya. The race which will take place on 7 and 8 July will test the speed and skill levels of the local kitesurfers.
Kalpitiya, known to be the best kite surfing locations in the world, will play host to the first ever Red Bull Island Hopping. The race involves kitesurfers hopping from one island to the other off the North Western Puttalam Peninsular.
Around 35 riders from all over the world would participate in the race event on Saturday 7 July which consists of a 25 KM sea and lagoon crossing. This race commences at 10.30 AM and is best witnessed at the Kalpitiya Lagoon.
The overall winner will be decided based on timings.
The Kiteboarders will be going with the wind and will have the option of taking on the challenging task of kiting against the wind as well
Additional prize money is up for grabs upon completion of this super challenge.
An after party has been organized on Saturday night at Divyaa Hotel.
Other events planned would be an ‘upwind challenge’ and ‘Big Air Event’ which will be held on Sunday 8 July.
A Free style exhibition competition will also be held at the lagoon on day.
Amongst the local riders for the race are Mawfeel and Ajmal who at 17 years of age are amongst the best riders in the island.
Long time watermen and Kitesurfer Julian Bolling will also be at the start line of the race.
Kitesurfing Lanka will run the race aspects of the event.
Sri Lanka has been put on the map by one of Sri Lanka’s most successful Kitesurfing Companies, Kitesurfing Lanka (Pvt) Limited. This partnership between Sri Lankan Kitesurfer Dilsiri Welikala (pictured above, right) and Frenchmen Leo Moret has seen a lot of kiting experience in the island.
International Race Director Stephen Hertig from the Kiteboard Tour Asia will officiate the Race Event in addition to acting as an advisor to Kitesurfing Lanka as to how they should develop the sport in Sri Lanka in a structured manner.
“As Kitesurfing grows in Sri Lanka, we would like to ensure that this sport is developed in a professional manner. Kitesurfing is a dangerous sport and only certified instructors should attempt to teach. We also need to ensure that we preserve the innocence of Kalpitiya, we don’t want it to become just another tourist destination,” says Dilsiri Welikala.
This is Red Bull’s second stint with kitesurfing in Sri Lanka. Last year Red Bull Kiteboarder Susi Mai was down to try her hand at the winds of Kalpitiya. She also conducted an Under my Wings programme with the local kite surfers.
Kitesurfing or kiteboarding can be defined as the ultimate adventure surface water sport. It combines wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, and gymnastics.
Kitesurfing harnesses the power of the wind to propel a rider across the water on a small surfboard or a kite board.
There are a range of different styles of kite boarding, including freestyle, freeride, downwinders, speed, course racing, wakestyle, jumping and wave-riding which is focused on kite surfing big waves using a directional board similar to a surfboard.
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kalpitiyabrokerhouse says:
Jul 05, 2012 at 06:17 pmThank's for your support to our Kalpitiya Kitesurfing Team