Sheryl Confue >> BSKA Barrow 2010

Well Barrow kicked off again this weekend true to form.  I don’t think I’ve been to an event there where we haven’t been graced with wind (admittedly sometimes too much when the tents all blew away…) But this weekend had it all. Sunshine and blue skies and an un-forecasted, but much welcomed, 20 knots on shore for the 2nd BKSA Kiteival 2010.

The UK kite tour has 4 Kiteival events this year, which combine land and water, race and freestyle. It’s awesome that so many kiters are competing in the same place, and loads can be learnt across the disciplines – but it does make it a little tricky for those of us that want to play at more than one!

The pros managed to get heats and finals finished on Friday, with light and changeable wind leading to some interesting results.  Ali Barratt won the men’s, and Hannah Whitely the ladies. Sukie Robertson came in a very respectable 3rd, leaving the way for her to battle it out on the land over the rest of the weekend.

Saturday afternoon saw everyone on the water or the land. If you were a kiter and not out in these near perfect conditions then your head must need testing! All the classes got results, with the officials working late into the afternoon and early evening to finish due to the no-wind forecast for Sunday.

The Racers were on the water for over three and a half hours in total, completing 8 separate races. The Am Ladies, Am Men, Seniors, Youths and Juniors Freestyle made the most of the awesome flat bay and gave everyone an impressive show. On the land there was kite buggy men’s and ladies, and land-board men’s, ladies and juniors! With so much taking place it was difficult to work out where you wanted to be in order to see the best and most spectacular tricks.

Saturday night saw the Red Bull BBQ and a fairly late night for some in party central Barrow! That’s what a no wind forecast does =).
Sunday dawned bright and sunny with not a breath of wind…just as well with the late night that some had! So unfortunately there was no competition and prize giving was held early to give everyone a chance to start the long drive home in the beautiful summer sun.

Thanks to all the race organisers and support crew for another awesome event =)

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

Am Men
1- Marcus Hawkins
2- Andrew James
3- Martin Thatchell

Am 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