It was a fun event last year. A write up following the first time competition appears below:
Matt Sexton of Eckerd College Triton Kiteboarding Club had an idea. He wanted to have a kiting competition among kiters from various colleges. Florida has lots of venues for such a thing but as it was planned for Spring Break, why not have it on Key West? Eckerd College has a tradition of sending leaders out into the world to delve into things marine, here's just one more case.
So, time to mount up and head off to Cayo Hueso or Bone Island.
Photo from 1880's and "The Forgotten Frontier" by Arva Moore Parks
He started making plans, pulling together resources and assistance from
The Kitehouse and
X-RATED KITEBOARDING among other sponsors. So with hard work it came together and riders from about six colleges joined in. There are likely to be more next year. Mother nature wasn't to be left out and catered 20 kt. and higher incredible sideshore winds for virtually the entire week of riding. There were freestyle and slider competitions through the week for the college folks and on the weekend, pro riders and non-students were allowed to enter the comp. for the boardercross as well.
The launch. Click photo for full sized image.
This may be the first collegiate kiteboarding competition, certainly in Florida, perhaps anywhere. So, that gives it something in common with other new sports in years past. A look at some of those other sports will be tossed out throughout the article for contrast.
The collegiate riders get ready to shred into the week
Special thanks to Allen and Daniella of
http://www.thephotoboat.com/ for providing low res. copies of so many great images from the complete event. Some of us stuck at work couldn't make it down to Key West until Friday evening, after things had been running for five days. If anyone wants higher res. copies of their images from Photoboat get in touch with them to make arrangements.
Spring Break in Key West and a kiting competition, got spectators? You bet.
Even got lifeguards, with sound!
Another first, University of Pennsylvania's crew team stirring things up with an unexpected day's win at the Henley Regatta in England, 1901.
http://www.archives.upenn.edu/histy/...ty_henley.html
Enough background, let 'em rip
The full article with lots more photos continues at:
http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=3670
.