Go Mike Go!

[kite-4-life]

Local St. Pete Kite Surfer Heads to Namibia, Africa to Compete

[October 23, 2009] St. Petersburg local Mike Hall departs the United States of America this November on a quest to compete in the Luderitz Speed Challenge located in the county of Namibia, Africa.

Hall just so happens to be one of three Americans competing in the widely acclaimed and highly competitive event held every year in the wind barren plains of Namibia along the Atlantic coastline.

Hall, having grown up accustomed to partaking in water sports from a young age, came to find kite surfing as the perfect blend of his two former passions of sailing and wake boarding. Already an acclaimed sailor and wake boarder, Hall took to kite surfing almost instantaneously. Eight years later, he is on the fast track in the sport, which is comprised of speed racing, course racing, distance and free style events. Mike is also co-founder of Kite4Life, a non-profit public charity, based in St. Petersburg, Florida.

After spending a considerable time on Martha’s Vineyard, MA this Summer, Hall took note of the Luderitz Speed Challenge from fellow kite surfers on Martha’s Vineyard and decided that somehow, he would find his way to Namibia, Africa. Soon thereafter, he made the right connections on the island and found his dream funded. The entry cost alone for the event is $5,000.

The sport of kite surfing is a growing phenomenon in the United States, yet with the competition in Africa, there is an overwhelming majority of European competitors. Mike Hall wants to change the competitive landscape and ultimately go for the podium. He comments stating “This competition has been going on for years with last year only one US competitor, and this year three, it’s time for us to bring some presence to the event and ultimately try and win it.” Hall is headed to the event with all intentions of kiting to the top ranks.

While in Africa, Hall will be video blogging his experiences and covering the event. His videos and commentary will be uploaded to his personal site www.mikehallkites.com and his fans can also follow his adventure on his Twitter page. Mike’s brand manager Rob Ianelli has helped Mike develop his personal brand online and thinks that this event in Africa will ultimately put mike on center stage. Ianelli stated “Mike screams personality and I feel strongly that his presence on the web is the next step for him. Already, we have a South African kite surfing magazine that will be posting Mike’s videos to their site and creating a lot of buzz around Mike in the world-wide kite surfing community.”

Hall couldn’t be any happier and with his departure date approaching, we will all soon find out what is in the store for him. Until then, he’s packing his gear, getting mentally prepared and within the month the world will find out who has won the Luderitz Speed Challenge. We can only hope that name is Mike Hall.

A sendoff party is planned for Mike this Sunday, Oct. 25th at 6:00 PM at:

Caddys on the Beach
9000 W Gulf Blvd
Sunset Beach, FL 33706
Phone: 727-360-4993

Come on out and help Mike get "hydrated" for the race!
See ya there!

www.MikeHallKites.com
www.Twitter.com/MikeHallKites
www.vimeo.com/user2456960
727.437.8602
www.luderitz-speed.com (November 2009)