First Islamorada Kiting Event 2002

[ricki]

The first competition went off in 2002, just before the Miami Kiteboard Masters on Miami Beach. Here are a few photos from that event.




Islamorada, FL, USA

offers some prime kiteboarding conditions - calm, warm shallow waters, frequent winds in the 10 to 20 kt. range with normal blue skies and sunny conditions. There aren't many beaches so assisted launches and landings are the norm in the abundant shallow water. Islamorada is in the middle Florida Keys or about 80 miles or roughly two hours drive south of Miami, FL.


(from http://navisat.com/catalog.htm)



Brad Lange of Extreme Sports/Florida Keys at Holiday Isle Resort in Islamorada has put on some great events. Brad comes from an ultralight background and provides flight instruction as well as wave runner tours and other water activities through his business.


Brad Lange and his wife Malea at 2002 Kiteboard Masters

2002 Islamorada Kitesurfing Festival


This was a great event with a large turnout of riders from all over. This event allowed the winning riders to advance to the PKRA Kiteboard Masters competition that followed in Miami Beach, FL. The winds were good and the riding hot!




Click photo for larger image

[ricki]

Just dredged up some more shots from seven years ago. Previously the Invitational was held at Holiday Isle just on the north side of the cut. This year it will be just south at Whale Harbor. Sorry for the image quality, it was my first digital camera way back in the day.



That's Oliver down there and I think Kent is walking towards the bar.



As I recall, this was the MOST kites I had seen on the water in an event up to this point. These were the early days!







I can recall how "new" this Wipika graphic appeared to me!








Kites with a capital "C"



Kent transititioning, remember those early BIC kiteboards?




An astonishing quantity of kiters, for the time.




Sunset as a chilly front moves through.

[b-rad]

wow...cool to see that, thanks Rick

[ricki]

You're welcome, thanks for all the work in putting on the events over the years. More to come soon too. I may grab some more from the archives, thousands to choose from!