A perfect Kitesurfing Event in Crandon park

[miamikiteboarding]

The 2009 edition of our Miamikiteboarding masters was one of the best Event we ever had in Crandon Park .

On Saturday, the morning was dedicated to the Course Racing . Variations in wind ranging from 10 to 18kts were challenging for some of the 37 racers signed up, forcing to choose the appropriate gear for each of the 4 races we run .

On the afternoon, after a short rain “emptied out” the beach , the wind settled for good, averaging 16kts which was perfect for the Freestyle contest.
19 riders (all but one in their 20’s ) were competing for what has been the certainly the best level we have seen in Miami:

Damian Leroy , lead by technical skills regularity and variety of moves, but it was a very tight decision for the judges between the 2nd , 3rd and 4th places. Where Alex Fox, Thibault Michiels ( ex- Belgium champion ) and Justice Bentz, were throwing successions of front and back mobes , S-Bend to blind and more .
Eventually after 7 heats, for the men, Fox was declared 2nd before Michiels for landing a powerfull kiteloop-handle pass in the last seconds right on front of the Judges tower, highly acclaimed by the crowd . A very close call as the young Belgium, had shown much more diversity in his Moves from Boards off to all type of Handle passes on both side .

Only one Heat for the women freestyle but also a tight call as well between Stacey Fonas , Melissa Gil , Alizee Brion ( wakeboard champion ) and Jamie Fields. Eventually Fonas won for her variety of Moves but it was quite balanced as far as technical skills level .

The public was in awe and this epic 1st day of the Masters 09 was closed by the traditional award ceremony right on the beach and the After-Party at Joes tiki Hut , where photos of the day and even a nice video quickly edited by Brandon Green , were shown on the giant screen.

The Sunday was dedicated to be a fun and free expression session day for the Local kitesurfing community:
Crandon Riders Members, Matheson, Fort Lauderdale, jupiter, FL keys, st pete etc... most of the actors of the SE Florida kite scene showed up with all sort of riding style: Surfboards, skimboards, wake skate .

The wind picked up by end of the morning , so we could run a Strapless Expression Session directed by Jon Modica and judged by the public : Impressive moves and tricks made the show during 45min.
The rest of the day allowed each of us to get enough riding , try all sort of Paddle board , new kites, various type of boards, get discovery clinics from Miamikiteboarding Instructors and chill out on the beach in a perfect kitesurfing atmosphere as Crandon Beach can offer in such weather conditions .

We want to thank Crandon Park Administration for allowing this event to happen and the Lifeguards from Ocean Rescue department who helped us maintaining a safe and controlled kitesurf event for other beach patrons and ensure durable kiteboarding access in this beautiful public beach.

Many thanks also to MiamiKiteboarding team , without whom this even won’t be happening: Adrien & Samantha , The girls at the booth, instructors, beach security, boat rescue and all the helper that volunteered for the logistic; Agata Gogoloswska for web and Administration ; and Owner Christophe Ribot for putting it all together since 2004.

The Sponsors who joined us this year to make this Event a success as well: Miamikiteboarding for the Kitesurf concession, the logistic and all resources ; The Kiteshop ; Nimka.com; Liquid Force; Jimmy Lewis board; Brickell Familly Chiropractor ; Bestkiteboarding.
And of course Neil Hutchinson from X-rated and Tiki beach watersport in Ft Lauderdale who run the PA during the event and the Races for us since 2004.

Next Year MIAMIKITEBOARDING MASTERS 2010 will run in April and from now on at a fixed date that will remain recurrent for the following years, Dates TBA .

Results of the Competition, and the first shot of pictures from the Event, i'm sure Rick Iossi will upload a bunch of nice ones as well like always.

COURSE RACING RESULTS :
MEN :
1st Mike Gebhardt - Cabrinha
2nd Gary Menk – Cabrinha
3rd tommy fields ( 1st Junior ) – North
WOMEN
1st Melissa Gil – Cabrinha
2nd Francine Mateos – Cabrinha
3rd Stacey Fonas – Best

FREESTYLE CONTEST
MEN
1st Damian Leroy - Cabrinha
2nd Alex Fox- Slingshot
3rd Thibault Michiels Naish -
WOMEN
1st Stacey Fonas – Best
2nd Melissa Gil – Cabrinha
3rd Alizee Brion

[Lonny]

Chris,

Thanks to you, the MKB crew, and Neil for hosting the event. It was a great day, and very laid back. It was a lot of fun, and I think the strapless expression session was a great edition to the event. Thanks again for all the hard work you put in, and making it happen.

[miamikiteboarding]

Cool
thank Lony for attending as well. You and all the riders made this event a successful one before all.
And Strapless expression sessions are defenitively part of this contest from now on. It was quite a fun show , you guys were quite an inspiration for many other riders i think.

[ricki]

Great write up Christophe thanks for putting it together! Thanks to all the folks at Miami KB, The Kiteshop, Neil (as always), all the riders and spectators for making this a fun event.

Photos are being processed, so stay tuned for more.

[Bobby]

looked like fun !
what'd the winners get? and who won the strapless?

[stacey]

"What do the winners get?" The thrill of victory .... or the agony of defeat.

[b-rad]

Good job riders and MiamiKiteboarding for throwing down!!! Nice work...

[stacey]

Here are some videos of the event from Tom Leeman:

Kite Masters 2009 Collin vs Damien Leroy in a Death Match!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGjFsTPGCrY

Miami Kiteboarding Masters 2009 Mens Freestyle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctCUKv4TS5s

Miami Kiteboarding Masters 2009 Woman's Freestyle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h_xjskYZFo

[miamikiteboarding]

Nice , Vid, thanks tom .
and thanks Stacey for always commit ,and participate with such a spirit over and over again. we love ya'.

Prizes ? Trophies of the Event... and the blessing of a great weekend riding all together in a cool atmosphere.
So far we just happy putting this event for all of us and trying to cover a bit the costs, that's it. ...When we will get real solid sponsors putting the investment in , then we will talk 'bout it . For now it is all for the sport ! especially with such short notice this year.

Potential Sponsors for Masters 2010 edition can contact us as early as now though ! Dates will be in April 17th & 18th 2010 .

A gallery with over 200 photos taken during the event is getting ready to upload on Miamikiteboarding website : faces, action shot, beach lifestyle etc , everybody is on it.
I'll will let you know as soon as it ready.
Some amazing one from the biggest lens of the Event ( the dude on the boat that sticked with us the entire week end.)

[BizGuru]

A friend of mine took many pictures at the event. He is a photographer and many of the photos can be found at
http://www.kitersphotography.com/ under Miami, Miami Kiteboarding Annual Competition .

He offers high res copies of them off his website for very cheap. All information is on the main page.

Below is a collage he put together of some shots from the event.