2021 AWSI EVENT

Published 24th September 2021 by Rasa

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September 8-11, 2021

After a one-year hiatus, 2021 marked the return of the Association of Wind and Water Sports Industry trade show. AWSI exists to support and provide representation for windsurfing, kiteboarding, wing, foil and stand-up paddleboard companies.

Hood River is the perfect location for the AWSI trade show as the Event Site features a rolling lawn down to the waterfront, making for an epic rigging location to house the plethora of gear that the trade show hosts.

Spread out over 4 days, the event featured brand demonstrations from Naish, Slingshot, Ride Engine, F-One, Manera, AK Durable Supply, Airush Kiteboarding, Freewing, and more. Some brands went in-depth with their product lines and offered up full line presentations while others kept it concise and focused on their values, mission and future goals. Gear demos were available throughout the day and a light, steady westerly breeze meant lots of water time for retailers, brands and athletes alike.

Starting at 8am each day, the waterfront was littered with foils, wings, kites, surfboards, and twin tips from the 20+ brands that exhibited. The industry was out in full force–the who’s who of Kiteboarding and Wingfoiling were present with legends such as Robby Naish, Titouan Galea and Jesse Richman milling about. Brands, retailers, distributors and athletes were eager to talk shop, stoke one another out and see familiar faces.

The wind was off and on through the event but luckily the first two days were bright, sunny and hot. As the wind filled in, forecasted, eager attendees started making their way to the water. The ability to test the gear that the brands have been working on for so long is one of the absolute highlights of the AWSI and participants made their way to the river for lots of sessions.

At 4pm each day, pro rider demonstrations began and despite marginal conditions averaging around 14knots, athletes such as Jack Rieder, Noe Font, Titouan Gallea and Annie Reickart put on a show! Boosts, handle-passes and wing foil tricks abounded.

Another highlight of the week were Jesse Richman’s tow-ups as he got pulled behind a jet-ski with his 15meter kite and released some 50-70 feet in the air sending board offs and front rolls on the way down. The rest of us sat on the beach drinking beer and cheering him on.

The AWSI also nominates brands, and riders for “Of The Year” categories. During the AWSI party, Male and Female Kiteboader and Wingfoiler of the year, as well as Kiteboarding and Winging brand of the year, were awarded. Of the 5 nominations in each category, the winners were: Fred Hope for Male kiteboarder, Daniela Moroz for Female kiteboarder, Olivia Jenkins for female winger, Kai Lenny for Male winger, F-one for wing brand of the year and Naish for kiteboarding brand of the year.

After 3 full days at the waterfront and with the industry out in full force, brands began breaking down and loading up to head home. With the first AWSI event in two years, we were all eager to talk shop, mingle and try out new products. The overall tone of the event was one of gratitude and stoke as we all get to do what we love, in a beautiful location, with awesome people and friendly faces.

Words by Sensi Graves

Photos by Toby Bromwich

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The 4th Kite-Surf stop of the season is coming up soon! Let’s take a look at how the title scenarios are looking so far:

In the women’s division, @moonawhyte secured two victories this season. Current World Champion, @capucine_delannoy , clinched her first win in Sylt, Germany, in a pure strapless-freestyle format. Whyte chose to skip the event in Germany, using it as a discard. That decision helped propel Delannoy to the top of the rankings.

On the men’s side, @matchu_lopes secured two event wins this season. However, his recent 9th-place finish in Germany proved to be a setback, dropping him to the second spot in the rankings. Currently, @airtoncozzolino is leading the rankings, followed by @pedromatos in third place.

Let’s get ready to go big in Dakhla!

🗓 22 September - 1 October 2023
📌 Dakhla, Morocco
📺 Watch live on www.gkakiteworldtour.com/live

🎥 @mintukass

#GKAKiteWorldTour #gkadakhla #qatarairways #gkaxqa #gkakitesurf #kitesurfing #PrinceHéritierMoulayElHassanKiteSurfWorldCup  #VisitDakhla #Dakhla #Morocco #Maroc
#Ainsoltane #GPCCarton #RedBull #MinistèredelÉducationNationaleduPréscolaireetdesSports #MDJS #VisitMorocco #cridakhla #AMCI #SNRT #westpointdakhla #oasis212 #lacriquedakhla #lagonenergy #dakhlaattitude

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Sep 18

Open

The 4th Kite-Surf stop of the season is coming up soon! Let’s take a look at how the title scenarios are looking so far:

In the women’s division, @moonawhyte secured two victories this season. Current World Champion, @capucine_delannoy , clinched her first win in Sylt, Germany, in a pure strapless-freestyle format. Whyte chose to skip the event in Germany, using it as a discard. That decision helped propel Delannoy to the top of the rankings.

On the men’s side, @matchu_lopes secured two event wins this season. However, his recent 9th-place finish in Germany proved to be a setback, dropping him to the second spot in the rankings. Currently, @airtoncozzolino is leading the rankings, followed by @pedromatos in third place.

Let’s get ready to go big in Dakhla!

🗓 22 September - 1 October 2023
📌 Dakhla, Morocco
📺 Watch live on www.gkakiteworldtour.com/live

🎥 @mintukass

#GKAKiteWorldTour #gkadakhla #qatarairways #gkaxqa #gkakitesurf #kitesurfing #PrinceHéritierMoulayElHassanKiteSurfWorldCup  #VisitDakhla #Dakhla #Morocco #Maroc
#Ainsoltane #GPCCarton #RedBull #MinistèredelÉducationNationaleduPréscolaireetdesSports #MDJS #VisitMorocco #cridakhla #AMCI #SNRT #westpointdakhla #oasis212 #lacriquedakhla #lagonenergy #dakhlaattitude

757 4

Wait, you haven`t signed up for our newsletter yet? It`s about time you did. Stay up-to-date with everything that`s happening on tour - Hit the link in bio now!

Photo: @romantsovaphoto
#gka #gkakitesurf #gkakiteworldtour #gkaxqa

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Sep 15

Open

Wait, you haven't signed up for our newsletter yet? It's about time you did. Stay up-to-date with everything that's happening on tour - Hit the link in bio now!

Photo: @romantsovaphoto
#gka #gkakitesurf #gkakiteworldtour #gkaxqa

196 0

Don’t forget to head over to our Youtube Channel and watch our extended 26 minute highlight shows! A great way to re-live the entire event and all of the action. Check out the playlist and enjoy the show 🍿

🎥 @julien_leleu

#gkakiteworldtour #kiteboarding #gkakitesurf #qatarairways #gkaxqa

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Sep 14

Open

Don’t forget to head over to our Youtube Channel and watch our extended 26 minute highlight shows! A great way to re-live the entire event and all of the action. Check out the playlist and enjoy the show 🍿

🎥 @julien_leleu

#gkakiteworldtour #kiteboarding #gkakitesurf #qatarairways #gkaxqa

1310 18

Will we be seeing @liamwhaley competing with us in Brazil 🇧🇷 this year? 🤔
🎥 @seb_porral

#gkakiteworldtour #gkafreestyle #kiteboarding

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Sep 13

Open

Will we be seeing @liamwhaley competing with us in Brazil 🇧🇷 this year? 🤔
🎥 @seb_porral

#gkakiteworldtour #gkafreestyle #kiteboarding

865 10

The long right-hand point-break at @westpointdakhla , on the edge of the Sahara desert, is the setting for the penultimate Kite-Surf stop on the Qatar Airways GKA Kite World Tour. Are you ready for an epic event?

Everything is still to play for in the race for the world titles after the lead in the men’s and women’s rankings changed hands last month after the third Kite-Surf contest of the year on the German North Sea island of Sylt. Anything can happen!

🗓 22 September - 1 October 2023
📌 Dakhla, Morocco
📺 Watch live on www.gkakiteworldtour.com/live

#GKAKiteWorldTour #gkadakhla #qatarairways #gkaxqa #gkakitesurf #kitesurfing #PrinceHéritierMoulayElHassanKiteSurfWorldCup  #VisitDakhla #Dakhla #Morocco #Maroc
#Ainsoltane #GPCCarton #RedBull #MinistèredelÉducationNationaleduPréscolaireetdesSports #MDJS #VisitMorocco #cridakhla #AMCI #SNRT #westpointdakhla #oasis212 #lacriquedakhla #lagonenergy #dakhlaattitude

View

Sep 12

Open

The long right-hand point-break at @westpointdakhla , on the edge of the Sahara desert, is the setting for the penultimate Kite-Surf stop on the Qatar Airways GKA Kite World Tour. Are you ready for an epic event?

Everything is still to play for in the race for the world titles after the lead in the men’s and women’s rankings changed hands last month after the third Kite-Surf contest of the year on the German North Sea island of Sylt. Anything can happen!

🗓 22 September - 1 October 2023
📌 Dakhla, Morocco
📺 Watch live on www.gkakiteworldtour.com/live

#GKAKiteWorldTour #gkadakhla #qatarairways #gkaxqa #gkakitesurf #kitesurfing #PrinceHéritierMoulayElHassanKiteSurfWorldCup  #VisitDakhla #Dakhla #Morocco #Maroc
#Ainsoltane #GPCCarton #RedBull #MinistèredelÉducationNationaleduPréscolaireetdesSports #MDJS #VisitMorocco #cridakhla #AMCI #SNRT #westpointdakhla #oasis212 #lacriquedakhla #lagonenergy #dakhlaattitude

454 5

It`s almost time to head back to one of our favourite locations! Dakhla will be welcoming us very shortly, from 22nd of September to the 1st of October. 🇲🇦

📸 @julien_leleu

#PrinceHéritierMoulayElHassanKiteSurfWorldCup #GKAKiteWorldTour #gkadakhla #qatarairways #gkaxqa #gkakitesurf #kitesurfing #VisitDakhla #Dakhla #Morocco #Maroc #Ainsoltane #GPCCarton #RedBull #MinistèredelÉducationNationaleduPréscolaireetdesSports #MDJS #VisitMorocco #cridakhla #AMCI #SNRT #westpointdakhla #oasis212 #lacriquedakhla #lagonenergy #dakhlaattitude

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Sep 11

Open