THE KSWT PREMIERES IN PORTUGAL – DAY ONE GKA KITE-SURF WORLD TOUR PORTUGAL
7th June 2018: Viana do Castelo, Portugal Report: Matt Pearce / Photos: Ydwer van der Heide
The riders of the GKA Kite-Surf World Tour are in Viana do Castelo this week from the 07-12th of June for the third event of the season and the first ever GKA event in Portugal. Here are the scenes from today!
46 riders from 16 different countries registered today, with another strong turnout in the women’s division that consists of 13 competitors from around the world here at Cabedelo beach in front of Hotel Feel Viana.
The spot / Photo: Ydwer van der Heide
And what a spot the riders find themselves at! A popular surf beach that also benefits from the reliable el nortada winds, Cabedelo is protected by a large sea wall that makes for glassy wave riding conditions downwind of it on the lengthy, unbroken left-handers. The waves are rarely huge, but they’re clean and consistent making this place look like a real-life wave pool when it’s on.
Click here to watch the video from KSWT riders James Carew and Charlie Wise for a glimpse of Cabedelo beach firing!
Race director Juan Antonio Aragon outlines the plans! / Photo: Ydwer van der Heide
Today had begun with heavy rainfall and the first skippers meeting of the event was delayed until just after lunch but then it was a quick turn around as the wind began to build and the riders headed to the beach for a possible start to men’s division round one.
Local rider Joao Stopani gearing up / Photo: Ydwer van der Heide
The winds looked promising to begin with but, after waiting until late afternoon, the decision was made to bring things to a close with a solid looking forecast for later in the week.
James Carew and Pedro Matos after a pre-comp warm-up yesterday / Photo: Ydwer van der Heide
So today was light on action with more rainfall than wind, but the skies have now cleared and we’re sure to see some noteworthy clashes this week as the battle for rankings continues with growing rivalries simmering away in both divisions. Click here for a refresher on the situation as it stands going into the KSWT Portugal.
The crew meets the major of Viana do Castelo / Photo: Ydwer van der Heide
The day wrapped up with the official opening ceremony to declare the event underway and now it’s all about tomorrow when the riders will be back on Cabedelo beach hoping to start the event in earnest. Stay tuned for updates as it unfolds!
Stay tuned to our social media channels as the event progresses: Facebook / Instagram
See the current Kite-Surf World Tour Championship rankings after two events here.
See the full GKA Kite-Surf World Tour 2018 event schedule here where you can also find out more about each event location.
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The GKA ProAm Challenge is far more than just a race, but a community event that will allow you the opportunity to get to know all of your favourite brands and test the very latest equipment.
Have you registered yet? The GKA ProAm Challenge and GKA Test Event, which will run side-by-side, will seek to unite kiteboarding amateurs, professionals and the industry in an effort to advance the sport and make it more inclusive.
www.gkaproam.com/register
Are you ready? Save the dates! 👉🏼 📆 29 August to 1 September in Dunkerque, France.
What better location for our Qatar Airways GKA Awards than beautiful Cape Town? Here are 5 things about Cape Town that maybe you didn’t know! Can you add some more to our list? Let us know in the comments!
The GKA ProAm Challenge is far more than just a race, but a community event that will allow you the opportunity to get to know all of your favourite brands and test the very latest equipment. Have you registered yet? The GKA ProAm Race and GKA Test Event, which will run side-by-side, will seek to unite kiteboarding amateurs, professionals and the industry in an effort to advance the sport and make it more inclusive. All the biggest brands in kiteboarding will there, so why not join us?
Are you ready? Save the dates!
👉🏼 📆 29 August to 1 September in Dunkerque, France.
The Qatar Airways GKA Kite World Tour is excited to return once again to Sylt, Germany for the Defender GKA Kite World Cup Sylt featuring two disciplines - Kite-Surf and Hydrofoil Big Air. At this event will also crown for the first time ever our GKA Hydrofoil Big Air European Champion 👑
Sylt is Germany’s fourth largest and northern-most island. It is famed for its nature reserve, untamed beauty and 40kms of sandy beaches, making it a perfect destination for this World Cup event!
Don’t forget that you will be able to watch everything live on 👉🏼 www.gkakiteworldtour.com/live 📅 Sylt, Germany 📍22-27 August 2024
The moment you have all been waiting for is finally here, and no, we are not referring to the weekend or any upcoming holiday that brings a twinkle to your eyes. We are talking about one of the greatest kite events since the dawn of mankind. While there are many great kiteboarding locations around the globe, perhaps one of the most historical and elusive is that of Hood River, Oregon, the birthplace of park riding and the pinnacle force that sustains its continuation.
This year the Kite Park League is proud to announce a new partnership with THE QATAR AIRWAYS GKA KITE WORLD TOUR to present THE QATAR AIRWAYS GKA KITE PARK LEAGUE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024.
The event will be held from August 3rd - 10th and will crown this years QATAR AIRWAYS GKA KITE PARK WORLD CHAMPIONS 2024 in both men’s and women’s divisions. Without question, this will be a week to remember.