Team Riders 08 results
Well what a year this is shaping up to be. Our riders have been out doing their thing all over the place and there's so much to write about i'm not sure where to start!
Phil Clarkson, Kitesurf Wave Masters
Phil is our newest rider, joining the team this January and he pulled out all the stops at the Westward Ho! Friday the event saw a light cross-shore wind from the South West and a reasonably sized 4 ft swell. The seniors kicked off the event with some excellent riders in difficult conditions. Through to the final were Paul Stebbing from Lowestoft, Phil and Richard Gowers from Dorset. Paul Stebbing – Stubby to his mates – ripped along the long walls unhooked in a great style to take 1st while Phil Clarkson secured 2nd and Gowers 3rd.
At the next Wave event the conditions didn't play ball at all with no wind and minimal waves Newgale just didn't quite get off to the start Phil had hoped. Still on a more positive note Phil had taken the Hangtime Naish Stand Up Paddle board downa nd joined inwith the SUP riders from Big Blue (also on the Naish SUP's) for a sweet little SUP session.
The next event is October 17th-19th at Gwithian/Marazion Cornwall.
Luke, Kitesurf Juniors Freestyle
Luke is having a great season despite a couple of set backs! the first event at Watergate was cancelled due to horrible off shore conditions but Barrow made up for that, the event saw the largest field of Juniors ever, showing that the sport is growing and appealing to new riders of all ages. The field of competitors had many new faces and the competition was tough. This was Luke's first competition and he showed true sportsmanship helping all the other juniors launch and land. Luke got through the first heat in 1st place but unfortunately Luke landed a trick on his back and selected a rock as a landing zone! One broken Coxyic later and Luke finished Joint 7th with Robbie Shire-Maidment.
Next up Hunstanton and Luke pulled a blinder, Luke came 2nd in the first heat after throwing some nice kite loops, won his second heat outright against Jordan Smith, 2nd in the semi final against Jack Shoulder and went on to win the losers final against Crag Smith & Martin Thatchell. Luke finished this comp in 4th place.
Luke's overall standing is now 4th in the Juniors, so well done Luke! Also congratulations for landing Buff & Sinner as sponsors and thanks Buff & Sinner for your support!
Next event is Skegness July 11th -13th
Liam, Landboard Freestyle
Well once again it's a fairly empty year for landboard competitions, unfortunatly we realised that the Westward Ho! event had a land based comp at the last minute and couldn't secure Liam a ticket, gutted as those folk down at Atmosphere apparently threw one heck of an event and it would have been great to see Liam throw his stuff alongside the other riders.
Following this disaster though Barrow saw the first BKSA land Jam piggy backed onto the kitesurf event. Vesta's kindly provided top money prizes for the riders and it was an excellent event. It was great for Liam to be riding alongside Lewis Wilby & Mark Berry as he had a real opportunity to learn from the pro's. Luke won Best Effort for the event with Lewis 1st, Robbin Snuggs 2nd and Mark Berry third!
Next Event? who knows!
Simon Hallett, Buggy Freestyle
Simon pulled a blinder at Barrow to finish 3rd which is by no means a bad result up against the daring and scary Freddy Oldfield (1st) and tastefully technical Chris haldnebury (2nd).
Chris Haldenbury at Barrow
We hope Simon can get to more events this year but as the drought of freestyle land events continues who knows, our mega thanks to the BKSA and sponsors Vestas and MBS for their kind support.
Hannah Whiteley, Womens Pro Freestyle
Hannah is having an amazing year! Her first season of competitions were last year where she won the Womens Amatuer competition, this year we saw Hannah in the Womens Pro's, after a naff start at Watergate Bay with no wind Hannah pulled out a second place at Barrow against Helen Thompson (1st) and Jemma Grobalaar (3rd).
At Hunstanton though Hannah managed 1st against Nicky Rudd (2nd) and Helen Thompson (3rd), Helen broke her fingers after the heat and we wish her a speedy recovery, hopefully she'll be at Skegness. Hannah is now placed in 1st position overall.
Next event Skegness July 11th -13th
Pete Whiteley, Mens Seniors Freestyle
Pete is having a really difficult season due to a dodgy right ankle (hope it gets better soon!) No wind at Watergate and a bit of bad luck at Barrow means that Pete has been down the leader board behind Layne Dickinson, Kev O'Brien and Gary Powell Pete finished 4th behind these 3 hero's of the zimmer frame, proving that defending a title is always hard. Hunstanton saw Pete get a bit of a break though as many of these guys stayed away due to a dodgy forecast, with no Layne or Kev Pete had the field free to go and make up for lost ground. Gary Powell put in a good showing but was unlucky enough to catch all of his heat which meant Pete won outright and goes into the overall lead.
Pete had alot more luck at the Exmouth Course race though finishing 1st in the seniors although we reckon the loan of a course racing board had allot to do with it!
Pete and the rest of the Course Ravers at Exmouth
Next Event Skegness July 11th - 13th
Course Racing, Poole September 12th & 14th