We love it when locals run events of international-standard events! And we love collaborations! The Kite Windsurf Cup held this past week in Langebaan, South Africa, is an example of how you can run a successful event for 2 wind-powered sports, while having fun and doing good. Kiteboarders and windsurfers can compete together on the same body of water!
Run from the Cape Sports Centre and Club Mykonos, this week-long event started with the Downwind Dash – a pacy dash across the bay from Langebaan to Saldana Bay. This was followed by a week of intense slalom racing on courses set all over the lagoon, which tested the competitors skills in downwind, upwind and wave sailing.
International and local kiters on foils and boards and windsurfers competed every day in short to middle-distance slalom courses. Incredible speeds were reached by kiters and windsurfers alike. Langebaan is famous for its consistent SE wind between 18-25 knots, which comes up every day between 11-2pm. The reasonably flat, turquoise waters make for speedy sailing.
Foiling kiteboarder, Mauritian Champ, Jerome Bonieux, wowed spectators to take first place in the kiting division. And Langebaan local, Luca Ceruti placed 2nd!
It’s wonderful to see windsurfers making a come back on the water again, it takes me back to my days of windsurfing and the wonderful lifestyle that went along with it. Locals did well on the podium; Mitch Wagstaff sped along to secure a third on the podium in the windsurfer division. Local female sailor, Karo van Tonder was the top female competitor in the windsurfing division and Megan Du Plessis placed top female in the kiting division. The competitors have heart too, a portion of the proceeds were donated to various causes, one being the #savelangebaanlagoon campaign. It’s so important to save our beautiful playground from fish farming. DAFF: Save Langebaan Lagoon from a potential aquaculture disaster — sign the Petition!
Petition: Save Langebaan Lagoon
Sponsor Dü Paint’s #Dügood campaign supported this initiative by way of fund raising.
Full results on www.kitewindsurfcup.co.za
The organizers hope to build this event next year. With thanks to great sponsors like Dü paints, watch this space!
S + L #wecare.
