Kiteracing Oceanic Championships head for Western Australia

by Richard Palfreyman on 13 Aug 2013 Two years on from Perth 2011, I am excited to announce an international level competition course racing event we are bringing to Western Australia’s Indian Ocean shores; the Kiteracing Oceanic Championships.

Kiteboarding has become one of the fastest growing water sports worldwide, founding a loyal community of enthusiasts at every beachside suburb with regular breeze! Western Australia’s peerless beaches and ocean breezes attract thousands of colourful kites down to the gustiest spots most afternoons along the coastline.

The International Kiteboarding Association is the ISAF sanctioned governing body for kiteboarding, overseeing the course racing on Leighton Beach in December. Ranking points from this competition to roll towards the world championships with this event joining the IKA’s annual racing calendar, adding further reason for competitors from Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Spain, Germany and further abroad to race.

This event is building to become the most anticipated races on the international circuit and together with The Fremantle Doctor, conditions are bound to bring us an exceptionally fast race to watch. I look forward to welcoming a new breed of sailing athlete to Fremantle, and I invite you all to join me on Leighton Beach this December!

The Fremantle Doctor will deliver exciting conditions for one of the world’s fastest sailing classes as Western Australia hosts the inaugural IKA Kiteracing Oceanic Championships.

Five days of onshore and offshore activities will launch with the first rounds qualifying heats and beach activities for families and public spectators coming to Leighton Beach to watch the spectacular display of colourful kites racing through the Indian Ocean. The finals will culminate in an impressive first past the post clash, leaving audiences still holding their breath as the competitors speed past the finish.

The longest kiterace in Australia, the Lighthouse to Leighton is slated for Saturday December 14th. This 19km race launches from Rottnest Island to speed across the Gage Roads pass back to mainland shores. In 2010 Alex Caizergues set a record time of 23.34 to finish this now world renown race.

The inaugural Kiteracing Oceanic Championships will take place on Leighton Beach in North Fremantle from December 10-15, 2013. Visit Kite Oceanics website for event and competitor information.