Please select your home edition
Edition
Sydney Boat Show 2025 - Apply to Exhibit

Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton: Entries open for Australia's longest kiteboarding race

by Janine Pittaway 11 Oct 2018 09:34 AEDT 8 December 2018

Entries are now open to pro and experienced weekend kiteboarders to compete in Australia's longest and most exciting kiteboarding race, the Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton from Rottnest Island.

The 19km race from the pristine waters of Rottnest Island to Leighton Beach, Fremantle, Western Australia will be contested for the ninth consecutive year, on Saturday 8 December 2018.

Event Director Tim Turner said there were 135 places available for competitors and he anticipated interest exceeding this figure.

"Each year we see a growing interest from local and international kiteboarders who have heard about the Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton from Rottnest Island and want to take on the challenge.

"We expect plenty of return interest as well and get great support from the local kiteboarding community who will all be vying to beat the race record of 19 minutes and three seconds, set by Frenchman Nico Parlier in 2016."

Past competitors include:

  • Five-time world champion Aaron Hadlow (UK)
  • 2017 & 2016 Hydrofoil Pro Tour Champion, 2017 Kitefoil World Champion and 2017 European Champion Nico Parlier (France)
  • 2018 & 2017 Twin Tip Racing World Champion and 2015 Slalom World Champion Florian Gruber (Germany)
  • Five-time Female Race World Champion Steph Bridge (UK)
  • Three-time European Kite Race Champion and four-time U21 World Champion Olly Bridge (UK)
  • European Freestyle Champion 2011-2014 Tom Bridge (UK)
  • 2017 Twin Tip European Champion & U18 World Kite Racing Champion Martin Dolenc (Croatia)
  • 3 x Kiteboarding World Champion Karolina Winkowska (Poland)
  • Past World Speed Champion Alex Caizergues
  • Australian Youth Olympic team representative and Aussie world speed champion Mani Bisschops
  • Australian Football League champion Nat Fyfe

Entries can be completed online at www.lighthouse2leighton.com.au and close at midnight AWST on Friday 2 November. Successful applicants will be notified by email. Competitors can choose to ride on a kitefoil board, slalom or twin tip board. See the website for full entry requirements.

The Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton from Rottnest Island continues to have equal prize money for the Top three males and females (the first kiteboarding race to do so) and there's over A$5000 in total prize money and A$4000 worth of trophies on offer, plus the respected Marc Sprod Trophy for the fastest West Australian competitor. Prizes will be awarded to the winner, runner up and third place and with cash prizes extending to the Top 10 and for the top placed twin tip racers.

Rottnest Island is just a 30-minute ferry ride from Perth, providing a relaxed holiday environment and incredible beaches and coastline.

The race is made possible thanks to Red Bull, Rottnest Island, Rottnest Express, Fremantle Sailing Club, and Kiteboarding Western Australia.

Visit www.lighthouse2leighton.com.au for more information.

Related Articles

Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 3
Mother Nature teases the competitors Mother Nature teased the competitors today and made them wait a bit, but she did not disappoint; the sun came out and a big westerly built to 18-20 knots! Posted on 15 Jul
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 2
Classic Long Beach conditions return The weather conditions at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta shifted noticeably today, delivering the classic Long Beach breeze that many expect from this world-class venue. Posted on 14 Jul
2025 Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta kicks off
The first week of the OCR includes five Olympic classes The highly anticipated 2025 Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta officially commenced on Saturday, 12 July, marking the beginning of Olympic campaigns since the venues were announced. Posted on 14 Jul
Australian sailors take to Olympic waters
Regatta serves as an important test, not just for sailors, but also for organisers The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta is set to get begin, marking the first major combined event on the waters of the LA 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 12 Jul
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta 2025 Preview
The fourth stop of the five series Sailing Grand Slam circuit Over 200 elite athletes from 42 nations have converged on Long Beach to test their skills on the same waters that will host sailing events during the LA2028 Olympic Games as they compete in the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta July 12-20 Posted on 12 Jul
20 Canadians set for Long Beach Grand Slam Event
The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta will be held July 12-20 20 Canadian sailors will take part in the fourth and next-to-last event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series, the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta, to be held July 12-20 at one of the two Olympic venues for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 10 Jul
2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria overall
Once again, Gizzeria delivered near-perfect racing conditions Once again, Gizzeria delivered near-perfect racing conditions, with a steady thermal breeze sweeping in from the Tyrrhenian Sea across the Calabrian coast. Posted on 7 Jul
Red Bull Sailing Academy Opens
A new hub for current and future superstars to reach the top of their sport Marina Monfalcone, North Italy, made waves yesterday, as sports superstars gathered to open the Red Bull Sailing Academy, marking the beginning of a new era in the sport. Posted on 6 Jul
2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria day 4
It's been a week of steady breeze and near-perfect conditions off the Calabrian coast It's been a week of steady breeze and near-perfect conditions off the Calabrian coast, and Gizzeria has put on a great show as host of the 2025 IKA Youth European Championships. Posted on 5 Jul
2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria day 3
The invincibles stumble during qualifying The men's competition has moved into its decisive phase, with the top 22 riders now forming a gold fleet. After Saturday's racing, only the top ten will qualify for the medal series and today, the pressure began to show, even on the frontrunners. Posted on 4 Jul
Boat Books Australia FOOTERCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERNavico AUS Zeus3S FOOTER