Please select your home edition
Edition
North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

Big Air Kite and Wingfoil World Championship kicks off in Gran Canaria

by GWA Wingfoil World Tour 10 Jul 2024 02:29 PDT 9-13 July 2024
Big Air Wingfoil Worlds Gran Canaria Day 1 © GWA Wingfoil World Tour

The best 70 riders from all over the world, representing 5 continents and more than 20 countries, compete from 9 to 13 July in the Salinas de Tenefé for the World Championships in the discipline of the highest jumps.

The competition begins with high-flying action at Salinas de Tenefé (San Bartolomé de Tirajana), where the World Championships of Kitesurfing and Wingfoil in the Big Air discipline have been presented. The best 70 riders from both disciplines, representing 5 continents and over 20 countries, will compete for world titles on the island of Gran Canaria from July 9 to 13.

"This is the second Wingfoil World Championship on the island and the first Kitesurfing World Championship. These 70 riders have gone through many filters to be here. It's about quality, not quantity. The conditions are favorable, and we expect a spectacular competition," said Manuel Martínez, president of the Canakite Experiences Sports Club and event organizer, along with the Royal Canary Sailing Federation.

Joergen Vogt, president of the global associations GKA and GWA, emphasized that the event has been planned for the past two years. "I'm thrilled to be at this globally recognized spot for its perfect conditions for water sports. The wind here is more predictable than anywhere else in the world, which is why we're here to crown the Big Air world champions in two championships over five days," said Vogt. He thanked the supporters of these sports and expressed his desire to "repeat it next year."

The opening ceremony featured Francisco José García, mayor of Santa Lucía de Tirajana, accompanied by Julio Ojeda, Councilor for Sports, and Verónica Suárez, Councilor for Tourism, among other municipal representatives. All riders competing for the Kitesurf Big Air and Wingfoil Big Air titles also attended the inaugural event.

Mayor Francisco José García thanked the administrations for "making this event possible" and encouraged the riders to "enjoy the municipality and cultural heritage sites like Salinas de Tenefé."

Julio Ojeda highlighted that the coast of San Bartolomé de Tirajana once again becomes "an international focal point, an opportunity to showcase the municipality not only from a sports perspective but also its economic potential and tourist appeal, as well as open spaces for new sports like kitesurfing and wingfoil." Ojeda concluded by thanking the supporters and urging everyone to "enjoy our sea, wind, and salt."

Local riders competing for world titles

Among the prominent riders at the presentation was the young wingfoil talent, Ancor Sosa from Fuerteventura, who could compete for the Wingfoil Big Air title. "The main thing is to have fun. It's great to do it here with all the Canarian people watching. I hope to have some advantage because I train here. Everyone is here; there are some really good riders, but I hope to make it to the final," said Sosa.

In the Kitesurf Big Air category, two other Canarians, Jeremy Burlando and Lorenzo Casati (of Italian origin), could become world champions this Saturday. "It's an honor to have the world championship held here. I've trained a lot in Tenerife and here for this event, and my goal is to get on the podium," commented Casati, winner of the Red Bull King of the Air 2022.

The wingfoil competition begins

Favorable conditions at Salinas de Tenefé allowed for the first elimination rounds in the wingfoil discipline, with Christopher Macdonald (USA) achieving the highest score of the day, totaling 17 points with his best two jumps. In the first and only edition of the Wingfoil World Championship held in Pozo Izquierdo last year, Julien Rattotti (FRA) and Mar de Arce (SPA) were crowned world champions.

The Qatar Airways GKA Big Air Kite World Championships Gran Canaria 2024 and the GWA Big Air Wingfoil World Championship Gran Canaria 2024 are sponsored by the Tourism and Sports departments of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, with the collaboration of the Santa Lucía de Tirajana City Council and the Government of the Canary Islands. The event is also supported by private entities such as Ahembo with its 7up brand or Spar Gran Canaria.

Related Articles

Mondial du Vent 2025: the wrap up
Suardiaz and Cappuzzo claim win in FreeFly-Slalom discipline in Leucate The iconic Mondial du Vent returned to La Franqui, Leucate, for six action-packed days of wind, waves, and wingfoiling. Posted on 24 Apr
GWA Wingfoil World Cup France begins
Title holders open defence of crowns at Mondial du Vent 2025 The reigning world champions in Surf-Freestyle and FreeFly-Slalom are set to begin the defence of their crowns at the iconic Mondial du Vent event at Leucate in the south of France in nuking Tramontana winds. Posted on 15 Apr
2025 US Wingfoil Championship registration open
The National Championship set to take place at St. Francis Yacht Club St. Francis Yacht Club and US Sailing have opened registration for the second annual US Wingfoil Championship, to be held in San Francisco, California, June 20-22, 2025. Posted on 14 Apr
Sail Canada's Youth Fest is back in Kingston
To be held along Sail Canada 2025 Youth Championship for the Club 420 class Sail Canada is excited to announce that its Youth Fest, a sailing event focusing on training and development for U19 sailors, will make its return this year, August 1-5, 2025, in Kingston. Posted on 11 Apr
Early steps towards a more sailor-centric circuit
The Sailing Grand Slam (SGS) brings together five major international events Sailors don't like paperwork, red tape or excessive amounts of admin. Which is why the Sailing Grand Slam is pushing towards a more sailor-friendly system. Posted on 4 Apr
2025 WingFoil Racing World Cup Morocco overall
Wingfoil racing crowns its African King and Queen Three times Wingfoil Racing World Cup champion Mathis Ghio of France has won the season opener in Dakhla, Morocco. Posted on 24 Mar
Going to publish the 'F' word – Again!
Clearly, there are lots of young sailors out there looking to add a load of fun to their sailing Now we published the first one back in June last year. It did really well, thank you. Very much appreciated. Clearly, there are lots of young sailors out there looking to add a load of fun to their sailing, and are keen to get into the foiling world. Posted on 23 Mar
2025 WingFoil Racing World Cup Morocco day 4
WingFoil's first title of the year at stake? The desert winds blew across the Dakhla Lagoon to provide fantastic conditions for a crucial day of action that would decide the top nine male riders to qualify for the medal series. Posted on 22 Mar
2025 WingFoil Racing World Cup Morocco day 3
Major sustainability recognition for IWSA The International Wing Sports Association has become the first non-boat class to be awarded Clean Class status by Sailors for the Sea. Posted on 21 Mar
2025 WingFoil Racing World Cup Morocco day 2
Sand, sea, no wind - Sometimes things don't go to plan Dakhla, squeezed between the desert and the ocean in Morrocco's south, is famous for its strong and consistent winds. Sometimes things don't go to plan. Posted on 20 Mar
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERVaikobi 2024 DecemberMaritimo 2023 S-Series FOOTER