What a beach! As I made my way up to Fraserburgh, I didn't know quite what to expect. The wind forecast showed some promise for Sunday, and there was the possibility of some big kite action on Saturday - I'd packed all the light wind toys just in case.
After a six hour drive through picturesque Northumberland and the Scottish counties, I finally arrived outside Synergy Kitesports and was greeted by the familiar face of JP and we spent half an hour catching up. After chewing the fat we could see that the swell was building slightly after the tide turned, and I was eager to score some waves after the long drive.
After a good hour and a half on the water, it was time to book in to the neighboring campsite, have a bite to eat and catch up some more with the others and have some banter over a few beers.
After a six hour drive through picturesque Northumberland and the Scottish counties, I finally arrived outside Synergy Kitesports and was greeted by the familiar face of JP and we spent half an hour catching up. After chewing the fat we could see that the swell was building slightly after the tide turned, and I was eager to score some waves after the long drive.
After a good hour and a half on the water, it was time to book in to the neighboring campsite, have a bite to eat and catch up some more with the others and have some banter over a few beers.
The obstacles Saturday dawned with a light wind forecast, which was set to increase by early evening, and we kept ourselves entertained by getting registered, moving the obstacles down to the beach, going over the rules and generally hoping for the wind to pick up.
By mid-afternoon the onshore wind was sufficiently strong to start running heats and a straight port tack course was setup parallel to the shore which was being constantly jostled by the breaking waves.
After a few test runs, the heat sheets were drawn up and the competition was well and truly on!
By mid-afternoon the onshore wind was sufficiently strong to start running heats and a straight port tack course was setup parallel to the shore which was being constantly jostled by the breaking waves.
After a few test runs, the heat sheets were drawn up and the competition was well and truly on!
We all watched on with great interest as the first heat started, and there was mixed success in getting over the obstacles - some of which were cleared with ease, some cleared but with a loss of control of the kite, and others hilariously face-planted into! The breaking waves were making the course extra tricky, and a certain amount of timing was required to ensure you didn't come up a cropper!
Next up it was my turn, and found it tricky to master the start procedure; getting over the line as soon after the horn blows. I still managed a pretty good start and powered toward the finish without significant mishap.
It was good to sit back again and watch a few heats as the others did battle; The double height 'wall' obstacle was causing significant issue for some riders, who struggled to pop and land well without the assistance of board fins.
Before long it was the Semi's and I was drawn up against JP Butterworth, who was to have an absolute worldie of a start - powering through the line just as the horn went. I powered frantically through the course to try and catch him, but the end was nearing fast and the opportunity was unlikely. However just as JP cleared the last obstacle, 10m ahead of me, he clipped it as he went over which dumped him into the water. I took the opportunity to power past and take the win and plenty of banter was exchanged when we met up again on the beach afterwards!
Next up it was my turn, and found it tricky to master the start procedure; getting over the line as soon after the horn blows. I still managed a pretty good start and powered toward the finish without significant mishap.
It was good to sit back again and watch a few heats as the others did battle; The double height 'wall' obstacle was causing significant issue for some riders, who struggled to pop and land well without the assistance of board fins.
Before long it was the Semi's and I was drawn up against JP Butterworth, who was to have an absolute worldie of a start - powering through the line just as the horn went. I powered frantically through the course to try and catch him, but the end was nearing fast and the opportunity was unlikely. However just as JP cleared the last obstacle, 10m ahead of me, he clipped it as he went over which dumped him into the water. I took the opportunity to power past and take the win and plenty of banter was exchanged when we met up again on the beach afterwards!
Day 1 Results It was good to sit back again and watch a few heats as the others did battle; The double height 'wall' obstacle was causing significant issue for some riders, who struggled to pop and land well without the assistance of board fins.
Before long it was the Semi's and I was drawn up against JP Butterworth, who was to have an absolute worldie of a start - powering through the line just as the horn went. I powered frantically through the course to try and catch him, but the end was nearing fast and the opportunity was unlikely. However just as JP cleared the last obstacle, 10m ahead of me, he clipped it as he went over which dumped him into the water. I took the opportunity to power past and take the win and plenty of banter was exchanged when we met up again on the beach afterwards!
After a couple more heats the finals were upon us, and Jake Higgins and Damian Carre joined me in the final showdown of the day. I made sure I had a good start this time, sitting close to the line and powering away as soon as the horn blew - this put me straight into the lead and just a matter from there of a fast, clean run to the finish line.
After helping clear up the equipment, the evenings events took us to Cheers bar in Fraserburgh town, and we sunk a few more beers whilst discussing the events of the day, whilst looking forward to the stronger conditions forecast for Sunday.
Before long it was the Semi's and I was drawn up against JP Butterworth, who was to have an absolute worldie of a start - powering through the line just as the horn went. I powered frantically through the course to try and catch him, but the end was nearing fast and the opportunity was unlikely. However just as JP cleared the last obstacle, 10m ahead of me, he clipped it as he went over which dumped him into the water. I took the opportunity to power past and take the win and plenty of banter was exchanged when we met up again on the beach afterwards!
After a couple more heats the finals were upon us, and Jake Higgins and Damian Carre joined me in the final showdown of the day. I made sure I had a good start this time, sitting close to the line and powering away as soon as the horn blew - this put me straight into the lead and just a matter from there of a fast, clean run to the finish line.
After helping clear up the equipment, the evenings events took us to Cheers bar in Fraserburgh town, and we sunk a few more beers whilst discussing the events of the day, whilst looking forward to the stronger conditions forecast for Sunday.
JP, Maggie and Mark As we attended the morning briefings the wind cross-offshore wind was clearly building, and there was a significant swell present also.
The organizers set out a starboard tack away from the beach, around a buoy, returning back again further downwind. The had notably opted to put the 'Wall' obstacle on the starboard tack this time, which was most likely to be the weaker side for most people, which was further complicated by the waves jacking it up as they rolled past.
The first few heats were simply carnage - the gusty offshore winds, coupled with the breaking waves and obstacles on peoples weaker side made for some very amusing viewing.
I opted for a 14m Lithium which would be well overpowered for most uses, but was perfect for the gusty conditions and powering out through the break and over the obstacles. I managed to lead from the front in most rounds, but was caught napping by Ross Knox in one round who powered away from the start, only to lose speed when the landing from an obstacle didn't go quite as he'd hoped. He could be heard screaming 'Nooooo' as I pulled ahead and went on to secure victory.
The organizers set out a starboard tack away from the beach, around a buoy, returning back again further downwind. The had notably opted to put the 'Wall' obstacle on the starboard tack this time, which was most likely to be the weaker side for most people, which was further complicated by the waves jacking it up as they rolled past.
The first few heats were simply carnage - the gusty offshore winds, coupled with the breaking waves and obstacles on peoples weaker side made for some very amusing viewing.
I opted for a 14m Lithium which would be well overpowered for most uses, but was perfect for the gusty conditions and powering out through the break and over the obstacles. I managed to lead from the front in most rounds, but was caught napping by Ross Knox in one round who powered away from the start, only to lose speed when the landing from an obstacle didn't go quite as he'd hoped. He could be heard screaming 'Nooooo' as I pulled ahead and went on to secure victory.
As round 2 concluded, I'd secured an unassailable lead, but there remained enough time to run a third round with the wall back again on port tack. JP and Ross managed to improve their previous standing and make it to second and third place respectively in the overall standings.
After packing down, the award ceremony was upon us, and thanks were sent out to the KBC Tour organisers, Synergy Kitesports and Scottish Windfest for their tireless work on event planning and organisation.
As the results were read out and we took our places on the podium, we were all gobsmacked by the prizes which we gladly received. A great end to an exceptional weekend, and especially nice to be involved in an exciting new kitesurfing format which is open to all kitesurfers intermediate and beyond.
Follow these links for more info about the KBCT and Scottish Windfest.
After packing down, the award ceremony was upon us, and thanks were sent out to the KBC Tour organisers, Synergy Kitesports and Scottish Windfest for their tireless work on event planning and organisation.
As the results were read out and we took our places on the podium, we were all gobsmacked by the prizes which we gladly received. A great end to an exceptional weekend, and especially nice to be involved in an exciting new kitesurfing format which is open to all kitesurfers intermediate and beyond.
Follow these links for more info about the KBCT and Scottish Windfest.
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