All about the after-session antics?
Here are six events where you can combine kiting and parting!
Kite all day, watch the pros throw down and get on it after dark! We’ve highlighted some of the best kiteboarding events to hit up if you want to see world class action by day before tearing it up by night
1: THE TRIPLE-S INVITATIONAL
REAL WATERSPORTS, CAPE HATTERAS, USA – 1-7 JUNE 2019
THE LOWDOWN:
If you want front row seats watching all the water action at the world’s biggest slider park competition, then the Triple-S is the one not to miss. Each year REAL watersports put on a show-stopping event on the Hatteras slick and you can expect the who’s who in wakestyle to be competing (and then partying alongside you!).
The parties are legendary with crazy world-famous headline acts, like rappers Method Man & Redman playing live music to an enthusiastic crowd. These parties are serious enough to even have their own Triple-S lager!
THE FACES: Sam Light, Colleen Carroll, Aaron Hadlow and a list too big to mention.
GOOD FOR: Some of the best flat water you can find, front row seats to watch the world’s best, and parties every night for the week.
2: KITESURFING ARMADA FESTIVAL
HAYLING ISLAND, UK – 21-23 JUNE 2019
THE LOWDOWN:
The Armada is the UK’s biggest and best kite party of the year and has been attracting the masses since 2013. Imagine a kiters’ version of Glastonbury festival (well, okay, not quite on the same scale) with hundreds of kite comrades all camping together having fun at the water’s edge of one of the best spots in the UK.
The weekend-long programme of events features kite clinics, pro demos, live music, new gear, talks, amazing parties, family activities and more, and it’s all put on in the aid of charity. For 2019 there are plans for a second event taking place in Skegness, too!
THE FACES: Lewis Crathern leads the charge alongside other renowned pros. In the past, the Armada has seen faces like Aaron Hadlow to Nick Jacobsen and even Pete Cabrinha. This year Ruben Lenten is booked in for his debut appearance!
GOOD FOR: The best kite camaraderie you’ll find off the water with the opportunity for two solid days of kite chat and bonding to last into next season.
3: THE ‘LA CARPA’ WORLD CUP TENT AT THE GKA FREESTYLE World Cup
SOTAVENTO, FUERTEVENTURA, SPAIN – 19 – 24 JULY 2019 (GKA KITING EVENT)
THE LOWDOWN:
For over 30 years Rene Egli in Sotavento has played host to World Tours and wind events and their experience definitely extends to throwing a good party! For two weeks each year (including the windsurfing event week) a dedicated festival tent is erected to make sure everyone lets loose after all the hard work put in on the water. People come from all over the Canary Islands to party at La Carpa, too!
The kiting is outstanding with a four kilometre flat water lagoon and pumping winds. Rene Egli and Meliá Hotel provide a sophisticated set up which offers you everything you need to have a great time.
THE FACES: You can expect all the GKA competitors to fully let loose alongside you at La Carpa.
GOOD FOR: Endless space on the water, a pro viewing gallery right on the shoreline and epic parties that go off all night in a big, packed tent!
www.gkakiteworldtour.com/events/gka-freestyle-world-cup-fuerteventura-2019
4: ALOHA SURF & BEACH PARTY
HANG LOOSE BEACH, CALABRIA, ITALY – KITEFOIL GOLD CUP PARTY (BUT ALSO EVERY SUNDAY FROM 5 – 10PM!)
THE LOWDOWN:
Every year Hang Loose Beach stages world class racing events and this year the KiteFoil Gold Cup returns from the 24 – 28th July with Aloha Parties each event night. What’s more: the crew throw a Happy Sunset beach party that attracts 2 – 3,000 people every Sunday between 5 and 10pm! It’s bonkers and brilliant. Check their other events online, including RRD kite demos, junior summer camps, high level hyrdrofoil training camps and ‘Kite Babes’ women-only kite camps.
Book one of the nearby VW van ‘tents’ to crash in, and enjoy access to everything you need to surf-eat-party-rest-repeat.
THE FACES: A young party crowd mixed in with kitesurfers and the world’s best racers alike.
GOOD FOR: Consistent winds, acres of space and Hawaiian style parties to dive into straight off the water. The vibes are all surf-fiesta here!
5: BATTLE FOR THE LAKE
ACHILL ISLAND, IRELAND – 27-29 SEPTEMBER 2019
THE LOWDOWN:
The perfect combination of watersports and great music located in a beautiful natural setting. The Battle for the Lake festival is one of the final stops of a programme of summer Irish kite events hosted by Pure Magic Watersports. The festival includes a Big Air competition which attracts international pros and there is plenty on offer for all abilities and even for non-kiters.
You can expect live music, DJs, plenty of fun water activities (kite related and otherwise), camping camaraderie, games and nightly firework spectacles.
THE FACES: Previous competitors have included Kevin Langeree, Angely Bouillot, Ruben Lenten, Steven Akkersdijk and Lasse Walker to name but a few.
GOOD FOR: A spectacular water show and great music in stunning natural scenery accompanied by some great Irish craic!
6: KITEFEST ARGENTINA
CUESTA DEL VIENTO, SAN JUAN, ARGENTINA – MARCH 2020 (TBC)
THE LOWDOWN:
Incredible winds guaranteed to blow across an insane lake with parties set against the Andes mountain backdrop. Each year Kitefest Argentina turns this quiet barren land into a centre of entertainment, attracting 5,000 people to enjoy all the available action.
Strap up ready for some of the world’s best strong wind kite conditions and enjoy a playground of activities alongside four nights of fun:
“Kitefest Argentina, is by far one of my favourite kite events there is. It’s 100% wind guaranteed and a good all around experience.” – Nick Jacobsen, North Kiteboarding pro rider.
THE FACES: International pros flock to be part of such a unique strong wind event, including Jesse Richman, Youri Zoon, Alex Neto and Nick Jacobsen.
GOOD FOR: Getting wild (quite literally) while kiting and partying Argentinian style at the foot of the Andes mountains.
