The may day bank holiday has been and gone, we had strong wind on the Saturday, a nice sea breeze on Sunday and Monday. The lighter winds Sunday and Monday made for excellent beginner course weather, even sun cream was needed! A great weekend all round.
Roctober is here with its heavy wind and rain! The change in season is starting to feel apparent.
A couple of handy things for you and for kitesurfing in the UK;
LOST PROPERTY http://surveys.verticalresponse.com/a/show/628424/83cc4b1a43/0
ACCIDENT/ NEAR MISS FORM http://surveys.verticalresponse.com/a/show/628424/
These are confidential links provided by the BKSA to help make safer conditions for kitesurfing and kitesurfers. Any feedback for improvement can be sent to us too.
Keep it safe and warm out there!
Kite week write up in the Rye Observer this week
WILL BE ON 4- 12TH AUGUST*KITESURFING*MUSIC*BEER*CAMPING*
THE LEGENDARY KITE WEEK RETURNS ONCE AGAIN FOR THE 4TH YEAR RUNNING!
THE FESTIVITIES WILL COMMENCE ON 4TH AUGUST 2012, CAMPING AVAILABLE IN LIMITED NUMBERS.
DETAILS TO FOLLOW;
NIGHTS OUT IN RYE - CAMBER
*WAKEBOARDING*KITESURFING*SUP*SKIMBOARDING*SURF*KAYAK*SLACKLINING*
*FRISBEE*CAMPFIRES*MUSIC*
Kiteboarding will make its Olympic debut at the 2016 Games in Rio after the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) dropped windsurfing.
The decision has been met with surprise and frustration within windsurfing and an online petition has been set up to keep it as an Olympic discipline.
British sailing's John Derbyshire said: "We're disappointed for windsurfing.
"[But we are] looking forward to working with kiteboarders to develop the talent pathway for this new event."
The decision was made by the ISAF at a meeting in Italy on Saturday and Derbyshire added: "While an exciting prospect for a new discipline, the decision to replace windsurfing will of course be a huge blow to the windsurfing community.
"We're disappointed for all those who are working at the coal face of the Royal Yachting Association's windsurfing programmes to deliver activity and British success on the world stage who will be affected most by this decision."
However, he added: "Kiteboarding made a solid case for its Olympic inclusion at the March trials and, although a surprise that ISAF has voted it into the Olympic programme at this stage, it appears they wished to seize the opportunity, rather than wait until 2020."
Britain's Bryony Shaw, who won bronze in Beijing at the 2008 Olympics, said on Twitter: "Windsurfing is me... I am windsurfing!" before adding: "My focus on London now seems heightened!! New discipline for Rio... New challenge...!"
Compatriot Nick Dempsey, who was fourth in the men's event four years ago, commented on Twitter: "Wow, unexpected. That was a big decision and a very sad day for windsurfing. My heart goes out to all the aspiring champions and kids with dreams of windsurfing at the Olympics."
Meanwhile, following sailing equipment trials held in Santander, Spain in March, the 49er FX was chosen for the new two-person women's skiff discipline while the Nacra 17 will be used in the two-person mixed multihull event.
10/04/2012 After a dissapointing bag of weather for Easter and inconvenient tides, the SW wind has returned. Despite the chillyness there have been some good kiting conditions. On the upside the Rye Bay Cafe has had a refurb and we will be having a little gathering post kitesurfing this Saturday 14th for a few drinks and maybe a bite to eat.
2/3/2012 The weather has a spring feel to it, soon enquiries for kitesurfing lessons are coming in - lets make it an awesome summer! I think a Spring Party is in order!
Camber Kitesurfing Club
*NEW FACEBOOK GROUP* FOR 2011JOIN HERE*
SEA DEFENCE PLANS AT JURY'S GAP CLICK HERE
| Kite Week - August 22-29 2011 |  |
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Camber Kite Week August 2011 Review
Having spent the summer photographing kitesurfers, windsurfers and other watersports, Anthony Skinner (aka Ant) and Phil Elbrough (aka Philys), from Camber Kitesurfing invited me along to the Kite Week Festival.
I rocked up to this event and it turned out to be the highlight of my summer ! as it was a collaboration of the various local Kitesurf Centres and their friends to celebrate the sport and the friendships it builds.
‘Ant’ arranged an amazing camping venue on a local farm near Rye, which was very private and set in amongst a natural amphitheatre of trees. Various vans and tents appeared over the first few days and pretty soon a community of water sports enthusiasts from all over the world was formed. Kit was discussed, tips exchanged, venues reviewed and local knowledge shared.
The central point of the camp was the camp fire, which was roaring fiercely every night and we ended up shooting the breeze, listening to tales of kite surf antics and stories of huge air, which did get bigger as the beer flowed !
There was even a hot shower erected, an innovation designed by ‘Ant’, who never ceased to amaze me with his ideas.
A sweat lodge was ingeniously built as well from old kites, and slaps of concrete were heated up on the fire, then placed in the centre of the lodge where water and essential oils were added. IT WORKED ! much to the guys delight as the girls had to get down to their bikinis !! another innovative success.
We drove the short distance to Jury’s Gap Camber Beach and that’s where the action really was.
Camber is an amazing venue for this sport. Enthusiasts drive down from London after a day at work to catch the thermals (pic of suited bloke), which gives Camber a weather climate all of its very own. Clouds build over the headland, producing a wind which provides ample kiting time. At low tide the water is shallow so it is perfect for novices or newbies to the sport, and the waters out the back are edgy and challenging. A wreck off the beach and the knarly wooden groins also add to the dimension of this venue.
At high tide pro riders come into their own, the groins which jut out into the sea give an air of danger. They can board skim on inches of water, and turn sharply to race out to sea again. Chris Calthrop K48 took to the waters to give a spectacular display of aerobatics, and Ant gave a thrilling demonstration of board skills.
From a spectators point of view the beach is a mass of colour and you are able to see the kiters up close, which can be breath taking when they leap and pull off tricks.
The finale party was just as fantastic with the local bar filled with kites to make the stage for the band ‘Undercover’, they got everyone up dancing and the tired legs from a day on the water were forgotten.
So, I can’t wait until next year it can only get bigger and better.
Camber Kitesurfing isn’t just about the sport, it’s about the people too.
Photography by Victoria Shorland, Sea Yourself In Action Photography 07789512825.
