Coolum Kite Festival

"Off The Lip" Classic

11^th - 12^th October

With a full registration of 60 competitors and some registered competitors on standby in case of cancellations, we all headed to the Coolum Kite Festival Saturday morning in the hopes that the wind would be kind to us all.  The wind reports were not good however with all the wheels in motion, we decided to see what the day would bring. 

After setting back the race by half an hour and with the Coast Guard already on the water the decision was made to give the First Division a chance to get on the water.  This proved to really highlight the very skilled riders we are lucky to have on the Sunshine Coast.  Many tried and failed, but five skilled and some would say light weight riders (although they weren't all) headed out over the breakers to make the thirteen kilometre down wind ride. 

The youngest kitesurfer to make his way down wind was Aden Backfrom Noosa aged 15.  He was going well, making his way out to go around the Coast Guard boat when his 11mtr Rev 2 went down in the water.  The sub 10 knot conditions made re-launching extremely difficult quickly bringing the race down to four.

With Keahi De Aboitiz well out in front already on his 14mtr Contra, it was going to take an equipment malfunction to stop him.  Simon Mc Dermott was keeping pace with Keahi in second position on a 14mtr Bandit Dos, white the Johnson father and son duo were keeping them both in site on their 13mtr Rev 2's.  A freak mishap saw Simon's kite go down giving Scotty Johnson and his father Kevin an opportunity to move up in their positions to second and third.  After many frustrating attempts in the light conditions, Simon re-launched the Bandit Dos and quickly made back ground to finish in third position, only missing out on second by a matter of metres. 

With division two cancelled for safety reasons, Jess Embling hit the water for a short down winder, just to prove it could be done.  On her 12 metre Bandit Dos and twin tip Underground board she managed to make her way out the back over building swells and breakers giving her the cash prize donated by SEQKA for the only female entrant to take to the water and silencing the guys who said it couldn't be done.

With conditions not expected to be any better on Sunday, the race was considered run and presentations were held at 4pm.  Podium positions were awarded with 1^st and 2^nd taking home cash donated by SEQKA and 3^rd and 4^th taking home a Prolimit harness and board bag. 

Many prizes were awarded to "out of the hat entrants" who hadn't already received a prize on the podium and a final draw took place for the major prizes giving everyone a chance at a new Slingshot Rev kite and M8 board.  The kite was won by Brisbanekitesurfer Brendon Mitchell, while the M8 board will also be leaving the Sunshine Coastwith Rodney Eggins.     

We want to thank Kylie Bilsenfor here continued efforts each year and we promise next year, she will be on the water with the growing number of female competitors instead of watching the race from the Coast Guard boat.  You're a champ Kylie.  With this in mind, if you are keen to help this event grow and would like to get a free ride on the Coast Guard boat next year, then please contact Fiona at Adventure Sports Kitesurf Australiabecause the more volunteers to help out the bigger and better the event will get.  We would also like to thank Mike from Noosa Kiteboarding for assisting with the safety briefing and pick ups along with Rah from Rahini Images for her fantastic photography.   

Special thanks to our major sponsors Kula Beach Shacks, Adventure Sports Kitesurf Australia, Slingshot Kiteboarding, M8 Kiteboarding, Pro Limit, SEQKA, Cult Industries, KSAdesigns, Hive Swimwear and Ben Wilson Kitesurfing together with the generous sponsors who helped make the competitors bags full of great gear this year.  Kiteboarder Mag, Bli Bli Ski n Skurf, Coolum Kite Festival Committee and FCS.