Kitesurfers turn to Stand up paddling at Kitestock 2012
It turned out to be more like "SUPStock"
The biggest kitesurfing event in Australia has just finished up after the long weekend in WA. Kitesurfers from all over the country flock to a tiny coastal town called Dongarah, just south of Geraldton for four days of kitesurfing goodness - 25 knots, blue water and a 2-3 foot swell is what they get promised every year. Unfortunately this was not the case this year - with three of the four days providing light offshore breezes, small swell and the usual WA afternoons full of sun. Perfect conditions for stand up paddling.
Throughout the event there was a lineup at the demo tents for stand up paddle boards - the super cool kite surfers had all kinds of excuses from "i'm so bored i've resorted to SUP" to "my wife wanted me to have a go". All of which were obviously just a cover up for the fact that most kite surfers have been itching to have a go on a stand up paddle board - and will jump at the chance to take one for a paddle whenever the opportunity arrises.
Local kiter Rich Swingewood summed it up pretty well; although we're not exactly sure what the female SUP acrobatic team refers to...
"Pity about the wind but still had fun with the SUP's. Good call for the WAKSA guys to bring in the SUPs this year, well done. I think the SUP market has just trippled in WA. I was not bored once especially with the female SUP acrobatic team."
Luckily, the kite surfers reputations could be saved with a couple of hours riding on saturday evening. According to the event organisers; 30 or so kitesurfers managed to get a quick ego stoking session of wave slashing in before the wind once again dropped off for the day and kiters retreated to the SUP demo tents to grab a board.
Could this be the start of a new wave of paddlers coming into the sport? Look out for paddlers wearing board shorts over their wetsuits this winter - because kite surfers might be infiltrating the ranks!
Highland Park Gold Coast, QLD
