Competitions
Ireland (Banna Strand) - BKSA Round 5
Date: 28th- 1st October 2006
Result: 2nd, best trick
The last Competition of the year was held a little further than expected at ‘Banna Strand’ beach in Ireland. The BKSA met with the IKSA (Irish Tour) to hold an Event that would determine the Overall Results for both Championships.
Banna Strand situated on the West Coast of Ireland is a lovely wave spot not that far from the famous kitesurfing/windsurfing location Brandon Bay and Dingle known for it’s large rolling waves.
I arrived in Ireland on Wednesday evening greeted by very strong winds and rain. It was going to be a challenging event and I was almost sure I would have to compete on my 7m Fuel the next day.
Thursday morning arrived, Day 1 of the Competition the sun was shining and the wind was blowing a steady 15/16mph a complete change from the day before.
The beach was starting to fill with kites being set up ready for a practise session on the water.
I put up my 13m and played about in the waves practising tricks and getting used to the new spot. The wind stayed around this strength for most of the morning and in the afternoon the BKSA decided to run a Best Trick slope style event for both the Pro-men/ladies. Everyone took it in turns to go out onto the water pull their best trick and then come back in ready to try it again giving each person three goes. Some good tricks were pulled S-bend to blind, mobe, f16 to surface pass, surface 360, slim chance …..
Results:
Pro-ladies:
1st Steph Bridges (North)
2nd Victoria Heather (Slingshot)
3rd Carrie Begg (F one)
Friday Day 2 of the competition arrived and competitors were hoping for some more wind to go out and compete in the Freestyle event. Up first went the juniors with some great f16’s, front-roll grabs and board-offs. Then Amateur ladies went second with some great front rolls, kiteloop raileys and railey to toeside. The Pro-men were up next but the wind was a bit hit and miss with a few stops during heats to wait for the wind to pick back up. Whilst the BKSA competitions were running at the other end of the beach the IKSA were also holding their Pro-men and amateur men heats. It did get a little confusing for those who had entered both the British and Irish Event as they had to run from one end of the beach to the other to be ready for the start of their heat. Unfortunately the BKSA men didn’t manage to finish their heats as the wind dropped and the event was called to a halt. This also meant that the amateur men and Pro-ladies were not able to start their heats so it would roll-over to the next day.
Saturday Day 3 was not looking very promising on the wind front. The sun was shining and the wind was almost non existent. The waves were however looking great and a few people decided to go out for a surf and body board session.
The wind didn’t pick up throughout the day and it was decided to call off the event and meet up at the beach at 9.00am the next day.
Sunday Day 4 arrived and after some hard drinking at the fancy dress party the night before competitors arrived at the beach a little less energised. Perhaps lucky for some the wind was still very light so it was decided that if the wind didn’t pick up by 2pm the rest of the heats would be called off.
2pm arrived and the 2006 Tour was called to an end, the results were calculated and prize giving took place.
Final standings for the 2006 British championships:
PRO-LADIES
1st Steph Bridges (North)
2nd Carrie Begg (F one)
3rd Victoria Heather (Slingshot)
PRO-MENS
1st Lewis Crathern (RRD)
2nd Denzil Williams (F one)
3rd Sam Light (Naish)
AMATEUR MEN
1st Chris Stephens
2nd= Mark Conolly and Matt Hibbert
AMATEUR LADIES
1st Helen Thompson
2nd Johara Sykes Davies
3rd Emma Rimmer
SENIORS
1st Kevin Maguire
2nd Marizu Okereke
3rd Barry Mcghee
JUNIORS
1st Dan Gallimore
2nd Jake Johnson
3rd Dan James