Set on the edge of the beautiful Gower Peninsula, 5 mile long Swansea Bay is protected by the headland from almost all the south westerly swell that hits the area. While this may make it one of the few Gower beaches with no surf, it doesnt stop the wind getting in. As competitors in Kiteival 09 found out...
So the wind duly blew. Who needs exfoliating cream when you can sandblast your pours watching kitesurfing craziness in Swansea Bay? Spectators strong enough to brave the winds at round one of the BKSA National Freestyle Tour ‘09 weren’t disappointed. A changing mixture of heavy downpours, grey clouds and blinding sun kept the organisers on their toes. The one thing that was consistent though was the 2530mph wind, and the Bay was treated to plenty of excellent tricks and huge airs all weekend.
Great action in both the mens and womens finals saw Toby Raw, competing in his first Mens Pro event, land first place. The girls event was put on hold while the organisers let some pretty harsh conditions pass overhead - when they got underway again Hannah Whitely won what looked like a close call.
Five time world champion Aaron Hadlow wasn’t competing, but could be seen entertaining the crowd (and the commentators) in the free surf with some crazy tricks. Results after 3 days of non stop wind and 97 competitors! Kitesurf Freestyle Pro Men 1 Toby Raw 2 Sam Light 3 Ali Barratt
Am Men 1 Tom Butler 2 Sam Moore 3 Ben Todd
Seniors 1 Pete Whitely 2 Matthew Davies 3 Marc Rowley
Pro Ladies 1 Hannah Whitely 2 Nicki Rudd 3 Sarah Silvester
Am Ladies 1 Megan Griffiths 2 Sukie Robertson 3 Sherly Confue
Juniors 1 Dan Morrice 2 Dan Sweeney 3 Oli Bridge
Course Racing Kitesurf 7 Jason McCaffery 1 Steph Bridge 8 James Longmuir 2 Andy Gratwick 9 Rob Darling 3 Denzil Williams 9 Dom Moore 4 Steve Stubbs 11 Neil Harper 5 Callum Edge 11 Nicky Rudd 6 Darren Pompey Kitelandboard Freestyle Mens 1 Lewis Wilby 2 AJ Philipsen 3 Nick Austin
Juniors 1 James Langton 2 Greg Chilton 4 Robbie Shire Maidment,
13 Alex Laird 13 Matt Smith 13 Peter Whiteley 16 James Edwards 17 Steve Mews
4 Ted Polkey 4 Jack Daykin
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