19/05/2025
THE 2025 BRITISH KITESPORTS ASSOCIATION (BKSA) WING FOIL RACING TOUR
Event 1 of the tour took place at Stithians Lake Activity Centre, near Redruth in Cornwall over the weekend of 17th /18th May. Competitors from across the UK travelled to take part. Both men and women from as far away as Suffolk and Essex enjoyed an amazing weekend of racing, activities, clinics and socials, basking in stunning Cornish Sunshine throughout. With amazing clear skies, sunblock was proving crucial to everyone on and off the water but the wind a key ingredient for the racing to run was proving somewhat elusive at times. It was no surprise classic Cornwall managed to deliver. Even in the settled conditions 5 complete rounds of slalom were completed to be able to offer a good set of results for the start of the National Series.
Alongside the competition, the Stithians Activity Centre laid on introductory training sessions to introduce anyone who came along to try this fun, exciting and accessible watersport. Stithians already has a very active wingfoiling membership which is a real testament to the consistently breezy conditions at this location and the professional and well-equipped Wing Foiling centre and school.
For the already converted many of the best UK brands were on hand to offer all comers a chance to see or even try out a selection of the latest foiling gear. Solution Cornwall (previously Kitesurfkit) who put the event together already has an established shop and demo centre at this great location.
The first Clinic was from local Waterman, Lee 'pasty' Harvey. He is both a Wingfoil and Kitesurf Coach from Marazion and gave a hugely insightful clinic on how to get the best out of your existing foils and what to look for going forward.
Early on Saturday Evening Steve Bowens also gave a brilliant presentation on his Foil Around Britain from Last year – An incredible achievement to plan and implement with weather, tides and timing all playing their part in what must have been monumental emotionally and physically not forgetting the logistics of it. If you get a chance to ever see it I would put it top of your list…
Throughout each day there were a huge selection of toys available to try out or see firsthand. A big shout out to the leading brands Duotone, Ion UK, F-One and AFS. We were also joined by Zoltan from The Foilboardshop. This is the place to go in Newquay offering expert advice on all aspects of north coast surfing and swell riding with foils and Foil Drive units (electrically assisted foiling setups)
In between waiting for wind there was a light wind pump foiling challenge generously sponsored by Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm. The Rattler Ride n’ Glide proved to be a showcase for some local talent with Jowan Vittle powering himself ahead of all comers with a short running start and a jump from the dock on to his board to take home the fastest time in a couple of course formats. The foils and boards they use are so efficient these agile athletes can reach both remarkable speed and distances making it look almost effortless…
The incredible weather of clear blue Cornish Skies continued throughout Saturday Evening all the way to a breathtaking Sunset. The mobile event catering crew from Café Mylor Cornwall delivered to around 80 people some amazing freshly made pizzas while everyone was entertained by tunes from a local DJ’s chilled sunset session - Needless to say a great selection of Rattler - Cornish Cloudy Cyder proved the perfect accompaniment to such a memorable evening for one and all. With camping on site adding to the convenience of such an amazing spot it really proved to be a day many people will remember for a while.
With only one race fully completed on the Saturday everything was to play for when the wind filled in enough to get four further quickfire races in before the wind dissipated in the early afternoon. All that was left before people headed for home was the Race prize giving with trophies for the British Kitesports Association Wingfoil Series being supplemented by generous product goodies from Duotone and F-One.
Emma Crozier from Essex took the Womans trophy, just pipping Dreya Bennett from Newquay into Second and Rachael Dobrjevic came in Third – Christine Henderson was Placed as First Ladies Vet.
In the Mens Fleet Hugo Dobrijevic (also first Youth) from Hayling Island lead consistently on Day 2 to take the Title from Jon Nichols with Cuba Staite.
In the Rattler Ride n’ Glide Dock Start & pump foiling event Jowan Vittle proved to have the edge over Hugo, Cuba and Theo taking home some great merch from Rattler Cyder and Healey’s Cyder Farm. Being under 18 he was certainly enjoying the great taste of Rattler. In the meantime most everyone else appreciated one of Conwall’s best beverages for a sunny weekend - Rattler Original.
This event proved a perfect opportunity for making some new friends, enjoying some fun racing , creating some memorable moments on and off the water as well as taking home a Wing Tour Event T-shirt alongside a few goodies to begin preparation for the next event in Poole in July…
Huge thanks goes to all the competitors who entered, the race team and volunteers and the following
Solution Cornwall Ltd – The BKSA and its local Kernow Kitesurf Club – South West Lakes Trust for allowing us to use their amazing centre and location – Healey’s Cyder Farm for their huge support powering the party and their generous Prizes – Café Mylor for their incredible Pizzas and smiley faces when twice as many people turned up!!! - Duotone Sports and K66 ltd – F-One UK – AFS UK – and Foilboardshop
And last but not least your go to weather check and life changing coffee at Marazion Beach on his decks Angus from the Hoxton Special who runs a BKSA school a little further west!!
